wind generators
Your Questions About Wind Generators For Home
Thomas asks…
How do I make home made power?
How do I make home made electricity with solar power or a wind generator? I’ve been looking into using wind and solar energy to power my home, reduce electricity consumption and lower my carbon footprint. I’ve looked into solar hot water systems and home wind generators, but what’s the most efficient way to reduce my energy consumption?
admin answers:
Wind generators and solar panels can be expensive, and can take years before they pay for themselves. Often it uses so much CO2 to make a solar panel or wind generator that they can actually increase your carbon foot print, not reduce it. I’ve found that the best way to create home made power is from home made equipment, it’s actually surprisingly straight forward and a fraction of the cost. I used this guide: http://tinyurl.com/ljyok7 to create a simple wind generator which has seen my energy costs drastically reduced.
Sandy asks…
Grid tie-in Home Wind Generator, have you any knowledge of this?
I’m investigating the feasability of installing a grid tie-in home wind generator. Has anyone here installed one of these systems into their home‘s power system?
It’s my understanding that you can install a new power meter to allow for “net metering” or reversing of the numbers by the created power from the generator, thereby saving money or reducing your monthly power bill.
admin answers:
There is lots of information on the Internet. In California, you can get net metering. There are some sticking points. The tower has to be at least 60 feet tall. My neighbors would not like that at all.
It is true that you probably will not get a big enough unit to supply all your power, with a surplus.
Think twice about batteries. If one has net metering, the only value of batteries is during power outages. Batteries cost a bundle, need to be maintained, need occasional replacement, and eat up part of the power you produce. I elected not to have batteries on my photovoltaic solar system
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Your Questions About Wind Generators
Paul asks…
What is a good web site to share my wind generator design?
I have built my own wind generator and i need some feedback on what people thing of my design. Do you know of any web sites where i can share it?
admin answers:
Awea.com
American Wind Energy Association
Donna asks…
What size wind generator do I need to replace my electricity-winter 800kwh summer 2400kwh?
I live in a very windy place and would like to consider a wind generator – I don’t know how to figure out what output I would need – my electric usage monthly varies from 800KWh in winter to 2400KWh in summer.
admin answers:
The quick answer is 2400kwh would probably need close to a 20kw generator but if you want to get an average for the year maybe 1600kwh average you might get away with 10kw.
Very windy is a relative term so you will need to look at a wind map. Go to http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wind_maps.asp and select your state and then find your area.
You will need to take that information and check it against a power curve for different wind turbines. This is one for a few turbines in the 10 to 20kw range. Http://www.windturbine.net/performance.htm This will give you an annual output for this brand of wind turbine. If you look at the chart the left column is the 20 and the far right is the 10 and notice how different the outputs are from just 12 to 15 mph wind speed, that is why an accurate wind speed is important.
Also I don’t know about your place but where I live we have much better winds in the winter than summer so for me average through the year is what I go by.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators For Boats
James asks…
What kind of boat do I need to go from Auckland to Fiordland?
Here is a link that shows the locations. What kind of boat do I need for this journey? I will be hiring a boat for the trip.
P.S. how much fuel does a boat usually consume? Please provide the type of engine and amount of fuel it takes for every 100km(or any other variable)
admin answers:
Sailboat won’t take any fuel at all, except for what might be required for a generator or if there’s no wind. Most sailboats will average around 8-10 knots so the trip would take a couple of days.
Betty asks…
How could I generate electricity in an underground bunker?
I know about solar panels and wind turbines but either will have to be above ground. Petrol or diesel generators are to loud and fuel isn’t cheap these days.
admin answers:
Hello
Rig up an auto alternator to an exercise bike running a belt off the bike wheel to the alternator, connect to a couple of good 12 volt batteries (deep cycle boat batteries would be best) wired in parallel from battery to an inverter of around 500 to 750 watts this will be enough for lighting, radio, and small toaster.
Now of course you will need to set up an exercise routine for running the alternator but you will keep very fit and if their is a few you can take turns and all keep very fit!
If you could get more batteries and larger inverter you would be able to run a small kettle as it’s only on for minutes so batteries would cope.
Regards Alan
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Your Questions About Wind Generators For Sale
Mary asks…
How can I create high voltages at home?
Say in the range of about 5K volts?? What is the equipment required?
admin answers:
A generator? For real?
You don’t need a generator. You need a transformer. You need to know how much voltage you’ll be supplying it with, and you already know what voltage you need coming out of it. Transformers work on simple ratios. You have two sets of wire wound around each other. The magnetic field of the supply windings induce a voltage on to the secondary wires producing your 5000 volts. Florescent ballasts are transformers and you may find a specific one that produces that voltage. Http://www.dencosales.com/files/Download/Allanson%20EK%20Product%20Dimensions.pdf
This is a pdf from denco sales that fits your output voltage, but only at 30mA.
Best of Luck,and Be careful! Amperage may kill But voltage hurts!
Helen asks…
What are 25 ways to protect my family and home from a torrential storm?
Detailed List please.
admin answers:
1) move *the act of packing and moving to a different location. If not possible, continue.
2) depending on your budget, some major re-modeling is in order.
3) install additional braces to your roof trusses.
4) Glue your roof…
(a)During a hurricane, the wind may almost seem to be ripping the roof off your home. So give your roof a bit of reinforcement. With some glue, you can increase your roof’s resistance to wind.
The Federal Alliance for Safe Home recommends you go to your local home improvement store and get premium flooring adhesive. Using a caulking gun, put a small bead of glue to the underside of your roof where the roof and the support beams meet. Be sure to look for an adhesive that has been tested and has a strong rating like APA AFG-01 ASTM D 3498.
5) insure your storm gutters are draining rain ample distance, peferably down hill from your home.
6) insure your storm gutters are free from leaves and other foreign debris.
7) waterproof your basement. You can do it yourself by consulting a sales associate at your local home improvement store. Or you can hire an outside company. Again, depends on your budget.
