[TowerTalk] Tri-Ex HS 588

[ersmar at comcast.net]

Chuck:

     Guying what is supposed to be a self-supporting structure like that is not a good idea.  In heavy winds, the upwind guy wire(s) will pull down on the structure to keep it upright.  A crank-up tower is held in the extended position by steel cables that have a limit on the amount of downward force they can resist.  Combine this limited downward strength with additional pull from the guy wires and your entire structure could collapse into itself.

     Can you find a wooden pole from your local electric utility or co-op?  You should be able to guy this thing - the power companies do it all the time.  It should cost less than a tower + concrete + etc.  Or maybe some used Rohn tower sections (Rohn 45 ought to work for you here.)  These towers are MADE to be guyed and you can probably get some engineering docs from the factory.

     You're finding out something very important about renewable energy:  The laws of Economics often conflict with the laws of Physics.  Nevertheless, good luck with your project.


Regards,
Gene Smar


 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "charles mcneil" <calchuck at hughes.net>
>     I am building a wind generator and have bought a Tri-Ex HS 588 tower from a 
> neighbor. This was evidently a three section 58' crank-up tower but the top 
> section was missing. 
>     I want to weld in some support plates in the top and install a 12' piece of 
> schedule 40 pipe to set my generator on. the generator will weigh about 250 lbs 
> with blades.
>     The local building inspector tells me I will have to have an engineering 
> report saying the tower can be used for the purpose. I plan to guy the tower at 
> 20' and again at about 40' but have no idea how guying a self supporting tower 
> affects it's wind load capacity.
>     Does anyone have any specs on this tower? Anyone have any suggestions on how 
> to deal with this problem? I have looked into new towers but quickly found out 
> that I would have more money in the tower than I could ever get out of Renewable 
> Energy.
>     Thanks for your thoughts and time, CHUCK
> _______________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk