| Learn how to make a wind generator and | | | | a rooftop. Some towers are designed with a |
| freedom from power outages and the high cost | | | | hinge so that the tower can be lowered to |
| of electricity will be yours. Another important | | | | ground level for convenient maintenance of the |
| benefit is that making homemade electricity is | | | | blades and generator. |
| good for the environment because it does not | | | | The Battery Bank |
| create pollution. | | | | This purpose of the battery bank is to provide |
| A wind generator is loosely defined as any device | | | | the freedom to use the wind generated electricity |
| that can extract some of the energy from the | | | | whenever you want to instead of only at the |
| wind and convert it into usable electricity. The | | | | moment it is produced. Deep cycle batteries are |
| terms windmill and wind turbine are often used | | | | often connected in combination patterns of both |
| interchangeably to describe similar devices. | | | | series and parallel depending on the voltage you |
| The generator is comprised of 5 main parts: | | | | are working with. |
| | | | A small electrical device called a charge controller |
| 1. The Blades | | | | is usually connected between the batteries and |
| 2. The Generator | | | | the wind generator to prevent damage from |
| 3. The Tower | | | | overcharging. |
| 4. The Battery Storage Bank | | | | The Electrical System |
| 5. The Electrical System | | | | Power stored in the batteries is in the form of |
| The Wind Generator Blades | | | | direct current. This usually is converted to |
| The design of the blades are the single most | | | | alternating current of the correct voltage and |
| important factor for determining how efficient a | | | | amperage in order to be able to run common |
| windmill generates electricity. The horizontal | | | | household appliances. This is accomplished with a |
| spinning, airplane-propeller style blades can be one | | | | device called an inverter that is connected |
| of the most efficient designs in consistently | | | | between the output of the battery bank and the |
| strong winds. Their count, length and pitch are the | | | | house. |
| factors that have the biggest impact. | | | | The easiest connection with the house consists on |
| When the wind tends to be lighter, inconsistent or | | | | not connecting with the household grid system. |
| constantly changing an upright spinning blade | | | | Instead the wires from the inverter enter the |
| design, often referred to as a vertical axis wind | | | | house and are connected to one or more new |
| generator is sometimes best. This type requires | | | | electrical outlets that are not integrated with the |
| less energy to begin spinning and doesn't have to | | | | house wiring. With this method only certain lower |
| be reoriented when the wind shifts. The vertical | | | | energy appliances like televisions, computers, lights |
| style is usually much quieter than its horizontal | | | | or dvd players are plugged into these outlets. The |
| cousin which makes it more neighbor friendly. | | | | big energy consumers like the air conditioner, |
| Another version of the vertical axis windmill uses | | | | heater and stove would be left to the power |
| a helical style of blade. This is ideally suited for | | | | company. |
| rooftops where the wind becomes vertical as a | | | | The connection with the house can alternately be |
| result of impact with a building. | | | | integrated into the household wiring at the main |
| The Generator | | | | circuit box with help of a licensed electrician. This |
| This is the part of the wind turbine system that | | | | method reduces the amount of outside electricity |
| converts the rotation of the blades into electricity. | | | | that is needed from the local power company. In |
| Direct current electrical motors are often used for | | | | some communities, any excess electricity is sent |
| this purpose. When rotated backwards they | | | | out on the local power grid for other houses to |
| change from electricity consumers to electricity | | | | use. Some utility companies will actually pay you |
| producers. | | | | for this. |
| The Tower | | | | The Need For Plans |
| For a wind turbine to work well, it needs to be | | | | Because of the many variables it can be |
| exposed to as much consistent wind as possible. | | | | complicated to design one yourself. It is wise, at |
| The height of this tower is primarily determined | | | | least on the first project, to purchase plans where |
| by how much open space you have, local | | | | the specific dimensions have already been worked |
| community zoning laws, and how high you need | | | | out by someone else. Some of the best plans |
| to get the turbine to avoid obstructions. | | | | even show you where to scrounge low cost or |
| Towers typically range from 8 and 75 feet tall. | | | | even free parts and materials. It is possible to |
| The shorter heights are more appropriate for | | | | learn how to make a wind generator in less than |
| areas with a high natural elevation such as a hill or | | | | a week for just a few hundred bucks. |