It is not that difficult to build a wind turbine yourself. You’ll find that there are a number of excellent guides available that will walk you through each step of the process, most of which will include illustrations so you can see exactly what you need to do. One of the least expensive methods of building a wind turbine for home use suggested by a number of manuals is the use of a DC motor.

Where people often run into problems when undertaking this type of project is in the choice of DC motor that they have obtained to use in their DIY wind generator. If you’re considering trying to build a wind turbine, it’s worth taking the time to make sure you find the right motor to generate the power you need.

You probably know that a DC motor is an electrical device used to power things with electricity. The current from a battery is sent to the rotating motor, which in turn powers the element to which it is connected. One of the most common examples is the starter motor of a vehicle. What many people may not know is that the magnets used to turn the motor when connected to a power source can be used to generate electricity if the motor turns the other way. This fact alone makes using a DC motor the ideal choice for someone considering home wind turbines. The most important point is to make sure you choose the right motor at the beginning of your project.

There are only two main essentials to consider when setting out to build a wind turbine with a DC motor.

The first is Voltage. Ideally, use a 30-volt motor, but anything over 20 volts will get you out of a jam.

The other item to look for is RPM (revolutions per minute). What you will be looking for is a relatively low RPM motor. A high RPM DC motor will have a hard time reaching the required speed using wind power. If you can find a 30 volt DC motor with RPM of 1200 this should suffice. With a wind speed of 20 mph, the motor should generate 12 volts of power. This may not sound like much, but don’t forget, this is just one component of your project to build a wind turbine. Along with the other parts you use, you will be able to generate enough electricity to meet some or all of your power needs.