DIY Plans for a Fisher & Paykel Wind Turbine

Obtain all the parts, most notably a smart drive motor from a Fisher & Paykel washing machine, which is a certain type of motor using copper wire around a steel core on a plastic ring, made by Australian company Fisher & Paykel. They can be obtained from many sources, including Australian/New Zealand eBay. The smart drive houses important parts, including a series of magnets that create electricity and a steel shaft that the motor spins on, making it easy to attach blades and wire into another type of system.

Test your site for location for the base and tower. The ideal location is one where there are no obstructions and the wind comes from the same direction. You also want it to be located as high as possible because wind is stronger and more consistent at higher elevations.

Create the tower and base upon which you will install the turbines. The base must be extremely strong, enough that it can support the turbines when they spin indefinitely and in high winds. The size and strength of blade rotation needs to be accounted for when building the base. Heavier blades will need far more support than lighter blades such as those made from PVC. If you can make a rotating tower, the system will be even more efficient.

Wire the Fisher & Paykel motor to channel the electricity. There are several wiring patterns you could use, like a delta pattern or star pattern. Look for detailed diagrams for wiring the alternator system online, including the YourGreenDream website. You will have to solder the new wire into the motor's system. Or, you could separately wire each of the three phases of wire coils in the motor to the bridge rectifier, which balances the transmission of the electrical current.

Determine the voltage you need the electricity to be delivered in – for example, attaching to a home's electrical system or charging a bank of batteries. If you need to convert to AC power, you will also have to install a conversion system.

Attach the motor to the tower, and then run your wires to connect to your power system or batteries. Attach the blades to the motor's shaft. The blades can be made from PVC pipe cut into thirds and then trimmed to have "blade" shapes, from carved wood or from metal. There are several designs available online for making your own blades.