The Easiest Wind Generator You'll Ever Make

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  • Опубликовано: 9 май 2020
  • If you want to have a look at those special videos become a member and join by clicking this link / @thinkingandtinkering
    today is a windy day- so time to do this lol
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Комментарии • 1,9 тыс.

  • @GaisaSanktejo
    @GaisaSanktejo Год назад +204

    Small heads up for anyone making these: BROWN soil pipe is prone to deteriorating when exposed to UV light, so if you have to use brown soil pipe, I would suggest painting it or using some kind of UV inhibitor
    Modern black, grey or white soil pipe, on the other hand, is UV resistant 😉

    • @Johny40Se7en
      @Johny40Se7en 8 месяцев назад

      Cheers for the tip 👍

    • @montumeroe9593
      @montumeroe9593 6 месяцев назад

      Cheers thanks

    • @johnh9748
      @johnh9748 5 месяцев назад +2

      This depends on the location. White pipe is normally NOT UV resistant in North America.

    • @GaisaSanktejo
      @GaisaSanktejo 5 месяцев назад +4

      @@johnh9748 Fair enough, then wherever you hail from, you need to be sure the plastic is UV resistant :P

  • @eknott1000
    @eknott1000 2 года назад +232

    Great video! I worked with small wind generators for a number of years. I noticed a stress point, on the way the blades are mounted to the plastic fan blades, over time the original blades will stress crack and fail. If you ad a blade brace to tie in all four blades on the front side of the blades, you will eliminate much of the stress on the original fan and give your windmill more longevity!
    Ed

    • @robertwoodliff2536
      @robertwoodliff2536 2 года назад +11

      I was thinking about that, 'cos these things are built to a price. My perception is even a small diameter secondary disc / "washer" the size of the original fan , would help reduce the flex / stress on the fan root..

    • @Nevir202
      @Nevir202 2 года назад +4

      Ya, I was thinking the same'. Those radiator fan blades always look like they may explode at any moment after a decade on a car under normal use, can't imagine how much worse the stress is when doing something like this lol.

    • @georgesvideos6837
      @georgesvideos6837 2 года назад +27

      If you actually add a cone to the nose of the blade that covers 20% of the blade surface you reduce the stress on the blades and increase the efficiency of the whole system because it reduces the drag.

    • @Jim-re3sr
      @Jim-re3sr Год назад +6

      Great video the motor should be water resistant since it was subjected to some spray sitting behind the radiator

    • @mikearchibald744
      @mikearchibald744 Год назад +8

      I love these videos and love the comments even more. Learning really is a communal experience. For 'free', and if you have some time, you can find online where people carve the blades just out of scrap wood. Some wood blades have been known to outlive some metal ones. I'm going to remember that about the washers and cone. I have a neighbour with quite a junk collection, I mean 'stuff' collection, I'm going to go looking for fans.

  • @joshuahall1250
    @joshuahall1250 3 года назад +347

    2 minutes into it and i knew i could spend an entire 48 hours with you in a shop and it would feel like 4 hours went by. Curiosity, tools, knowledge. Like kids in a toy store. Awesome.

  • @pariaentrada
    @pariaentrada Год назад +14

    I'm female, older, still working, and am limited in both financial resources and time. I watch a LOT of RUclips vids on how to make projects simply, inexpensively, and that save me time. Your vids are always spot on and simple. So they are my first go to when I am looking for a solution. I love your shop! I agree with another comment, you need a companion video on how to mount this, and I would add, your simple windmill needs a tail so it can turn with the wind, as well as an easy to use breaking mechanism for when there's too much wind. Would be interested in a vid on these things too. Thanks for your videos! I'm a huge fan, excuse the pun!

  • @leifhietala8074
    @leifhietala8074 3 года назад +64

    That was actually pretty awesome. I never considered the fact that there are HUNDREDS of inexpensive but robust, long-lived DC motors that can just as easily become stout little generators just hanging out at the Pull-A-Part. And some of them are even kind of big, larger units for cooling larger pickups and SUVs.

    • @batbee7427
      @batbee7427 9 месяцев назад +3

      Good point that some might not even need to be upscaled. Especially in high wind environments.

  • @bingosunnoon9341
    @bingosunnoon9341 2 года назад +23

    My grandpa had a wind generator this size on his barn. Put a fan on a Model T generator so he could listen to his radio. The farm didn't have electricity. It put out 12 volts at 2 amps on a windy day. He made his own batteries too.

    • @rosskstar
      @rosskstar Год назад +1

      So rain doesn't hurt them?

