new to me F&W 37 Star Zepher soon: tips for care in windy area requested

Generally speaking, this area is for general discussion about windmills, in most cases.
Post Reply
DennisT
Posts: 116
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2022 10:34 pm
Location: Adams County, Washington state

new to me F&W 37 Star Zepher soon: tips for care in windy area requested

Post by DennisT »

Having had a 10-foot F&W Steel Star Zephyr hidden in my back building for several years, I finally struck a barter arrangement to get it put up. I'd given up not knowing how to get this done. Now I have someone who I have confidence in, who has experience, who will put it up soon. It is in good condition and is being thoroughly prepared to run again. I live in an area that sees light breezes most of the time and can, at times, get gusty/windy. I would like to learn all I can about how to care for this F&W under this environment. I've read all I can find and the fellow putting it up is already giving me a lot of good advice. I'm asking here in the hope of gaining a wider range of comments about what has served you all well in maintaining your windmills in windy areas. I do have a 29-foot reach Telco bucket truck, and hope that will help me take good care of it. I'm at an age now where ladders are not a good idea any longer. General thoughts appreciated, Dennis
Windcatcher530 Dan
Posts: 1902
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:06 pm
Location: Alcove N.Y.i buy and restore

Re: new to me F&W 37 Star Zepher soon: tips for care in windy area requested

Post by Windcatcher530 Dan »

Dennis is your bucket truck tall enough to get to the mill for maintenance?
DennisT
Posts: 116
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2022 10:34 pm
Location: Adams County, Washington state

Re: new to me F&W 37 Star Zepher soon: tips for care in windy area requested

Post by DennisT »

Oooops.... Guess I forgot to clarify that part. He's assembling a 20-foot tower. That's intentional because my bucket truck has a, "29-foot reach." Windmill might look better on a 30-foot tower, but what we're doing is my choice for servicing it. I think it might be close getting up where I can pull the hood off to refill oil. I'm new to owning/watching/maintaining a windmill. Still trying to figure out how they behave. If I pull the sails in, can the whole thing still swing into my bucket if the wind picks up? (That would be bad) Hope this helps.
Windcatcher530 Dan
Posts: 1902
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:06 pm
Location: Alcove N.Y.i buy and restore

Re: new to me F&W 37 Star Zepher soon: tips for care in windy area requested

Post by Windcatcher530 Dan »

Yes even furled your windmill will still rotate back and forth. Just plan maintenance on a calm day.
DennisT
Posts: 116
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2022 10:34 pm
Location: Adams County, Washington state

Re: new to me F&W 37 Star Zepher soon: tips for care in windy area requested

Post by DennisT »

That's what I thought. Might take careful planning. I wonder how long term brake maintenance is for the F&W's??????
Post Reply