8) ensure your home is fall distance away from large trees or poles. Trees you can use a chain saw yourself and cut it to fall away from your house. Poles are more tricky to remove. You need to write your congress person and tell them that the utility pole on your property is causing cancer to your child. Then you need to adopt a girl and shave “most” of her hair off… Then get the news to have a heartfelt story on you and your plight. Then, the pole is moved…
9)Back up generators for emergency power. Generators are cheap and run on gas. You can get a decent one at your local home improvement store.
10)Vacuum sealer and large bags. Seal blankets and pillows and the like into these bags. You should vacuum seal the blankets as to keep spiders, mice and other “pests” out.
11) Large bags for your vacuum sealer.
12) sleeping bags for your vacuum sealer
13) invest in a sump pump incase the water comes into your basement.
14) replace your old windows. Newer windows come with an “act of god” warranty.
15) think about installing “impact resistant windows”
16) invest in a flash light that doesn’t require batteries (the one you shake “as seen on T.V.”)
17) invest in a radio that works on gyroscope
18) check the weight on your garage door. Many use the lightest material to save them and ultimately you costs.
19) have tarp handy for if when a hole is blown in your roof, you can patch it up when the eye of the storm is over you.
20) register for the next CCW class (carry concealed weapon). Check state and local laws…
21) practice at a shooting range after obtaining your CCW Permit. You never know when Martial Law will take over….
22) register for CPR courses. It may come in handy…
23)
(a) If you have furniture and other outdoor equipment on your patio or deck, bring them inside when strong weather threatens. Don’t forget trash cans, grills, toys, and potted plants. Keep them from becoming flying objects that can cause additional injury or damage during storms with high winds.
“You would be very surprised about what people don’t think about,” says Chapman-Henderson. “We saw garden gnomes wedged into palm trees. We saw an old record sliced into a tree. We saw sailboats in the tops of trees after Hurricane Andrew,” she said.
24) purchase blow up inner rafts, innertubes ect. Ect (and an air pump) You never know when you will need to float to the nearest shelter after a major storm.
25) go to www.myspace.com/therukiz
“Your next door neighbor Warpath the Battle AXE”
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Your Questions About Wind Generators For Home Use For Sale
Mandy asks…
Solar generator for tiny house?
Hi, Im looking for a 2000+ watt solar generator that i can connect to the electrical system of the tiny house that I want to build. I want there to be a long lasting battery, and i also want to be able to charge the battery from a standard 120 volt outlet. I need to connect the power output to the electrical system of my tiny house, so i can not use an outlet that is built into the unit, because the unit (battery/ charger/ inverter) will be somewhere else (connected to the house system.
admin answers:
I’m a permaculture farmer, on a 40 acre farm. We are slowly moving our entire farm to becoming off grid. So far the water and the heat are off grid. Next is the power.
We’ll be using both wind and solar, because on days the sun doesn’t shine, it’s usually windy. If you go with a grid tied solar system as another person suggested, it will save you more than 1/2 the cost. However when the grid power goes down, so does yours. If you have no batteries and no inverter, you have no power.
I really like the solar systems that Costco has been offering for sale. The nice thing about them is you can start small, and ad more as your budget allows. For your batteries, you want to look at marine batteries (for boats), or golf cart batteries. This next part is really important, so pay attention; BATTERIES GIVE OFF TOXIC GAS, AND MUST BE VENTED TO THE OUTSIDE! So no batteries in your house. Plan on building your batteries a protective box OUTSIDE. Also realize that you should not talk to ANYONE about your batteries and off grid home. Why? Because it’s valuable, and has immediate resale value for those who steal and turn items in for scrap and recycling. You could come home and find your entire system, including the valuable and expensive batteries gone.
Since the batteries have to be vented to the outside, theft is a real possibility. What do you plan to run, in terms of appliances? A laptop takes little power. A desk top computer is a power hog. A refrigerator from an RV can be run off propane, and will use no electricity. CFL or LED lights take very little power. You can install a gas powered stove, so again you need no power for it. We are going to use an on demand water heater, so no power needed for the water. We are currently building a 600 sg ft house, with propane powered fridge, stove, and water heater. The actual power needs of the house are very minimal. We’ll be heating with a wood stove.
You might actually find you don’t need 2000 watts if you choose the right appliances. Of course if you go for full electric everything, you’ll need a lot more than 2000 watts. If you live someplace where you have to run A/C you’ll probably need more than 2000 watts. In our climate, a ceiling fan is more than sufficient.
So sit down, plan your house, and what your ACTUAL electrical appliances will be. Go to YouTube, there are lots of great videos on there about people living in little solar powered houses.
~Garnet
Permaculture homesteading/farming over 20 years
Thomas asks…
How do I get started with solar/wind generators in the home on a budget?
I am wanting to play around with solar and wind power, right now I am just in the learning stages and would like to run my flat screen t.v. and maybe some lights, eventually I would like to be able to run a 660 watt window a.c. unit. I found this kit at Harbor Freight and they go on sale as low as 179.00 sometimes http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90599 I already own a 2000 watt vector power inverter. any advice will be appreciated, if you are a nay sayer, keep your comments to yourself, I am doing this more as a learning experiance than any big plans on saving big bucks on my electric bill. any inut on inexpensive wind generators will be appreciated also!
here is a related question I posted, please check it out also, thanks!
here is a related question I posted, please check it out also, thanks!
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090402050242AAe34S9
I plan on buying 6 volt golf cart batteries, I would like to hear some opinions on inexpensive charging controllers..
I plan on linking several kits together also if that helps…
admin answers:
Solar arrays are quite expensive and the payoff period is measured in decades.
Re the link, 45 watts is not much. It will power 1 or 2 CFL lamps, that’s all, and that is when the sun is shining. And exactly at right angles to the array. Typical output is probably half that.
You will need a charge controller, and one or more large sealed marine lead acid batteries, as well as an inverter. A good charge controller is essential, as the voltage and current output of a panel varies a lot. A good charge controller has a DC-DC converter that presents the optimal load to the panel to get the maximum power from it, and converts that to the right DC voltage to charge the batteries.
.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators Alaska
Chris asks…
If it is dark in Alaska half the year, what about solar items?