    • @devarmont87
      @devarmont87 Год назад +1

      @@rosskstar cars are designed to get wet, you drive in rain?
      You probably couldn't submerge the motor.
      But downpour of rain could not effect the motor if it's sealed

    • @rosskstar
      @rosskstar Год назад +1

      @@devarmont87 dat zouns loggeecul - y u so smawt?
      lol thanks

    • @devarmont87
      @devarmont87 Год назад

      @@rosskstar me smort?
      Nah, I is lerming

  • @burgermaster4u2
    @burgermaster4u2 3 года назад +5

    Robert....thank you so very.very much for taking the time and sharing this build.....would never in a thousand years have thought of using a fan mother to make a wind turbine....so happy.....now I know how it’s done....thank you so much...Dave 👍

  • @The1Creston
    @The1Creston 4 года назад +22

    The simplicity exhibited here is fantastic! Thank you for sharing!

  • @brittond14
    @brittond14 4 года назад +23

    One of the things that I like about your videos is the fact that you flat out enjoy what you do! Most of your videos seem to convey that without seeming acted out or scripted. Good show!

  • @RobMacKendrick
    @RobMacKendrick 4 года назад +31

    Years ago I was teaching in a remote school on a small island in the North Pacific. One of my students built a wind turbine much like this one, except he used a car alternator to generate the power and whittled 4-foot blades out of 2x4s. He mounted it on a 20-foot pole outside the school shop, and when word got round (tiny school) that he was ready to raise it we all turned out to watch.
    The best description I can give is "terrifying". That 8' span instantly took the sea wind and the thing just started wamp-wamp-wamping like it would eat the world. Chris finally managed to stop the blades by turning them out of the wind (which meant he had to get up on a ladder right behind those freakin' whirling broadswords and push on the vane), but the concept was well-proven. I don't remember how much electricity he banked in the battery during that maiden run, but all who witnessed it undoubtedly remain impressed by the sheer power he'd harnessed.

    • @robertwoodliff2536
      @robertwoodliff2536 2 года назад

      ......the apprentices of BTH built one at the halls that they had outside Rugby, it had thin ply blades, which they perceived to getting close the the sound barrier.......the rain/hale of the storm delaminated it. These were the guys who also broadcast radio down the neutral and earth of the mains..

    • @Jchathe
      @Jchathe 2 года назад +1

      Beautiful description, thank you for the story!

  • @davidbetts9587
    @davidbetts9587 Год назад +3

    That was brilliant! Loved the simplicity of the build and the excellence of the presenter. Thank you 😊

  • @Elie-J-Saoud
    @Elie-J-Saoud 3 года назад +82

    Genuine Happiness when laughing,, You are true to YourSelf as to us,,
    Take Care Sir

  • @waynefilkins8394
    @waynefilkins8394 2 года назад +36

    An improvement to this would be a dome shape on the end, so you can take advantage of the coanda effect to push some more wind to the widest parts of the blades. Also if you had rounded the ends out so they fit around the middle circle part + the dome on the end this would take the most advantage of coanda effect I think

  • @shaunhall6834
    @shaunhall6834 2 года назад +15

    Thank you Robert! I'm definitely going to use this with my off-grid home.

  • @chrisransome2082
    @chrisransome2082 3 года назад +2

    I'm looking for ideas on self sustaining DIY things people can build at home and for there communities. Decided I wanted to make a wind turbine and this is the first video I clicked on. Just great! Really enjoyed it. Simple, Effective, Thank You!

  • @michaelhamilton2738
    @michaelhamilton2738 3 года назад +20

    Im so happy to have found your channel, it’s truly a hidden gem.
    I love your content and your enthusiasm towards your work.

  • @travishanson166
    @travishanson166 3 года назад +9

    My son and I are learning arduino together, this windmill would be perfect for building and testing many things, like charge controller, wind speed indicator, as well as wireless communications to tell us when certain things are happening with the controller or generator etc.
    I have a number of automotive cooling fans, so I really enjoyed the video and the knowledge shared.

    • @princessgreen726
      @princessgreen726 11 месяцев назад

      Hi Travis would like to know if what you are building can power a house and how many appliances

    • @travishanson166
      @travishanson166 11 месяцев назад

      @@princessgreen726 I haven't built anything yet. Eventually I will have solar and wind, with a battery bank. The batteries will power the high demand appliances, wind and solar will charge the batteries when the major appliances don't run (ac/stove etc)

  • @creativelenses
    @creativelenses 3 года назад +10

    Amazing. most importantly your genuine smile makes others happy. thank you so much Sir.

  • @Kyee71
    @Kyee71 2 года назад +1

    Marking the tubing with the cross on a bit of paper was genius, I'm enjoying watching your wind generator playlist on a lazy Sunday, very inspirational.

  • @mennogravemaker5181
    @mennogravemaker5181 3 года назад +23

    Great video, thanks Robert. Would be great to see new video of the energy produced, perhaps measure the voltage over a specific load. Seems to me that the fan is build for high rpm so would expect it to be small amount of energy generated in moderate wind.

