About the Whirlydoodle: FAQs
What Is Whirlydoodle?
The Whirlydoodle is a wind powered generator that produces beautiful spinning colors in response to the wind. It does not use batteries and is powered entirely from the wind. The spinning and changing colors are not only beautiful at night, they are useful as an indication of wind speed and direction. The Whirlydoodle will pivot with the prevailing wind, and the lights will shine more brightly in direct response to wind speed.
How Does It Work?
Wind causes the blades to rotate, powering a generator that produces electricity for the multicolored LEDs (light emitting diodes) mounted on the blades. At low speeds, only individual colors appear on the Whirlydoodle, which are followed by alternating colors at higher speeds. Higher wind speeds cause additional colors to appear and the lights to become brighter, up to a maximum of about 30 MPH wind speed. An effect called persistence of vision creates the visual perception of colors that appear to change and blend.
What Can We Learn From Whirlydoodles?
Whirlydoodles are a micro- electric energy system that convert wind energy directly into light and are useful to anyone interested in alternative energy and the weather. They are both similar and different to the large windmills and demonstrate the importance of local weather conditions on alternative energy projects. Click here to learn more about the educational possibilities of Whirlydoodle. Winds are highly variable in both speed and direction, and an excellent indicator of the impending weather conditions. Weather systems typically produce a unique sequence of wind patterns that Whirlydoodles visualize, highlighting daily and seasonal patterns of wind and air movement in a memorable way. Whirlydoodles in the landscape help property owners to locate a suitable spot to erect a windmill for maximum energy output. Click here to learn more about Whirlydoodle and the weather.
How else can Whirlydoodles be used?
A field of Whirlydoodles can be a striking public art installation that demonstrates the power of wind energy. Several temporary public art installations have been created using Whirlydoodles. Click here to learn more about the Whirlydoodle Project’s installations. To suggest your own ideas, or to explore the possibility of a public art installation in your community, contact us.