Do items such as solar calculators and such still work? Yes I know you can just go inside and turn on the lights.
admin answers:
Little solar items like watches and calculators work like anywhere else – fine indoors and fine outdoors dawn to dusk. And they don’t work outdoors at night (the northern lights can get bright enough to cast a shadow but never bright enough to power a solar cell.) Just the nights are longer in Alaska.
Note that where most all Alaskans live (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, etc), there is always daytime and nighttime throughout the year. Very short days in winter and very long in summer (5.5 hours in Dec, 19.5 hours in June where i live in Kenai), but you have to be north of the Arctic Circle (like Prudhoe Bay or the town of Barrow) to have weeks or months without any sun.
In those locations, various solar installations wouldn’t work – power for remote highway phones, radio repeater sites, weather stations, railroad switching gates, etc (not that the Alaskan Railroad goes north of Fairbanks). Such off-the-grid uses would require wind power or a fuel-powered, auto-start generator.
Both solar-generated electricity and solar heating are tough up here. When you need it (winter), we’ve got only a few hours of low-angle sun. When you’ve got it (summer), you don’t use much electricity nor need much heat. Since you need to be on-the-grid or have a generator anyway, the advantages of solar rarely emerge.
I have seen an Aaskan Railroad switching gate just south of Denali National Park with a huge array of PV solar panels for power. At 11 pm, the sun was shining almost directly at the BACK of the panels. Looked all wrong, but they were installed correctly. And sized large for winter use.
Linda asks…
How to people have electricity in remote places? ?
I was reading someone’s web page who had built a cabin in a remote part of Alaska. They had to have an outhouse, no running water, etc. But then they showed pictures of the inside when it was finished and it looked like there were lights lighting up the place….so how could that be possible in this situation? A generator? or what? Thanks for any ideas!
admin answers:
We lived ‘off the grid’ for years before power was brought out to our more remote area in Alaska. You can run a generator (gas or diesel) for basic power needs. Generators come in all sizes depending on your power needs. Or have inverter that allows you to use the power stores of batteries, which will need to be recharged with a generator, wind, or alternative means.
If it is just lights you can easily install propane lights in a cabin that work quite nicely. A a propane stove and propane refrigerator, and you are all set.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators For Sale
Sandra asks…
What type of power inverter should I get for home use?
I would like to have a power source I can use when the power goes out for a couple of hours. I would just want to use a lamp, a cable modem, maybe a fan. Nothing which would draw a lot. I am looking for an alternative to a gas-powered generator. Are there power inverters available that you can keep plugged in so a battery stays charged? And when the power goes out, you pull it out and use it. It would need to have a standard outlet you can plug into. I do not want a power inverter that plugs into the car cigarette lighter. I think I saw such a device at Staples, but I’m having a hard time finding devices for sale on the internet.
admin answers:
A UPS would do what you want and would automatically switch online so you wouldn’t lose power to the devices. Check the manufacturers specs for run time at various loads to help determine which size would work best.
I have a pair of very large storage batteries which are kept charged with a 28VDC power supply. They power a 1kW sine wave inverter which powers the outlets in my bedroom. During a power outage there is no change to whatever is plugged in. I can watch TV, clock radios do not start flashing. In the event of the batteries draining, the circuit will automatically revert back to normal AC power.
There are some pictures and other information on my web page.
Http://members.rennlist.org/warren/wind.html
Susan asks…
Detailed information on the Hush wind generator?
It is an Australian invention and should be released for sale soon.
admin answers:
Haven’t heard about it, but sounds like I would want one.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators Cost
Charles asks…
What size and cost for windmill power for school needed?
My school is trying to get an energy saving wind generator to help make it “green.” Our physics class is working on the cost / size issue, and I would like to know an estimate for both. I have been researching and according to my teacher our school uses 100,000 KWh each month.
admin answers:
There are two options here.
1) Install a wind turbine to meet the building’s maximum demand. This allows the school to “disconnect” from the grid.
2) Install a wind turbine that reduces the school’s carbon footprint by producing enough kWh to offset all the electric energy used by the school.
I suspect your teacher is interested in option # 2, since all you were given is the energy usage of 100,000 kWh per month.
The average wind turbine only produces about 25 to 30% of its rated power (RP). A really good location might get up to 40%. This value is referred to as the Rough Capacity Factor or RCF. I will assume your location has wind conditions that will result in an RCP of 30%
RP x RCF x 24 hours x 30 days = 100,000 kWh.
Solve for Rated Capacity:
RP = 100,000 kWh ÷ (RCF x 24 x 30)
RP = 100,000 kWh ÷ (.30 x 24 x 30)
RP = 100,000 kWh ÷ 216 hours = 462 kW.
Round this up to 500 kW.
Assuming an average cost of $3000 per kW, a 500 kW wind turbine is going to cost you about $1.5M before tax incentives and other credits.
Daniel asks…
what are the components needed in order to make both: a solar-panel and the system to apply it to daily use?
I heard on an add (trying to be VERY persuasive for me to get the guide) that building solar panels, wind generators and the system to put them to use, is easy and much cheaper than getting the set and it implemented by specialist, but the guide cost $50 so i cant be bothered, but i would still be interested in learning more about it for free! So anyone got the know how?
admin answers:
Well, you can’t make a solar panel. Unless what they were talking about was buying solar cells (those small 1″x1.5″ cells) and soldering them all up together to make a panel. Then buying or making an aluminum frame and putting a low iron glass sheet over it. Then wiring up the diodes for the panel you just made. I guess it would be cheaper if you don’t count the hours of labor you would have to put into it to make one panel. Oh also, you would need an inverter to convert it to AC. Some people just buy broken solar cells which cost next to nothing and make a panel out of that.
As far as the wind generators? I guess it would be far less time consuming than the solar panels and that might be worth doing but you will still need an inverter. They are actually pretty handy for camping, I made one that gave out 24v at max with a voltage regulator. The only problem with that is that you’re going to need more than one and they need to be bigger. Plus you need a healthy amount of wind. They are just trying to make a quick buck, this isn’t something practical really.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators For Home
Steven asks…
Is wind power generator at home really work ?
