Power Plans

It doesn’t matter what you call it — wind turbine, windmill, or wind generator, the most important part of any wind power producing device is the generator. Connected to the blades, it’s the part that converts rotational motion into electricity through the use of magnetic fields.

If you’re building your own wind powered generator, chances are your goal will be to build a dc type power generator. This means that the power that your wind turbine will produce will be direct current. This is the same type of current that’s used in any battery system. This is an advantage for a few different reasons. The first, and arguably most important of these reasons, is that of storage. DC power can be easily, and relatively cheaply stored for later use with a battery system. If your power requirements are low, yet your wind generator is producing a lot of power, you can save it for later use. With an ac power system, this is much more difficult and expensive to do.

The second advantage of producing dc power is that of lower initial motor/generator costs. DC permanent magnet motors and generators are fairly inexpensive and come in a wide variety of configurations. There are a wide range of different motor speeds, amperages, and operating voltages that are available. Because of this variety, it’s easier to increase your turbines efficiency by matching your needs to your operating parameters.

There are a few different places you can look when trying to find a dc permanent magnet motor when you’re building your wind generator. If you’re trying to find a free one, one of the most popular sources used to be home treadmills. The motors that powered most of them were dc permanent magnet motors. If you look through your local pennypincher, classifieds, or even craigslist ads, you can often find these treadmills available for free just for taking them off the owner’s hands. The added advantage to acquiring a motor this way is that you’ll get a lot of extra parts that could help you build your wind turbine.

But with the recent increase in oil and energy prices, and the fact that thousands of people are now building their own power generators, finding these free motors is getting harder to do. You’re often better off getting one from ebay or a surplus supply house. The cost of buying one is often very low, and you can get a brand new motor complete with hubs for much less than the hassle involved with finding a free one.

Since you’re probably using a set of plans to build your own wind turbine, you’ve probably got a good idea of what need to use when choosing a permanent magnet dc motor/generator. You’ll want a motor that has a higher voltage, higher current, and a lower rpm. This will allow you to generate much more power at a lower speed (rpm). The advantage of this is that running your wind generator at slower speeds lets it last longer. There is much less wear and tear at slower speed than higher ones. This helps your reliability, and over the long term, substantially lowers your operating costs. Less maintenance and more power production is always a good thing.

Ametek 30 VDC PM Motor Wind Turbine Generator NR Volt US $39.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 16:26:33 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Ametek 60VDC Wind Turbine Generator Magnet Motor 116286 US $249.94 End Date: Saturday Apr-10-2010 10:44:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $249.94 Buy it now | Add to watch list

12 Strong Magnets 2×1x1/2" Wind Turbine Generator Motor US $47.99 End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 3:01:22 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $47.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Wind Generator turbine 1500 Watt 12 VDC 110 Amp Motor US $159.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 20:34:39 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Wind Generator Wind Star DC PM Motor 12/24 Volt Low RPM US $128.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 20:22:52 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

N KIT Wind Power Generator with Motor US $26.39 End Date: Friday Apr-09-2010 19:58:17 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $26.39 Buy it now | Add to watch list

wind permanent magnet motor generator INDIANA GEN 24V US $86.55 (2 Bids) End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 18:26:06 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

600 WATT WIND GENERATOR TURBINE MOTOR + HUB + ARBOR US $149.98 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 18:07:16 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Wind Generator turbine 1500 Watt 12 VDC 110 Amp Motor US $159.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 20:45:24 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Wind Generator Wind Star DC PM Motor 12/24 Volt Low RPM US $128.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 20:20:02 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Wind Energy Generator Permanent Magnet Used DC Motor US $26.00 (4 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Mar-16-2010 19:09:47 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

600 WATT WIND GENERATOR TURBINE MOTOR + HUB + ARBOR US $149.98 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-16-2010 17:58:53 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

18A TREADMILL PERMANENT MAGNET DC MOTOR WIND GENERATOR US $26.00 (3 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 17:36:11 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

21A TREADMILL PERMANENT MAGNET DC MOTOR WIND GENERATOR US $26.00 (4 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 17:27:24 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Dc Motor PM 260V Generator Wind McMillian Treadmill US $99.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 14:25:09 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $125.00 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

