Wind Turbine Model Construction


Wind Turbine Model

The Hands On publication "Power from the Wind" features a model wind turbine.
For those who wish to make their own model, the following details will assist in its construction.

Components


Part
 Material
 Size
 No. required
Turbine blades 25mm Venetian blind louvre 80mm 8
Blade arms 6mm wooden dowel 80mm 8
Hub 10mm Polyethylene (Cutting board or similar) 40mm diameter 1
Arm 25mm PVC electrical conduit 210mm 1
Generator Hobby Motor - Low torque (Jaycar Stock Code - YM2706 or similar) 20mm dia x 25mm Nominal 3 Volts 1
Support Tower 25mm wooden dowel 260 mm 1
Base 20mm MDF 140mm sq 1
Banana Socket Jaycar Stock Code: PT0460 or similar To suit multimeter leads
 2
Tail fin 3mm Plastic sheet or stiff card 100mm x 30mm 1
Hookup wire Dick Smith - Cat No  W4010 500 mm long 2
Digital Multimeter Dick Smith - Cat No Q1496 or similar
1
Retaining screw to secure motor 3mm x 10mm long with lock nut
1

The Model Wind Turbine


Swinging Arm


Blade Construction



Turbine blade assembly
Blades made from venetian blind louvres. (Be careful of sharp edges when cutting).
If louvres are not available, blades may be carefully cut from margarine containers or similar.

Arms are made from wooden dowel with slits cut in one end. When blades are inserted, use glue gun or PVA glue to hold in position.

Central disk has been cut from a polyethylene cutting board using a fret saw or turned in a lathe if available.

Carefully drill radial holes at 45° spacing around the hub. These need to be a snug fit with the wooden dowels

Adjust the angle of the blades by twisting the arms, thereby altering the efficiency and output of the wind turbine.

Drill a small hole in the centre of the hub to be a snug fit onto the shaft of the generator.

Installing the Generator


Generator
Solder a length of hook-up wire to each of the terminals of the generator.

 The generator is retained in the arm by gentle pressure from the retaining screw in the top of the PVC tube.

Be very careful not to overtighten as this can prevent generator rotor from spinning.

Holes drilled in arm will allow wires to run from generator down the centre of the pivot.

Pivot hole should be drilled through at the 'balance point' of the arm when generator, blades and fin are fitted.



Installing the Pivot


The pivot is made from brass tubing which can be obtained from most model shops.

Drill a hole about 15mm into the Support Tower to accommodate tubing.


Pivot



Termination of wires


Drill a hole into the side of  the pivot hole to allow wires to exit tower.


The wires then are connected to the 2 Banana sockets on the base.
Wiring

As the blades turn in the wind , the electric motor spins and behaves like a generator,  creating a small electric current which travels down the wires to the terminal at the bottom of the model.

Connect the multimeter to these terminals and place the turbine in front of and electric fan or in a gentle breeze.

Measure the voltage, amperage (current) and calculate the total wattage produced.

Watts = Volts x Amps.



Jaycar wind turbine model



You might also be able to locate a turbine kit which can be purchased from a model or electronic shop.

One which was available recently from Jaycar stores was as illustrated for around $50.

The Jaycar catalogue no. was KJ6696.

The description was "KIT WIND LAB JNR BLU W/STAND"

Not sure for how long they are available but could be worth following up.