Do-it-yourself Wind Power Experiments

To build you own basic stand-alone, 12v system, as seen and described within this website, primarily to charge batteries which in turn will run electrical appliances, you will require the following basic Components:-

• Tower/Pole
• Generator
• Rotor and Tail Fin
• Charge Control Unit
• Blocking Diode
• Battery Bank
• Small Dump Load
• Power Invertor

So what are these components:-

• Tower/Pole: A suitable, strong tower/pole raised high off the ground to catch the wind
• Generator (either a Dynamo, an alternator or a permanent magnet DC motor) We use an AmeteK 99 DC motor, however these motors are extremely hard to get a hold of as they are no longer being manufactured, but they are an exceptional model if you can get your hands on one. We recommend that you use a DC motor rather than an alternator or Dynamo as they are much more suitable for the job in hand without modification.
• Suitable sized Rotor: We use a 36" rotor which can take up to 6 x blades (although we are currently only running with 3 blades) which starts rotating in approx: 3 1/2 - 4 mph winds, and will start producing a trickle charge for the batteries at about 5 mph winds, but will produce better output from 6 mph. Running with 6 x blades would start creating a charge at 2 mph but I cannot comment on the output as I haven't used this number of blades to date.
• Tail Fin: This balances the rotor, stops it spinning around on its' axis, and directs the blades into the wind
• Charge Control Unit. This will monitor the batteries so that they can be charged when required, and stop charging when they are completely charged. It also ensures that the correct input voltage is kept so as not to damage the batteries. The control unit will convert the voltage produced by the generator, down to suitable voltage to charge the batteries without damage.
• Blocking Diode to stop current going back up to the motor
• Battery Bank eg. 12v or 24v Leisure batteries of 100amp/hour upwards (car batteries are ok but Leisure batteries are better and can be drained without damage). In our example, we use 3 batteries, but you can connect as many batteries as you want, depending on the output you require.
• Small dump load. This isn't mandatory with a Charge Control Unit connected, but can be useful to make use of excess current that is being generated once your batteries are fully charged (for instance, on an exceptionally windy day). The dump load could be another battery bank, or a row of lights or a heating coil/element for example. During the winter, depending on the usage of your batteries, you may be able to set up a small water heating system with excess charge. Basically the dump load is somewhere that 'waste' energy created can be 'dumped' and made use of once the batteries are completely charged. 
• Power Invertor - converts 12v to 240v. We use a power pro 3000w peak (2000 standard).  
  
  A diagram of how this is built up can be found here.

Disclaimer: 'Wind Power Experiments' cannot be held responsible for any damages, injuries, loss of limbs, fatalities, illness, loss of income or other monies etc. that may result from the use and or practice of any advice/plans/information in any way, found within and/or beyond this website. Do not attempt to build a power generator if you have no knowledge or experience of electricity. Electricity is very dangerous and can maim and kill if not used correctly and not respected as such a threat. Generators can put out high voltage which can create severe hazards and fatalities. DO NOT attempt to erect a wind turbine on a windy day, rotor blades will rotate and can break and/or amputate limbs and/or kill. Any information found within this website is produced by amateur, backyard hobbyists, who have experience of the experiments shown, and respect electricity and its power. We are not professionals and this website is aimed at sharing what we have learnt to date. We cannot be held responsible for any errors/mistakes, incorrect information which may be found within. If you have any problems and/or queries regarding the use/installation/maintenance etc. of your power supply or turbine/generator etc. you should seek advice from a professional or from the supplier of your equipment.

Do-It-Yourself Wind Experiments