  • @Jiggledance
    @Jiggledance 2 года назад +42

    Make like 10 of them using a Rose blade, various sizes down to a Rose Bud, and mount it on a windward wall. Paint them the color of flowers with different color patterns or different pinwheel patterns and colors. If it is too windy sometimes, add shrouds mounted separately that can automatically pop up in high winds and redirect some of the wind. Shape and paint the pop-up shrouds like giant leaves. The blades will still turn but shrouds will protect it from blowing apart. Just use a simple lever that has tension to hold shrouds down at low winds and high winds pry them up. Once wind goes down the shrouds go back in place. You can even design the shrouds to look like pedals that close and cover up the blade assembly.

    • @SohojBanglaQuranmojid
      @SohojBanglaQuranmojid 2 года назад +3

      Plz make one & let us see. Thanks

    • @user-bm2vy7nx1v
      @user-bm2vy7nx1v 2 года назад +1

      Sounds so beautiful!!!!

    • @uthmandeniz
      @uthmandeniz 2 года назад +1

      It must be a good idea. Like a break system. However, I am having a hard time picturing it. Like Khondker said please make one.

    • @johndenver5029
      @johndenver5029 2 года назад

      Don't let aunt Ruth go smelling the flowers tho

    • @franknada8235
      @franknada8235 Год назад

      Huh?

  • @NotThatBob
    @NotThatBob 2 года назад

    I have a few sheds and chicken coup that I heat and light now and then. Solar does the trick but this is so much cheaper and I have an almost constant breeze here.
    This will be for my patio and outdoor lights. Love this.

  • @wolfrickelly5148
    @wolfrickelly5148 Год назад

    Each of your videos puts me back in shop class as a young man eagerly listening to the teacher give us lessons on mechanical fixes in daily life.

  • @gwheeler233
    @gwheeler233 4 года назад +8

    That’s quite some wind! The box in the background adds to the effect.

  • @jonanderson4280
    @jonanderson4280 3 года назад +22

    It was satisfying to see such a simple build working so well!

    • @waynefilkins8394
      @waynefilkins8394 2 года назад +2

      yeah and there's so much improvement to be made to it...this has a lot of promise for a cheap solution. I think I'm going to try to 3d print the blades because I have this crazy strong crazy light weight carbon fiber filament.

    • @theninjascientist689
      @theninjascientist689 2 года назад

      @@waynefilkins8394 As a fellow 3D printer I'm curious, how'd it go?

    • @manjichromagnon5480
      @manjichromagnon5480 2 года назад

      No way they are as strong as the pipe

  • @Dan0__
    @Dan0__ 2 года назад +2

    I've made this style blade before for a school project... a little smaller but it works fantastic!
    Inspiring!

  • @bobperry2085
    @bobperry2085 Год назад +2

    Been going through all your videos from oldest to newest. this is the tech that got me interested in doing so and this is the video that motivated me to fix my youtube to allow me to join a channel for the first time. And now I'm a member :)

  • @pauldixon3677
    @pauldixon3677 4 года назад +65

    Rob, I love the idea, simple but very effective. May I recommend using grey soil pipe, the brown is for in ground use only as it does not like UV light, hence, it will fade and eventually crack if used outdoors. The grey will do the same job and can withstand the UV light. Keep up the great ideas.

    • @MasterFloTechnology
      @MasterFloTechnology 4 года назад +6

      I was going to say the exact same thing. UV light will kill the blades in a year. I would recommend painting with UV reflective paint. The hub also looks like PVC.

    • @Phodis
      @Phodis 3 года назад +4

      Maybe a light coat of fiberglass to consolidate the entire "fan" together for strength (worried about the screws loosening) and weather protection.

    • @philandhannahslittlefarm1464
      @philandhannahslittlefarm1464 3 года назад +1

      The blades would be spinning so the UV Ray wouldn't be able to hit them...

    • @thechumpsbeendumped.7797
      @thechumpsbeendumped.7797 3 года назад +5

      Millennial Homesteaders - Journey Back to Basics 😂

    • @stevenarnold46
      @stevenarnold46 3 года назад +5

      @@philandhannahslittlefarm1464 Now that is funny!

  • @olsonspeed
    @olsonspeed 4 года назад +7

    I expect the large blades to fatigue the original blades at the hub in a few hours of use. You also need to balance the prop to reduce induced vibration.

  • @rosemarieblack7063
    @rosemarieblack7063 3 года назад

    Robert Murray-Smith thank you so much for your time and bringing this to us all. In these strange times, we're living in, this may be very useful data indeed. Flourish and Prosper.

  • @mateo98100
    @mateo98100 2 года назад

    What I love about this video is a real man making a real product. Most wouldn't even be able to hold that thing in the wind and if they did they'd probably lose their head. Cool video man

  • @LNMBEATS
    @LNMBEATS 4 года назад +17

    I love your energy you are like my electronics teacher back in highschool haha

  • @DaleOwens1
    @DaleOwens1 4 года назад +26

    I did this almost exact same thing when i was younger. using a car fan motor. i used different blades though, yours are way bigger and work better.

  • @scopex2749
    @scopex2749 2 года назад

    utterly BRILLIANT! I had to live in a tiny caravan for 10 years with only a petrol genny I could run to charge my battery a couple of these would have been more environmentally friendly AND quiet I am off to the scrappy!! Need to build some sort of charge controller next otherwise plugging that directly to a battery will just make it a FAN again!

