Build a Wind Turbine from a Cordless Drill/Driver- v2.0
This video just covers the basics and like many of the Cedar Workshop videos, it's for learning and having fun. But, it could make a trickle battery charger, remote water pump or run some LED lights.
A neighbour gave me one of their 12 volt cordless drills. Eventually, the batteries lost their charge and had to purchase a new battery from the hardware store. But, as usual, a newer model was on the shelves, this model of drill and battery was discontinued. After watching another video done be the Doug Daniels, I decided to take the drill apart and see if I could make a mini wind power generator.
Started out removing the leads to the trigger, made a hub from a 4-1/2" v-belt pulley, attached blades, and ran some drill press tests. The factory gearing on the small DC motor presented some interesting results. To simulate a high speed wind turbine, the cordless drill was attached to a drill press running at 792 rpm. The results were interesting. The low (driver setting) produced 4+ amps and just over 18 volts, but was hard to turn. The high speed setting (for drilling) produced a low 6 volts and a dismal .8 amps.
The next step is to mount it to a pole and get some real world feedback.
This video and blog post is about a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) made from mostly a wood called Western Red Cedar. It has contains images from the first attempt 2 years ago and video update of of the second attempt with modified blades/airfoils.
The parts where various materials for around the shop:
- Two rare earth ring magnets (ebay), thin vinyl sheet for the blade scoops and assorted screws.
One of the blade scoops was on the VAWT was damaged slightly when it "moved" by a family member.
Future plans: Brace the struts, upgrade the shaft, create a better mount and somehow add a generator. Hopefully with the second tower in the making, I get the chance to test it out.
Shaping the blades
Adding struts to the hub
Right angle bracket for the blade
Close up of cedar strut. Cut from the thicker section of a 1 x 8 cedar siding plank
Shows how it was joined
High tech level system for blades. Sits on a spine of a VHS tape case.
Birds eye view of the blades shape and mounted
Sandwiched the struts between the plywood cable spool
Shelf bracket for more support
Top of dismantled cable spool
Another shot of the shelf bracket. Wanted to allow space for blade angle, etc.
Shaft, locking collar and magnets inserted on the shaft. Ah, yes, I did add an extra bearing just underneath the reducing bear. Maybe a bit of my over engineering!
The reducing bushing fits nicely into the floor flange. Tighten and you have the plywood, struts all wedged together. Plus the shaft and slide inside.
Erected on tilt up wind turbine tower.
Not too high, but I wish it was! My noisy neighbour would report me for some height violation bylaw.
At least it looks scary...
Can't really see it from the road. The trees really kill the wind.
Adding the airfoils to create a Lenz style of airfoil
