Model 206/6-Volt & Model 212/12-Volt Power Plants

Your new Model 206 or 212 Power Plant is a good machine. The materials are of high quality; the workmanship is of the best--but it is still a machine. Please read these instructions carefully, from cover to cover, before you install and operate your Wind Driven Power Plant. The service you get will depend quite largely on how you install it, and how you care for it after it is installed.

The "Slip-the-Wind" Principle

The generator of your Model 206 or 212 power plant is mounted on a trunion pin, so it can tilt upward and back. Just as the tops of trees and shrubs lean over to let strong winds pass, this hinged type generator mounting allows damaging winds to pass over the propeller.

Our engineers have found that there is a definite relation between wind speed, propeller speed, and propeller thrust. These are natural forces that are found in every wind-powered device, whether it be the sail of a ship, the wing of an airplane, or a propeller. The "Slip-the Wind Principle" acts as a safety-valve which will both relieve the tower of heavy strain in time of storm and serve as a governor in winds that are safe. The same principle is used to neutralize the propeller by throwing it "out of the wind".

Obstacles in the Path of the Wind

The air is a fluid, just as water is. If you have seen a river at flood stage, you may have noted how every obstruction in the bed of the stream, every turn of the bank causes eddies and cross currents that affect the main current. The same is true of the wind, trees, building, even rolling hills influence the wind. A slat snowfence stops blowing snow, and piles it into drifts. A "wind break" of bare willow trees gives noticeable protection to a farm yard in the winter time. When these trees are in full leaf, their effect on the wind is even greater. Since your power plant operates from the wind, its location is very important.

Figure 1

Figure 1 shows in a general way how the wind moves over building and groves. The effect of the grove is usually greater than that of a building because a grove is longer and the wind does not sweep in around the ends so soon. However, several buildings, if they happen to be so located, can produce very disturbing eddies and cross currents which will cause your power plant to act very erratic. Under such conditions the plant is always very inefficient, and propeller breakage may be common. In general, the power plant should be mounted 10 feet above all obstructions within 300 feet of the tower. The direction of the prevailing winds should also be kept in mind.