Demonstration wind generator

This is a very simple wind generator which will light up an
LED in moderate wind.

Parts:

2 DC motors(see below)

LED

lolly sticks and cardboard

Wire

Soldering Iron and solder(preferred)

thin tube for tower

propeller from rubber band powered aeroplane

Assembly

Firstly, finding the parts. You will need a DC motor for this project. It cannot
be a normal hobby motor as it will not make enough power for this. Some may,
but the motor that I got was from a cassette player. Generally, motors that
run slower will make more power at a lower speed. It may have an electronic
board on the back of it and this can be pried off. When the shaft is spun it
makes electricity, working like a generator.

The LED can be bought reasonably cheaply from a hobby store, or
can be found inside some electronics. I got the LED from one of them flashing
ball-light things that are bought at concerts etc.. but can be found quite easily.
NOTE: normal flashlight bulbs cannot be used for this because they need more
current than the generator can supply.

To this you will connect the propeller from a rubber band powered
plane. These are quite common and can be found quite cheaply at gift shops.
You may have to force the shaft into the propeller hub. The propeller is just
the right shape and will spin fast in reasonable winds. R/C plane propellers
may work but They have to be turned backwards and I havent tried them.You may
be able to use some of the other parts from the plane as the tail fin, but I
usually just use cardboard.

To connect the LED, solder(or wrap round(soldering is more secure))two
bare wires onto the motor. Connect the wires onto the legs of the LED, making
sure they are not touching and try spinning the shaft very fast. If it lights
up briefly then solder or secure the wires onto the LED. If not then change
the wires round as LEDs only light up one way round.

Next make the tail fin. It can be any piece of cardboard that
is large enough or you may be able to use the wings from the rubber band powered
aeroplane. Tape or glue one lolly stick on each side of it and put another
at the end of them so both the third lolly stick and the tail fin are sandwiched
in between the lolly sticks.

Tape the motor onto the other end of the lolly sticks and mount
the LED. The wind generator will work at this point but it has to be pointed
into the wind and held by hand. This is why the tail is there, to point it into
the wind. It will also need a bearing on which it sits on the tower top. for
this I have used a DC hobby motor. It doesn't matter what type it is but it
must spin freely. This is mounted on the middle, between the tail and the propeller.
I have mounted it to the shaft with a bit of blu-tak but I guess there must
be a better way. This does, however allow it to be taken from the tower easily.
The motor is then mounted to the tower with tape or, if it the tower is thin
then use two more lolly sticks. The tower can be any length of pipe, tubing
etc.. as long as it can support the towers weight.

Warning: Stay
out of the way of the blades when they are spinning as they spin very fast.
You could seriously hurt yourself if you got your fingers trapped in the blades.

The micro wind generator is now finished! If you put it outside on a windy
day it should turn into the wind and start spinning, lighting up the LED. You
can also take it off the tower top and put it out a car window, but be careful
and only do it when the car is going slowly.