  • @antonnym214
    @antonnym214 4 года назад +1

    Mr. Murray-Smith, I like the way you think! Very handy! You get much faster rotation than I was expecting. I may in fact have to do this myself to power an LED light on my separate garage. All good wishes!

  • @mikewetzel1162
    @mikewetzel1162 3 года назад +462

    Maybe next video could be how to deal with the power it generates and the storage system; if you can.

    • @dammitanothername
      @dammitanothername 3 года назад +35

      there's a new zealander that also made hydroelectric from a stream. He uses a washing machine motor. on youtube.

    • @craynerd
      @craynerd 3 года назад +9

      @@dammitanothername can you post a link?

    • @Kowyn
      @Kowyn 3 года назад +13

      @@craynerd I believe he is talking about Marty T, you can put that into search and find him that way. I think he will have a video up this year on how one is built as I think he's helping a friend built one.

    • @ghockings
      @ghockings 3 года назад +25

      If the fan is fused with 40A in the car then the max power will not be greater than 40A x 12V = 480 Watts.

    • @mimiseeyou
      @mimiseeyou 3 года назад +8

      I agree. I’m pretty sharp but this is not my area and electricity is dangerous. It’s a mistake that nature won’t forgive me for lol.

  • @rocketpoolpki
    @rocketpoolpki 4 года назад +35

    just brilliant..it really spun up, this is absolutely a project I'm going to experiment with.

    • @ThinkingandTinkering
      @ThinkingandTinkering  4 года назад +5

      i know it - it was awesome lol - keep me in touch mate

    • @tubthump
      @tubthump 3 года назад +1

      Brilliant idea. Using this to charge up a 12v leisure battery which could then power 5v devices like phones, speakers etc would be awesome.

    • @Jigaboo123456
      @Jigaboo123456 2 года назад

      @@ThinkingandTinkering You mention the voltage it produces, but NOT the wattage, or even the rated wattage of the DC motor, which would be the max output achievable IF the device worked perfectly. I'm sure that you know that wattage (volts x amps )is power, not just volts.
      Before wasting time and money making one of these, myself and no doubt many others would really like to know what the practical power we could expect, and if you had just measured the amps after you'd done the volts (or given the motor's rating).
      Could you post this please, I'd like one for my off-grid weekend/holiday shack, but if it was only a few watts, it wouldn't be worth the bother.
      Otherwise, good video, thanks for posting.

  • @bob2161
    @bob2161 2 года назад

    Ok, I get it now. It is a wind powered generator. I clicked on expected a machine that generated wind. I was very keen to learn how a wind generator differed from a fan. In the end, not so much.
    It would be quite easy for me to spend a lot of time in your shop. Great stuff!

  • @artistlegends1728
    @artistlegends1728 8 месяцев назад

    This Man has this wonderful bundle of genius, generosity and joy. Just brilliant. Thank you.

  • @whileysea
    @whileysea Год назад

    I am a Blue Water Sailor and have always not much money to live on. You are a BLESSING MY FRIEND.

  • @levi-lukesmith3504
    @levi-lukesmith3504 4 года назад +15

    Absolutely Excellent! Finnaly something straight forward that is cost effective. I appreciate this content so much!

    • @raiylynmitchell5892
      @raiylynmitchell5892 3 года назад +2

      Hi, do you know what wirings he did behind the fan and what he connected it to

    • @levi-lukesmith3504
      @levi-lukesmith3504 3 года назад +2

      @@raiylynmitchell5892 sorry I have no idea, it's been a while since watching this video. Have a nice day 😊

    • @777Slots
      @777Slots 3 года назад +1

      Connect an Electronic voltmeter to it and it will tell you what is positive and what’s negative

  • @georgekot6377
    @georgekot6377 4 года назад +24

    I would love to see a follow up video. I know that results would depend on the motor, wind speed etc. but I think it would still be very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

    • @ThinkingandTinkering
      @ThinkingandTinkering  4 года назад +11

      will do mate but might not be tomorrow lol

    • @bombdiggitydave3881
      @bombdiggitydave3881 2 года назад +4

      It has been a year or so. How is the auto radiator fan turbine mod getting on? Any improvements? Longevity? Did you make or store power to powerwall or batteries with it? Please make an update follow up video? Thanks for your ingenuity!

  • @sydneykv
    @sydneykv 7 месяцев назад

    Thank you so much for this! I'm about to start a small research project focusing on small-scale wind turbines using common, available parts and your videos are so wonderfully helpful. Cheers!

    • @kimmogensen5390
      @kimmogensen5390 5 месяцев назад

      direct drive washing machine and e bike motors (48v 1000w) are the ones that really produce a decent amount of power it has to be worth mounting the thing , on the other hand if one is just after charging 5v electronic devices this kind of blower motor mounted fairly low works okey , let me know if i can help

  • @j11smith
    @j11smith 2 года назад

    thank you. I am going to build one this week for my off grid home. I have a parts vehicle with the fan already off! super exciting!

