Modern windmill

[joeysmith]

Wonder what the guys that originally built it would think

 

[rrlund]

I'm sure he would marvel at it, not tell you 5000 stupid reasons why it shouldn't exist.

 

[GChief]

I'm sure he would marvel at it, not tell you 5000 stupid reasons why it shouldn't exist.

Amen

 

[joeysmith]

Probably so

Especially when hes not jacking the handle on a hot windless august afternoon

 

[Gambles]

I have put in some time at the original Dempster plant in Beatrice, Nebraska that used to make windmills. (Building(s) are currently being demolished) Several times, I’ve also pulled the casings below the old pump windmills to replace the leather cups. I have no problem with somebody going modern and using the sun to pump water.
The new stuff won’t last as long, however.

 

[David from Kansas]

We are seeing more and more of the solar pumps in our area. A son has had several installed. We still have a well in our large pasture (160 acres) that we use a small gas engine to pump water for the cattle. I can remember when dad had that well drilled about 70 years ago Installed a large 10' fiberglass tank there a few years ago. In the summer, like at present, it is necessary to pump water with the engine about every 2 days because of a severe drought . In wet weather, sometimes we can rely on the springs running into the pasture to water the cattle.
No measurable rain for a couple of months now. Spring crops, corn, milo, soybeans are all about done for here. Pasture grass is starting to dry up. Record high temps (106F +) in some places yesterday and more forecasted for the coming days. Not very encouraging.

 

[joeysmith]

We are seeing more and more of the solar pumps in our area. A son has had several installed. We still have a well in our large pasture (160 acres) that we use a small gas engine to pump water for the cattle. I can remember when dad had that well drilled about 70 years ago Installed a large 10' fiberglass tank there a few years ago. In the summer, like at present, it is necessary to pump water with the engine about every 2 days because of a severe drought . In wet weather, sometimes we can rely on the springs running into the pasture to water the cattle.
No measurable rain for a couple of months now. Spring crops, corn, milo, soybeans are all about done for here. Pasture grass is starting to dry up. Record high temps (106F +) in some places yesterday and more forecasted for the coming days. Not very encouraging.

Im south of Wichita so not as bad as I believe your area is but still getting dry fast.

The thing I have found with these solar setups is we can use a low GPM pump an produce a lot of water over 24 hours.
Much like the old wind driven pumps.

A lot of these old wells around here cannot supply enough water for a generator an pump wide open.

 

[joeysmith]

Did another one for them
Been tweaking the controls an went from relays to software

probably the first to plug a laptop into a windmill in the county lol

The battery setup is temporary till we get to town to grab some deep cycle lead acid batteries

 

[bmack95hd]

The birds love them

 

[Richard G.]

The birds love them

Funny but true.

 

[TomA in CA]

I love windmills but for very reasonable cost, ease of installation and servicing, solar is by far the best alternative.

 

[joeysmith]

I love windmills but for very reasonable cost, ease of installation and servicing, solar is by far the best alternative.

Agreed.
That one would of been a good one to repair but in the end solar will produce more water

The top 3 feet of pipe wast rusted out but the rest looked like it was installed a year ago.

Surprisingly gpod shape for being dormant 50 or more years

 

[Texasmark]

View attachment 162270

Wonder what the guys that originally built it would think

That's a neat idea and it can power your defroster in the winter.

 

[joeysmith]

That's a neat idea and it can power your defroster in the winter.

I haven't figured that out yet other than putting an absurd amount of panels an batteries up.

Even something to circulate the water enough to keep it from freezing would take a large amount of power.

Very open to ideas if anyone has them....

 

[GermantownGreen]

I haven't figured that out yet other than putting an absurd amount of panels an batteries up.

Even something to circulate the water enough to keep it from freezing would take a large amount of power.

Very open to ideas if anyone has them....

Lookup Ranching Sodak on YouTube.
Matt is 52, in South Dakota, has some ideas, some older vids talk about the tank, setup for the cold winters.... Nice work above in the pictures. GG Wes