How I built an electricity producing wind turbine

nighthawk:

Thanks for an interesting article!

Greg

Hi There,

It's great and i'll try to make one.

Thank you for the post.

For comparison, a major DIY chain in the UK has just begun retailing a domestic wind generator of about the capacity indicated in this article that retails for just under £1500 including professional installation and local taxes. The value of the electricity produced under average UK wind conditions is just sufficient to amortise the investment over 12 years or so, so unless one can add value to a property by installing one, the economics are only marginally attractive - at the moment. That will change: as the value of electrical energy goes up and the all-up installed cost comes down, the attraction will rise over time. In the UK, a Planning application needs to be approved in most cases before one may be installed on the home, adding to the cost.

Of course, a home-brew one would knock a big chunk out of the £1500 above...

Very informative, and thank you for an interesting post.

Hi nighthawk, I built my own windturbine 30 years ago while living in Norway. First I salvaged an alternator from an old Volvo PV, then I salavaged the wiring and components such as the AC to DC converter from a Ford Granada. I then constructed a gear-box with cogs from an old lathe so as to gear up the alternator 1:4. At the time halogen bulbs for motor car use had just come on the market in Norway. I bought 4 car batteries of 60amp each and proceded to light up my log cabin in the middle of nowhere. This was such a success that I made a further three for my friends. Since then I have often wondered why nobody else has thought of this.

Excellent post. Thanks!

Perhaps I shouldn't admit this, as there may be some automotive restoration buffs who have me pilloried...

But I used the dynamo/generator from a 1962 Alfa Romeo 2600 cabriolet in my wind turbine. If/when it fails I've got a similar piece from a 1962 Allis Chalmers D-15 tractor.

High tech need not be high tech!

Hi Nighthawk, thanks for the inspiration. Awsome piece of land you have!! I've been dreaming about building an electricity producing wind turbine for a long time. In my design I want to use an automotive altenator. They come fairly cheap, already has a pulley on and have mounts. (I want to step up the rpm with a fanbelt thus have the turbine on a seperate shaft with two heavy duty bearings.) This way I can also put more altinators around the same shaft... Altenators have a far better efficiency than generators and they have a build in regulator. Disadvantage , they need power to make power, so if the battery is totally runned down it might not generate any power. Also another question is ...Does the build in regulator/rectifier suited to charge more than two,three four batteries? What will the case be when the amps are so high? Can any one comment on this?

Also inspired by this design of wind turbine .. Posted earlier in Cr4

Hi oomsarel, If it is not a problem in a motor car then there will be no problem when using an alternator with a wind turbine. Most commercial turbines use an alternator. You will not have a problem charging 1 or 100 batteries. The turbine I built 30 years ago is still going strong, and it will as long as I clean and grease it once a year.

Oh, and take a look at Mike's telescope and turbine pages (linked on the bottom of his windmill writeup)...this guy does a lot of fun stuff!

its great and i love it

Use single pole alternator, no input current field needed. One positive to + baterry terminal, The - baterry terminal is to the chassis. It has internal voltage regulator.

It has self generating internal current field. I think Bosch make this one.

Usually is used for Genset. American made should be available too, Delco Remy ?, check around. I used to test those alternators.

Use the AC condenser fan , 26 to 36 inches are better with high pitch angle, 33°.

the hub size is interchange from 1/2" 5/8 and 3/4".

One 12-Volt battery with high storage capacity of 100 Amphour.

Use should be able to make this less than $ 700.00.

Armanto

ME