How to Build Your Own Wind Turbine With Stuff Around the House

Building your own wind turbine at home can be a fun and rewarding project. With some common household items and basic tools, you can harness wind energy and generate electricity for your home. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to build a simple wind turbine from scratch using materials you likely already have around the house.

h2. Things You'll Need

Before starting, make sure you have all of the necessary materials and tools:

PVC pipes - Get 3-inch diameter PVC pipes in various lengths to build the turbine tower and blades. You'll need around 10 feet total.
Blade material - Thin plywood, plastic or metal sheets work well. Plexiglass or aluminum sheets are ideal. You'll need about 4 square feet.
Nuts and bolts - Assorted sizes to connect the PVC pipes and attach the blades. Stainless steel hardware is best.
Power generator - A small DC permanent magnet motor or old computer fan will work. Match the voltage output to your application.
Electrical wire - Around 25 feet of insulated copper wire to connect the generator to your battery/inverter.
Battery - Deep cycle 12V lead-acid battery to store the electricity generated.
Inverter - Optional. Needed if you want to convert the DC output to standard 120V AC.
PVC cement and paint - To bond and seal the PVC pipes. Spray paint to finish the project.
Tools - Hack saw, drill, pliers, screw driver, measuring tape, safety goggles, gloves etc.

h2. Make the Turbine Blades

The most important parts of the wind turbine are the blades that capture kinetic wind energy. Here are the steps to make the blades:

Measure and cut 3 pieces of Plexiglass, aluminum or plywood into 24 x 6 inch rectangles to make your blades. The optimum blade size depends on your generator and wind speeds in the area.
Cut the pieces lengthwise at angles to create the airfoil curve shape that will help lift and propel the blades. A 45 degree bevel works well.
Smooth out rough edges using sandpaper. Round off the edges and tips of the blades for better efficiency.
Drill a hole in the center of each blade to attach it to the generator shaft. Make sure the blades are well balanced.
Paint the blades for aesthetics and weather protection if using wood or metal. Avoid painting Plexiglass.

h2. Build the Tower

The tower holds the rotating turbine blades up high to catch more wind. Follow these steps:

Cut six 5-foot and two 2-foot long PVC pipe sections using a hacksaw. These will form the tower.
Use PVC cement to join the 5-foot sections together end-to-end. Do the same with the two 2-foot pieces.
Join the two 2-foot sections with the longer sections using connectors or elbow joints to form an 8-sided tower.
Ensure structural rigidity by gluing braces along the tower height. Allow time for cement to dry completely before continuing.
Drill a hole near the top of the tower to run the wiring from the generator through.
Paint or finish the tower for weather protection. Allow paint to dry fully before installation.

h2. Add the Power Generation System

Adding a generator, battery and inverter will convert the mechanical rotation into usable electricity:

Obtain a small 12V DC generator or permanent magnet motor matched to your wind speeds and turbine size.
Connect the generator shafts together with your pre-drilled turbine blades using nuts, bolts and washers. Ensure tight fit.
Run electrical wires from the generator down through your pre-drilled tower hole.
Connect the generator output wires to a 12V battery to store and use the electricity.
Add a charge controller or regulator to prevent overcharging and system damage.
For 120V AC power, connect a power inverter to the battery outputs and wire it to your breaker panel.

h2. Install and Use Your Turbine

You're ready to install your homemade wind turbine and start harnessing renewable wind energy.

Find an open, elevated site on your property with the most consistent wind flow. Avoid turbulent, gusty areas.
Mount your turbine securely on a concrete base, metal pole or rooftop. Allow minimum 20 feet height for blade clearance.
Angle the turbine into the prevailing winds in your area for optimal exposure.
Connect your battery bank and electrical loads. Monitor voltage and amperage.
Your renewable energy wind turbine should now be able to help offset conventional grid power usage!

With some common tools and materials, you can build your own functional wind turbine for onsite power generation. Position and orient it properly to maximize output. Take safety precautions and consult local ordinances regarding installation permits. Maintain your system and make repairs as needed. Enjoy the benefits of wind energy!