Subject: Windmill Lightening Protection
14 Sep 03


I almost forgot about the simplest way of all that we had planned.

I bought some of those large 220 Volt three prong plugs (used for welders-dryers) and receptacle.   The plan was to put one in the circuit on the way from the windmill to the circuitry.   When lightening gets close one simply unplugs this from the electronics (rectifiers-battery) and plugs it into a receptacle that is say 3 to 5 ft away.  This receptacle has one lead grounded and spark gaps on the rest.  The windmill is then free whiling.  Another way would be to put this after the short it out to bring the windmill to a stop switch.   Currently I am not sure whether to plan on keeping it from moving or letting it run without power is the best way.   The lightning arresters that we have purchased would then be used to protect the electronics and be on that side of the plug.  This would provide protection while still hooked up.  The only down side is when does one decide to make the plug shift and who volunteers to do it?  There is a risk of being hit with lightening in making the switch.   I have found no reasonably priced switches that have their contacts a long ways apart that I consider will work.  What are your thoughts on all this?