Numerous people are switching to alternative energy sources such as wind turbines and solar panels to decrease electricity costs and air pollution. Wind turbines can be very expensive to purchase but if you are really interested you can build a wind turbine, here’s what you will require.
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)
2×4 board
Straps
Heavy sheet aluminum
5 inch flat disc
Electrical wires
Instructions
Let us begin with the sails/blades of the wind turbine; take the PVC pipes and cut them to make your sails/blades. The blades need to be shaped in a particular way to catch the wind so follow a guide for cutting the blades like 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 proficient.
A hub is required to link the blades as such take the flat disc and drill holes through it. Next drill matching holes into the blades and use the nuts and bolts to connect the blades to the hub and set them aside.
Next is the nacelle which contains the mechanical sections of the wind turbine. For a generator you can make your own if you possess the experience to do so however, an easier choice is just to purchase a permanent magnet DC motor and use that as the generator. You want a motor which has a low RPM but which will make a good amount of current thus presuming that your wind turbine is about 5 feet tall, the motor should be about 30 volts and be rated at about 325 RPM.
As soon as you possess a generator for your wind turbine you need to mount both the blades and the nacelle. For this take the 2×4 piece of board and the straps, and strap the motor to one end of the 2×4 board and use a piece of PVC pipe to work as a nacelle and shelter the motor from the elements. Secure the heavy sheet aluminum to the other side of the 2×4 to work as a tail for the wind turbine. If required cut it to make it fit properly. Finally secure the blades to the motor and the functional section of the wind turbine is done.
PVC or aluminum pipe is probably your best option 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 built around the tower to hold the tower; the base is simply a layer of concrete laid around the pole. When it dries place sandbags around the pole to secure it further. You can additionally tie guy lines to the tower for extra steadiness. Cut a hole in the side of the pole close to the bottom for power lines to run through from the motor to the PCS.
The PCS is used to move energy from the generator to the batteries for storage. While the PCS can be made it is better to purchase one from an Alternative Energy Store. The electrical wires need to be linked from the motor, down through the tower and out to the PCS, then more wires are required to connect the PCS to the batteries. Make the required connections and the windmill is ready for work.
Tip
You can use 2 flat discs if you wish, one in front and one behind the sails/blades for increased firmness.