Building a DIY Wind Turbine

DIY wind turbines are an affordable, relative simple way to ease off the grid. Determine wind availability and the type of wind turbine you want to build. With those decisions made, you are good to go. Additionally, the Federal government offers valuable and motivating tax credits for anyone investing in renewable energy resources. Wind turbine options include horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) or vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT). Mother Earth News cites a National Aeronautical Establishment study, which found that VAWTs are aerodynamically as efficient as the costlier HAWTs. VAWTs are simpler to build and the investment is more affordable. (Mother Earth News, "Wind Power: Are Vertical Axis Turbines Better?" Feb/Mar 2008).There are a great number of free or affordable reliable plans and parts available from companies committed to making renewable energy usage a reality. The following instructions are an outline of a more complex process. This guidance will give you a starting point to be part of the move tor renewable energy. Plans will give precise instructions for necessary tools, parts and offer appropriate customer care. Warning: Building wind turbines is dangerous. Tower, electrical and mechanical hazards are real. Consult appropriate experts for every phase of wind turbine assembly.

Before you can assemble the turbine and raise the tower, you have to prepare a RE (renewable energy) battery bank. The turbine will convert wind into energy and must route wind power through a power supply. Use a 12-, 24- or 48-volt battery based on the turbine's stator voltage. Stator and battery voltages must match. Referring to your plans, lay out and identify all parts, including those not included in the plans. Identify every part, including blades, alternator, blade hubs, turbine, tower and tail boom.

Assemble the tail. Attach the tail vane to the tail bracket. Bolt the tail vane to the tail boom. Bolt the rectifier to a heat sink to prevent the rectifier from burning out. Connect the rectifier assembly to the RE battery. Attach the optional shutdown switch and controller, breaker and dump load. Although optional, these units are strongly recommended for safety and optimal usage. Wire the turbine base to the battery.

Wire the turbine system. The size of the wire from the turbine to the rectifiers depends upon the current the turbine will generate. Lower voltage creates higher current. Use high-grade extension cord wire to connect the alternator to the tower base.

Raise the tower as a test run. Connect and adjust wire-rope guy wires to stabilize the tower. Lower the tower to about five feet off the ground. Assemble the turbine to the top of the tower. Attach the tail vane to the boom and the blades to the rotor and alternator. Balance the blades per the instruction manual. Raise the tower fully assembled and connected. Use your renewable energy to power your home needs.

What you will need:
Workshop equipped with complete set of manual and power tools
VAWT plans with parts
12-, 24- or 48-volt RE battery
Rectifier (not included in plans)
Tower
Couplers, guy wires
Wiring to connect tower to power
Rectifier assembly
Shutdown switch
Controller
Breaker
Dump load
Self-staring mechanism
Set of spoilers
Winch
Local, state and federal permits