Off grid Micro Hydro | Water Turbine under $50 DIY

For less than $50 you can build a low head, medium power, super low cost and low tech hydro turbine.
Can be plugged into any appropriate waterway, uses only basic off the shelf and recycled materials, and simple hand tools.
Aiming for 200 to 500 watts of power/ 5-12 kWh per day from 2 meters of drop at about 50 liters per second.
Micro hydro is a type of hydroelectric power that typically produces from 5 kW to 100 kW of electricity using the natural flow of water. Installations below 5 kW are called pico hydro.[1] These installations can provide power to an isolated home or small community, or are sometimes connected to electric power networks, particularly where net metering is offered. There are many of these installations around the world, particularly in developing nations as they can provide an economical source of energy without the purchase of fuel.[2] Micro hydro systems complement solar PV power systems because in many areas water flow, and thus available hydro power, is highest in the winter when solar energy is at a minimum. Micro hydro is frequently accomplished with a pelton wheel for high head, low flow water supply. The installation is often just a small dammed pool, at the top of a waterfall, with several hundred feet of pipe leading to a small generator housing. In low head sites, generally water wheels and Archimedes screws are used.
In relation to rural development, the simplicity and low relative cost of micro hydro systems open up new opportunities for some isolated communities in need of electricity. With only a small stream needed, remote areas can access lighting and communications for homes, medical clinics, schools, and other facilities.[16] Microhydro can even run a certain level of machinery supporting small businesses. Regions along the Andes mountains and in Sri Lanka and China already have similar, active programs.[16] One seemingly unexpected use of such systems in some areas is to keep young community members from moving into more urban regions in order to spur economic growth.[16] Also, as the possibility of financial incentives for less carbon-intensive processes grows, the future of microhydro systems may become more appealing.
Micro-hydro installations can also provide multiple uses. For instance, micro-hydro projects in rural Asia have incorporated agro-processing facilities such as rice mills - alongside standard electrification - into the project design.
originally made by OpenSourceLowTech pfor further detail please visit
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[@patrickgagne8795]

That was..awesome. Genius siphoning method.

[@paulbroadway7865]

Great design! How many watts was this producing?