The important thing to remember if you attempt this project is that nothing that produces adequate electricity to power much of anything is ever “simple.”

You still have to have all the other components to transferring and storing the electricity as well as an ample and dependable source of wind, which likely means you will have to mount your turbine very high up; here, though, is what you need to get an idea of how to build your turbine.

Build the magnet disks

We had 12″ steel disks hydro cut. We cut a template for mounting the magnets. Then we mounted 12 grade n50 magnets around the outside edge. We then built a form, and poured the resin with hardner.

Build the coil disk

We wound the nine individual coils, soldered them in a 3 phase wye configuration, and encased them in resin. We used 35 turns of 2 parallel strands of 14 gauge enameled (magnet) wire for 12 volts. Use 70 turns of single strand for 24 volts. # 3 phase diagram shown here shows 3 stator coils. each of those coils is actually 3 coils in series. coils 1,4, and 7 are series together, 2,5, and 8 are series together, and 3,6, and 9 are series together.

Build the bearing assembly

Two Harley Davidson wheel bearings are inserted into the pipe, with a smaller pipe locked between them to keep them in place.

Construct the blades

The blades are 2″ x 6″ pine, cut at 10 degrees on a table saw, and sanded into a rough airfoil. Not perfect, but close enough.

While the turbine build is moderately complex, your toughest challenge will be getting the turbine into a position where it has access to consistent, dependable wind.

This likely means you have to have it mounted at least 30 feet above the tallest obstruction and that means in most places that you have to at least secure a permit to build your tower; remember to keep in compliance with local laws or all your work will eventually be undone.

To learn more about building this turbine and how to harness wind as an alternative energy source, please visit Instructables.

Featured Image via Instructables