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Homemade Wind Generator
hits them. They are attached to a hub and together cause the hub to spin. The hub is attached to an alternator which generates the power. The electricity generated travels through wiring from the alternator to your energy distribution system.
The energy can be stored in batteries and used as needed or tied directly into the power grid to supplement and reduce commercial power consumption. More on that later.
A wind turbine needs to be able to move because wind direction and wind speed both change frequently. Higher rotation speeds generate more power up to a point. A tail boom extends outward toward the back at an angle perpendicular to the blades. At the end of the boom is the tail. The entire turbine sits atop a multi-
The energy can be stored in batteries and used as needed or tied directly into the power grid to supplement and reduce commercial power consumption. More on that later.
A wind turbine needs to be able to move because wind direction and wind speed both change frequently. Higher rotation speeds generate more power up to a point. A tail boom extends outward toward the back at an angle perpendicular to the blades. At the end of the boom is the tail. The entire turbine sits atop a multi-
This is part 2 of a 3 part article on building a homemade wind generator. For part 1, see DIY Wind Generator.
In part 1, we reported that homemade wind generators are a viable substitute for a system you would buy and have installed professionally.
They are rather simple machines, from a parts and assembly standpoint, and the materials are easy to get your hands on. In addition, the cost of building your own wind turbine is a fraction of that charged by professional installers.
At this point you are probably wondering what’s involved. How do these things go together and what should I expect in completing this project? Let’s start with a basic run down of the individual parts and see how they all interact with one another.
First, there are 2 kinds of wind turbine, known as horizontal axis (HAWT) and vertical axis (VAWT). Examples of each are pictured below. The HAWT is the type you are probably most familiar with and is the version we’re discussing here.
In part 1, we reported that homemade wind generators are a viable substitute for a system you would buy and have installed professionally.
They are rather simple machines, from a parts and assembly standpoint, and the materials are easy to get your hands on. In addition, the cost of building your own wind turbine is a fraction of that charged by professional installers.
At this point you are probably wondering what’s involved. How do these things go together and what should I expect in completing this project? Let’s start with a basic run down of the individual parts and see how they all interact with one another.
First, there are 2 kinds of wind turbine, known as horizontal axis (HAWT) and vertical axis (VAWT). Examples of each are pictured below. The HAWT is the type you are probably most familiar with and is the version we’re discussing here.
HAWT Wind Turbine
VAWT Wind Turbine
It seems like every day there is some new “breakthrough” version of the VAWT introduced that claims to generate more power in a smaller profile. Don’t believe it. Most experts agree, and extensive testing supports that the HAWT turbine is the most efficient at generating power and until someone PROVES otherwise, that’s just the way it is going to be.
As mentioned earlier, homemade wind generators are fairly simple machines. The blades - usually 3 or more - are shaped aerodynamically which influences their movement when the wind
As mentioned earlier, homemade wind generators are fairly simple machines. The blades - usually 3 or more - are shaped aerodynamically which influences their movement when the wind
directional swivel base which permits the necessary turning and furling described above. These components can all be seen in the picture above.
Finally, the whole thing is mounted atop a tower. Towers can be mounted into the ground or on some smaller turbines, attached to the side of a structure. The tower height plays an important role though because wind speeds are higher and more sustained at higher altitudes. The contour of the ground and surrounding structures contribute to wind turbulence at lower altitudes. Although this is a simple description, you can see that there isn’t a whole lot to a homemade wind generator.
For detailed instructions on parts, sizing, assembly, and installation, take a look at some of the many DIY wind turbine guides available online. Most include all the instructions needed to build and install wind generated power for any home. Some even have detailed video instructions that make it very simple to put the whole project together.
They also include extensive content about homemade solar power, which I've used to create hybrid wind/solar power with great success. The information on finding parts at the lowest prices alone is worth far more than the cost of this guide. In my opinion there is no better authority on the subject.
In part 3 we’ll discuss how the parts of a homemade wind generator interact and present some things to look out for when completing this project. If you missed part 1, see DIY Wind Generator. For part 3 see Home Wind Generators.
Finally, the whole thing is mounted atop a tower. Towers can be mounted into the ground or on some smaller turbines, attached to the side of a structure. The tower height plays an important role though because wind speeds are higher and more sustained at higher altitudes. The contour of the ground and surrounding structures contribute to wind turbulence at lower altitudes. Although this is a simple description, you can see that there isn’t a whole lot to a homemade wind generator.
For detailed instructions on parts, sizing, assembly, and installation, take a look at some of the many DIY wind turbine guides available online. Most include all the instructions needed to build and install wind generated power for any home. Some even have detailed video instructions that make it very simple to put the whole project together.
They also include extensive content about homemade solar power, which I've used to create hybrid wind/solar power with great success. The information on finding parts at the lowest prices alone is worth far more than the cost of this guide. In my opinion there is no better authority on the subject.
In part 3 we’ll discuss how the parts of a homemade wind generator interact and present some things to look out for when completing this project. If you missed part 1, see DIY Wind Generator. For part 3 see Home Wind Generators.
