Re: How to go about building a small wind turbine.

Dear Travis,

Building a wind turbine is a big project, but many people have successfully
built their own small turbines.  As for the "best way", that depends on
what you are trying to do.  Generally, home-builts are three-bladed, and
are "upwind, free yaw", which means that they are free to pivot with
changing wind direction, and the blades are held upwind by a tail.  Many
home builts use carved wood blades because they can be built without
special expertise.  But many people are using boat-building technology to
make composite (fiberglass) blades, too.

Before you get out the welder, I recommend that you answer some questions
for yourself that will steer the project.
What do you want the turbine to do?  If you want to create AC power, you'll
start with a different basic design than one that is meant to create DC
power. Also consider how much power you need.

For home-brewed wind turbines, the best resource to start with is Scoraig
Wind in Scotland.  Hugh Piggot there has developed and refined a number of
designs.
He has a book that is a how-to manual on small wind machines.
See their web site at: http://scoraigwind.com/

Some of his designs were developed for home builders using re-purposed
parts, such as using automobile front suspension parts for the main
bearings.  One very successful design is being produced for sale, too, see
that project at  http://scoraigwind.com/african36/

The best reference book on wind systems is Paul Gipe's book
Wind Power: Renewable Energy for Home, Farm, and Business
ISBN: 1931498148
Find it at your library, or You can buy it from Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Wind-Power-Revised-Renewable-Business
Do make sure to get the latest edition (1994), things change quickly in
this industry.

You'll need to know how much wind there is at your location before you
start.  A real measurement at your location is best, but in Montana you are
fortunate to have a detailed wind atlas available to get a good estimate. 
Look that up at: http://www.windpowermaps.org/windmaps/states.asp

I trust you will find this a worthwile project.

Best,

Barry.
------------
Barry King
Electrical Engineer
NRG Systems, Inc.
110 Riggs Road
Hinesburg, VT 05461  USA
www.nrgsystems.com