Wind turbine spins some coils... = electricity?
Answer:
The mechanism that you are talking about involves electromagnetism.
Whenever there is relative motion between a magnetic field and conductor, it will induce a voltage or current.
In a generator, either a magnet is spun inside a number of coils of wire (conductor) or a coil of wire is spun inside a magnetic field. The magnetic field is normally created from electrical current via an electromagnet. The amount of current needed for the electromagnet is very, very small compared to the amount of current that can be produced by the motion.
Connect the shaft of the windmill to a small electrical generator and you will have electricity. I am not going to find the source for you though as buying a small scale windmill such as one that a sailboat would use would probably be cheaper than making your own.
Well, it's a rather simple idea that requires a rather complex build.
I wish you well on your simple and cheap construction. I don't think you'll get simple and cheap simultaneously with productive and efficient, though. That's the crux of the issue.
You're on to something, though. Wind energy is just THE untapped energy source out there. Loads of it, just waiting to be harnessed. Right now it's almost as cheap as fossil fuels.
What we really do need is a cheap, simple, easily repaired, mass produced, small windmill that practically everyone in America can install and add into the power grid. That would solve a lot of our energy problems permanently.
However, you won't get your comprehensive answer in FunQA.coms, building a wind turbine that is productive and efficient is just too complex for that. If you wish to collaborate with me further, though, I would be interested. I'm a physics teacher and I know a thing or two about electricity. My email is
fortitudinousskeptic@yahoo.com
http://www.sciencejoywagon.com/physicszo...
May help understand some.
Learn electric motors 101 and a tiny bit of basic mechanics, then build! Here's a few that have gone before:
http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_win...
Note the 700W permanent magnet generator made from a car disc brake for $150.
http://www.scoraigwind.com/
http://www.windstuffnow.com/main/...
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