  • @Jchathe
    @Jchathe 4 года назад +6

    You looked like you were having fun! Thank you for posting 🙏💖

  • @JeremyCarlsten
    @JeremyCarlsten 3 года назад +25

    I would love to see a comparison of this vs a wind generator built on an alternator. watts, voltage, etc.

  • @jestork1
    @jestork1 2 года назад

    Fabulous video. Simple and it does the job.
    I am sticking that in the mental tool box for when I get some time to fool around.
    Now to regulate the voltage.
    Thanks

  • @jackwody7774
    @jackwody7774 Год назад

    Great diy video! If I can suggest doing the wind test with a load, then a more useful power output number would be useful. The voltage by itself doesn't mean much without a load. Great idea on using pipe sections for windmill blades.

  • @neagoecatalin879
    @neagoecatalin879 4 года назад +8

    Nice concept, compliments! One mention, tough: the tips of the blades are perpendicular to the fan axis and if I'm right, those regions are not generating torque, instead are generating drag, isn't it? Maybe a bit more inclination on the blades would increase the efficiency and also help withstand better a roughly wind? What do you think? Thanks for the knowledge! Appreciated!

  • @carlschmiedeke151
    @carlschmiedeke151 3 года назад +4

    And yes i absolutely loved the video, & I'd a never thought of using an ol car cooling fan motor, brilliant

  • @philhode5104
    @philhode5104 3 года назад

    I'm only into this video by about 2 minutes and I already like the way this chap explains things

  • @utetrahemicon
    @utetrahemicon 3 года назад +1

    I've used a drawer with the face edge corner to mark a straight line.
    For this you could clamp a 4' stick on the bench and put the tube against it to draw the straight line.
    Great video.

  • @jacksobe
    @jacksobe 3 года назад +98

    I wish I had friends like this.

  • @MyCynner
    @MyCynner 3 года назад +18

    OMG, that was amazing. Thanks for the how-to!

  • @chrisbirrell7530
    @chrisbirrell7530 4 года назад +1

    Love your channel, mate. Recently subscribed so looking forward to looking through your videos. Thank you!

  • @andrewchapman9931
    @andrewchapman9931 2 года назад +2

    The problem with using drainage pipe is UV. Being used underground it will not have the same UV protection as the polymers used in above ground plastics and will breakdown and become brittle which could shatter. Good project overall. :)

  • @williamcooper2415
    @williamcooper2415 2 года назад +3

    Be sure to coat the white plastic portion to protect it from the elements. It will also aid it from stress cracking.

  • @DanielJohnson-vr9mw
    @DanielJohnson-vr9mw 4 года назад +5

    Congrats from Argentina Robert. Your videos are great, full of intetesting stuff.

  • @clarky.
    @clarky. Год назад +1

    I love your videos. Never too long and always simply explained. Thanks for talking the time make these

  • @CorexYs
    @CorexYs 4 года назад +3

    oh man I love your passion and those brilliant projects too!

  • @silverechohawk5315
    @silverechohawk5315 3 года назад +4

    Great vid Robert! Thank you for sharing! And you get a thumbs up simply for reminding me of Anthony Hopkins.

  • @jlr3636
    @jlr3636 Год назад +2

    At about 2:25 what you are marking the lines along the length of the pipe, a extremely easy way to do that is to use a piece of angle iron or aluminum, lay the angle on the pipe so both open edges touch and scribe the line, perfectly straight. Size of the angle doesn’t matter, 1”x1” or 3/4”x2” they all work.

  • @ndbkjalvarez9619
    @ndbkjalvarez9619 2 года назад

    Awesome job Robert, I am sure many will benefit from your show. God bless you.

  • @jamesharris5158
    @jamesharris5158 4 года назад +5

    BREAKING NEWS: Man dies in freak accident involving soil pipe travelling at 70 miles per hour!
    Keep up the great work Robert.
    It would be interesting to quantify the difference that installation height makes to the efficiency of a wind turbine and that's an experiment I plan to undertake in the near future.

    • @fusiondensity3287
      @fusiondensity3287 4 года назад +5

      That would be labeled as a c0vid death

    • @derubersoldatx
      @derubersoldatx 4 года назад

      the higher the better, there is some wind currents at higher elevation.

    • @ThinkingandTinkering
      @ThinkingandTinkering  4 года назад

      that is awesome mate - keep me in touch will you?

    • @jamesharris5158
      @jamesharris5158 4 года назад

      @@ThinkingandTinkering Yes, will do.
      My application is for wind power at festivals so height is expensive. I want to know where we get into diminishing returns. I read around the subject a bit, but always you the answer to go as high as possible, but with my curiosity, I want to dig deeper.

