Thank you for putting on what I believe to be the best wind turbine video on the internet yet. this has been a great help to me, I look forward to many more of your videos.
I'm new to the whole solar and wind power methods out there today that are being on a daily basis. I'v found from the crazy amount of vids out there that this one has been rather the most informative especially with regards to someone just starting out and looking into what possible method would best suit my needs. I do look forward to hopefully other jam packed informative vids like this.
Thank you for creating this video. You have a very nice work shop area and a great set of technical skills. I like your presentation skills too: straight forward, informative, not showy. Thanks again!
windy nation says to hook the diode up opposite of how you did, and would you use the positive wires and not the negative?? please clarify in detail. thanks
This is an awesome DIY tutorial. For those of you who are not really familiar with renewable sources, make sure you look at schematics of how to connect this thing to battery banks. With wind turbines they always need to have a load, so when the batteries are full, you need a way to shift the energy or you could blow up the batteries. The blocking diode is just the beginning. You should have fuses, charge controller and "dump load" that can eat the extra power.
reverse thread bolts and lock-tite wouldnt have resolved your fan blades from backing out? great video! one mans old tread mill is another mans power source!
Mark, You might try getting some of your supplies from Missouri Wind and Solar. They have blades hubs, rectifier bridges, and harnesses. Some of the stuff is made in the USA also. Thanks for your ideas.
I have off grid property in the Ozarks...I drive by there, but I have never stopped. Just got a free new treadmill motor...now I am going to stop by there.
Thank you for the video Mark,, can you tell me if it matters where I put the blocking diod can I put it 30 feet down the wire from the generator or does it need to be right at the generator like you have yours? Thanks
markp0177 I understand electricity a little, but would it make more sense to put the diode on the positive wire than the negative? My reason for thinking this is because i would imagine the connection would transfer the negative through the ground and make the diode useless. Im probably wrong but just curious
Its great that you take the time to teach others how to do these things and you narrate in layman terms. I was wondering though with the wind turbine, when you connected the blocking diode you crimped the connectors on the wire. my question is that since this will be out in the weather, would you no want to solder the wire to the connectors to prevent any future breaks due to weather fatigue?
Hi mark I was wondering what sized blades they are. 28 inch? I was considering using a treadmill motor but how much electricity would it produce if I tied it into the grid? Thanks for getting back with me
Garrett Gilliland Hello, I don't remember the blade size. The video was a couple of years old when I posted it back in 2012. The amount of power you will get out depends on how much wind you have.
This is a cool vid and it is going into my favorites. You can sometimes just pick up a treadmill for free or for $25 and strip out the motor. Online classified and yard sales may be a good way to go for people trying to do this on a dime.
very helpfull thanks for sharing . I have being whatching many videos and was a waste of time but this one realy worked to my undertandin thanks GOD bless
Nice DIY video. It's good to see how easy it can be. It appears to me that you put the blade assembly on backwards, though. The leading edge is, if I'm not mistaken, the straight edge and that should be into the wind, not on the backside. While the generator should be able to work in either direction, the blades are only efficient if facing the proper way. I'll be watching your channel for more information on things I can do to improve my living. Thank you!
Great Job, exactly what I want to do. I am just not clear on the 2 phase wiring part. could you elaborate or provide a link to a sketch to better understand? and the diode was connected to which wire?
Thank you for this great video. I come back to it, every now and again for reference, since I first seen it 5 years ago. LOL. I need some clarification on the diode. Can you give specs, model, make, amps/watts/volts. negative or positive? I am also a bit confused as to why no Isolation/separation? You went straight to the metal, why? What allows you to do that?
I made this video years before I posted it. I don't remember the specs on the diode. I think I use the metal frame as my negative or ground. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Just saw your video I’m thinking of doing the same thing...few questions I noticed this video was 6 years ago... is the wind turbine still operating, how much watts you drawing out? Any improvements to the system?? What are you powering ?
Hello. The video was two years old before I posted it. I sold the windmill to a man in Tennessee because I have live down in a valley and have no wind. I do not know how well it has work for him.
Great insight into the build just subscribed and it’s a nice compact turbine I also have built a homemade 650 watts wind turbine, a treadmill motor turbine and a little but powerful ametek 30v turbine and built 2 diy solar panels, be careful in high winds one of my first turbines blew up 😕and now have only 2 wonderful turbines working daily 😊it’s very satisfying watching those things working, keep up the good work buddy 👍
Great video man i was wondering how long them blades are you used..i live in an area that winds are some what usually between 5-20mph and don't know if i should get long or short blades.
