Here at Mesmerisingmetal I have been researching solar power as I would very much like to experiment with an alternative power supply than the wind. I have a few ideas to use the rain, but not overly keen on that idea. I have just added a little cheap solar powered Tea light to the Eternal Flame and it sets it off quite well at night. When I finish the stand I intend to hide a few underneath the sculpture to illuminate it.
For a lot of my sculptures an uplight sets them off at night but I have been unable to find the ideal solar powered uplighter. So I am thinking of making my own. No idea how yet. So a bottle of wine and the internet and hopefully I will eventually come up with a way. I have just spent the last two nights researching electric motors and solar power and I am beginning to understand what is required (I think).
Stripped down and modified the Storm catcher over the last two days and I am ready to rebuild it, I shortened the chassis and moved the pivot point further forward so hopefully it will track the wind better, I also machine down the sleeves that the seals run on reducing the drag. They should still keep the water out and increase the life of the bearings especially in harsh conditions. I will not be able to build it back up yet as I am not happy with the new cantilever stand and will start on improving it tomorrow (Yes I will be in the shed on Christmas day). I need to make the counter weight adjustable or ad a winch. As I don't have a winch and also I think it would be an expensive option I am going to use some weights I have from some old dumbells.