MKIII 50 Watt 3d printable Wind Turbine

thingiverse

WARNING: The theoretical maximum power output of this turbine is 50 watts, yet the stepper motor used as a generator has low efficiency, with measured maximum power around 20 watts. Try different generators on this turbine and share your results with others! Support this project by tipping the designer - the 3D Power Turbine is the culmination of three design iterations and hundreds of hours and pounds worth of design, manufacture, and testing. Visit <https://www.thingiverse.com/3dprintable1/about> to learn more. This fully functional wind turbine has been specifically designed to be manufactured, assembled, and operated at home with its unique 3D printable design. The turbine is optimized to produce a peak power output of 50 watts and start generating electricity with winds speeds as low as 5 meters per second, making it ideal for domestic applications and battery charging. The turbine features a unique Passive Variable Pitch (PVP) design that maintains an optimum power output through control of the turbine's rotational speed. The PVP also protects the turbine from dangerous over-speed conditions by limiting its maximum revolutions per minute in wind speeds greater than the design point. The turbine has been designed with flexibility and growth in mind, provisioning for a bigger generator and blade without altering the turbine architecture or major structural components, generating more power at less investment in the future. The turbine components have been designed for Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) methods using PLA plastic. Ninety-five percent of the components require no post-processing, as these parts do not need print supports, reducing material usage while improving the overall finish of the part. The turbines' printed parts can be manufactured using less than 100 meters of plastic, making the cost per watt of power extremely competitive.