Really enjoyed and got a lot out of this video. I couldn't find a follow up where you mounted and tested it for output. Is there such a video? Thanks Much, Dave in PA
@@markp0177 Thanks for the reply. Any feedback from him on how it worked output wise? I’ve found several how to build videos but none yet where they actually use it.
Hi Mark, fantastic video I am currently making my own turbine and I learned a lot from it. Things I especially liked were the spindle for the assembly to turn on, the slip rings which I didn’t know about and modification to the motor shaft to take the turbine. Have you any other turbine videos Mark?
Mark great video thanks.. tell me 1 think all the videos I have seen about connecting the diode it says connect it to red positive wire but u connected to black negative wire why????
Your blade length and type depends on how fast your generator min rpms are to reach 13 volts. I used a 3 blade design with 30" blades that will start in a low wind.
I liked the video and the end result looks great - but if you look at your positive connection at 11 minutes or so, it looks like you have bare connector which you left floating that you then covered with a grounded shell. From what we can see in the video, it looks like this will end up being a short circuit at some point.
you can make the blades stronger by wrapping them in fibreglass and resin , they will be great after , i made mine by myself from pvc pipe and i wrap the with fibre glass and resin , they are perfect
The easiest way is with a simply in line amp meter with a shunt. Here is a link to one. www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313&_nkw=amp+meter&_sacat=0
I have to ask - is there another type of motor that could be used? I am not mechanically talented and am not sure of what else may be used. I thought a treadmill motor would be cheap here in Australia but it turns out I can almost buy a functioning turbine for the cost of a motor. I am keen to learn and become more "hands on" so any help is appreciated.
Do you think I could mount it by digging a small hole in the ground and mounting it with cables on four sides and then putting metal stakes into the ground?
hi mark. very informative. gonna try one of these for myself. question. is it possible to weld/glue/solder the fly wheel to the shaft so it doesnt unscrew?
Hello Marco. They are very interesting your blades. But look a little short for my wind generator. I use ista blades. In your opinion they are efficient? I look pale as your length but with at least one meter. My generator uses a brushless motor. Thanks for the video. Hello.
Hello, nice video ! how can i remove the flywheel of the treadmill ? mine has a sort of allen bolt in the middle of the flywheel and nothing from the rotor comes from the back end of the motor. Thanks
Interesting stuff.i got a tread mill motor saved in the garage.I suppose to run off the battery,we need a ac/dc converter,so I can plug in an appliance righto? Thanx :)
Thanks. It makes sense. At a certain speed there will be enough wind resistance to slow down the blade. I'm also busy building a small windturbine but haven't connected by generator motor yet.
I sold it to a man in Tennessee after I made it. I do not have enough wind where I live. I talk to him a year after he bought and he said it was working.
The windmill has to go thru a diode then straight to the battery. Some people use a regulator. The higher voltage does not hurt a larger battery bank. Just make sure you have at least 4 large batteries.
is there some kind of break on the motor? meaning if the motor is spinning to fast will it stop the props from spinning. also how many volts is the turbine producing on average?
Hi I'm making one for a school project and I'm using the motor out of a treadmill that looks just like your but how do i make it so when i lug it in to my battery that the battery doesn't rotate the blades and instead that the blades rotate the motor. Basically how do i turn the motor into a generator?
great work sir,i have the same motor,but want to know,cos the motor is wid pully is it not an issue?its very heavy,ok once its start spin then ok,but to take start spining its need fast wind........sorry for my english,thanx
Are there any follow-up videos on how this worked? I'd be interested to see some measurements on how much energy was being produced by this setup.
Best wind turbine video on TH-cam. Make more stuff for us to watch!
a bicycle gooseneck makes a great yaw bearing assembly.
Thank you for putting on what I believe to be the best wind turbine video on the internet yet. this has been a great help to me, I look forward to many more of your videos.
I'm new to the whole solar and wind power methods out there today that are being on a daily basis. I'v found from the crazy amount of vids out there that this one has been rather the most informative especially with regards to someone just starting out and looking into what possible method would best suit my needs. I do look forward to hopefully other jam packed informative vids like this.
mark if it wasnt for your videos on solar panels etc. i would of never tried anything on my own but thanks to you, keep up the good work buddy
Thank you for creating this video. You have a very nice work shop area and a great set of technical skills. I like your presentation skills too: straight forward, informative, not showy. Thanks again!
Your shop teacher and science teacher would be proud 😊
Congratulations I appreciate your video, it’s very instructive and it give me good ideas of how to do this
such a clear and useful video, with tips that seem almost impossible to find anywhere on the internet! thankyou.
windy nation says to hook the diode up opposite of how you did, and would you use the positive wires and not the negative?? please clarify in detail. thanks
Well wind nation knows more than me. A diode is a one way valve for electricity so I don't think it would matter which side you put it on.
