How to Make an Inexpensive Vertical Wind Turbine – Part 1

by admin on June 27, 2009

Visit Blog at http://berezin.com/jeff for details.

Part 2 is now done and covers power generation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24LSnATIZhw

Harness the wind for less than $100.

DIY vertical wind turbine of the Savonius style.

Notable is that this cost less than $100 in materials so far and that the largest part of this turbine is recycled materials (the PVC drums previously held Balsamic Vinegar from Italy).

Also, this turns well in a very light wind.

Axle: 3 inch PVC piping from Home Depot
Bearings: 5 inch lazy suzan from Lowes.

Part 2 will cover power generation and connection to the battery bank.

Duration : 0:8:36


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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }

MrPizzaman09 July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

4:40 – 4:50 …
4:40 – 4:50 hilarious. ;)

theoldgalah July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

You do have a …
You do have a little problem dont you?

bluensunshine July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

just like your …
just like your bellow from your toilet?

meterjuarez July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

This very …
This very interesting idea, I guess a question that should lead a pulley at the bottom of the boat, as couples in 2 feet of roller diameter and the pulley to be a permanent magnet generator.

Thanks for your desing.

GreenEnergyToday July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

No I actually like …
No I actually like and encourage the idea of building one yourself, Feel free to contact me if you need instructions on how to build your wind turbine. I’m glad that you liked my advice.

hlblade57 July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

why is susan so …
why is susan so lazy jw

i want to make one now thanks

bhudi July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

Truely a thing of …
Truely a thing of beauty!

Fait2 July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

The noise problem …
The noise problem probably isn’t the bearings. The drum material, being light but rigid, amplifies every little vibration. The stiffening ribs or a fairly thin layer of ordinary foam or fiberglass insulation would dampen most of this.

BTW, I do think this is an innovative idea and suspect you may have a marketable product. The existing wind generators with long blades are also noisy, expensive, and in some installations, dangerous. Keep up the good work.

embeddedprogrammer July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

Are you talking …
Are you talking about putting insulation on the inside of the drums? If so what form of insulation? I think that with the new bearings I am using it will be nearly silent anyways.

Fait2 July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

How much heavier …
How much heavier would 1/2″ of fiberglass insulation make it? How much wind could that block? For that matter, a few stiffening ribs would work pretty well, too.

Fait2 July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

There is no ” …
There is no “Coriolis effect an anything smaller than weather systems. I have lived both north and south of the equator and have tested this myself on several occasions. The design of the toilet/bathtub/sink has far more effect. This has also been addressed on other sites and tested in laboratories around the world.

embeddedprogrammer July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

I am figuring this …
I am figuring this out now. I don’t have the data yet but am putting a hall effect sensor on the turbine to measure the average rpm, and just bought a usb connected weather station to cross correlate wind speed, electrical output and rpm. The rpm of the motor needs to be about 300 rpm to get 14 Volts.

embeddedprogrammer July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

No because it would …
No because it would either make it heavier or block the wind. I am working on a much quieter version of this now which uses sealed bearings.

embeddedprogrammer July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

I think this is …
I think this is probably not significant: “the Coriolis effect is too weak to be observed except under laboratory conditions.” (quoted from wikipedia toilet section)

Jackfromthebox July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

I have a question. …
I have a question. Should vertical shaft windmills turn the same way as the water vortex in the toilet? How much energy is lost or gained by being in synch with the earth’s rotation? Thanks!

Fait2 July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

Could you add some …
Could you add some fiberglass insulation or something like carpeting to the inside to soften the noise? Those barrels, being thin plastic amplify every little rumble.

johnnecron July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

what is your …
what is your average rpms on your wind genarator.?
what is the rpms needed to get 12.5 volt min from your alternator? this will deternine your gear ratio for your gear teeth

spedalska July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

no.sry.good for …
no.sry.good for you.how much does it generate?

embeddedprogrammer July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

did you see part …
did you see part two? I am now generating electricity with this and soon will be releasing part 3 (improved power output).

spedalska July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

ineffective and …
ineffective and useless.but it worked.gj man:)

SchwoageiMandi July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

Nice work ! good …
Nice work ! good functionality !

embeddedprogrammer July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

Do you have a …
Do you have a diagram of your bearing configuration?

embeddedprogrammer July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

Wow thanks.
Wow thanks.

drpepper576 July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

1.say a boys or …
1.say a boys or girls name u want 2 be wit 2 times
2.say ur best friends name 5 times
3.post this comment on 5 videos
4.press f8

vmi2023 July 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

you are my hero!!! …
you are my hero!!!
forget spiderman,or superman,or batman,you are my hero

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