Solar-Grid Hybrid UPS System-Based Variable Speed Bageshwari Wool Charkha

Abstract

Spinning wool by drop spindle or spinning wheel has been a traditional occupation in the Himalayan regions. Manual spinning is not an attractive option with low production rate and very few of these still continue to spin to increase their earnings and livelihood opportunities. Hand spinning of wool is laborious and time-consuming. To promote higher earnings, RuTAG Center, IIT Roorkee developed a spinning wheel to reduce the drudgery in spinning and improve the productivity. The charkha is fabricated and operated by solar-powered PV motor with a speed control mechanism while its foot paddle mechanism has been retained. The manual-operated charkha has been fully automated by introducing speed controller, electrical motor, solar panel, battery backup, generator (dynamo), USB Socket, modified flyer, and a crank for lateral motion of bobbin. A spinner could spin 1.5 kg of eight count wool by this modified charkha compared to nearly 600 g of eight count woolen yarn by traditional charkha within the same time period of 8 h. The production rate is found to be improved and high-quality thread is produced using the automated charkha. For spinning coarse and fine quality yarn, knob control is introduced. USB socket, battery backup, lightweight structure, and its components can be dismantled for easy transport in the remote areas and assembled again at site. The present paper presents the details of the components of solar-based modified charkha along with its technical aspects.