Thinking Wind Power? Learn Why Buying Cheap Wind Turbine Components Is Not Always The Best Option And Which Ones Are The Most Important
In uncertain economic times, searching for ways to save money is on most of our minds. If cutting your home energy bill is on your list of things to do, adding wind power can be a viable option if you live in a high wind zone. However, buying inexpensive wind power kits and DIY wind turbine parts instead of more expensive ones may not reduce your home energy bill as much as you’d like.
The main parts of a wind turbine are the generator, blades, mounting, tower and control panel. That doesn’t sound too difficult to put together, but the most expensive wind turbines are designed with computers for a reason…to maximize energy production.
Here are the wind turbine parts you should focus on if you want to maximize both your investment and energy production:
Generator: One of the wind turbine’s most important components that transfers the kinetic energy of the spinning wind blades into DC electricity by reversing the spinning direction of a DC motor. Car alternators, old electric lawn motors, or inexpensive DC motors in power tools are other options for generators if your goals for energy production are not serious.
If you want to take it up a notch, invest in a good generator such as those produced by Ametek and focus on the RPM, voltage, amps and size of the motor. Ideally, you want to focus on a motor with a low RPM rating under 400 RPMs, which produces over 12 volts.
A low RPM rated generator will produce more electricity at lower wind speeds. So if you are not expecting consistent high winds in your area to drive your energy production, a lower RPM rated generator is usually the best option.
Attaching a larger hub to your wind blades and using a belt to the generator, similar to the gearing of a bike, may produce more electricity for a low cost, high RPM rated generator. However, this setup will require more torque from the wind blades, which will lower your RPMs. Test out the hub configuration that works best to maximize your energy output.
Wind Blade: Is another wind turbine component that is as important as the generator. Blades generate speed by capturing the wind, which is slowed by the wind resistance of the blades. The results of these two forces opposing each other is your RPMs. If you are making your own wind blades, poor balancing can reduce your RPMs and lower your electricity output, which can also put added stress on the generator shaft bearings.
A three blade configuration is used by the most expensive wind turbines as it produces efficient wind capture at low wind resistance while retaining good balance.
If you choose to use a high RPM rated generator with larger hub, using a five blade configuration will increase your wind blade torque, but the additional wind resistance to the blades will lower your RPMs. Again, test and see which maximizes your home energy production.
Constructing your own wind blades will give you a sense of accomplishment and give you a low cost wind turbine, but commercial blades designed with computers and made out of carbon fiber can be purchased at a relatively low cost and produce more electricity.
Taking the inexpensive route on wind turbine parts may be the best path in the short run, but choosing to purchase quality parts at relatively low cost can provide you with a wind turbine that will last longer and provide you with more usable energy for your home in the long term.
About The Author: Keith Garrett is a wind energy and solar power enthusiast for the home. His website at www.solarwind4homes.com provides tips and knowledge to homeowners looking to transition to renewable energy in the 21st century.
