Progress Report on Watermotor Project to Yahoo Microhydro Group, Watermotor in the Andes, Jan. 26, 2005

[microhydro] Watermotor in the Andes

From Ron & Diane
Wed, 26 Jan 2005 14:46:26 -0800

Jan. 26, 2005



We have invented what seems to be the only modern turbine specifically
designed to run machine directly with waterpower.
This amounts to a revival of traditional waterpower use.
The direct use of the the turbine's mechanical power makes it practical
to use much smaller waterpower sources, because 50-150 % more energy is
obtained than if the mechanical power were to be converted into
electricity, then back again to mechanical power. Smaller waterpower
sources are exponentially more plentiful.
The turbine also has better torque characteristics than an electric motor,
and of course can't overheat or be damaged through hard use. This makes it
possible to use a nominally smaller amount of power to do the same amount
of work.
Naturally the cost of the equipment and installation will be
significantly lower--from 50-80 % percent lower.

The main obstacle to the direct use of waterpower to run machines was that
turbines normally did not have an on/off control switch, as does an
electric motor. This is not important when running a generator, but is
essential to the safe operation of a table saw, and most other machines.
So a power control switch was what we needed to invent in order to create
the Watermotor. This took a number of years, and many designs.
The result can be seen on our www.watermotor.net web-site.

We have a small demonstration site on the eastern slope of the Andes,
about 3 hours from La Paz, Bolivia. It is a good example of a minimal
installation that provides a substantial amount of power. It has a 18 meter
head, a single 4" thinwall plastic penstock, bringing the basic
installation cost to around $1000 u.s. We use the power to grind grain,
run a table saw, auto alternator for charging batteries, air
compressor---nearly any function normally using a fixed electric motor.
We would very much like to see the Watermotor made available throughout
the "developing world". The design adheres as much as possible to the
tenants of appropriate technology invention. It is constructed from
universally available materials, by common metal-shop processes. It is
certified 75% efficient by the hydraulic institute of the University of San
Andres. The larger model used a bronze turgo wheel and can produce 20 h.p.
The Watermotor power control switch is patented here in Bolivia.
We are interested in helping to produce Watermotors in other parts of the
world by supplying technical know-how.
The long distance promotion of low cost technology is far more practical
than ever before with the use of the Internet and digital cameras.
We are soon to build a Campo Nuevo Permaculture greenhouse in New Zealand
this way. The builders will be able to consult with us at nearly no cost
several times a day, if need be.
The Watermotor web-site has more information and explanations of why we
chose to invent the Watermotor.
The is also an article about my work in Home power Magazine #71, June-July
1999. It is in the web. Although you will see that the design has greatly
evolved since then, the philosophy is the same.


All the best,
Ron Davis,
Campo Nuevo,
La Paz, Bolivia