Electricity Generation Via Wind Power

[chevykanteve]

At a recent science fair here in Eissan, some high school students showed a basic wind turbine that they made for around 500 baht, using locally available parts (PVC, etc.). They were using it to power some lights. I wished I had made a sketch of the device, because I'd like to build one. I'm into gadgets, and this would be sort of hobby-stuff for me. Anyone know of any websites containing plans for a very basic wind-power apparatus? I ran a search on Google, but could only find commercial-quality type-equipment.

Thanks/cheers in advance!

[lannarebirth]

Everything you want to know about making wind turbines:

http://otherpower.com/

[chevykanteve]

Everything you want to know about making wind turbines:

http://otherpower.com/

Thanks for your response, which I appreciate. I checked out the website. It's interesting in terms of photos and wind-power seminar/workshop promotion. I wish I could be overseas to attend one of those workshops.

But, I'm looking for some basic DESIGNS, utilizing locally-(I live in Thailand) available parts. I know it's possible, because I saw the equipment the matayom (high school) students turned out.

[lannarebirth]

Everything you want to know about making wind turbines:

http://otherpower.com/

Thanks for your response, which I appreciate. I checked out the website. It's interesting in terms of photos and wind-power seminar/workshop promotion. I wish I could be overseas to attend one of those workshops.

But, I'm looking for some basic DESIGNS, utilizing locally-(I live in Thailand) available parts. I know it's possible, because I saw the equipment the matayom (high school) students turned out.

Maybe spend a little more time on the website looking around. It's all there, either on one of it's pages or linked somehow. Hardly anybody attends the seminars. Most start with a brake disc they find and go from there.

http://otherpower.com/bdwm53.html

http://otherpower.com/otherpower_wind_tips.html

Here's another good site to explore:

http://www.scoraigwind.com/

Unless it's just a hobby project you'll have to find decent magnets somewhere. All the rest of the parts you should be able to scrounge locally. BTW, MaizeFarmer builds wind turbines for sale (up to 12 kw I believe). You may want to PM him a query.

Science Fair type stuff:

http://www.otherpower.com/toymill.html

Edited April 30, 2007 by lannarebirth

[chevykanteve]

Everything you want to know about making wind turbines:

http://otherpower.com/

Thanks for your response, which I appreciate. I checked out the website. It's interesting in terms of photos and wind-power seminar/workshop promotion. I wish I could be overseas to attend one of those workshops.

But, I'm looking for some basic DESIGNS, utilizing locally-(I live in Thailand) available parts. I know it's possible, because I saw the equipment the matayom (high school) students turned out.

Maybe spend a little more time on the website looking around. It's all there, either on one of it's pages or linked somehow. Hardly anybody attends the seminars. Most start with a brake disc they find and go from there.

http://otherpower.com/bdwm53.html

http://otherpower.com/otherpower_wind_tips.html

Thanks again for the very constructive input! I myself have never tried making a basic (=less than 4-5 foot diameter) type apparatus, which is what I want to build. Have you? If so, I'd love to see a copy of the plan. Meanwhile, I'll continue checking out all the links in that website. Thanks again!

[Clipped]

you can start by using a cars alternator....they cost around 2800 baht for a 100 ampere unit... find a toyota 1JZ or 1G alternator....if your lucky youll be able to find the bigger case 120 ampere unit.

some mercedes benz alternators go up to 190 amperes.

you will need some batteries and a dc to ac convertor also, deep cycle batteries are the way to go.

a stopping mechanism for the fanblades is also a very desireable safety precaution.

the only things you wont be able to run are the air conditioner ,washing machine, electric wok...

if you need help sourcing parts let me know, im one of those psycho closet inventors also...

[soundman]

Great Topic.

Try www.journeytoforever.com for more alternative fuel approaches.

One thing though, 90% of the time in 90% of thailand, there is virtually no wind.

Cheers,

Soundman.

[chevykanteve]

Everything you want to know about making wind turbines:

http://otherpower.com/

Thanks for your response, which I appreciate. I checked out the website. It's interesting in terms of photos and wind-power seminar/workshop promotion. I wish I could be overseas to attend one of those workshops.

