I read that stepper motors from old tape drives or dot-matrix printers are low rpm and good for making wind turbines, but I can’t find either of those for the life of me. Are there any other common household items that would have a suitable motor to use as a wind power generator?

By: bodie125

About the Author:

4 Responses to “What motor should I use for a DIY Mini Wind Turbine?”

1. Norrie on November 27th, 2009 6:45 pm

   You don’t use a motor (a driver) for a Wind turbine. The wind turbine uses the energy of the wind (as in a windmill) to drive a generator.
   Go to a car dump and obtain an alternator. Connect it up to the shaft of the wind turbine and electricity should be produced.
   A 3 to 4 -foot diameter wheel should be plenty big enough for an alternator which will put out power at slow speeds (as when your car is idling in neutral, it continues to charge the battery).

2. aviophage on December 1st, 2009 4:53 am

   Sounds like you are attempting to build a miniature model for a science project, rather than a full-size turbine that might use a car alternator. The car alternator would require a large turbine, maybe 15-20 feet in diameter, and a tall tower to place it on.

   Also, a stepper motor cannot be used as a generator at all. That idea simply won’t work.

   What you need is a small permanent magnet DC motor of the type used in model railroad locomotives, slot cars, rechargeable electric tools, and the like.

   If you apply torque to a permanent magnet DC motor, you can read a voltage across the windings. Such motors are available in hobby shops, electronic shops, and on the internet. Just pick one of the appropriate size for the model wind turbine you want to build.

   Good luck.

3. jito11rivera on December 3rd, 2009 11:19 pm

   I would agree the previous answer. You seem to require a small motor, a PMDC is what you require.

   YOu can find them anywhere….look at old toys that run on batteries, cordless tools that are broken, there are lots of them in junk cars (look for the window washer pump, or power mirror motors).

   Nice place to one brand new is at Jameco on the internet.
   They have Mabuchi, Johnson Electric, Star, and Igarashi DC motors…try the blow link. Good luck.
   =-1&categoryId=351530

4. Tacio on December 6th, 2009 2:32 pm

   A step motor, costs less than $100