DIY Wind Generator for $150 (50-250watt)

[MCBushbaby]

Saw this article. For those interested in moving (or living) off the grid, now you can afford to make your own wind farm for less than $1000.

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http://www.thekevdog.com/projects/wind_generator/

For the treadmill motor I recommend Craigslist.

Tools Required

* Jigsaw (or a hacksaw and a lot of determination)
* Drill
* (2) Drill Bits (1/2", 7/32")
* Tape Measure
* Crescent Wrench
* Pipe Wrench
* Protractor (to measure angles for the hub)
* Sandpaper (various grits)

Parts Required

* 10" x 14" Steel Sheet
* 10" x 1/4" Steel Nipple
* 1-1/4" Floor Flange
* 36" x 1" Square Tubing
* 1/2" Bore Circular Sawblade (for hub)
* 5/8" x 1/2" Arbor (to attach sawblade to motor shaft)
* (2) Metal Straps
* 8" x 4" PVC Pipe
* 30" x 8" PVC Pipe (6" pipe works well too)
* A DC Permanent Magnet Motor (preferably Ametek 30V or 260V 5A treadmill motor)
* (8) 1/4" Bolts (with washers and nuts)
* (2) 1/4" Sheet Metal Screws
* 10-40 Amp Diode (the bigger the better)

[Pal334]

I am certainly not an electrical engineer, but this does look relatively simple to build. I would like to see one that was built by someone else to confirm that it works. Thanks for the site and info.

[Rick]

Good stuff. I was reading an article today on commercial wind farms. They've just completed a very large one in northwestern Indiana. It's large enough to light 30,000 homes for a year. That's pretty impressive to me, anyway. I think this is a great, clean way to generate your own power.

Thanks for the article!!

[Arsey]

Aye I reckon a combination of wind and solar would be the way to go.
Check out vertical axis wind turbines.
Thanks for the link Mitch.

[welderguy]

Thanks for the info and link, Looks simple enough.

[canid]

i've not had much luck yet in trying to locate a good strong permanent magnet dc motor, and am verging [when i have some spare project cash, on buying some large neodymium magnets and fabricating the alternator/generator myself.

such as dc motor as i've been looking for tends to run around $200, and this is only for a 150 watt turbine.

i've been aiming to bring the project in under $1/watt and have already designe the most efficient rotor i can come up with.

[RunsWithDeer]

Very interesting, I think more low cost wind generators will come out. Especially in the US, the new administration is funding research and tax credits for them. The company I work for is looking to add one at one of our factories, and with the tax credits it will pay for itself in less than a year.

[welderguy]

All im missing is a deep cycle battery and a 12v inverter, and I could try this project.

[MCBushbaby]

All im missing is a deep cycle battery and a 12v inverter, and I could try this project.

I think I speak for everyone here when I say that if you try it, we'd be very interested to hear your progress and results.

[Riverrat]

Nice link....that looks like it may be a great summer time project....Thanks

[ClovisMan]

I think I'll submit these plans to my HOA and see what they say. Who thinks they'll approve it?

[crashdive123]

I think I'll submit these plans to my HOA and see what they say. Who thinks they'll approve it?

As long as you paint it the right color.

[Rick]

And two sets of forms are submitted. Oh, and you can't live in a corner house unless the generator is installed in such a way that it can not be seen from the road.