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Anemometer from CDROM motor, and plastic Easter egg halves
I have a desire to build one or two small wind generators to charge lead acid batteries. To see if I have enough wind to make it worthwhile, I made an anemometer (wind measuring device) out of scraps and junk. (This cost me nothing except materials I had on hand) I have just completed calibrating and installing one I built using THIS http://www.instructables.com/id/Easter-Egg-Anemometer-Wind-Speed-Meter/ as the inspiration.
Materials needed:
1 old (preferably dead) CDROM from computer (source for motor)
3 plastic Easter egg half shells, the round ones.
3 popsicle or craft sticks.
1 very small fishing bobber
2 part Epoxy
16 to 18 inches of 3/4 inch schedule 40 PVC Pipe
1 PVC elbow, 1/2 thread X 3/4 slip (Glue)
1 PVC 1/2" pipe cap (slip)
1 PVC elbow, 3/4 X 3/4 slip (Optional)
1 PVC 1/2" pipe inch nipple; threaded one end at least 3 inches long will do
1 half inch PVC slip coupler.
1 Nylon screw/bolt, (I used a 1/4-20 coarse thread bolt, size is somewhat optional)
2ft minimum of 18 ga zip cord
2 #6 machine screws and 6 #6 nuts
4 crimp ring lugs for that fit the 18 Ga wire and #6 screws.
Dielectric grease
6x6 inch scrap of 3/4 or 1/2 plywood.
2 U-bolts to fit the 3/4 PVC pipe (and nuts and washers)
2 U-bolts to fit the mounting mast pipe (and nuts and washers) my mounting pipe was a plumbing vent on my roof...
Phone wire or CAT5/6 cable (Length depends on where mounted)
Paint (optional) primer, in whatever color(s) you chose to paint it.
Small cheap ass analog VOM (bargain bin type) with a scale for 50ma readings (other motors may need to use a different scale, but the motor I used works perfect with the 50ma scale)
Tools Needed:
Hack saw.
Exacto back saw
Hand drill or drill press
5/8 drill bit
1/4-20 tap
Drill bit for 1/4 -20 tap (#7)
1/8 drill (clearance hole for machine screws)
5/16 drill (clearance hole for plywood to clear the U-bolts)
Counter sink for deburring holes (Optional)
Center square
30/60 triangle
3 small clamps or welders vise grips. (Or combination of them)
Epoxy mixing tools (paper Dixie cups and craft sticks work well)
Sandpaper, (belt sander is a nice to have, but I used mine quite a bit)
Flush cutting wire cutters
4 lb peanut butter jar lid (used as a gluing fixture)
Wire strippers
Masking Tape
Digital VOM (for testing)
Obligatory warning: I used some power tools on this project. None are absolutely necessary strictly speaking, but if you chose to do so, you do so at your own risk.
I have a desire to build one or two small wind generators to charge lead acid batteries. To see if I have enough wind to make it worthwhile, I made an anemometer (wind measuring device) out of scraps and junk. (This cost me nothing except materials I had on hand) I have just completed calibrating and installing one I built using THIS http://www.instructables.com/id/Easter-Egg-Anemometer-Wind-Speed-Meter/ as the inspiration.
Materials needed:
1 old (preferably dead) CDROM from computer (source for motor)
3 plastic Easter egg half shells, the round ones.
3 popsicle or craft sticks.
1 very small fishing bobber
2 part Epoxy
16 to 18 inches of 3/4 inch schedule 40 PVC Pipe
1 PVC elbow, 1/2 thread X 3/4 slip (Glue)
1 PVC 1/2" pipe cap (slip)
1 PVC elbow, 3/4 X 3/4 slip (Optional)
1 PVC 1/2" pipe inch nipple; threaded one end at least 3 inches long will do
1 half inch PVC slip coupler.
1 Nylon screw/bolt, (I used a 1/4-20 coarse thread bolt, size is somewhat optional)
2ft minimum of 18 ga zip cord
2 #6 machine screws and 6 #6 nuts
4 crimp ring lugs for that fit the 18 Ga wire and #6 screws.
Dielectric grease
6x6 inch scrap of 3/4 or 1/2 plywood.
2 U-bolts to fit the 3/4 PVC pipe (and nuts and washers)
2 U-bolts to fit the mounting mast pipe (and nuts and washers) my mounting pipe was a plumbing vent on my roof...
Phone wire or CAT5/6 cable (Length depends on where mounted)
Paint (optional) primer, in whatever color(s) you chose to paint it.
Small cheap ass analog VOM (bargain bin type) with a scale for 50ma readings (other motors may need to use a different scale, but the motor I used works perfect with the 50ma scale)
Tools Needed:
Hack saw.
Exacto back saw
Hand drill or drill press
5/8 drill bit
1/4-20 tap
Drill bit for 1/4 -20 tap (#7)
1/8 drill (clearance hole for machine screws)
5/16 drill (clearance hole for plywood to clear the U-bolts)
Counter sink for deburring holes (Optional)
Center square
30/60 triangle
3 small clamps or welders vise grips. (Or combination of them)
Epoxy mixing tools (paper Dixie cups and craft sticks work well)
Sandpaper, (belt sander is a nice to have, but I used mine quite a bit)
Flush cutting wire cutters
4 lb peanut butter jar lid (used as a gluing fixture)
Wire strippers
Masking Tape
Digital VOM (for testing)
Obligatory warning: I used some power tools on this project. None are absolutely necessary strictly speaking, but if you chose to do so, you do so at your own risk.
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Signing UpStep 1Step 1 - Getting the motors(generators)
Getting the CDROM apart is not too bad, and you will find there are 3 motors in one of these guys. One for the tray to come in and out, one to spin the CD and one to move the laser back and forth. All had a different form factor, All could have been used (meaning the generated current when spun) and two looked suitable for the anemometer, as they had a good gear hub on the shaft.
I liked the tray motor as it slip fits inside a 1/2 inch PVC pipe perfectly once the pipe was drilled out slightly using the 5/8 inch drill. I wanted to house the motor in a way to weather, or at least rain proof it. Certainly there are many ways to do this. The motor had a small plastic beveled gear, with a flange that had slots in it (probably for a motor control bit&) and that provided a good place to epoxy the popsicle stick arms to.
Once you have selected the motor, verify it will generate a current using your Digital VOM, (or the Cheap ass analog VOM) measure volts or milliamps, it matters not at this point, just make sure it does actually generate something. (You dont want to get done and find the motor was DOA)
If it does, you have a miniature generator!
I liked the tray motor as it slip fits inside a 1/2 inch PVC pipe perfectly once the pipe was drilled out slightly using the 5/8 inch drill. I wanted to house the motor in a way to weather, or at least rain proof it. Certainly there are many ways to do this. The motor had a small plastic beveled gear, with a flange that had slots in it (probably for a motor control bit&) and that provided a good place to epoxy the popsicle stick arms to.
Once you have selected the motor, verify it will generate a current using your Digital VOM, (or the Cheap ass analog VOM) measure volts or milliamps, it matters not at this point, just make sure it does actually generate something. (You dont want to get done and find the motor was DOA)
If it does, you have a miniature generator!
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great instructable