DIY Wind Turbine

[technomage]

I finally got a spare 5 minutes to have a go at something i've been wanting to try for about 3 months, basically the idea is to build a wind turbine from a ........wait for it.......pringles tin... Yup and pringles tin

I first saw this on http://www.instructables.com/ . My approach is slightly different,and after the first attempt to get the actual turbine working I have figured out what I need to do for the MK II.
I still need to get all the magnets and stuff on to see how much electricity this sucker can generate (not much).

Anyway I figured we could all do with a laugh so here is the movie. Enjoy

<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lJYBnVb_cgI"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lJYBnVb_cgI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object>

[M109uk]

Looks like an interesting idea

Along with an Hendershot Generator, it could then be a useful power source.

[savage]

Very cool. I'll have to talk to you about my idea for a perpetual motion generator. Not based on any fancy physics, just crazy ideas.

[WILL]

I'm curious of how much power you can actually get out of this puppy? Or how much one can get from wind-power in general.

There was a project started in my city (Toronto, Canada) some few years ago, where they would be putting up a series of windmills and solar panels around the city and along the highways to try to create some form of extra 'green' energy. I'm just wondering how much of an impact that could make, forgetting of course the cost of building for now.

[M109uk]

Heres a link to a site about wind power, this page tells how much output a wind turbine can generate..

http://www.windpower.org/en/tour/wtrb/size.htm

[JSoftware]

There was a project started in my city (Toronto, Canada) some few years ago, where they would be putting up a series of windmills and solar panels around the city and along the highways to try to create some form of extra 'green' energy. I'm just wondering how much of an impact that could make, forgetting of course the cost of building for now.

In DK we, last year, had 17% of our total energyproduction covered by windmills

[jdarling]

Interesting idea, I've been playing with used car alternators with some good success rates. The unfortunate thing is that while I can get a good steady power from the alternators my failure point has been in the wind break (ok, more like lack of one).

In case your curious, the design is simple, take anywhere from 1 to 4 alternators place them around a central spindle with a 1:3 or 1:4 drive ratio (depends on your alternators and your average wind speeds) and connect them to the turbine with belts just like in a car. The problem is that once you have calibrated for the average wind speed a sudden gust can screw you completely. I've burned up a few alternators when the winds picked up and stayed for too long, but on average I either break or throw a belt.

Anyone seen any good designs for DIY wind breaks? The pro units use a series of springs on a self expanding clutch mech, but its a bit more complex then I can turn out in my garage.

BTW: In case your curious, I've managed to run a toaster directly connected to a power inverter from one. Haven't tried including a battery bank just yet, but once I get the break working my next goal is to see how much of the house I can hookup to my hack