50 VOLT PM DC MOTOR GREAT FOR WIND GENERATOR US $39.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-16-2010 13:12:25 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $145.00 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Low RPM Wind Power Generator Permanent Magnet DC Motor US $59.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 8:21:35 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Wind Generator turbine 1500 Watt 12 VDC 110 Amp Motor US $159.95 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 20:57:07 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Wind Generator Wind Star DC PM Motor 12/24 Volt Low RPM US $128.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 20:45:57 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

AMETEK permanent magnet 50 volt DC motor wind generator US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 21:43:13 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

600 WATT WIND GENERATOR TURBINE MOTOR + HUB + ARBOR US $149.98 (1 Bid) End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 17:12:26 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

2.5HP 130V 18.5 AMP DC Motor Wind Generator *New* US $70.00 End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 16:09:00 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $70.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

New Vernis 20V DC 2.5A Wind Generator Motor DC216022 US $59.99 End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 13:31:16 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $59.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

2.5HP 130V 18.5 AMP DC Motor Wind Generator *New* US $31.00 (3 Bids) End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 9:23:57 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Perminant Magnet DC Motor / Generator-Wind Power 2.5 HP US $54.01 (12 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 21:26:54 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Permanent Magnet 3/4 hp DC Motor, Wind, generator w/Drv US $50.00 (4 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 21:00:42 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

AMETEK permanent magnet motor – wind electric generator US $167.50 (31 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 19:15:00 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

WIND GENERATOR/TURBINE MOUNT 4 " ametek motor mount US $25.00 End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 18:08:30 PST Buy It Now for only: US $25.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Wind Energy Generator Permanent Magnet Used DC Motor US $27.49 (4 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 18:00:47 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Wind Energy Generator Permanent Magnet Used DC Motor US $33.00 (4 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 18:00:27 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Wind Energy Generator Permanent Magnet Used DC Motor US $67.00 (12 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 18:00:06 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Wind Generator Motor DC 24V Micro Hydro Low RPM Turbine US $89.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 17:42:15 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

600 WATT WIND GENERATOR TURBINE MOTOR + HUB + ARBOR US $219.98 End Date: Tuesday Apr-06-2010 11:35:22 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $219.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

600 WATT WIND GENERATOR TURBINE MOTOR + HUB + ARBOR US $219.98 End Date: Tuesday Apr-06-2010 11:33:51 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $219.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

PM DC Motor 115V 1.6A Lapidary Wind Generator Robotics US $15.50 (1 Bid) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 18:50:37 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Permanent Magnet DC Motor, Wind, hydro power generator US $81.00 (12 Bids) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 16:09:58 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

600 WATT WIND GENERATOR TURBINE MOTOR + HUB + ARBOR US $149.98 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 15:11:40 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

2800 Watts Permanent Magnets Wind Generator Motor US $389.99 End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 13:06:22 PST Buy It Now for only: US $389.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Treadmill Motor Wind Generator Turbine General Electric US $11.50 (3 Bids) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 11:49:55 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Treadmill DC Motor Wind Generator Turbine US $34.00 (4 Bids) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 11:46:38 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

600 WATT WIND GENERATOR TURBINE MOTOR + HUB + ARBOR US $149.98 (1 Bid) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 11:21:36 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

600 WATT WIND GENERATOR TURBINE MOTOR + HUB + ARBOR US $149.98 (1 Bid) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 11:11:30 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

14 amp TREADMILL PERMANENT MAGNET MOTOR WIND GENERATOR US $32.00 (2 Bids) End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 20:34:24 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

14 amp TREADMILL PERMANENT MAGNET MOTOR WIND GENERATOR US $25.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 20:09:21 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

600 WATT WIND GENERATOR TURBINE MOTOR + HUB + ARBOR US $162.48 (5 Bids) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 18:11:50 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

5400 WATT 120V 4 HP WIND GENERATOR MOTOR US $194.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 17:57:25 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

5400 WATT 120V 4 HP WIND GENERATOR MOTOR US $194.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 16:56:19 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