    • @DFPercush
      @DFPercush 4 года назад +1

      @@jamesharris5158 I would tend to think as long as you're above any nearby obstructions like buildings or tents that would be good enough. Above the tree line would be best, but for a portable installation that's kind of a ... _tall_ order.

  • @berserkerusmc7613
    @berserkerusmc7613 2 года назад +4

    That's great! Now I'm looking at my ceiling fan that I'm about to replace and I'm thinking of turning that into a wind generator.
    Man, I'd love to hang out with you in your shop and just brainstorm and put stuff together.
    Thanks for putting this video together. Very informative and inspirational! Cheers!

    • @eternallearner6026
      @eternallearner6026 Год назад +1

      Brilliant. And here I am with a new ceiling fan in a box to replace my old kitchen one. Now more excited to get the job done so I can experiment with the old one!

    • @donbrashsux
      @donbrashsux Год назад

      @@eternallearner6026 did the ceiling fan work

  • @NoName-ds5uq
    @NoName-ds5uq Год назад +1

    When you were out here and the wind was blowing stuff across the ground, it looked like a normal September spring(or March Autumn) day here in southern Tasmania! 🤣 We haven’t had too much of that in the last few years though. Things are changing…

  • @18141776hhhh
    @18141776hhhh 3 года назад +1

    An exercise wheel for a pet? You got my wheels turning.
    Thanks for sharing !

  • @MarkSeve
    @MarkSeve 4 года назад +6

    Love it Robert, exactly what I was looking for.

    • @ThinkingandTinkering
      @ThinkingandTinkering  4 года назад +4

      cheers mate

    • @DK-sg3oe
      @DK-sg3oe 2 года назад

      @@ThinkingandTinkering thkz it's great btw what Amp or watts can u generate if the wind is like over an hour, appreciate if u cd reply and how many hrs of wind to charge a 400mh battery will one day b sufficient

  • @scout4locations
    @scout4locations 3 года назад +6

    I love the way you hide what you're doing and dont explain what you're doing. Best mystery story ever.

    • @InkedinheLLIcon
      @InkedinheLLIcon 3 года назад +1

      If you watched the whole video and had basic mechanical engineering knowledge you could easily follow his explanation and figure out anything you needed to do.

    • @TheSpektacle
      @TheSpektacle 3 года назад

      It must be a brushless DC motor to make any voltage/power !

  • @jeremiahcompton8306
    @jeremiahcompton8306 Месяц назад

    Thank you for sharing this. Buying a small camping lot and intend to have a marine battery charging for cell charging and lighting.

  • @georgemurray6845
    @georgemurray6845 Год назад

    Beautiful!!! I have a very old fan that the motor still works but the fan blades are broken. Now i can use this idea to make it work again. Thanks

  • @semajekrad6922
    @semajekrad6922 4 года назад +176

    You just got to work on a pivot , a slip ring and a vain to direct it into the wind along with the relevant diodes and such to make it usable to store energy in a battery .
    Go on do part two please.

    • @ThinkingandTinkering
      @ThinkingandTinkering  4 года назад +109

      will do

    • @Xx-xd3zo
      @Xx-xd3zo 4 года назад +6

      Semaj - I'm thinking a rectifier and a grid tie. :)

    • @geodeaholicm4889
      @geodeaholicm4889 4 года назад +17

      and naturally you could build your own custom battery &/or capacitor to store the energy. i'd bet you also have the skills/knowlege to build your own inverter for it too.

    • @Barskor1
      @Barskor1 4 года назад +8

      @@geodeaholicm4889 IRC he said it was a dc motor so dc output?

    • @allenlong1445
      @allenlong1445 4 года назад +4

      @@ThinkingandTinkering what a cool idea I'd mount it to a caravan to keep the battery toped out ?

  • @ozzesty7314
    @ozzesty7314 4 года назад +7

    That's brilliant, I was thinking use a car alternator. But the fan motor is so simple.👍

    • @Robc509
      @Robc509 4 года назад +1

      A car alternator needs over 3500 rpm to produce and I believe it needs a 12v input to make it work in the first place. There are ways of adapting one but you may as well buy the real thing if you're going to those lengths. A ceiling fan motor can work tho with magnets glued around the outer coils. There are videos on RUclips on how to make them work

  • @matthewkleinmann
    @matthewkleinmann 2 года назад

    Two hints for drafting the lines out for cutting the pipe up. Got these from years of making high powered rockets. Wrap a strip of paper a few inches wide around the perimeter of the pipe, the exact width is not important. Wrap it around once tightly and cut it so it just overlaps and tape it, so you have a band around the pipe. Hold the pipe up in a door jamb and trace a straight line across the paper and cut it. Fold the paper exactly in half and crease it. Do it a second time. Wrap the paper back around the pipe and tape it. Now line one of the creases up in a door jamb and draft out that line. Do the same with the other three. This is pretty common for spacing rocket fins. How much power were you able to get out of it? I am guessing under 50W. Not bad if you can get the fan for free.

