Free VAWT Wind Turbine Plans
Free VAWT Wind Turbine Plans
Make your own 250 Watt vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT)
wind | educationA great introduction to
wind turbines is to build your own
VAWT - a
vertical axis wind turbine - which copes well with the turbulent winds typically found in built-up areas. They are typically easier to build than the more traditional
horizontal axis wind turbines (the ones that look like windmills), and can be constructed from cheap easily obtainable materials such as PVC pipe and plywood. When completed this turbine easily generates sufficient power to charge a couple of rechargeable AA batteries or to light up a string of LEDs.
This simple
wind turbine generator requires 6-8 hours of building time ideally spread over a couple of days to allow paint and glue to dry. Here is a summary of the materials required:
1 8 inch diameter 14 guage steel disk with 3/8 inch hole in the centre.
16 disk magnets - ceramic or NdFeB (
neodymium) magnets.
750g of 20AWG enamel coated magnet wire.
2 pieces of corrugate plastic 24 x 8 inches - ideally 2mm thick, but 4mm is acceptable.
...and a selection of electronic components - diodes and resistors etc, some plywood and plexiglass, glue, paint and fixings.
This turbine can be assembled using just a screwdriver, power drill, pliers, a jigsaw, and some sandpaper. Unless you have steel cutting equipment - which most people do not! - you will need to pay a metalshop to prepare the steel disk. The rest you can do yourself.
The plans explain in detail the full construction process from making the
rotor and
stator, to making the frame that holds everything together and the blades which catch the wind and spin the turbine. Full wiring details are also provided explaining the difference between
star and
delta configurations (choose between higher voltage or higher current), and
three phase alternator wiring.
These
wind turbine plans are excellent and very educational. A fantastic introduction to basic wind turbine construction which can be used in the classroom or at home.
Downloads
PicoTurbine Windmill Plans - 27 page PDF document including plans, instructions, templates, and everything else you will need to make your own
wind turbine
Article Last Modified: 09:31, 28th Dec 2006
Recommended Related Articles
People who read this article also enjoyed the following articles:
VAWT Vertical Axis Wind TurbineUnderstand the advantages and disadvantages of VAWTs
Article Last Modified: 15:35, 30th Jan 2007windDIY 2kW Wind TurbineRead about a home built 2kW wind turbine constructed from scrap
Article Last Modified: 08:46, 4th Oct 2007wind | recyclingSavonius Wind TurbinesWhat is a savonius wind turbine - savonius (VAWT)
Article Last Modified: 15:35, 30th Jan 2007wind | educationPVC Wind Turbine BladesLearn how to make your own PVC wind turbine blades
Article Last Modified: 11:59, 24th Jan 2007windDarrieus Wind TurbinesWhat is a Darrieus wind turbine - Darrieus (VAWT)
Article Last Modified: 16:27, 30th Jan 2007wind | educationPermanent Magnet GeneratorBuild a wind or water power system with around a PM Generator
Article Last Modified: 17:33, 2nd Jan 2008wind | hydroMiniWind Wind TurbinesFind out more about the MiniWind range of wind turbines and purchase products with an REUK exclusive 10% discount
Article Last Modified: 17:33, 2nd Jan 2008wind | shoppingHow I Built A Wind TurbineRead how a wind turbine was built for under US$150
Article Last Modified: 10:24, 6th Jan 2007wind | educationBuy a VAWT Vertical Wind TurbineUnderstand the advantages and disadvantages of VAWTs
Article Last Modified: 16:27, 30th Jan 2007windPhotos of PVC Wind Turbine BladesPhotographs of PVC wind turbine blades
Article Last Modified: 13:09, 22nd Dec 2006wind
|
|