5400 WATT 120V 4 HP WIND GENERATOR MOTOR US $297.00 End Date: Sunday Apr-04-2010 17:47:05 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $297.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

3 HP PM DC MOTOR – WIND GENERATOR US $102.50 (6 Bids) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 14:41:12 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Perm Mag DC Motor, Wind-Hydro generator + slip rings US $65.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 4:11:44 PST Buy It Now for only: US $80.00 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

AMETEK permanent magnet motor – wind electric generator US $202.50 (20 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 19:45:00 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

AMETEK 40VDC WIND MOTOR GENERATOR 116870-01 US $81.00 (14 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 18:36:22 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

5400 WATT 120V 4 HP WIND GENERATOR MOTOR US $194.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 18:20:31 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Wind generator permanent magnet brush motor 240 watt US $20.50 (3 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 18:19:19 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Ametek 30 VDC PM Motor Wind Turbine Generator NR Volt US $80.00 (14 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 14:54:06 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Wind Generator Turbine Motor US $73.00 (3 Bids) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 8:44:46 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Permanent Magnet Motor wind Generator treadmill 90v US $51.00 (11 Bids) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 17:06:31 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

TREADMILL PERMANENT MAGNET DC MOTOR WIND GENERATOR 18A US $99.99 End Date: Thursday Apr-01-2010 15:59:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $99.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

GE DC MOTOR 1/2 HP 90V 1725RPM POS. WIND GENERATOR ? US $199.00 End Date: Sunday Mar-28-2010 10:46:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $199.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Nordic Track Treadmill Motor Wind Generator DC Magnet US $139.00 End Date: Friday Mar-26-2010 13:35:03 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $139.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Electro-Craft E713 PM DC Motor for lathe Wind Generator US $99.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-24-2010 7:05:00 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $99.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Wind Generator Motor DIVERSION DUMP LOAD 300 Watt US $15.00 End Date: Monday Mar-22-2010 18:26:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $15.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Wind Generator Motor DIVERSION DUMP LOAD 150 Watt US $9.50 End Date: Monday Mar-22-2010 18:24:45 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $9.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list

12 2X1X1/2" Wind Generator Motor Neo Magnets Epoxy+Ni US $49.95 End Date: Friday Mar-19-2010 20:29:16 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $49.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

12 N42 2X1X1/2 Wind Turbine Generator Motor Neo Magnets US $47.99 End Date: Friday Mar-19-2010 20:22:23 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $47.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

25PCS 2X1X1/2" Wind Turbine Generator Motor Neo Magnets US $82.99 End Date: Friday Mar-19-2010 20:01:22 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $82.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

600 WATT WIND GENERATOR TURBINE MOTOR + HUB + ARBOR US $219.98 End Date: Friday Mar-19-2010 16:23:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $219.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

600 WATT WIND GENERATOR TURBINE MOTOR + HUB + ARBOR US $219.98 End Date: Friday Mar-19-2010 16:21:35 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $219.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

8PC Wind Turbine Generator Motor Neo Wedge Magnets 1/4" US $49.99 End Date: Tuesday Mar-16-2010 17:24:35 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $49.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Wind Generator Turbine Motor Generator Back Up US $65.00 End Date: Tuesday Mar-16-2010 16:08:17 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $65.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

4 Large Wind Turbine Generator Motor Wedge Magnets 1/2" US $79.99 End Date: Tuesday Mar-16-2010 11:48:56 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $79.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Wind Generator Hub, Air X style Hub, Motor Hub US $15.00 End Date: Friday Apr-09-2010 23:05:59 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $15.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

5400 WATT 120V 4 HP WIND GENERATOR MOTOR US $297.00 End Date: Tuesday Apr-06-2010 18:39:14 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $297.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

48 VOLT 720 WATT WIND GENERATOR MOTOR US $129.00 End Date: Monday Apr-05-2010 18:13:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $129.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

1/2" – 13 Left Hand LH Hex Nut for wind generator motor US $2.25 End Date: Wednesday Mar-31-2010 8:21:22 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $2.25 Buy it now | Add to watch list

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