It has been extremely cold down the shed these last few days, Storm Catcher has been re built on the new and improved cantilever stand, the stand is working well although I have lost some of my weights from my home gym. It is easy to lower and raise making it easier to build the sculptures on it rather than climbing up and down a ladder. It is also fully adjustable.
Sadly Storm Catcher is still not quite right. I am beginning to think that the curve of the blades is to subtle and I may need to change the shape, but I really like the look of it as it is and in theory it should work fine. Time will tell. There is also the problem with the wind in my back garden, it is very turbulent as it is deflected off of trees, house roofs and garden sheds etc. I would have to get the sculpture up very high to get it in to clean wind and that is not possible. Another option is to build it on the coast somewhere or high up on a hill. When the weather warms up I will dismantle it as I have a few tweaks that may just make the difference.
I have been very busy studying, designing and working on the mechatronics sculptures that are going to be powered by solar and electric motors as well as the wind. I am struggling with the electrical side of things but think I have enough of an understanding now to make a start on a design, it is going to be a bit of a gamble as to how well it will work, but hopefully once I get a good enough understanding of the electronics I should be able to design and make kinetic art that will work no matter what the weather or could even be in doors.