I heard about wind power generator and I want to make a wind power generator to power things in my house. Although I am not sure where to find good information. I want to save money. Is there any reliable information on how to make wind power generator at home?
admin answers:
I made mine wind power generator and its saving me some good money 🙂 I use it to power various things inside and outside my house. I found the best source of info for this at:
http://homemadeenergyreviews.blogspot.com/
David asks…
how can i make a wind generator for home use ?
i want to make a wind generator in my home to use it to open lamb tv and so on how can i make it ?
admin answers:
It isn’t necessarily easy to make a wind generator at home, but it’s certainly possible. I’m slowly gathering supplies to build one myself for the fun of it.
Here are some links from my bookmarks.
Http://www.otherpower.com/
http://www.scoraigwind.com/pmgbooklet/itpmg.pdf
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Your Questions About Wind Generators For Boats
Nancy asks…
Can someone please tell me the advantages and disatvantages of wind and tidal generators?
plz help!
if u can also explain how a generator works?
admin answers:
We’ve used the wind as an energy source for a long time. The Babylonians and Chinese were using wind power to pump water for irrigating crops 4,000 years ago, and sailing boats were around long before that.
Wind power was used in the Middle Ages, in Europe, to grind corn, which is where the term “windmill” comes from.
Windmills
How it works
The Sun heats our atmosphere unevenly, so some patches become warmer than others.
These warm patches of air rise, other air blows in to replace them – and we feel a wind blowing.
We can use the energy in the wind by building a tall tower, with a large propellor on the top.
A wind generator
The wind blows the propellor round, which turns a generator to produce electricity.
We tend to build many of these towers together, to make a “wind farm” and produce more electricity.
The more towers, the more wind, and the larger the propellors, the more electricity we can make.
It’s only worth building wind farms in places that have strong, steady winds, although boats and caravans increasingly have small wind generators to help keep their batteries charged.
Try
home.clara.net/darvill/altenerg/wind.htm
jj
Mark asks…
How is living on yacht compared to a townhouse/condo?
Has anyone lived on a 40 foot +/- yacht? I see them outside my office window all day and it seems like a relaxing life. Are they really too small to live(single) comfortably and how fast do they depreciate? A quick seach revealed that a 40 footer cost more or less the same as a condo or small house, but what are the upsides of living on a boat(other than being mobile)?
admin answers:
It is a very relaxing life, and you can live quite comfortably on a sailboat, depending on what your expectations and needs are. You should be able to buy a 40 footer for much less than a condo would cost in most places, by the way.
Here is an answer I gave yesterday to someone who asked a similar question. I hope it helps.
Living on a boat is not for everyone. It is a lifestyle that can be great fun and very relaxed, but you have to work a little harder to be comfortable. Can you try it for a little while without having to make a committment?
You have to make arrangements for water and to have your holding tank pumped out. Most people go ashore for water – sometimes to a marina dock. In a very few places there is water delivery to boats, but in my experience that is not the norm. I have never seen that happen. When we anchored for longer periods my husband and I often dinghied 5 gallon jugs of water back to our boat on a regular basis – every time we went ashore.
What about power? Do you want to have electricity? If so, you need to think about wind generators or solar panels, depending on where you live. How about refrigeration? That is the biggest consumer of energy on a boat. There are options that use less power, but they tend to be more expensive. Do you want to be able to have a hot water shower on the boat? Is it hot enough where you live to use a solar bag/sun shower to heat your shower water each day or will you need a water heater?
How about cooking? If you have a propane stove, especially a Force 10, two burner with oven, that will be great, and many people also have a BBQ in the cockpit. With propane you should have a propane detector in your cabin and bilge as propane sinks if it is leaking, and could collect in the bottom of your boat and cause an explosion.
If you anchor, you have to dinghy ashore everyday. You may need to lock your dinghy when you go ashore, depending on where you are anchored. Will you have a vehicle on shore? If so, that will make life easier, as you will not have to backpack laundry, groceries, etc. If you are depending on getting ashore by dinghy to get to a job, what about the days when it might be too rough to get the dinghy ashore?
Do you want to have TV and Internet on your boat? We used a cell phone to have Internet access when we were anchored. Sometimes we were fortunate enough to be able to receive an unsecured wireless signal. For TV, you might be able to receive the free channels from you boat if you put an antenna high enough. The reception will of course vary with the movement of the boat.
Depending on your location, you may need to protect all you clothing from humidity and mildew. We rolled all of ours and packaged everything in airtight ziploc bags to keep the moisture out.
Some people who live on boats choose to rent a slip at a marina and then they can have most of the conveniences of a land based home while living on a boat. Not all marinas allow live aboards.
I would live on a boat again in a flash if the opportunity presented itself with the right person. My husband and I enjoyed it immensely and had wonderful adventures. We were happy vagabonds. We were both retired though, so we did not have to worry about getting ashore for work, etc.
So I hope I have given you some food for thought. Most people I know who live on boats and work ashore actually live in a slip at a marina, but I also know a few who anchor and dinghy ashore everyday to a job. Best of luck with you plans. I would do it. Feel free to ask about anything else you think I could help with.
Best of luck.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators
Lisa asks…
Can you use a car alternator to build a wind generator?
I am very interested in trying to build my own small wind generator, I seen that you basically need a alternator, blades to build the fan, cabling and a battery. So could you use a car alternator and also how many 12V batterys would you need?
I think that was a little rude, judging by what you posted you seem to be a all around d*ck!
But thanks to the others who replied, you info was very helpful. thanks again.
admin answers:
You may have better success with an alternator with the field coils replaced with permanent magnets and the regulator removed. This will maximize the voltage output and allow you to regulate the voltage at the battery bank. The less electronics and other items to break up the tower the more reliable the system will be.
You should use deep cycle batteries, not automotive starting batteries. The number of batteries will depend upon the voltage your system operates, power capacity of the generator, and size of inverters. Do not go overboard with too many batteries or the generator will never be able to fully charge them.
There is someone near me who is building the blades with PVC pipe. He uses it to turn a permanent magnet DC motor to act as the generator. I’ll try to find his web page later.
I’m hoping to get back to my wind generator project shortly. It’s been tied up in municipal bylaws and idiotic permits…
Visit my web page for ideas.
Http://members.rennlist.org/warren/wind.html
Michael asks…
How to build a wind generator for a sailboat?
