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 Of all the interesting wood bearing applications Woodex has received via the internet, William Clegg's home hydroelectric plant is clearly the most aesthetically pleasing.
A shoe repairman by trade, William is an avid gardener, whose landscaping accomplishments include a waterfall, this waterwheel, and a crenellated, stone folly in which to house a permanent magnet generator, powered by the wheel.
William inquired via EngNet about wood pillow block bearings, to replace the rolling element bearings he had at the time, which rusted in the wet conditions.
Woodex furnished a pair of split, self-centering pillow blocks, one of which is shown at right.
The crenellated tower at left houses William's generator, which is powered by the wheel via two stages of v-belt reduction.
The generating set is still being tweaked, but William should ultimately be able to produce a significant portion of his electrical needs with his waterfall. The powerhouse also provides a fine defensive position for archers and oilpots, should the English decide to invade.
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