  • @KevinEllis-Anderson
    @KevinEllis-Anderson Год назад

    This is 100% the most useful video on this subject and I've scoured RUclips for years

  • @kaimcloughlin8981
    @kaimcloughlin8981 3 года назад +10

    Very cool stuff, just curious what sort of wattage you got or what the current was at 20v? Keep up the good work 😃

  • @ME-qq3gr
    @ME-qq3gr 3 года назад +18

    Thanks for the video. Nice to hear you got up to 20 volts. What watts or amps did you get from it?

  • @laalandclare9794
    @laalandclare9794 3 года назад

    Great video. Been trying all sorts of motors. split system in house blowers the best Ive found FMDC....So now im off to the wreckers to get some of these and make these with my 17year old students

  • @stevensauvageau8827
    @stevensauvageau8827 Год назад

    Loved this idea. Thank you for sharing.

  • @antonia4722
    @antonia4722 4 года назад +6

    Great video as always Robert! I remember reading somewhere that motors from Exercise Treadmills make excellent wind generators.

    • @ThinkingandTinkering
      @ThinkingandTinkering  4 года назад +6

      they do indeed - i wonder - i have a starter motor - they are similar - must look at that - thanks for the idea

    • @lazyh-online4839
      @lazyh-online4839 4 года назад

      The only work great if you can gear it down to a good enough level, the treadmill is like an alternator and only works best at higher rpm. You'll get some output at lower rpm but you won't be reaching anywhere near the potential of the device and will be wasting a lot of potential power.

    • @bingosunnoon9341
      @bingosunnoon9341 2 года назад

      You need a really big fan to spin something like that. AND a lot of wind.

  • @funkyfender1
    @funkyfender1 3 года назад +4

    Robert, I wonder how it might work with a vertical drum style turbine? That would offer an omnidirectional presentation towards the wind without the need of slip rings or re-centring springs, wind vane and the need for counter weights and more critical levelling.... which would work well on a sailing boat... thoughts?

    • @offroadflow
      @offroadflow 2 года назад

      if you get enough torque AND revolutions then any horizontal or vertical blade design works...

  • @jamesgrant5945
    @jamesgrant5945 4 года назад +1

    Wonderful explanation and video. Got to try this product.

  • @embiandbingo8217
    @embiandbingo8217 2 года назад

    And thank you for sharing with us. I like the way you talk and explain. Keep up the good job.

  • @garymiller1216
    @garymiller1216 4 года назад +4

    that was great, it made me smile watching you in the carpark laughing at your own handy work, something i would do, whilst the kids are inside saying "what is he doing now, embarrassing" LOL keep up the good work

  • @jasonlawson8619
    @jasonlawson8619 3 года назад +3

    Great video as usual. How many of those would it take to run a small refrigerator? A ballpark figure would be plenty good if it's not asking too much.

  • @pingpong5000
    @pingpong5000 2 года назад

    Great video, so simple so clever, the matting the blades out of the pipe a simple solution that made me smill thanks.

  • @gammon1183
    @gammon1183 2 года назад

    This vid was more enthralling than any pod race.
    Most adults have become unable to express delight because they've forgotten how or consider it beneath them.
    Keep the fire burning, subscribed 😎

  • @MK-lk7nc
    @MK-lk7nc 3 года назад +4

    Great video! I would love to see what kind of water generation you could make out of an old washing machine, I've thought about that a bit and it seems like there's a lot of free power in those parts with a little bit of a stream or creek.

    • @rosalieduffield7920
      @rosalieduffield7920 3 года назад +1

      Use iii

    • @sparkyhobo3844
      @sparkyhobo3844 2 года назад +1

      Search Marty T channel. He's from NZ, and has built several, they power his off grid homestead. He modifies the windings to give the desired voltage etc, and uses a creek on his land to power it 24/7

  • @vincentrobinette1507
    @vincentrobinette1507 4 года назад +28

    It would be interesting, to see how many short-circuit amps the generator could have produced, by setting the meter to amps, and connecting that across the terminals of the fan motor.(That would give some idea of the available torque of the new blades)

    • @esperago
      @esperago Год назад +1

      Any idea how many of these would be needed to build a charge station for a Tesla?

    • @poldoford
      @poldoford Год назад +1

      @@esperago I think at least 100

  • @mikewetzel1162
    @mikewetzel1162 3 года назад

    Jolly Good Job Man!
    We live in a Beach Town so have a constant coastal breeze; this will work nicely,.

  • @JakobBoyerDrby
    @JakobBoyerDrby 3 года назад

    Hey. Love your smile. No smartass youtuber here. Keep it up. Hoping for an second episode of this DIY project. Cheers

  • @kreynolds1123
    @kreynolds1123 4 года назад +9

    Great job. Although the speed at the tip probably exceeds the lift, and are thus probably creating drag. That is why blades made from pvc drain pipe are best tapered to a point and a low pitch cut on the leading edge to still create lift and cause less drag.

    • @ThinkingandTinkering
      @ThinkingandTinkering  4 года назад +4

      Thanks for the tips!