Does anyone have good plans for a small 24″ three blade wind generator ?
admin answers:
Hi,
You can try this set of plans :
http://www.agua-luna.com/wind_gene.html
But it will be good if you spray a protecting coating on it for make it marine grade.
The following steps were taking directly out of that DIY guide I offer to those who would like to run their homes on wind power safely, reducing their monthly utility bills or even selling power back the electrical companies.
“This manual is based on using a 260 VDC, 5 A continuous duty Treadmill Motor with a 6 inch threaded hub. These motors are available for under $50 from most motor surplus stores. We are getting about 7 amps in a 30 mph wind. In other words, it is a simple, cheap little machine to get you started. ”
“ASSEMBLY
1.Place the motor on top of the square tubing & bolt it in, using the two 5/16” x ¾” bolts.
2.Place the diode on the square tubing, about 2” behind the motor, & screw it into position using the self-tapping metal screw.
3.Connect the black wire coming out of the motor to the positive incoming terminal of the diode (Labeled AC on the positive side).
4.Connect the red wire coming out of the motor to the negative incoming terminal of the diode (Labeled AC on the negative side).
5.Center the tail over the square tubing, at the back end. Clamp your tail onto the side of the square tubing.
6.Using 2 self-tapping screws, screw the tail in place.
7.Place each blade on the hub so that all the holes line up. Using the ¼” bolts & washers, bolt the blades to the hub. For the inner three holes, use two washers per bolt, one on each side of the blade. For the outer three holes, just use one washer next to the head of the bolt. Tighten.
8.Hold the end of the shaft of the motor (which comes through the hub) firmly with pliers, & turn the hub counterclockwise until it tightens & stops.
9.Screw the nipple tightly into the floor flange using a pipe wrench.
10.Clamp the nipple in a vice so that the floor flange is facing up & level.
11.Place the square tubing (and everything that is on it) on top of the floor flange & move it so that it is perfectly balanced.
12.Through the holes of the floor flange, mark the square tubing at the point of balance.
13.Drill these two holes using a 5/32″ drill bit. You will probably have to take off the hub & tail to do this).
14.Attach the square tubing to the floor flange with two sheet metal screws.
For a longer life span of your wind generator, you should paint the blades, motor sleeve, mount & tail.”
Hope this helped, feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions if you’d like assistance in making your first self sufficient steps, I’m willing to walk you step by step threw the process. I’ve written several how-to DIY guides available at www agua-luna com on the subject. I also offer online & on-site workshops, seminars & internships to help others help the environment.
Dan Martin
Alterative Energy / Sustainable Consultant, Living 100% on Alternative & Author of How One Simple Yet Incredibly Powerful Resource Is Transforming The Lives of Regular People From All Over The World… Instantly Elevating Their Income & Lowering Their Debt, While Saving The Environment by Using FREE ENERGY… All With Just One Click of A Mouse…For more info Visit:
www AGUA-LUNA com
Good luck.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators Indiana
Daniel asks…
Gas Saving ?
Ok! I’ve got a 94 Mercury Sable that is getting about 20/29 MPG. The Car is in really good shape Mechanically. Other than the fact that I need to pick up a New Radiator for it cause of a small crack on top of the Radiator. Which I keep an eye on how much Antifreeze is in there. Until I can throw a New Radiator in. But, Basically would it be better to put a bunch of Gas Saving Stuff into it or Just go get a New Vehicle that gets a higher MPG? Gas is $3.95 in my area of Indiana.
admin answers:
You won’t get much money for your car, and it would take an awfully long time to recoup what you spend on a new car, by getting better fuel mileage. You can hypermile that Sable and get even better mileage, and drive it forever.
Tom and Ray Magliozzi (Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers on NPR’s “Car Talk”) will tell you that the money-smartest thing to do is to buy a car and drive it until it disintegrates from old age. Then start over. So don’t buy a new car, just fix this one.
There are no “gas-saving” products that work. It’s all BOGUS – you’ll mess up sensors, or clog fuel filters, or something. So skip the vortex generators and the “engine re-plating” pills that go into the tank, all that junk. ‘Cause that’s all it is, junk. DO, however, run the occasional bottle of fuel injector cleaner through your tank. It helps, it works, and it can improve your mileage.
GAS-SAVING TIPS: keep up with the oil changes. Switch to full-synthetic Mobil 1 or Castrol Synthetic – it makes a difference.
Check and/or change the automatic transmission fluid in your tranny. Have this done AT THE DEALER – quickie joints may not have the right additives in their one-size-fits-all fluid for your tranny. That’d be bad. We want you to be happy with your car for a long, long time.
TIRES: pump them up to the maximum printed on the tire’s sidewall. Ignore the manufacturer’s recommendations that’re on that little plate inside the driver’s door – Ford recommended way too little for the Explorer and look where all those folks wound up – upside down! Top ’em up. Keep them topped.
INSIDE: crash diet. How much junk is riding around in your car that you don’t need? There should be the basics: quart of oil, spare tire, jack. Fire extinguisher and flares, first-aid kit. Everything else is optional. Every ounce you drag around that doesn’t need to go somewhere, you’re burning fuel to give it a free ride. How smart is that?
ROOF RACK: take it off. Just the crossbars. Unless you’re taking your mountain bike with you everywhere you go, that thing is inducing turbulence up for no reason. If you never rooftop anything, you’ll never miss it. If you ARE taking your bike places, get a hitch-mount carrier and put the drag-inducing bike in your slipstream.
SLOW DOWN: Leave for work fives minutes earlier and ease off the gas. 5mph on the road at highway speeds makes a huge difference. Astonishing, really. Have a tendency to creep back up? Use the cruise control. Then all you have to worry about is maintaining safe spacing and when to exit the freeway. Learn to ignore the frustrated people behind you. They should’ve left earlier, if they have to speed to get somewhere on time. No cruise control? Get one aftermarket and install it yourself. It isn’t hard: I’ve done two, both times for improved fuel economy.
