Make your own small wind turbine for free

[jazzactivist]

In the latest issue of Permaculture magazine there is an article on how to make your own small wind turbine from an old bicycle wheel, complete with step by step instructions and photos. It is suitable for a shed or garage or outside lights where you don't need a constant high supply of energy. The couple that made this one have it at their allotment and find it useful for running a lightbulb, a kettle, charging their mobile phones and running a laptop when they are down there. It doesn't look too difficult to do, and looks nice and handcrafted too. You can buy Permaculture magazine quarterly from good health / wholefood shops or subscribe on the internet.

[dragonfly]

It sounds like a good idea but a bit too Heath Robinson for home. I would try it if I had an allotment.

[jazzactivist]

Why spend money on buying one when you can make it yourself. There is usually nothing complex in making any of these things, but we are always encouraged to think that we couldn't do it ourselves and have to buy it in order to make someone else rich. It looks good enough to mount on any shed or garage in an urban area - almost the same as the ones that you buy, DF.

[dragonfly]

I would love one Jazz but I am worried about the noise they make as I have close neighbours.

[jazzactivist]

I don't think that they are too noisy, DF, if you get the right sort. My previous neighbour had two small wind turbines in her garden. They were light aluminium ones with long wires pegging them down. They made a slight humming noise like the sound of wind humming through yacht rigging, but it wasn't unpleasant. These two turbines provided all of the electricity for their little one bed cottage. When I have a shed or summerhouse again I'll definately try out one of the small roof mounted ones. You do have to get planning permission in some areas even for these though.

[softie]

Hi Jazz,do you know where they got the wind turbines from? x

[jazzactivist]

This couple made every part of their wind turbine themselves from recycled materials, Softie. It is probably a bit too difficult for a beginner, but if you have a scientific / mathematical type opf mind then give it a whirl (good pun, eh?). Have a look on www.permaculture.co.uk to see if you can find the article, as the new quarter's mag is out now.

[eleanor2]

yesterday my son spent hours making his own little windmill he called it.when we left he hadnt finished.so we will wait till saturday to see.he is a qualified electrician and tech whizz kidd...so i am interested to see the results.we want it for the caravan so we can leave the fridge on.