Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Yeah Rass, I had/have the intention of hooking it up to a paddlewheel or something similar for extra aeration, Am still looking at what bits and pieces I have lying around and matching them to my level of mechanical competence................
Axl

Heyrassd71 I too am looking for a way to harness the lot of wind power I have around me. I am starting with a win mill from 4in PVC pipe and the hub from a bicycle wheel. I have the same problem as you however. A practical way to turn from rotating vertical to horizontal.

I am thinking along the lines of attaching a rod to a vertical axis and use a piston action to pump air or water witch ever "works out" easier. (Old steam trains wheels come to mind)

will try that soon I allso hope one day to good totally off grid

One inexpensive option I'm considering for the 90* gear box is a right angle drill attachment. I'm just not sure how long it would hold up!

try and find a old junk shaft drive motorcycle, it will have what you need, be strong and have better bearings for less friction.

A Moto-Guzzi perhaps.......

It would have to be a TOTALLY trashed Moto-Guzzi before I could bring myself to cannibalize it! I'm going to talk to my step dad and see if he has a 90* gear box lying around... I know a few years ago he definitely would've, but now he's finally actually retiring.

i prolly have have an extra one.

depends how much power you're looking at generating. You may find that the 90* drill attachment gives you less losses on a small setup than a bullet proof 90* gearbox meant for a 1KW motor would.

I'm not looking to generate power, but instead to turn a water wheel with a windmill.

Rass, i meant power irrespective shaft power if you like.

If you're only turning a small water wheel then maybe go for the 90* drill thingy

Couldn't you just direct belt drive.... pulley to pulley???

Windmill pulley via belt to waterwheel pulley??

Steve,
As soon as I typed it, I knew what you meant. Energy is energy, in any form.

RupertofOZ,
I hadn't thought about it, kinda like the old machine shops with the pulleys and leather belts... I'll tinker with that and see what I can come up with. thanks.

or direct drive

Exactly the picture that sprang to mind.... that sort of system powered things for about a century... even when steam engines providing the power instead of wind...

Could you explain a little? I'm kinda slow sometimes.


hmmm, maybe something like this...



Again, please forgive the rough sketch, it's the computer version of a cocktail napkin.


I'm thinking the paddle wheel could also be made from a plastic barrel. And if it could move up and down with the water level... hmmm more tinkering.