NOTE: I apologize for the quality of images and video. In 2012 the quality of cellphone cameras were not all that good and the phone I used was build in 2008.
Loadshedding started in 2007 in South Africa. In June 2012 I started playing around with DIY wind turbines. The first DIY model that I build was a Micro Wind Turbine. Unfortunately at the time I did not deem it necessary to do a full write-up about the project or taking photos as it was seen as not being part of my amateur radio projects. Little did I know that loadshedding would have a severe affect on amateur radio and that this project could have been used today in amateur radio/emergency communications. Full information about the project is available HERE (PDF) file download.
I can however confirm that it provided enough volts and amps to charge a 12v 7Ah lead acid battery with ease. Be as it may here is some info on how I constructed the Micro Wind Turbine.
This turbine was constructed using parts from recycled equipment and scrap metal that I had lying around the workshop:
- The PCB's were all homebrewed
- Stepper Motor salvaged from an large old dot-matrix printer
- Pipe from scrap metal
- Bearing salvaged from an old 220v motor
- Blade - I used an old radiator fan hub from a truck. (Scrap Metal dealer is your friend.)
- PVC Covers made from a piece of 210mm PVC pipe (Salvage from a dumping site.)
- Aluminium for tail - (Scrap Metal dealer)
- All other parts salvaged from my electronic and metal junk boxes.
Now I must admit that this Micro Wind Turbine will not charge your large home solar batteries, but it does a fine job charging the said 12v 7Ah battery mentioned supra. I am sure it will charge up to a 12 Ah lead acid battery.
There are no limits to what you can do with wind power. It's abundant, clean, cheap and easy to harness. In my opinion there is nothing more rewarding and empowering than building a wind-power turbine from scrap materials.
PS - I also constructed a large heavy duty wind turbine. More on this in a future posting.
Video and Images:
