Small DIY Wind Turbines Taking Flight

As the price of fuel and electricity increases, so does the interest in do it yourself (diy) wind turbines. These small, household or cottage sized wind turbines will generate enough power to charge a set of batteries. Later, you can convert this power into standard household current for your use.

None of the urban based designs will take you off the grid, but if you live in the country, some of the homemade wind turbines can get rather large.

As with many do it yourself projects, it’s best to start small, learn the basics, then decide if you want to build something larger. We have included links to some designs for both horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) and vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT).

Horizontal axis wind turbines, look like the huge wind turbines you see on the top of hills or near the coast. They can be very efficient, producing the most power for a given amount of wind.

Vertical axis wind turbines, aren’t as efficient, but they work well in urban areas where the wind can be turbulent. They work regardless of which way the wind is blowing.

Here’s a link that describes basic wind turbine operation: Basic Wind Turbines

This link shows you how much power to expect from a household sized turbine: Small Wind Turbines

Here’s a step-by-step set of instructions to build a HAWT: Do-It-Yourself Wind Turbine

And finally, videos and links for the DIY vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT): VAWT Designs

Stumble it!

Filed under: Wind Turbines