Ok thanks for the reply, makes sense.
This is an awesome DIY tutorial. For those of you who are not really familiar with renewable sources, make sure you look at schematics of how to connect this thing to battery banks. With wind turbines they always need to have a load, so when the batteries are full, you need a way to shift the energy or you could blow up the batteries. The blocking diode is just the beginning. You should have fuses, charge controller and "dump load" that can eat the extra power.
Around 300 to 500 watts
Really! Nice.
reverse thread bolts and lock-tite wouldnt have resolved your fan blades from backing out? great video! one mans old tread mill is another mans power source!
Mark,
You might try getting some of your supplies from Missouri Wind and Solar. They have blades hubs, rectifier bridges, and harnesses. Some of the stuff is made in the USA also.
Thanks for your ideas.
I have off grid property in the Ozarks...I drive by there, but I have never stopped. Just got a free new treadmill motor...now I am going to stop by there.
I like those blades very much! Well done!
great video, where do you get larger blades and bigger generators from
How would a Torrington bearing work between the outer pipe and flange connector?
I am going to build this Mark, and I love your workshop!
Thank you for the video Mark,, can you tell me if it matters where I put the blocking diod can I put it 30 feet down the wire from the generator or does it need to be right at the generator like you have yours? Thanks
It does not matter. You can put it 30 feet down.
markp0177 I understand electricity a little, but would it make more sense to put the diode on the positive wire than the negative? My reason for thinking this is because i would imagine the connection would transfer the negative through the ground and make the diode useless. Im probably wrong but just curious
casey moyer You can use the diode on either the pos or neg. Most people do put it on the positive.
casey moyer
Hello Mark
Thank you for your very informative video.
Its great that you take the time to teach others how to do these things and you narrate in layman terms. I was wondering though with the wind turbine, when you connected the blocking diode you crimped the connectors on the wire. my question is that since this will be out in the weather, would you no want to solder the wire to the connectors to prevent any future breaks due to weather fatigue?
Nice job and explained very well.
Great work Mr Mark
Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. very interesting ideas.
Excellent video and even editing. Nice workshop. Thank you.
EMT type is UV rated. I was thinking of reinforcement of fiberglass...
Hi mark I was wondering what sized blades they are. 28 inch? I was considering using a treadmill motor but how much electricity would it produce if I tied it into the grid? Thanks for getting back with me
Garrett Gilliland Hello, I don't remember the blade size. The video was a couple of years old when I posted it back in 2012. The amount of power you will get out depends on how much wind you have.
Very nice presentation! If I would change something - I would change the resolution of this video.
hi, how many volts and amps from your system ?
Only issues is the Diode is on ground but he is using the pipe as a conductor for ground so the diode is only limiting one path for ground.
This is a cool vid and it is going into my favorites. You can sometimes just pick up a treadmill for free or for $25 and strip out the motor. Online classified and yard sales may be a good way to go for people trying to do this on a dime.
Excellent video sir. thanks for putting this together. I am wanting to do something like this for my sailboat.
very helpfull thanks for sharing . I have being whatching many videos and was a waste of time but this one realy worked to my undertandin thanks GOD bless
This is awesome!!! im gonna have to start collecting parts to build this!
Nice DIY video. It's good to see how easy it can be.
It appears to me that you put the blade assembly on backwards, though. The leading edge is, if I'm not mistaken, the straight edge and that should be into the wind, not on the backside. While the generator should be able to work in either direction, the blades are only efficient if facing the proper way.
I'll be watching your channel for more information on things I can do to improve my living. Thank you!
A Very Happy Camper the purpose of that tail is for the blades to face right against the flow of the wind.
He has it correct.
It's like and aeroplane wing you need the pressure difference on the convex side for it to work.
On the one way dio valve what wattage/amp size did you use?
Great Job, exactly what I want to do. I am just not clear on the 2 phase wiring part. could you elaborate or provide a link to a sketch to better understand? and the diode was connected to which wire?
I enjoyed your video I'm going to have to build 1 of those the summer. thanks for uploading
Thank you for uploading this video.i like what you explain in this video .
Thank you for this great video. I come back to it, every now and again for reference, since I first seen it 5 years ago. LOL. I need some clarification on the diode. Can you give specs, model, make, amps/watts/volts. negative or positive? I am also a bit confused as to why no Isolation/separation? You went straight to the metal, why? What allows you to do that?
