| If you're going to build a home wind turbine, you'll be | | | | or carbon fiber. Or they can also be inexpensively |
| much further ahead if you thoroughly research each | | | | purchased as prefabricated units. And while it's |
| of the individual components involved in a DIY wind | | | | certainly possible to construct your own blades |
| turbine system. Being aware of any potential issues | | | | cheaply, the prefabricated blade kits are are very |
| before you start your build will save you not only | | | | inexpensive and can help you start generating power |
| time and money, but more importantly frustration | | | | much sooner without the hassle of building them. |
| that could derail your plans. Here, we'll take a look at | | | | Often, these blades come with hub mounting |
| a couple of the more important pieces of the wind | | | | hardware too, which eliminates the need to make the |
| generator system. The generator portion, typically a | | | | hardware yourself. Or even worse, have a machine |
| permanent magnet dc motor, and the blade system. | | | | shop do it for you. Not only that, some of the blade |
| The generator portion is the heart of any wind | | | | kits that are currently available come with a nose |
| turbine. It converts the power of the wind to | | | | cone, thus saving you the hassle and expense of |
| electrical power that you can use. Typically, this task | | | | fabrication this very important piece. And the best |
| is accomplished by a permanent magnet dc motor. | | | | part is that these kits are very inexpensive. We feel |
| As a general rule of thumb, you want a motor that | | | | that because of these benefits, prefabricated blade |
| will produce a large current and voltage at the lowest | | | | kits are probably the best choice for most people, |
| speed (rpm) possible. There are a few reasons for | | | | and well worth looking into. |
| this, but one of the more important ones is that | | | | As to how the size and arrangement of your blades, |
| slower speeds mean less maintenance. Look for a | | | | you'll need to match this to the type of generator |
| motor that generates it's voltage at speeds that are | | | | you have, the height of your wind turbine, the target |
| 300 rpm or less if you can. Also, pay particular | | | | power output of your wind generator, and most |
| attention to the bearings in the motor. Since the | | | | importantly your budget. |
| motor will be subjected to high thrust and rotational | | | | Building your own home wind turbine can be a great |
| loads, you'll want one that can handle these types of | | | | educational experience that's not only financially |
| loads. | | | | rewarding, but a fun DIY project. Just remember to |
| There are a couple of different paths you can take | | | | have a good set of plans and sources for the |
| for the blades used on the wind turbine. If you want | | | | required parts before you start. Doing your |
| to build them yourself, they can be fabricated from | | | | homework ahead of time will help to make your |
| PVC or ABS pipe, wood, aluminum, or even fiberglass | | | | project a huge success. |