Homemade Wind Power: How To Generate It Easily

All of us are aware of the large number of benefits that the usage of wind power promises. Wind power is, typically, a cheap source of energy as well, and can help to reduce electrical expenses. However, getting hold of an affordable wind power system can be rather tricky.

You can opt to buy a readymade wind power system. However, these systems although adaptable to most houses, bear a high price tag (around $4000). Even if such a system is efficient and can generate enough power to cut down on high electricity bills, it would need lots of time before it actually pays back your initial investments. Hence, many wise and experienced people turn to homemade wind power systems. These packages cost only about $100 to $200. However, please take note of the fact that, setting up the homemade wind power system is subject to a couple of conditions. Firstly, the house should be situated somewhere where the wind blows at eight miles per hour (i.e. there is relatively strong wind flow) at all times of the year. Secondly, you need to know if there are any laws that prohibit the setting up of a wind power system in your locality. In case the requirement regarding the wind flow is met, and there are no such laws, you can start your project of building the homemade wind power system (or turbine).

At the very outset, the five basic constituents of wind power systems need to be known. These are: a) power generators, b) a movable mount, which, along with the tail, keeps the generator on the correct path, c) blades that would turn the generator shafts, d) a tower where the unit would be setup and e) electric controlling tools.

Generators can easily be found at many hardware outlets. Online purchase of generators at eBay is also an option. Individuals should know that when a DC motor turns in the opposite way, it functions as a generator. In this particular case, a trusty DC motor that works at a low rpm is required. It has been seen that, a 325 rpm Ametek DC motor (30 volt) is best suited for these purposes.

Next are the blades that would rotate the shafts of the generator. Ideally, these are made of four inch PVC pipes, which measure 24 inches in length. Wooden blades can also be used. In case PVC pipes are used, they are cut, lengthwise, in 4 sections, Three of these parts will act as the blades of the turbine. The fourth part can be stored away for any usage in future. A hub (generally procured from hardware stalls too) is required for fixing the blades tightly on it. Then, the hub, along with the blades, has to be fitted to the main shaft. This makes the wind turbine nearly operational.

A firm base is required, on which the turbine would be fitted, either by screws or thin metal strappings. 4 inch x 8 inch pieces of wood serve as ideal bases for the turbines. Fixing by metal strips was also used in older times, in the inspection covers of windows of automobile generators. Next up, batteries and controllers are used to complete the wind power package. The controllers can also be purchased online at very low prices. Batteries, however, do cost a bit of money.

One also needs to find a suitable tower where the wind turbine can be erected. A ten feet long conduit answers this purpose adequately. The conduit is used along with a few turnbuckles and guy-ropes made of nylon. The conduit is fitted to the system with hinges at the bottom, and flanges at the top, and this marks the end of the installation of homemade wind turbines. Adequate safety measures against rain and sleet is provided by the wiring of the turbine, which runs the entire length of the conduit. For easy usability, batteries are generally put at the level of the ground.

When the homemade wind power system is ready to be used, it has to be anchored to the wooden stake present on the ground. This is done by the guy-ropes. All the guy-lines have turnbuckles t their lower ends, which facilitates easy plumbing of the turbine tower. Now, the tower can be monitored and inspected easily, by raising or lowering the former, as required. The turbines have to be adapted to suit the wind conditions too. Then, when the turbines are raised to their full heights, they can start producing the desired amounts of electricity.

Setting up a homemade wind power system should be ideally done with the help of an instruction manual. Such a manual would provide a description of the installation procedure, where the system should be set up for optimum results, and the ways to get the other components at affordable rates, as well as the batteries for free. Safety measures that are required, as well as the detailed wiring system need to be studied in the manual. With the help of such an information-rich manual, you can easily start making your own homemade wind power package.

Jim Martin is a researcher, inventor, home energy consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, "Earth 4 Electricity- Renewable Energy Made Easy". Jim has written dozens of home energy related articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.

To Learn More about Jim Martin´s Unique Step By Step Solar and Wind Power System Visit: Build Your Own Wind Power System