Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Mounting a Windmill on a Building Roof

I don't have power at my pond site and am considering a windmill. My pond is only 1/4 to 1/3 acre and appoximately 12 feet at the deepest. The pond sits within 75 feet of my barn, and I was wondering if they make a windwill that would mount to the roof of the barn to get it higher and to eliminate the need for the tripod base? (less expense?) I think this would be the best place for maximum wind as the barn is on the west side of the pond and the rest of the pond is surrounded by woods. The peak of the barn is appoximately 20 feet tall.

I know American eagle has a roof mount windmill that might fit your needs. Not sure on the other brands.

Thanks, I will look into that one.

I was wondering if the roof would negatively affect the wind velocity before it hits the windmill. In searching I found the site below that explains that a roof actually accelerates the wind. Can anyone confirm this?

http://windenergy7.com/turbines/wind-energy/rooftop-wind-turbine-roof-mount/

I looked at the american eagle and their youtube videos. Of course they say they're the best around. Does anyone have any experience with this windmill?

Any power in the barn? 75ft is a short distance for an airline.

No, unfortunately. It's a 1/4 mile off the road. $5000 to $6000 to run electric.

Hello NonTypicalCPA. I would say there may be some truth to that.It probably acts like an airplane wing.An airplane wing is flat on one side, and the top is rounded. When air tries to go around an airplane wing, the wing splits the air. The air molecules that go under the wing are being seperated from the molecules that go over the top. The air molecuels that are seperated try to be come rejoined. Since the air molecules going over the top, have a farther distance to go, due to the rounded shape of the top of the wing, those molecules must travel faster to meet up with the ones going across the bottom. In the aviation world, this is what creates lift. The faster moving air is lighter and the slower is heavier. So you are possibly getting some increased turbulence from the air traveling over and around the house. I know with electrical turbines, they give a chart for trees and structures in front of them due to a "wash type effect".
Clear as mud right?

About $300.00 for 1300 ft 1 inch ID airline which could be purchased locally, if the windmill does not pan out. 1/4 mile no problem for the properly sized compressor. Should be less than a grand $$ for total project.Sometimes not practical where the airline needs to be placed or trenched. Just another option.

That is one that I've considered. I still need to get the power company to cross the road and drop service - I'll have to check into that cost. I've got a brother-in-law that is in the sprinkling business. He has a machine that slices in irrigation water lines. I'm not sure how big the lines are, but assuming the correct size could I use that pipe? I've got a clean sandy run from the road to the pond so installing the line would be a breeze. It wouldn't be below the frost line - any problems with that? What size compressor would I need?

Rare for an inch line to freeze while system is running and if it does they are simple to thaw out with a few oz of alcohol.Min size compressor would be 1.5 cfm and max needed would be 2.5 cfm with the correct air station.

Hi, Im new and need help. Extremely new to pond and management. Currently have a windmill that is not pumping air into our 1/2 acre pond.(deepest point 6ft)We were told there are fish in there, but havent seen any. Im having a string algae problem and my dog swims and is getting sick. I just don't know where to start! I'm not sure who to call. Any advice?
Thanks, Stephanie

Welcome to PondBoss,Where in Ohio are you located and perhaps I can steer you to someone local in the know concerning your windmill and pond problems. As far as your dog getting sick how does this relate to your pond?Is this something A Vet has diagnosed?You are off to a great pond management start just by finding this site, search its contents for many Pond Management 101 discussions. I would also get the books that Bob Lusk has written (available on this site) about pond management and for sure subscribe to the PondBoss magazine.

Stephanie - at times under certain conditions a pond can develop abundant greenish colored algae that usually floats and forms scummy films downwind similar looking to thick heavy bath tub floating soap scum only green and denser - thicker. Some of these algae when injested by a dog licking its fur or drinking the water can make the dog sick and occassionally the dog may die after being quite sick. Caution is the plan for allowing the dogs to swim when the pond has abundant floating thin films or scums of greenish grainny algae. This harmful algae is not the type in mats-clumps-wads nor is it in stringy floating green clumps (string algae aka filamentous algae FA), both common in ponds and rarely toxic.

Three of the most common problems with a windmill not producing air bubbles are 1. the diaphragm is worn, cracked and or split - replace it. 2. the underwater bubbler (diffuser) is all clogged up and holes in it plugged shut - (cleaning needed), 3. the check valves (often 2) in the head of the windmill are dirty & not working properly and need to be replaced - often done when the diaphragm is replaced. Windmills need regular maintenance.

Thanks for your help. I live in Lebanon ohio and would love to find someone that can evaluate the water. As far as my dog getting sick, he loves to swim and has not been sick untill he has started swimming. He has had to be on pepcid ac and he is actually eating the algae. The vet says he is having reflux from all the constant salivating he is doing.
Thanks, Stephanie

Bill,
Thank you for all the valuable information. I will try all three of the things you have suggested regarding the windmill. I also plan to try and keep the dogs out of the water till I get the water clear.
Thank you,
Stephanie

Stephanie, I would make a contact on Jones Fish and Lake Management toll free 800-662-3474 or visit at www.jonesfish.com One of their offices is in Newton and they regularly do work in your area. They are experts in water quality and management and can also address your aeration problems.If you currently have algae it may be Spirogyra and is difficult to control in cold water.As the water warms up it will likely be replaced by a different algae until the source is delt with.Aerating your water may have little effect on your algae. Report back on your progress.

I have the tall eagle and I really like it. I will post pics soon.
I know the blades on mine are 6" bigger than the other ones, but I don't know if the roof mount one is the smaller size or not.

I don't know how much juice an electric aeration unit pulls, but could it feasibly be done with solar panels for less than the cost of the $5000+ of running electricity to the barn?

I wouldn't be so sure about that. See the link. Almost four grand and runs one diffuser.
http://www.thepondguy.com/product/1600/solar-aeration-systems

Depending on your situation these guys have been in the winmill areation for years.
http://www.koenderswindmills.com/Koenders_Windmills_FreeAir.html
Also for electric generation I have some friends that swear by the low air (3mph) flow windmill Missouri Wind and Solar units. [url=www.mwands.com/ ]www.mwands.com/ [/url]

A solar system for our 4 acre pond was $17,000. Electricity would have cost at least $10,000 to run down there and the cost of the system. A windmill system was $1500.

There is a wind farm going up near Luddington, MI. Been buy it three times, and think that these massive gizmos would be a perfect fit for a Pink Floyd album jacket Add a few flying Pig's... Kinda ominous to say the least!