Homemade Wind Power-Part I

Building a small wind generator for a backup system need not be difficult or expensive. The one I will describe here is fairly easy to build and because of my penchant for keeping stuff around the place, was nearly free. I did not bring this one with when I moved, so I will be building a new one soon. The charging power comes from an automobile alternator. Now I know that most books and articles on wind power will tell you that this is not the way to go. The main reason for that is, these books and articles are written by people who expect you to get all of your power from the wind, in other words get off the grid. Some homemade wind generators I have read about cost more to build than my entire backup system. Remember, this system is for running a select few items. An automotive alternator is all that is needed for this system. One thing you will not find on my wind machine is a large two or three bladed propeller. These are too difficult for most of us to fabricate and also expensive. Two 2 1/2 gallon buckets, bolted together with eight vanes attached make up this wind machine. They are attached to a bicycle wheel, which in turn drives the alternator. The size of the bicycle wheel compared to the alternator pulley, give the rpm's needed to produce electricity with less wind than one might expect. The drive is by direct friction with no belts or pulleys. There are some things I will not be able to tell you as they will be different for each wind machine built. These include, dimensions, type of alternator, type of bicycle wheel. height of tower, etc. I will do my best to explain the main workings and you will have to use your own judgement and take it from there. The first thing you will need are two buckets. I found that for me 2 1/2 gallon buckets worked best. Two are needed to get enough length for proper vanes. The buckets need to be straight sided with very tight fitting lids. The buckets I use are about eight inches in diameter and about nine and one-half inches high, including the lids. The straight sides, up to where the lid comes to, are seven and one-half inches, allowing me to use fifteen inch vanes. These buckets come form a local convenience store and were free. The store does its own icing of donuts and these buckets contiained chocolate icing. The lids fit very tight, having to be pounded on. If the lids are not tight enough you may have to glue them on to the bucket. While this would work, it would make taking them apart again for repair or replacement very difficult. To be Continued.

Other Options

There are ways to live without any electricity at all. First, let us take a look at water. If you have your own well, you could install a hand pump. While my well is located in a spot that makes it very hard to install a pump, the water table here is such that I am planning to drive a well point in the spring. This well will be used to water my garden and as an emergency water supply. All of this may be a bit inconvenient, but better than no water. A bucket of water can be kept by the toilet to flush when absolutely necessary. A camping style solar shower can be used, etc. If you depend on city water, storage is your only option. Five gallon plastic, stacking buckets is about the best way to go. These can be spaced in different locations and do not take up as much room as a 55 gallon drum. Remember to add a couple drops of chlorine bleach to each bucket. 50 to 100 gallons is what I recommend. Heat is a little more difficult. If possible having wood heat, at least as a space heater, is the best. Having a wood furnace is the ultimate way to go if you live where this is possible. I now have wood space heat for backup and am hoping to build my own outdoor wood furnace soon. Another way is to build solar heat panels for all of your south and west facing windows. The only problem with that is you only get heat when the sun shines. All other options such a kerosene space heaters are okay for short times, but take a lot of fuel and some are dangerous. Cooking can be done in several ways. If you have propane that is one way as long as it lasts. You may also use a camp stove as long as you have fuel, a charcoal grill as long as you have fuel or a wood stove. Charcoal cooking needs to be done outdoors, which is a little nasty at times here in the north. Our space heating wood stove has a flat top and can therefore be used to do some cooking on. Most other things are not that difficult to find options for. Lighting can be camp lanterns, kerosene lamps or candles. A gallon of kerosene will last a long time if just used for lighting. Whatever it is, have a supply of something. A solar charger and some batteries and you can run things like communications equipment, radio, tv, etc. I have hand tools to back up every power tool I own and I know how to use them. Everyone's situation is unique so I cannot advise what to do with a blanket statement. Use your brain and think of all the things that you might want or need and plan accordingly.

Completing Your System

These systems are always a work in progress. They can be expanded to as many batteries as you can charge and can eventually be made to run your whole house. With enough time, work and money, you could even get yourself off the grid. Anyone having a vacation home/survival retreat should consider going off the grid with it and using just solar and wind. This is especially true if you are intending to ride out any survival situation there. However you are going to use your system, some things need to be taken into consideration. The batteries. While automotive batteries can be used they are not made for the constant charging and discharging of a power system. Industrial six volt batteries wired in series to make 12v are the best. These are the batteries that run factory fork lifts, golf carts, etc. I have chosen to go with 12v marine batteries rather than either of those. I have several reasons for doing this: they are cheaper than industrial batteries, they are made to be charged and recharged, they are much more widely available than the industrial, being readily available at automotive stores, discount stores and hardware stores. I can also install them as second batteries in my truck or other vehicle. The industrial batteries would take up too much space under the hood. The industial batteries are also much heavier if you need to do any amount of moving the batteries. Some of you might want to take a serious look at the industrial batteries. If you are going to house your batteries in one location and not need to move them, if you are possibly thinking about going off grid eventually, they would be your best bet. While being a little more expensive, they have a longer life and they provide the most reliable power. That is why they are used in industry. For those with strictly a backup system, who are looking for the least expensive yet viable way, the marine batteries would be best. There are other options that will help keep the need for electricity to a minimum and make having a smaller backup system a viable option. Remember; we do not really NEED all of the electric and electronic gadgets we have. I will get into some of those next, followed by building your own wind charger.