ADJUST THE NUT BEHIND THE WHEEL: (hint: that’s you) Your driving habits make all the difference. The only thing I’ve changed on my truck is the tire pressure, but all my habits are completely different. The EPA says my truck should get 22mpg on average, I’m getting 34. You can do it too. It’s called hypermiling, and it’s easy. Go to Ecomodder.com, or CleanMPG.com for more ideas.
NOTE: early research suggests hypermilers get fewer accidents, and their cars tend to last longer, due to their increased habit of situational awareness and gentler driving practices.
Michael asks…
What are the reasons for the Amish community in America living like people did hundreds of years ago?
I picked up an internet buzz that people are living without electricity and in really old fashioned clothes. They don’t have cars and whenever there is a drive by shooting it’s like clip clop clip clop clip clop clip clop BANG BANG clip clop clip clop clip clop..
These people are religious and religion has something to do with how they live, apparently.
None of them are going to answer because they don’t have the internet but why do they live like this? Does anyone have any knowledge about them?
Serious answers only please.
GO!
@ Taz, don’t do that again or I’ll block you. I can’t be bothered to read through a wall of drivel, it just ruins the question.
admin answers:
I use to live near some Amish-man. I bought a 6 bedroom Amish house. There are many people who call themselves Plain People. I use to have a horse and wagon and no electricity so to speak. I did have and still do use a solar panel. Many Amish use solar. Some drive cars and some do not. It depends on what sect they are. The ones I lived by didn’t belong to any sect. They were too men living alone, father and son. The mother and daughter and brothers all moved to Indiana. These men made sorghum molasses, raised organic foods. Sold goats milk and honey. I too raised goats and made cheese. Riding along a flint covered road at night with the horses shoes causing sparks to fly in the full moon light is something I will never forget.
The Amish speak their own language. A mix of German and Pennsylvania Dutch.
They follow the Martin Luther doctrine.
The women and men dress modestly. Usually they each only have 3 sets of clothes. One for work, one for Sunday, and one extra. Married men have a beard and single men do not in most sects. The 2 Amishmen I lived by wore their beards long and they had mustaches.
There was a group of Amish named Swartz who owned a buggy shop. They sold kerosene, barn lamps and other useful items. They had a band saw attached to a treadle pedal. A bicycle was used to power a paint sprayer. They own wind generators. These people are self sufficient. And so was I. Compost toilets, water cisterns. Solar panels, green houses.
I could go on and on.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators Ebay
David asks…
what happen if the generator continue rotating and there is no one using its generated power?
I just want to make a home made wind mill and I’m afraid it will explode if I’m not home and it continue generating and no one is consuming the generated power.
thanks.
admin answers:
Hi
Some seem to heat the house hot water if the power is not needed.See ebay listings
Betty asks…
What is your current plan to get off of the power grid?
Where I live we have plenty of wind and sunlight. I am going to build a combination of those 2 types. It will cost a bit to get into but once its done I will be independent and can reasonably say I am doing everything I can to get off of polluting energy.
admin answers:
Beat you to it I’m OFF THE MONEY HUNGRY GRID. Ive been building solar panels from old broken cells i get off eBay allot cheaper then buying them and they are working really well . Takes a Little time imagination and work but well worth it. I have a few pics in my blog showing how i do it
I have a flat roof on my house and im building a low level wind mill my own design with the power shaft going through the roof going into the second story room that i use for my power room and that i use for my lab . The generator will be inside of the house . Its a 12 volt permanent magnet generator that came off a john dear tractor . I was going to use a GM alternator but they need to turn faster to produce electricity . The neighborhood thinks I’m the nutty professor but hey nothing like living free and i sure don’t worry about the power company shutting off my power .
Tell you the truth its just been a lot of fun building my own system.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators For Sale
Lisa asks…
Wind Generators.Does the AC generators for sale on ebay need a battery(exicter) to help them create voltage? I?
Does the AC generators for sale on ebay need a battery(exicter) to help them create voltage? I have a DC generator & it produces voltage without a battery. It will produce about 15 volts by spinning the shaft by hand. Just curious about the AC generator. Thanks.
admin answers:
It depends on the make and model
it is a design criterion
if there are permanent magnets, it will self start, the output control becomes more difficult
if it has only an electromagnet like an automobile alternator then it is much easier to control the output
Guru
Joseph asks…
What would you do if society colapsed end every one was on their own?
no cooperation between anyone, not even families
no utilities or power, unless you can provide it for yourself like your own well or generator and if you can you have to protect it from any one else who might want to steal it for them selves.
no sale or trade between people you just have what you own and what you can take or steal from others.
how long do you think you could last? Where would you go? What’s your plan?
admin answers:
Regenerate society among my family and our neighbors (we already have that planned)
We have wind / solar powering our ranch, and diesel back up… We also raise 80% of our own veggies and 95% of our meat / dairy… We have a 1 year stock of grain, coffee, sugar, etc.
I won’t mention our weapons… Or our security arrangements other than to say that a few Marine Gunny Sergeants and SEALs (friends) have been up here and approved / and improved.
We live 20 miles from town and 90 miles from the city… We have our own valley and access to another four via neighbors… Time to start a tribal / feudal system !!
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Your Questions About Wind Generators For Boats
Linda asks…
Is there any safety issues in using a non marine grade generator on a boat?
The difference between a marine grade 5kw generator and a common home or job site use 5 kw generator is thousands of dollars. I understand salt being an issue but I am on freshwater. As long as I am not spilling fuel are there any safety concerns?
admin answers:
You have more then exhaust fumes to worry about. If the generator has its own gas tank it will be vented into the boat (if you have it in the boat). Getting enough air to cool it would be a problem and how would you get the exhaust out. You could try it on the back of the boat but if there is any wind you have to worry about the station wagon effect, wind swirling around and pulling fumes into the boat. Not to mention it getting wet if a wake hits you from the back. I don’t think you would do to well if you got boarded by the police or the USCG as that is not an “approved device” How about putting in an inverter and a dedicated battery for 110 volts instead?
Carol asks…
Will a trolling motor generate electricity and charge a battery if it is pulled thru the water?
Specific application I’m looking at is using a high thrust trolling motor on a small sailboat for the auxiliary propulsion. Research indicates this will work great. However, the various sites advise using solar/wind/ or shore power for recharging.
