Measuring wind speed

[Stonehead]

Has anyone found a fairly inexpensive but sturdy and accurate anemometer?

I've been trying to record wind speeds here using the protractor and hanging ball method, but the ball is often horizontal and/or blows off. That would indicate wind speeds above 50mph at 2m agl.

If I come down off the ridge, the protactor method usually works but I'd really like to get an accurate picture of our actual median wind speed over time on the highest point.

So, any pointers to an anemometer I might be able to afford (and will last)?

Thanks.

[paradox]

Good afternoon stonehead
The following link i found after a quick google search may be of some use to you.

http://www.otherpower.com/anemometer.html

[Martin]

NRG are the industry standard, but rather pricey! Davis instruments do some which are also well thought of - if you shop around you should be able to get a halfway decent radio weather station for about 150 quid - add 45 quid for the software, and you can bung it on the net - like this one! http://www.geoffwebber.co.uk/weather/index1.htm
I'll have a rootle about, but offhand I can't think of anything more affordable that'll do the job!

[Martin]

nearly forgot these! - not yet sold in the UK, you'd have to order from the States, but are very highly recommended (as used at Samrey's testing grounds in Montana!) - built to take a pasting! http://www.winddatalogger.com/

[Stonehead]

NRG are the industry standard, but rather pricey! Davis instruments do some which are also well thought of - if you shop around you should be able to get a halfway decent radio weather station for about 150 quid - add 45 quid for the software, and you can bung it on the net - like this one! http://www.geoffwebber.co.uk/weather/index1.htm
I'll have a rootle about, but offhand I can't think of anything more affordable that'll do the job!

Now that's cool! And yes, I'm a saddo...

But £200! Ouch.

[Stonehead]

Good afternoon stonehead
The following link i found after a quick google search may be of some use to you.

http://www.otherpower.com/anemometer.html

Thanks, the converted bicycle speedometer has potential - not least because I found a speedometer in one of the outbuildings a few weeks ago. Now, where did I put it?

[Martin]

then to get the data over time, all you need to do is source a busted barograph............

[Stonehead]

Following on from that, how well does the "average" wind turbine (up to say 5kW) stand up to regular strong winds and repeated gales?

From my own observations over the past three years, I know we have strong breezes for most of the month from around October through to about April/May, near gales and up once or twice a week and storms about once a month (and sometime more frequently).

Mind you, if you look at the official descriptions, then two weeks ago we had a hurricane as the wind speed exceeded 70mph and the peak gust was 87mph.


Other than using a protractor and ball, I've based these observations on:

Strong breeze - the power lines that cross our place whistle, the big branches on the oak trees over the road move, and you can't carry sheet plywood/corrugated metal outside the steading.

Near gales - a deep whistle from the power lines, the oaks themselves move and the trees in heart of the sitka spruce plantation start moving.

Gale: the power lines get a deep thrum, you can't open the doors of the Land Rover when the wind is blowing on them, branches come down from the trees, and you have to lean into the wind to walk.

Strong gale: It's difficult to drive the Land Rover in a straight line, small boys get knocked over by the wind, and it's time to check all the roofing again as it starts to rattle and lift. You can feel the even the biggest trees thrumming at ground level and the electricity sometimes fails.

Storm: Trees fall over, roofs come off, boys get blown away and I get knocked over, sheep stagger when they stand up and if blown onto the fence, can't get off, and the electricity always fails.

On that basis, we rarely have less than a strong breeze or a near gale!!

How well engineered is the average turbine and is it even worth trying to build a homebrewed one to take that amount of force?

[Martin]

how does it equate to Montana? http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/wxpage.cgi?call=CW0228 - (a wind turbine testing ground)

[Stonehead]

how does it equate to Montana? http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/wxpage.cgi?call=CW0228 - (a wind turbine testing ground)

For the past 10 days, about the same. I can't see historical data on their site going further back.

It's why I want to get accurate wind speed measurements here. To see exactly what we've got before sticking something up and seeing it blow away!