Wind driven generators

[TC747paul]

Does anyone have a lead on a wind driven generator? Knots2you told me they are out of production?? Thanks

[Ragwing nut]

original or something new?

[Hank Jarrett]

There is a person looking at making new props for the Ward Aero unit that are milled from stock instead of cast (cast ones are known to throw blades). The generator itself was made by Evenrude in the late 40s and early 50s and are still available occasionally in the boat world. I had one repaired using Evenrude parts. Problem is without the prop the generator is kind of useless. When we can get props we should be able to make up generators. Of course all should know that there are a few IAs out there who think making parts for our planes or repairing old ones is illegal. Building your own generator from non aircraft parts is also probably very very illegal so remember these would only be good as displays. ;-) Good thing I found some NOS wing tip fairings!

[TC747paul]

I was trying to order new from knots2you and spruce. I would be interested in original but thought it was unobtanium.

[3Dreaming]

Do you need a generator, or will an alternator work? I think there are a couple different alternator options out there.

[Hank Jarrett]

I was trying to order new from knots2you and spruce. I would be interested in original but thought it was unobtanium.

They are pretty much unobtanium, but the things used to make them originally are still out there. The antique boat guys still have the generator cores. Middle photo is of mine with a snapped off output shaft. It was rebuilt by a shop that rebuilt aircraft generators. Unfortunately the owner retired and they went out of business. I have all the wiring diagrams and original paperwork too.

[Ragwing nut]

I was trying to order new from knots2you and spruce. I would be interested in original but thought it was unobtanium.

I have an original along with a strut mount. It would need rewound to 12v and needs a prop.

[n6346m]

There is a person looking at making new props for the Ward Aero unit that are milled from stock instead of cast (cast ones are known to throw blades). The generator itself was made by Evenrude in the late 40s and early 50s and are still available occasionally in the boat world. I had one repaired using Evenrude parts. Problem is without the prop the generator is kind of useless. When we can get props we should be able to make up generators. Of course all should know that there are a few IAs out there who think making parts for our planes or repairing old ones is illegal. Building your own generator from non aircraft parts is also probably very very illegal so remember these would only be good as displays. ;-) Good thing I found some NOS wing tip fairings!

Maybe someone could make those props out of plastic with a 3-D printer.
Bob.

[Robert Lees]

Hank: Your first photo shows what appears to be a similar generator attach bracket that I removed from the belly of my USA Taylorcraft. I removed it; it's still in the USA and free to anyone who wants it.

Your last photo shows a Prestolite motor...in my days working for Bridgeport Machine tools, and later other companies, we used Prestolite motors all the time, but usually much larger ones.

Rob

[Hank Jarrett]

You can BET Taylorcraft and Ward Aero both bought off the shelf components. Not surprising at all lots of other companies did too. I would be surprised if folks DIDN'T find that generator/motor used on other products. The bracket in one of the earlier photos was what I got with my 45 Taylorcraft. The 41 had a factory welded in stump that the generator post slid in to and was locked in with a cross bolt. The photo is of the belly of my 41 where the pylon sticks out. After busting my head on it a few times I carved a wood piece with a nice smooth curve to slide in and secure. Still smacks my head, but at least I don't bleed all over the place!

[n6346m]

I bought a wind driven generator about 20 years ago with the intention of putting it on my L-2B. I really do not have a need for it and I may be willing to part with it. It appears to be NOS or possibly rebuilt by the manufacturer. The attached tag is not a return to service tag or a work order. The side of the tag not shown in the photo has what appears to be the listing of the test bench results, so I believe it is new as there is no work order number on it. It has three wire connections on the back side (not shown). I have a wiring diagram and a suggested voltage regulator to convert it to 12 volts. I can supply more pictures if needed. It says that it is original equipment for the Piper L-4 (Cub), and I assume that it was probably used on similar aircraft like the L-2. It wasn't cheap when I bought it and I hope that it has gone up in rarity and value since then. Let me know if you're interested in it or if you have more information that you can give me on the history of these generators.

Bob Picard
P.S. I don't think that I have ever seen a data plate safety wired before and it doesn't look like it's done correctly.