Suppose the motor was left down, we raised the sail, and the prop began to freewheel. Seeing as how this is a DC motor, wouldn’t it start generating electricity? Has anyone tried this? What type of controlling circuitry would be needed if any to charge the house batteries?
admin answers:
Here is the Biggest problem with the trolling motor generator…Its not with the motor but with the capture area of the prop…Lets do the math here real quick …I promise not to take to long…If your trolling motor uses 10 amps at 12 volts thats about 120watts …756watts is about one horsepower,……. To get enough drag surface on the prop you need about 60 sq inches….120/756=.16hp or 480 sq inches per hp….more or less..so thats a pretty good size prop lets say 5″ x 12″ now to get it to spin you need a very easy rotating motor/gen set if its a permanent magnet type you have a problem getting it past the first pole is pretty hard…now lets look at rpm for a moment normally your motor cranks out that 120 watts at say 500-600 rpm to get a sail surface relationship and pitch to get your 12 vdc back… Your gonna need to have one heck of a pitch or loose your voltage for lack of rpm.. So I would say this …your idea of using the regenerative power of a dc motor to make a little wattage is quite sound ..However using a trolling motor made to puLL your boat might not be as efficient as some other means…Keep working on the idea though try using a right angle gearbox being driven by a floating paddle wheel ..or perhaps a flexible driveshaft underneath the boat with a helix coil driving an inboard alternator. Regulation for all the voltage is as easy as pie… A couple of big caps and one transistor and 30 minutes and you can build a regulator for nearly any thing up to 200watts…Ever hear of the 12v Light bulb from the old days being used as a regulator? See didnt even need a cap for that one….Anyhow have a good day from the E…
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Your Questions About Wind Generators
Sandy asks…
How do I build a homemade wind generator?
Wondered if anyone knew how to build a simple homemade wind generator to power our home? A homemade wind generator that is not too complicated would be good. Do you know how to build a wind generator? Please help us.Thanks
admin answers:
The first thing you need to do is figure out how big of a wind generator you need. Most wind generators that are over 1000 watts in generating power are quite a bit more difficult to build. You will need to have your wind generator 15 feet above any obstruction within 300 feet. That is a must.
Some great resources exist but probably reading an article or two about building wind generators would help a lot. Try the resource I listed for a very informative article, there is mention of a website in the article where you can find some great wind generator plans too. Hope this helps, we have built 3 wind generators so far with these plans.
Mandy asks…
What are the purpose of the magnets in a wind generator?
In a wind generator there are several trapezoid magnets around the shaft of the prop, what are the purpose of these?
admin answers:
Electricity can be generated by moving a conducting wire so that it cuts through a magnetic field.
In short electricity from magnetism and motion.
Most electricity-generating systems involve rotating coils of wire in a magnetic field.
There are many ways of causing the coils to rotate:
Wind power:- wind generators
Water power:- water hitting a water wheel (turbine) causing it to rotate – hydroelectricity
Nuclear power:- heat generated in a nuclear reaction is used to produce a jet of steam which again hit a turbine causing it to rotate.
Oil, gas and coal could be used as alternatives to produce the jet of steam.
Finally rather than the coils of wire rotating some systems cause the magnets to rotate – as long as there is relative motion between the coils and the magnetic field either will do.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators For Home Use For Sale
Lisa asks…
Essential Services and the Economic Crisis?
With this economic crisis looming over all of our heads. There have been people from all walks of life finding themselves losing there jobs and income and the flow on effect is they lose therefore there livelihoods.
To avoid this from happening to myself i have come to the conclusion that getting into a job that is part of the essential services such as Fire, Police, Paramedics are the obvious but i am looking more attainable such as Energy, Food, Waste industries.
My question is what sort of jobs out there could one get into that would be in a position to ride out this economic crisis
admin answers:
Internet sales. Supplemental income or full time. Worldwide exposure of your product.
There’s also good money in saving people money. If you can offer a product or service that saves people money, you’re doing well right now.
This is however a double edge answer.
I think the thing to be thinking about is how fragile our livelihoods are. Think about it. If you lost your job today, how long could you live in your current home without any income?
We need to be smarter with our purchases, save our money, invest in items that can help us sustain in any crisis like solar heaters and electric panels, wind generators. Stop living outside our means.
The problem is everyone is flocking to “essential services”, but even the police have suffered budget cuts. We need to be able to maintain in times like this, be better prepared.
We all need to make our own individual financial foundation stronger. A tomato plant with a weak stem won’t be able to produce much fruit…especially in a drought.
Sandy asks…
how do i make electricity at home?
admin answers:
How sunny or windy is the place you live? You can use solar panels if its rarely cloudy where you live and windmills if the breeze is in excess of 3-5m/s.
Its fairly easy and cheap to make wind mills and solar panels at home yourself. Though professionally pre-made plans are usually for sale. If your home windspeeds are at 9-10 m/s you can power the entire place through a 3-10 KiloWatt wind generator. Any other way is usually impractical for home generation.
There are also petrol generators available. Though they are expensive and costly to run as well.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators Cost
Chris asks…
Anyone have a formula for cost-benefit analysis of buying a windmill for power generation?
I live in an area where a power company uses wind generators successfully. I’d be looking at about a 1.8 kw generator in an area where electricity is expensive. Initial cost is $13K. Would I be better off waiting a couple of years for newer, better, cheaper wind generators?
admin answers:
1.8kW wind generator… Running at 25% load produces 1.8kW * 0.25 * 24hours/day * 365days = 3942kWh/year.
Let’s make that 4000kWh. You can probably sell that electricity for $0.07/kWh. Makes a total income of $280/year.
5% annual interest on $13000 is $650. Yep, you are going to lose roughly $370 per year… Not counting running cost for repairs etc.
Sounds like a great business proposition? I don’t think so.
If you are just offsetting your own consumption and electricity prices are around $0.15/kWh, you might just brake even. Barely…
In general I would not think that wind below 250kW is a good investment. Try 10MW+ wind parks and you are probably talking about a sound business model.
And some people simply want to do their share to improve global warming. They don’t need to be concerned about the financial downside. If you are one of them, go for it. It will make you feel a lot better.
