Alternative Energy Forums

I am a school teacher and I am conducting a wind tunnel experiment in my science class.

I plan to have the tunnel to be approximately 6-14 in diameter or 24 inc square box.

I will also require a few wind powered generators, which I can place in the tunnel to demonstrate the purpose and viability of alternative energy resources to my students.

My budget is limited being a teacher and this experiment will come out of my own pocket possibly an alternative to purchasing small wind powered generators, we can build our own in class, and make that a secondary project to the primary project consisting of the viability and use of wind power generators.

If anyone has any information or links to where I can purchase wind power generators, or how to construct small ones (my students are 9th graders) so the directions and part assembly cannot be much above a lower high school level.

My kids are sharp and follow directions rather well. So if there is any good information out there which pertains to my problem please contact or leave a comment.

Thanks for your time.

Concept

Hi Concept,

It's my experience that your wind tunnel size is too small you'll make devices that aren't efficient enough to be observed. An AC blower will allow you to have larger area to deal with.

As far as I know of there are NOT "that small" enough to generate electricity.

If you are interested in Neo-aerodynamics then I can help your students build one to play with. A device of (two pieces of 15" x 15" paneling + 8 small pieces 3/4" x 3" x 2-1/2" Styro-foam + some caulking glue can generate 10 watts by just positioning it 1 foot in front of an an AC blower. We have actually fried an egg with that setting.

Good luck in your project!

Phi (neo-aerodynamic.com)

Since you're just making a small-scale test setup, you can use any P.M. D.C. motor for the generator. You can find various size propeller blades in a good hobby shop that carries model plane parts. As someone mentioned in another post, you can get erroneous readings using a wind tunnel, rather than in open air.

You can use a couple of hose clamps to attach the motor to a 1 x 2 board.

solarcook