Wind Turbine Tech

[Sr. WiNdTeCh]

I've made a few posts already but figured I'd post one here. I work on wind turbines for a living, for a hobby I do about everything you can except work on cars or bikes. I dont have any "toys" my toys are tools, and guns, hell I named my son after my favorite rifle. Anyways I'll be around here and will try to stay active as I can.

 

[Lone Star Blaze]

Welcome

I will graduate in December with a Wind Energy Associates degree. How do like the job? I'm excited to get a job in that field looks like a challange but good work

 

[Sr. WiNdTeCh]

I've been doing it for 4.5 years, I didnt go to school for it either. I use to travel and make over 6figures but the traveling isn't worth it if you have a family, I'll stick with 80grand and minimal travel. I can say however that everyone that comes out of "wind turbine school" I dont like, reason being they think they know everything when really the really have no clue. Maybe because I've only done troubleshooting for those years and 90percent of people just do maintenance. Either way maybe we will meet some day as it is a small family.

Are you planning on traveling or do you know of a stationary site near you? I'm located in the mid-west, you?

 

[Lone Star Blaze]

Im in the Texas Panhandle but there arnt many wind jobs around here. About 4 hours south of me there is alot of wind jobs in the Abilene/Sweetwater area, I lived there in my late teens and early twentys and like the area so if i end up back down there I'll be happy.

I promise i dont know everything and wont claim to, but yes there are a ton of people who think they know everything about a line of work becouse they have a fancy piece of paper.

 

[Sr. WiNdTeCh]

I've been to Sweetwater area many times. You will enjoy it, just learn at home about electronics, plc's, and just electricity and hydraulics in general. Do you have a company in mind?

 

[Lone Star Blaze]

No, I have been told to stay away from mitsubishi and from talking to their recruiter I can see why. My brother in law delivers parts to Nextera in Western Okla. and he said they would be a great company to work for.

PLC's seem kind of hard, I'll take a class on them this summer so we'll see. I'm ok with electronics but I grew up in a hydraulic hose shop`so I have a pretty good knowledge of hydraulic systems.

I'm ready to start making some "real" money again. I enjoy doing hands on work. I was a supervisor for an oil company but got layed off in Aug. 2009 and have been working in a wearhouse for a medical supply company since. It kills me not to have a tool in my hand trying to figure out mechanical or techinal problems everyday.

 

[Berserker]

I used to work in coal plants. I work in distribution and transmission now, but still support the plants.

Around here, I consider the windmills a waste of money. Certains they may be more efficient. But the average person is clueless about how much power they actually generate.

 

[Berserker]

. I can say however that everyone that comes out of "wind turbine school" I dont like, reason being they think they know everything when really the really have no clue. ?

I am a EE. College doesn't teach you much, maybe a tech school more. But a 4 year is alot of wasted time. Its just a weed out. Proves you can learn.

I spend alot of time trouble shoot relay protection, I enjoy it.

 

[Sr. WiNdTeCh]

I'll tell you right now most wind turbines that are up now will have a hard time making more power than went into them, including steel, electronics, shipping, building and maintaining, etc.

I work with some mitsubishi guys they use to like the job but now they have a hand scanner to clock in and they change out gearbox after gearbox which im sure *****.

I'd look at gsinc.com Granite is the company, you will basically be a GE employee tho. I use to work for them, easy going and great pay.

 

[Sr. WiNdTeCh]

Here is what you have to look forward to





Had to replace the Slipring today due to bearing failure.

 

[CatKid]

Oh boy, the joys of working on turbines...

I work mostly on Gamesa's.

 

[Sr. WiNdTeCh]

Hey sweet deal, I'm in Iowa aswell and haven't personally worked on Gamesa but have heard horror stories... you don't work for outland do you?

 

[Spam16v]

Been trying to get into Clipperwind for a few years here in Buffalo, NY myself.

 

[Sr. WiNdTeCh]

Clipper will be a good turbine, possibly the best once they get them figured out. I think it would be a very good company to work for aslong as they don't go bankrupt. You even get an elevator

 

[CatKid]

Hey sweet deal, I'm in Iowa aswell and haven't personally worked on Gamesa but have heard horror stories... you don't work for outland do you?

Yes I do.

 

[Sr. WiNdTeCh]

Yes I do.

UH-OH - Hows that OSHA deal going? That was a bad deal. Is that guy still alive? Our company along with most I believe did a safety stand down over it.

Please don't tell me that's your tie off rail in that picture.... have you seen any foot prints on the ceiling of the nacelle yet?

 

[CatKid]

UH-OH - Hows that OSHA deal going? That was a bad deal. Is that guy still alive? Our company along with most I believe did a safety stand down over it.

Please don't tell me that's your tie off rail in that picture.... have you seen any foot prints on the ceiling of the nacelle yet?

That ghetto cable isnt actually a tie off point, yet stupid people still consider and use it as one. We actually attach a yo-yo to the gear box and use your laynards on each side while on the roof. Gamesa now has a better tie off point on the roof, but the old ones are worthless. Haven't seen any footprints up there?

 

[Sr. WiNdTeCh]

So.... not allowed to talk about the OSHA violation? I suppose it could be cool to work for the company that has the first violation in Wind.

 

[brettwind102]

Re: Wind Turbine Tech neat

Hey guys, so I found a fourm now I can talk to other people intrested in the field.
Im 26 and luckly live still with parents lol so it would be a great way to travel
Im intrested in doing traveling wind tech like the sr guy was saying making $80,000+

I might get a technical cerfection threw local community college 240hours

I dont know alot about electrical or hydrical stuff Ive done order picker stuff before with lowes and highets dont scare me

 

[Sr. WiNdTeCh]

I never went to school, and frankly after over 6 years in the field, people who go to school for it don't last long, and never get along with more experience people as when they come out of school they think they know everything. Just the way it is unfortunately. gsinc.com - See if they are hiring, I worked for them for awhile. They are a sister company of GE Wind.

 

[brettwind102]

Im gonna try studying hard then try the wind profersional cerfection 240hours
What ya think I think I would be perfect if i learned the electriacal and other parts

 

[brettwind102]

cool so you still work in the wind field currently? I might try to get a technical cerfection soon Im in florida

 

[brettwind102]

Is it ok to ask what you make per hour doing traveling to start
Thanks

 

[brettwind102]

Does anybody think only way to make good money get a skill like wind engery professional. I worked retail and hated the low pay for the amount of money I did.

 

[brettwind102]

guess hes not on here for a while

 

[theoldwizard1]

A friend of a friend is a tech. Good pay. Lots and LOTS of travel.

 

[brettwind102]

Does he enjoy it and do you know what I did as far as education a degree or technical
thanks

 

[theoldwizard1]

2 year degree at a junior college/community college.

 

[brettwind102]

I was wandering if technical cerf would be ok and what I could make as a traveling tech after 6months to a year

 

[theoldwizard1]

You need to do more research on exactly what type of education is required. There is also a lot of training that must be completed after you are first hired including climbing high towers.

After a year, I'm pretty sure you will be making over $50k.

 

[brettwind102]

sweet nice money