Mary asks…
What type of boat incurs the lowest maintenance cost?
I would love to own a boat, but the more I talk to people who do, the more I get the impression that it is a frightfully expensive hobby to have. There must be boats that are very low maintenance though. What are they? Am I right in thinking that, theoretically, an aluminium launch with an electric motor and wind generators would be the least expensive kind of boat to own?
admin answers:
Boats are expensive to keep in good/safe working order. The smaller the boat, the lower the maintenance cost. The bigger the boat the higher the cost. Also, don’t forget about the “Property Tax” that’s paid every year on the boat too. On my 26′ Express Cruiser, annual maintenance is $600 and the tax is $550 per year.
The least expensive boat to own is an inflatable from Walmart with oars. See below.
I also own a 60′ Motor Yacht. It’s a great live aboard and I’m self sufficient in the event of a major earthquake here in CA. You don’t want to know my costs on that yacht! Plus I can travel to lots of places.
BTW, boating isn’t a hobby. It’s a LIFESTYLE!
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Your Questions About Wind Generators Home Use
Linda asks…
How to make a wind power generator at home?
I want to make a wind power generator to power things in my house. I want it to be able to power a small tv and DVD player.
admin answers:
To make this you will need a few things.
The generator, blades battery and inverter.
I have made three of them and I use them to power various things outside like lighting, pool pump and tv.
The best source of info for this is http://www.earth4energy.com. Thats where I got my blade designs from and learnt how to wire it up.. Its saving me some good money 🙂
William asks…
how would I make a wind generator?
I would like plans to make a wind generator for my home to run a few lights during a storm.
admin answers:
A motor is an electrical device that turns electrical energy into mechanical energy. I really don’t think that is what you’re after. You want to turn mechanical into electrical, right? Okay, in old cars, before they had alternators, they had generators. Snag one of these at a junk yard. It will charge a 12 volt DC battery. I have never done this, I am just theorizing as I type. Anywho, campers use 12 volt DC lighting as a back up. Heck even the fridges run on 12v, propane, NG, or AC. In theory, fabricate blades to this generator, with a voltage regulator and there you go. Actually, here is what I do. I used camping lighting that burns clean fuel and flashlights, but if you simply had an inverter, you could actually run a few things via you car. Another suggestion, a more serious one. Look at the way they make campers so self sufficient. 2 lighting systems, where one runs on AC and the other DC of 12 volt batteries. Not a bad idea for your house? They have there own battery charger, which you could put in your house, that keeps these batteries full whenever you are plugged into AC. Add a 12 volt light system to your storm center, add a camping stove with a small portable tank, vent the area. This stove could cook and serve as a source of heat. Get the fridge that runs on anything, what else do you need? Oh yeah, plans for a wind generator. Dragonfly Wind Generator. That’s what you are in need of. Perfect for residential.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators Alaska
Lisa asks…
If I lived in a cabin, 50+ miles from the closest electrical pole, how would I get electricity?
I am considering purchasing land in Alaska, a cabin off in the middle of the woods and was wondering how the tar would I get electricity, water and gas if needed to the land? Google was no help. Thanks!!
admin answers:
Electricity:
gas generator, solar power, wind power.
(gas gen and solar mix is my best bet)
Water- get a well dung)
gas- you buy a huge tank- a truck comes and fills it up a couple times a year, (lots of farmers do this)
Farmers usually have private wells and large natural gas tanks.. HOWEVER they still live on “The grid”
your electricity problem will most likely be solved by gas generator and solar power.
Good luck
Sandra asks…
How many kilowatt hours would I need to power a town of 1000 people plus businesses and a mine?
If i had a remote alaskan town of 1000 residents, how much power would I need to generate to run the whole town. Would a diesel generator work?
admin answers:
You didn’t give enough info.
1000 people and business plus mine isn’t specific.
What kind of people? Treehuggers? Hippies? Or the typical super-wasteful American stereotype?
What kind of business? Small things like the mom-n-pop stores? Small-town restaurants? Or a giant general motors automobile plant? Or what about a server farm (which requires lots and lots of power)?
For a mine, again, it depends of what kind of mine. How big is the operation? How updated is its facilities? Is it a pit/strip mine? A tunnel mine into the side of a mountain? Or a deep mine that goes way into the earth?
Then you have the climate. Alaska narrows it down some. Its cold there. But you forgot to say how is the town heated. Oil? Gas? Electric? Solar? Geo-thermal?
No matter the answer, I can tell you unless the town has tiny mom-n-pop businesses, tree huggers and hippies and an obsolete open pit mine, you’ll need a lot more than a diesel generator. You can try something green- like geo thermal, wind, tidal power. If you embrace the power of the future, nuclear power is the way to go. You can have an oil-fired or coal fired plant. It can run on natural gas or methane from composting waste. You can even have one burning trash to make power.
How much kW of power?
If each house had 4 people, then it would be about 250 households. Each household would consume about 15 kW a day of electricity.
So for homes you have 15×250 = 3,750 kW
business, say you got small ones and one Costco store.
Say 10kW electricity for 12 small businesses and 40kW for the Costco (they have lots of lights and fridges).
So business you have 12×10+40 = 160 kW
say you got the average open strip mine. A small operation that employs 350 people. Its not high-tech. It processes gypsum (different types of mines uses different amounts of electricity) for another plant in nearby Anchorage. That stuff is shipped by rail. I’d estimate 2000kW energy.
So subtotal:
homes: 3,750 kW
Stores: 160 kW
mine: 2000 kW
you need to generate at least 5,910 kW a day or you’ll have power issues. If all the homes are electric heated and not gas or oil, add another 1000kW a day.
In all, you needs at least 6,910 kW a day, but not more than 9,000 kW. The 2,000 kW a day difference allows some flex and deals with expansion of the town or unexpected high power consumption.
Remote Alaskan towns should not rely on diesel, or anything that needs to be shipped in. If the shipment is late or not coming, everyone could freeze to death. You’d want something that comes out of the earth reliably. Like geothermal. The earth won’t die for a very long time. If you place the plant near a volcano or place with thermal activity, you’ll get good, reliable high power output for the next couple thousand years or so.
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