    • @raywharton9425
      @raywharton9425 4 года назад +2

      @@ThinkingandTinkering You gotta cut your own tips I guess. Lol.
      Sincerely though, Robert, I love your stuff, this is a great video. A very nice and accessible project. This and some Zinc Bro batteries and a fella could have some basic juice for pretty simple.

    • @yougeo
      @yougeo 4 года назад +1

      thats good info! thanks!

    • @TheRainHarvester
      @TheRainHarvester 4 года назад +1

      Can you suggest the best link/design for pvc blades?

  • @andersgrassman6583
    @andersgrassman6583 2 года назад +9

    Nice idea. Now, my concern is, that probably the cheapest way to store the power, is using car batteries. But I put four of them in series, when I was 14, to make an arch welding setup. It operated intermittently successfully for perhaps a minute. However, during the high current discharge, the batteries had created very large quantities of hydrogen gas, which I didn't think of. Also, I had severely underestimated how thick the wiring needed to be. (I musn't ever have seen car jumper cables?!) The wires melted and somehow, some small spark was created, igniting the hydrogen gas outside and inside the the car batteries, causing two of of them to violently explode and hurling shattered batteryparts through the air, and presumably also acid. Perhaps luckily, I had my back turned at the explosion.
    In conclusion, I since then carry great respect and awareness of the dangers associated with car batteries. Indeed any high capacity battery. And I feel hesitant to build a huge powerbank with them. It would have to sit in another shack / building away from my house. And then I would still feel I lived close to a minor bomb.,

    • @Thomas_P_aus_M
      @Thomas_P_aus_M 2 года назад +1

      Nowadays there are LiFePo4 and LTO type batteries. That's a lot safer. Of course, a BMS is used here. And no, they are not really more expensive when you calculate the number of cycles and the service life. (Not to be confused with Li-Ion!)

    • @broderickwallis25
      @broderickwallis25 Год назад +1

      Hi there, just a little something I learned while restoring old batteries. The extent of the battery exploding depends on the how much water is in your battery. The more water, the less cavity, and less gas build up.
      Hope this makes sense.... All the best.

  • @daviddefranco5218
    @daviddefranco5218 2 года назад

    Thank you so very much for building the wind generator and posting it on RUclips...you rock! Greetings!

  • @jaberjaber131
    @jaberjaber131 2 года назад

    Awesome. I heard about a gentleman who makes windmills that are strictly mechanical, he uses wind up flat springs that release their energy through a series of gears ⚙️ that make the turbine spin, he winds up the springs when there’s no wind

    • @insideimagery133
      @insideimagery133 Год назад

      How long did they spinned?
      What coulde they power?
      Seems interesting.

  • @peterfitzpatrick7032
    @peterfitzpatrick7032 4 года назад +3

    It seems like cardboard boxes make good wind-catchers too 🙄😂😂
    I assume the o/p current is similar to the (optimised) running current whilst in the car... so o/p will be fairly low... 🤔
    A vertical model (VAWT) using a 40gal barrel cut in half feeding a geared-up alternator or brushless motor would be non-directional & self-throttling.. I believe the halves need a slight overlap for easier starting..
    😎👍☘🍺

    • @bobsyeruncle5731
      @bobsyeruncle5731 2 года назад

      Alternator is a better idea. More power, and include a regulator for variable wind speed. Or use the AC power (directly?) without the rectifiers or the regulator.

  • @democracyforall
    @democracyforall 4 года назад +7

    Excellent, well done. This is indeed really good stuff. Now I won't buy any expensive wind generator. Thank you.

    • @ThinkingandTinkering
      @ThinkingandTinkering  4 года назад +1

      Glad you liked it mate

    • @diekoofford
      @diekoofford 4 года назад

      @bullsballs you need to be able to apply brakes to it somehow, storms come around quite often

    • @alikhan7903
      @alikhan7903 4 года назад

      @@ThinkingandTinkering what you did here is no small thing. A graduate like me can see that, it can be made more efficient and also it gives people the idea that they can also make their own blades etc. It is not small thing that you did here... Well done.

    • @alikhan7903
      @alikhan7903 4 года назад

      @saladdogger You are wrong, I can make this thing ten times more efficient plus this is for confidence too to make your own stuff. His one makes 20 volts when the wind blows, I can make it efficient enough to generate 50 volts or more. Even with 20 volts, it can charge how many things overnight? Many.

  • @ThePtgman
    @ThePtgman 2 года назад +1

    Excellent idea, and great demo! Not sure, but it appears that the "imitation propeller blades" are turning backward - compared to actual aircraft prop blades. (I'm a retired pilot.) That being said, it can be "fixed" and work even better! Good job!!

  • @robertfitzharris1480
    @robertfitzharris1480 Год назад

    Just love this. Very informative. Thank you.

  • @patthesoundguy
    @patthesoundguy 4 года назад +4

    I really enjoyed that video! It got my wheels turning 😉 I may have to build one of those myself now