How to Save Money by Building Your Own Wind Turbine From Scrap Materials

Building your own wind turbine from scrap materials can be a great way to generate electricity and save money. With some basic skills and recycled parts, you can construct a functional turbine without spending much. Here is a step-by-step guide on how I built my homemade wind turbine on a budget.

Gather the Necessary Materials

The most important components needed to build a wind turbine are blades, a generator, a tower, and wiring. Many of these parts can be salvaged from old appliances and machinery.

• Blades: The blades can be made from scrap wood, plexiglass, sheet metal, or other rigid materials. I used three old wooden shutter slats for my blades.

• Generator: Small DC motors or alternators from old appliances work well as generators. I pulled a DC motor from an outdated treadmill.

• Tower: The tower supports and elevates the turbine. You can use metal pipes, poles, or wood to construct the tower. I opted for a 10 foot length of steel pipe.

• Wiring: Insulated copper wiring is needed to connect the generator to your batteries/inverter. I scavenged speaker wires from old stereo equipment.

• Bolts, nuts, and washers are needed to assemble the parts. Plywood scraps can be used to construct blade supports.

Build the Turbine Blades

The blades are the most important part since they capture the wind energy. My three shutter slats were 48 inches long and 6 inches wide.

• Measure and mark the center point on each wooden slat.
• Using the center point, measure and draw a 20 inch radius to mark the optimum blade curve.
• Use a jigsaw to cut along the curve and shape the blade. Smooth the edges with sandpaper.
• Mark a 1 inch hole at the center point to attach the blade to the generator shaft.
• Drill holes through each blade's center point.

Assemble the Turbine

With the blades cut, it's time to assemble the wind turbine:

• Attach the blades to the generator shaft using bolts, washers and nuts. Space them evenly apart.
• Mount the generator onto a wooden platform using scrap plywood and bolts. This acts as the nacelle housing.
• Attach the tower pipe securely to the platform using metal brackets.
• Run the positive and negative wires down the tower from the generator to connect to the batteries.

Construct the Tower

The tower elevates the turbine high in the air to catch stronger winds.

• Dig a 2 foot deep hole where you want the tower installed.
• Fill the hole with cement and insert the 10 foot steel tower pipe.
• Brace the tower with guy wires staked into the ground for reinforcement.
• Allow the cement to fully cure before operating the turbine.

Connect the Wind Turbine to Your System

With the wind turbine constructed, it's time to integrate it with your existing system:

• Run the two output wires from the turbine generator into your battery bank.
• Connect to the positive and negative terminals of your batteries.
• Install a blocking diode to prevent backflow electricity damage.
• Set up a battery charge controller to regulate the turbine's power input.
• Connect your inverter to the batteries to convert DC current into AC for household use.

Maintain Your Wind Turbine

Like any power system, some maintenance is required:

• Check wiring connections monthly for corrosion and damage.
• Verify structural integrity and tighten bolts/brackets as needed.
• Clean debris and dirt buildup on blades for maximum efficiency.
• Replace batteries every 3-5 years.

With scrap materials and DIY skills, I was able to construct a 130W wind turbine for under $100! Building your own turbine is a rewarding project that will provide free electricity. Just be sure to follow safety precautions when working with electricity and at heights. With some care and maintenance, a homemade wind turbine can provide clean power for years.