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How DIY Wind Mills Capture Wind Power

Homemade wind mills or power generators are an attractive option for many people who are willing to do some work to reduce their power bill, and be a little more environmentally friendly. Wind mills or wind turbines use a rotor that turns when it catches the wind, which drives a generator or an alternator that produces direct or alternating current, respectively.

Like solar power, wind power is derived from something that is renewable, free, and essentially inexhaustible. In other words, renewable energy like solar and wind are naturally replenishable. This makes renewable energy sources really exciting alternatives to our current fossil fuel based power generation.

The very first thing to do if you’re considering DIY wind mills (wind turbines) is to do extensive research. Generating electricity from the wind may seem simple enough, but in fact, to do it efficiently and safely is a significant challenge.

Homemade wind mills built without plans have the potential to be less effective and more dangerous. It would definitely pay to take some time to research wind turbine construction. Although DIY wind mills built from reputable plans may be cheaper than premade ones, you should also consider the benefits of purchasing a premade version.

Now, one of the most important considerations when talking about installing wind turbines would be the location characteristics. Wind turbines cannot be set up just anywhere, and be expected to start producing electricity efficiently. In fact, badly placed wind mills can cost more in terms of installation and maintenance than they will ever produce in power. Even when the materials are top grade and the assembly is absolutely accurate, if wind mills are located in the wrong place, they can be more trouble than they’re worth.

Be sure to consider these three elements when determining the correct location for wind turbines…

1. The average wind speed available… Wind speed maps are usually available from government environment or weather agencies, and are invaluable in helping to determine whether wind power is right for your location.
2. The height at which the wind mills will be located… Many sources recommend that the rotors be about 30 feet above any obstacle within a radius of 300 feet. This will ensure that the wind reaching your turbines is uniform, and thus produce the most power while putting the least stress on your setup.
3. The distance from your homemade wind mills to the battery bank… Keeping this distance as short as possible keeps power loss to a minimum, as well as reducing the the cost of wire.

The bottom line is to perform due diligence research, then buy the best plans and materials you can afford in order to construct proficient wind mills.

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