Wind Turbine Model Construction That Generates Real Electricity

Hi everyone i am Swachhand, this instructable will show you how to make a wind turbine model that generates REAL electricity.....

This Is My First Instructable........

Step 1: Gathering Parts

Parts Required :

1.) 25mm Venetian blind louvre (8 cm) 8 pieces required - for turbine blades
2.) 6mm wooden dowel (8 cm) 8 pieces required - for blade arms
3.) 10mm Polyethylene (Cutting board or similar) [40mm diameter] 1 piece required - for turbine hub
4.) 25mm PVC electrical conduit (210mm) 1 piece required - for swinging arm
5.) Hobby Motor - Low torque (Nominal 3 Volts) 1 piece required - for generator
6.) 25mm wooden dowel (260 mm) 1 piece required - for support tower
7.) 20mm MDF (140mm sq) 1 piece required - for base
8.) Banana Socket (To suit multimeter leads) 2 pieces required
9.) 3mm Plastic sheet or stiff card (100mm x 30mm) 1 piece required - for tail fin
10.) Hookup wire (500 mm long) 2 pieces required
11.) Digital Multimeter
12.) Retaining screw to secure motor (3mm x 10mm long with lock nut)

Tools Required :

1.) screw driver
2.) solder iron
3.) drilling machine

Step 2: Blade Construction

Blades made from venetian blind louvres. (Be careful of sharp edges when cutting).
If louvres are not available, blades may be carefully cut from margarine containers or similar.

Arms are made from wooden dowel with slits cut in one end. When blades are inserted, use glue gun or PVA glue to hold in position.

Central disk has been cut from a polyethylene cutting board using a fret saw or turned in a lathe if available.

Carefully drill radial holes at 45 degrees spacing around the hub. These need to be a snug fit with the wooden dowels

Adjust the angle of the blades by twisting the arms, thereby altering the efficiency and output of the wind turbine.

Drill a small hole in the centre of the hub to be a snug fit onto the shaft of the generator.

Step 3: Installing the Generator

Solder a length of hook-up wire to each of the terminals of the generator.

The generator is retained in the arm by gentle pressure from the retaining screw in the top of the PVC tube.

Be very careful not to overtighten as this can prevent generator rotor from spinning.

Holes drilled in arm will allow wires to run from generator down the centre of the pivot.

Pivot hole should be drilled through at the 'balance point' of the arm when generator, blades and fin are fitted.

Step 4: Installing the Pivot

The pivot is made from brass tubing which can be obtained from most model shops.

Drill a hole about 15mm into the Support Tower to accommodate tubing.

Step 5: Termination of Wires

Drill a hole into the side of the pivot hole to allow wires to exit tower.


The wires then are connected to the 2 Banana sockets on the base.

Step 6: How Does This Work ?

As the blades turn in the wind , the electric motor spins and behaves like a generator, creating a small electric current which travels down the wires to the terminal at the bottom of the model.

Connect the multimeter to these terminals and place the turbine in front of and electric fan or in a gentle breeze.

Measure the voltage, amperage (current) and calculate the total wattage produced.

Watts = Volts x Amps.