Category Archives: Wind

Neat windmill to teach kids, BUT using a grinder?

Posted on April 10, 2017 by robertwilkie

OK this was a cool project, but the author uses a hand grinder to cut everything.  To me thats crazy (jigsaw, handsaw, etc etc).  But it works for him. http://www.newphysicist.com/make-small-wind-turbine/

Posted in Cheap, Teaching and Learning, Wind | 1 Comment

Cool windpower setup

Posted on April 7, 2017 by robertwilkie

Mostly made from PVC, metal flashing, and bike parts (including the genny).  Only thing is the chain could get rusted up pretty quick in the elements. https://www.instructables.com/id/Wind-Turbine-DIY-Tutorial-How-to-Make/

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Could build for mass producing simple wind turbines for kids

Posted on January 31, 2017 by robertwilkie

The author put ALOT of work into this one, its a nice video with lots of templates made to make a bunch of wind powered devices for kids to experiment with.  Would I do this…no, way too much work for … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc-Life, Teaching and Learning, Wind | 1 Comment

Make a mini compressed air motor

Posted on September 14, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice build.  Would work well with kids. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Mini-Compressed-Air-Motor/  

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Here is a simple build for a windmill

Posted on September 6, 2016 by robertwilkie

Simple build.  The author is a bit scary with power tools (way he handles them).  Apparently doesn’t have a tablesaw.  Or the homemade welder…. http://www.newphysicist.com/make-vertical-axis-wind-turbine/

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A cheap wind speed and direction build

Posted on July 27, 2016 by robertwilkie

Using an ATiny for the controller.  This is a pretty simple…well for a electric inclined person…build.  I think its under $50 in materials…hard to tell since most of the sthttp://www.hackerscapes.com/2014/11/anemometer/uff has no prices with it. http://www.instructables.com/id/Real-Time-Wind-Direction-and-Speed/ Oh if you end … Continue reading →

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Nice homemade wind turbine

Posted on July 12, 2016 by robertwilkie

This could be a nice build to do with kids.  I was surpised how “easy” the author build the vanes.  Me, I would have to print out a template to do it. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Small-Wind-Turbine-Homemade/?ALLSTEPS

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Make an arduino weather station

Posted on March 3, 2016 by robertwilkie

Simple build with an arduino.  does everything but windspeed.  Looks like around $50 in materials too.  So pretty cheap http://makezine.com/2015/11/20/build-your-own-arduino-weather-station/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=%24{feed}&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+%24{makezineonline}+%28%24{MAKE}%29&utm_content=%24{GoogleReader} you can find the original one here http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Weather-Station-AWS/

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Build a $30 windmill

Posted on March 3, 2016 by robertwilkie

$30 and ALOT OF TIME!  Half the materials are scrapes.  But the build is pretty neat.  It only has one axis to worry about for a vertical mill.  and seems pretty productive.  I wonder if I can find a smaller … Continue reading →

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Building an anemometer

Posted on February 16, 2016 by robertwilkie

OK at first I thought the author was using the harddrive motor to read the speed of the motor via current.  I figured out afterwards he has a sensor inside that detects a rare earth magnet going by instead.  Only … Continue reading →

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