But, I'm looking for some basic DESIGNS, utilizing locally-(I live in Thailand) available parts. I know it's possible, because I saw the equipment the matayom (high school) students turned out.

Maybe spend a little more time on the website looking around. It's all there, either on one of it's pages or linked somehow. Hardly anybody attends the seminars. Most start with a brake disc they find and go from there.

http://otherpower.com/bdwm53.html

http://otherpower.com/otherpower_wind_tips.html

Here's another good site to explore:

http://www.scoraigwind.com/

Unless it's just a hobby project you'll have to find decent magnets somewhere. All the rest of the parts you should be able to scrounge locally. BTW, MaizeFarmer builds wind turbines for sale (up to 12 kw I believe). You may want to PM him a query.

Science Fair type stuff:

http://www.otherpower.com/toymill.html

Whoa!!! There IS some good stuff there in those links! I mean, for the construction of very basic equipment (which is exactly what I want to start with). Super!!

[Crossy]

The stuff from Hugh Piggott http://www.scoraigwind.com/ is excellent, certainly worth buying his book. Like others note, the hardest component to source is going to be the magnets, everything else should be a piece of cake.

Maybe maizefarmer can help with a local source of the incredibly powerful ceramic magnets required

These low speed axial-flux generators are also good for micro-hydro plants or possibly even kwai-powered generation (now there's a thought a hay-powered TV).

[chevykanteve]

Great Topic.

Try www.journeytoforever.com for more alternative fuel approaches.

One thing though, 90% of the time in 90% of thailand, there is virtually no wind.

Cheers,

Soundman.

I tried accessing JOURNEYTOFOREVER but without success. I get the top-screen name/advertisement-stuff, but no subsequent text. I'll try again later.

JOURNEYTOFOREVER kind of sounds like something out of the Twilight Zone. I'm not making fun. On the contrary, it's kind of a neat name for a website!

Anyhow, thanks!

[soundman]

Great Topic.

Try www.journeytoforever.com for more alternative fuel approaches.

One thing though, 90% of the time in 90% of thailand, there is virtually no wind.

Cheers,

Soundman.

I tried accessing JOURNEYTOFOREVER but without success. I get the top-screen name/advertisement-stuff, but no subsequent text. I'll try again later.

JOURNEYTOFOREVER kind of sounds like something out of the Twilight Zone. I'm not making fun. On the contrary, it's kind of a neat name for a website!

Anyhow, thanks!

Sorry,

F'd up the last link. Try this www.journeytoforever.org

Great stuff on bio, ethanol, wind, hydrogen etc.

Cheers,

Soundman.

[soundman]

The stuff from Hugh Piggott http://www.scoraigwind.com/ is excellent, certainly worth buying his book. Like others note, the hardest component to source is going to be the magnets, everything else should be a piece of cake.

Maybe maizefarmer can help with a local source of the incredibly powerful ceramic magnets required

These low speed axial-flux generators are also good for micro-hydro plants or possibly even kwai-powered generation (now there's a thought a hay-powered TV).

Rare earth magnets are what you want. Just do a search for neodymium (NdFb) specifying thailand & you'll come up with a good number of business's that deal with that stuff.

Cheers,

Soundman.

[chevykanteve]

Great Topic.

Try www.journeytoforever.com for more alternative fuel approaches.

One thing though, 90% of the time in 90% of thailand, there is virtually no wind.

Cheers,

Soundman.

I tried accessing JOURNEYTOFOREVER but without success. I get the top-screen name/advertisement-stuff, but no subsequent text. I'll try again later.

JOURNEYTOFOREVER kind of sounds like something out of the Twilight Zone. I'm not making fun. On the contrary, it's kind of a neat name for a website!

Anyhow, thanks!

Sorry,

F'd up the last link. Try this www.journeytoforever.org

Great stuff on bio, ethanol, wind, hydrogen etc.

Cheers,

Soundman.

You're right. Excellent stuff. Educational and an adventure at the same time. Actually, you should start a separate thread just on that website. I mean it. I added it to my "Favorites" after spending only a minute purusing it. We're talking SUPER NEAT stuff here!!!!!