subject: Build A Wind Turbine - Save Electricity [print this page] Many persons are switching to alternative energy sources such as wind turbines and solar panels to lessen electricity costs and air pollution. Wind turbines can be very costly to buy but if you are truly interested you can build your own wind turbine, here's what you will need.
Required Tools
Saw
Sander
Drill
Required Materials
Cement and sandbags
Plastic PVC pipes
Nuts and bolts
Sails/blades
A generator
Batteries and a Power Control System (PCS)
2x4 board
Straps
Heavy sheet aluminum
5 inch flat disc
Electrical wires
Instructions
Let us start with the sails/blades of the wind turbine; take the PVC pipes and cut them to create your sails/blades. The blades have to be shaped in a special way to catch the wind as such follow a guide for cutting the blades such as the one found on www.yourgreendream.com. Use the saw to cut the blades and then use the sander to level the edges of the blade to make them more effective.
A hub is required to join the blades therefore take the flat disc and drill holes into it. Next drill matching holes through the blades and use the nuts and bolts to link the blades to the hub and lay them aside.
Next is the nacelle that contains the mechanical parts of the wind turbine. For a generator you can make your own if you have the knowledge to do so however, an easier choice is simply to purchase a permanent magnet DC motor and use that as the generator. You want a motor which has a low RPM but that will make a good amount of current thus assuming that your wind turbine is about 5 feet tall, the motor ought to be about 30 volts and be rated at about 325 RPM.
Once you have a generator for your wind turbine you have to mount both the blades and the nacelle. For this use the 2x4 piece of board and the straps, and strap the motor to one end of the 2x4 board and use a piece of PVC pipe to function as a nacelle and protect the motor from the elements. Secure the heavy sheet aluminum to the opposite end of the 2x4 to function as a tail for the wind turbine. If needed cut it to make it fit correctly. Lastly secure the blades to the motor and the working part of the wind turbine is complete.
PVC or aluminum pipe is most likely your best alternative for a tower. Any one you opt to use, dig a hole and cement the tower into the ground. The base of the windmill is now made around the tower to steady the tower; the base is simply a layer of concrete built around the pole. When it dries place sandbags around the pole to steady it further. You can furthermore tie guy lines to the tower for increased stability. Cut a hole in the side of the pole near the bottom for power lines to run through from the motor to the PCS.
The PCS is used to carry energy from the generator to the batteries for storage. While the PCS can be built it is better to purchase one from an Alternative Energy Store. The electrical wires have to be linked from the motor, down through the tower and out to the PCS, then more wires are needed to join the PCS to the batteries. Make the necessary connections and the windmill is ready for use.
Tip
You can use 2 flat discs if you prefer, one in front and one behind the sails/blades for greater steadiness.