I made this video years before I posted it. I don't remember the specs on the diode. I think I use the metal frame as my negative or ground. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Nice Job ! Thanks for the video. A little shrink tube over connections might be in order.
good project, what specific model tread mill motor you used?
thanks
Sorry, I don't remember, I made this a few years ago.
hello there good work
wonder how many watt you get out of this generator
and how can I get the most watts and amps
Just saw your video I’m thinking of doing the same thing...few questions I noticed this video was 6 years ago... is the wind turbine still operating, how much watts you drawing out?
Any improvements to the system??
What are you powering ?
Hello. The video was two years old before I posted it. I sold the windmill to a man in Tennessee because I have live down in a valley and have no wind. I do not know how well it has work for him.
This is an awsome video!! You explain this so good that a newbie can do it! Love the accent as well ;)
Great insight into the build just subscribed and it’s a nice compact turbine I also have built a homemade 650 watts wind turbine, a treadmill motor turbine and a little but powerful ametek 30v turbine and built 2 diy solar panels, be careful in high winds one of my first turbines blew up 😕and now have only 2 wonderful turbines working daily 😊it’s very satisfying watching those things working, keep up the good work buddy 👍
Another awesome project mate. Really love your content!!
such an easy setup, awesome stuff.
Great video man i was wondering how long them blades are you used..i live in an area that winds are some what usually between 5-20mph and don't know if i should get long or short blades.
Would love to see it in action and how weill it works
Right on man. Y'all still at it? I need that blocking dioed
Really enjoyed and got a lot out of this video. I couldn't find a follow up where you mounted and tested it for output. Is there such a video? Thanks Much, Dave in PA
I sold it to a man in Tennessee 10 years ago. I live down in a valley with little wind.
@@markp0177 Thanks for the reply. Any feedback from him on how it worked output wise? I’ve found several how to build videos but none yet where they actually use it.
@@cruikshank He put it on top of a hill and said he was getting 300 watts
@@markp0177 Thank You, that’s pretty good. I appreciate you getting back to me. Have a blessed Sunday & fall.
Hi Mark, fantastic video I am currently making my own turbine and I learned a lot from it. Things I especially liked were the spindle for the assembly to turn on, the slip rings which I didn’t know about and modification to the motor shaft to take the turbine. Have you any other turbine videos Mark?
GREAT JOB! Thank you for a great how to video, what are dimensions of the vane, and what did you use for the metal, please?
I used sheet metal. I don't remember the dimensions, this is a video I did years ago and just uploaded it to youtube.
Mark great video thanks.. tell me 1 think all the videos I have seen about connecting the diode it says connect it to red positive wire but u connected to black negative wire why????
Hello, I don't remember, this is a old video but you can connect the diode to either positive or negative.
Hi great video , how do you slow down the blades in high winds where are the brakes on this ??
This blade design will not spin too fast in a high wind.
Your blade length and type depends on how fast your generator min rpms are to reach 13 volts. I used a 3 blade design with 30" blades that will start in a low wind.
Really informative video. Thanks for posting!
Is your site down? I was trying to get in there to look at the Tail Booms and maybe other products you had to build this.
Hello, I no longer have a web site. I do offer solar panel mount kits on ebay. Here is a link. www.ebay.com/itm/181223665389
Good job ! :)
Great video
Hi. I am wondering about why you hooked the diode to the neg rather than the pos? Does it matter? Thanks
+Airography Photography It does not matter
Mark, I like your channel. It is very interesting to watch. What part of Alabama are you from?
holybritches Saraland, just north of Mobile
You can put the diode on either pos or neg. I did put in on the neg and used the metal frame as part of the electrical connection.
I love the Do-it-yourself approach. What is the peak and constant output under ideal wind for your rig?
I am not sure. I sold this to a man in Tennessee and I have not heard back from him.
I liked the video and the end result looks great - but if you look at your positive connection at 11 minutes or so, it looks like you have bare connector which you left floating that you then covered with a grounded shell. From what we can see in the video, it looks like this will end up being a short circuit at some point.
What is the output if wind is constant (Volts (DC) and Watts)?
This will work well to a 12v Batt and on high winds and on a long Pole meaning still not bad..
i'm thinking of using electric fan motor is that ok to use? does it have the same result?
emily dee No a fan motor will not work. It has to have permanent magnets in the motor.
you can make the blades stronger by wrapping them in fibreglass and resin , they will be great after , i made mine by myself from pvc pipe and i wrap the with fibre glass and resin , they are perfect
THANKS A LOT
Hi mark ! How can i measure the amp out put from dc generator to a battery 12V ? Thanks
The easiest way is with a simply in line amp meter with a shunt. Here is a link to one.
www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313&_nkw=amp+meter&_sacat=0
ok one question Why wouldnt the yaw axis bearing just lift out of the pipe in a severe wind? I didnt see anything holding it in the pipe but weight,
Yes it could happen. I now use a longer center pipe.
