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Small Wind Powered Generator

Small Wind Powered Generator
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As far back as I can remember, I've all ways wanted to make a wind generators.
My 1st and only attempt was back in high school, when I had built one using wooden blades and turning a bicycle generator.

So after getting hooked on Instructables .com and viewing other members wind mill projects, I've been on the lookout for DC motors and thinking of some ideas.

Then one night it hit me.... I had an old cordless drill that I was no longer using.
So after finding and disassembling the drill, is when the brainstorming began :)

Through the months I've added several steps about the 2 different wind generators and the modifications made to both of them as problems arose. 

 
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Step 1Step(s) after intro.....

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The chuck tightens down perfectly on the gear that is attached to the motor, which this in turn provides a "hub" for a larger disk for the blades to be attached too . The
blades will have to spin in a clockwise direction to keep the chuck tight.
I cut in half a section of pipe that is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the friction bearings that are between the hub and the chuck. I then used an water hose
repair connector to hold the cut pipe halves around the friction bearings which also will provide support.
I attached the assembly to a plastic peg board.
After getting the unit assemble/attached to the peg board, it fit perfectly inside an 10 oz coffee can

After attaching the blades and hooking up a voltage meter, I took it outside in a very light wind.

The completed unit spins freely and the small DC motor does create a small amount of DC current.
I can/could install a bigger motor using the "chuck".

The day I mounted it atop a pole, a thunderstorm came up with high winds and the wind turbine handle it just fine.
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35 comments
Apr 4, 2012. 6:31 AMharsat says:
I do not understand why you are thinking so Small,
how about this, a Gas powered Generator, One where the gas motor does not work,
why can you not take the generator and make a wind turbin out of it?

I mean come on, a drill is fine and dandy for a small school project, but lets get serious, we want to produce electricity, and there are alot of generators that dont work or need to have the gas motor repaired that would make a good
Wind Turbin Generator, I was also thinking what if you hooked up a solar powered battery with a super gear setup to power the generator at night. just an Idea.

Aug 2, 2011. 11:03 AMdougomatic says:
How about using an alternator for a car? That would put out enough amps and volts to make it useful. You have dozens of devices that can use the power generated.
Aug 11, 2011. 4:52 PMsbergeron2 says:
A car alternator needs to be turned at too high of a speed to be useful in wind generation of power, unless you figure out a gearing system or heavily modify the alternator.A better idea would be to use a treadmill motor. no mods, and produces lots of usable power.
Jul 31, 2011. 11:26 AMbadvoodoo22 says:
I really like the drill motor idea. I have been researching about windmills for awhile and have two links to include. The first for another more in depth DYI windmill. The second link is to a site that I have no affiliation with, but looks like a real good motor " Expensive".

1. http://www.mdpub.com/Wind_Turbine/

2. https://www.windbluepower.com/

Hope this helps

badvoodoo22
http://www.badvoodoo22.com/
Aug 1, 2011. 9:49 AMbadvoodoo22 says:
D. Just want you to know the link I included for the other windmill is not my personal link.
Jul 31, 2011. 1:46 PMl8nite says:
one volt of free power is one volt of free power ! I've never truely understood the ratings on solar charges and such, if your getting one volt when you test, how long does it take to charge a 12v battery ? all that volts, amps,watts just make my head spin..... great project ! ty for sharing
Jul 31, 2011. 3:27 AMtbftb says:
Realy good project... Just a couple of thoughts. To make things a bit simpler why not leave off the tail fin so the mill follows the wind with less stress on the bearings etc. Also, maybe use 24v or 36v drill motor and use an old 12v car battery in line to act as a regulator/ storage. tbftb
Jul 30, 2011. 8:04 AMjrossetti says:
So how much voltage and current does it actually produce? You really don't need much for a lot of lower-power applications (think wireless sensor networks with lipoly batteries, as one example).

This is pretty darn cool.
Jul 30, 2011. 5:35 AMElectronics Man says:
how did you make the blades?
Jul 24, 2011. 7:54 AMrgarner says:
What's it powering mate?
Jul 12, 2011. 11:29 AMElectronics Man says:
Awsome project! I love wind turbines and solar panels too :)

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