How to Make Your Own Windmill Generator

Using PVC pipes and a small DC motor, you can create your own windmill generator. This is not a high-powered generator and is ideal for beginners. Once complete, the windmill will generate 1.8 volts of electricity.

Things You'll Need

• 5 1-inch PVC 90-degree fittings 3 1-inch PVC T fitting 1 1-inch PVC coupler 6 6-inch long, i inch diameter PVC pipe 24 inch long, 1-inch diameter PVC pipe 2 inch long 1-inch diameter PVC pipe Hammer 2 alligator clips At least 3 15-inch to 18-inch sheets of balsa wood 1 wind turbine generator or small DC motor 4 feet of 22 gauge hook-up wire KidWind crimping hub or a Tinker Toy hub At least 6 one-quarter foot diameter poplar dowels Wire strippers Duct Tape Glue Drill

Instructions

1. 

   Build the tower and base by attaching one of the 90-degree PVC fitting to one of the 6-inch PVC pipe sections, then attach the other end of the 6-inch piece to the T fitting. (All the PVC pipes should connect without needing glue. Tap with a hammer to fit in securely.) Attach another 6-inch piece to the other side of the T fitting, so that it forms a straight line from the 90-degree fitting. Close off the 6 inch piece with the other 90 degree fitting. Make another set just like the piece you just completed. Attach a 6-inch PVC piece to each part of the T fittings that are left open. Attach those two 6-inch pieces to the last T fitting and have the hole of the T facing the opposite direction of the 90-degree fittings. You should now how have a base in the form of a capital I (see image). Drill a hole in the T fitting, which is where the wires will come out later.

2. Tie the wires to the leads of the motors together. Wrap Duct Tape around the outside of the motor to fit it into the PVC coupler. Connect a 90-degree fitting, PVC coupler and 2-inch piece of PVC pipe and the DC motor. Push them together to make one solid piece (aka nacelle). Insert the wires attached to the DC motor through the pipes and have it come out the 90 degree PVC fitting. Insert the motor on the coupler and make sure it fits tightly. After securing the motor, attach the hub onto the drive shaft.

3. 

   Snake the wire down 24-inch PVC pipe and through the hole in the PVC T fitting of the base. Attach the nacelle at the top of tower. Once the wires are through, attach the 24-inch pipe to the base. Attach alligator clips to the wires that came out of the pipe in order to hook up the turbine to whatever you want to power.

4. Shape your sheets of balsa wood to your desired fan shape and tape or hot glue them onto the dowels. Fit the dowels into the crimping hub. Tighten the hubs as you insert the blades so they don't come out at high speeds.

5. Attach the ends of the wires to the leads to a multimeter or LED bulb. Once in front of some wind, this windmill will generate 1.8 volts of electricity.

Resources

• Listing of Wind-powered Generator Projects
• Wind-powered Generator How-to Video
• KidWind Website