So i have to connect the black wire to positive side of battery right ? Please advise . Thanks in advance !
Yes. You can check it with your meter.
I have to ask - is there another type of motor that could be used? I am not mechanically talented and am not sure of what else may be used. I thought a treadmill motor would be cheap here in Australia but it turns out I can almost buy a functioning turbine for the cost of a motor. I am keen to learn and become more "hands on" so any help is appreciated.
Do you think I could mount it by digging a small hole in the ground and mounting it with cables on four sides and then putting metal stakes into the ground?
Good vid 3 blades makes sense as that is what all the big systems use for the national grid.
hi mark. very informative. gonna try one of these for myself. question. is it possible to weld/glue/solder the fly wheel to the shaft so it doesnt unscrew?
Hello Marco. They are very interesting your blades. But look a little short for my wind generator. I use ista blades. In your opinion they are efficient? I look pale as your length but with at least one meter. My generator uses a brushless motor. Thanks for the video. Hello.
Hello, nice video ! how can i remove the flywheel of the treadmill ? mine has a sort of allen bolt in the middle of the flywheel and nothing from the rotor comes from the back end of the motor. Thanks
It just unscrews counter clock wise.
@@markp0177 what should i unscrew counter clock wise, the allex bolt or the flywheel ? because this allen seems well stuck. Thanks.
@@hichamtassi1753 The allen bolt, you may have to use some heat to free it up.
@@markp0177 ok, thanks. What is best, to keep or to remove the flywheel for a better blades spinning ? thanks
Its easy to work if you have a shop with complete tools and materials great recipe for good outcome.
Interesting stuff.i got a tread mill motor saved in the garage.I suppose to run off the battery,we need a ac/dc converter,so I can plug in an appliance righto? Thanx :)
+Scott Houge You will have to charge batteries that will run a inverter.
+markp0177 Explain? I have a boat battery,or marine battery...I was thinking that would work
+Scott Houge You have the wind turbine charge your marine battery. Your battery will power the inverter and the inverter will power your appliance.
Do you have some sort of brake mechanism on the motor?
Fritz Mulder You don't need a brake with this design blade and the turbine will always have a load on it.
Thanks. It makes sense. At a certain speed there will be enough wind resistance to slow down the blade. I'm also busy building a small windturbine but haven't connected by generator motor yet.
Nice turbine
diode on neg? shouldnt it be on pos? is it grounded to the frame as well?
this is probably a dumb question but, do you think its possible to generate electricity by running on a treadmill? - Thanks
Good concept Mark, thanks for sharing this.
How do you overcome the requirement for the treadmill motors high rpm's needed for needed voltage?
I am only charging a 12 volts system so I don't need high RPM.
how do you prevent the cables that go down from twisting?
I know this is an old video but whatever happened to the windmill in this video? How long did it last?
I sold it to a man in Tennessee after I made it. I do not have enough wind where I live. I talk to him a year after he bought and he said it was working.
markp0177 oh ok cool 👍 where I live it’s usually mild wind most of the time especially in the fall and spring times. Great video.
The windmill has to go thru a diode then straight to the battery. Some people use a regulator. The higher voltage does not hurt a larger battery bank. Just make sure you have at least 4 large batteries.
Yes you are right. Most wind turbines are that way. It takes a special low rpm generator to get the most power from a small wind.
nice wind turbine, what kind of voltage does this produce? is it AC or DC?
DC voltage
markp0177
cool so this could be wired in to a deep cycle marine battery bank and have an inverter going out to make 110 AC
is there some kind of break on the motor? meaning if the motor is spinning to fast will it stop the props from spinning. also how many volts is the turbine producing on average?
+Ben Dover This design does not have a break, they drag of producing electricity keeps it from spinning too fast. The volts is around 15.
Great stuff, Thanks for sharing.....
Great video!!! Thanks!
Any reason you did not use a product like Loctite?
Great video!!!
Why does prop look backwards to me
Yes that would be better but a little over kill. This works fine with a little grease.
Hi I'm making one for a school project and I'm using the motor out of a treadmill that looks just like your but how do i make it so when i lug it in to my battery that the battery doesn't rotate the blades and instead that the blades rotate the motor. Basically how do i turn the motor into a generator?
Listen in at 7:35, you will need to use a blocking diode
You need a diode. A diode is a one way valve for electricity.
great work sir,i have the same motor,but want to know,cos the motor is wid pully is it not an issue?its very heavy,ok once its start spin then ok,but to take start spining its need fast wind........sorry for my english,thanx