Finally A Real Wind Generator! Vevor FT500 Review

I've attempted to build a few wind generators in the past, but they never worked very well. Fortunately, Vevor sent me their FT500 model to try out! It's surprisingly affordable at only $126. The compact size made it easy to install, and it's fairly simple to assemble and wire up. I did get confused a bit by the manual and wiring diagram, fortunately you don't really need them to get it all put together.
So far it's worked in winds from 5-50mph, and is rated up to 123mph (less than the max recorded in my area, not counting tornados). I've been using it to charge a 12v battery for off-grid use.
You can find the wind generator at s.vevor.com/bfQm7N and use code: VVMH5%OFF for 5% off on all VEVOR products.
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[@maddsua]

If you ask me, these sponsored reviews are so much better than generic VPN-ads other creators roll. The turbine doesn't look bad, I think I'd give it a try myself. The entire off grid topic is kinda interesting on it's own, would be really fun if some water-turbine company reached to you for an review

[@ElDJReturn]

I agree. I actually watch these!

[@saveitforparts]

A water turbine would be fun, we had one when I lived in Alaska. Unfortunately the Midwest isn't known for its mountain streams 😂

[@piquat1]

@@saveitforparts But we do have wind! I live in BFE, miles from a highway, surrounded by flat fields. Windy almost every day. Still days are an oddity.

[@jedharding3492]

was it a homemade unit using an alternator for power generation?

[@BigPromise]

I agree this is extremely relevant to my interests, and what an absolutely brilliant live commercial style video. I was actually recently searching for small wind turbines

[@alaricsnellpym]

It would be interesting to measure voltage and current on the input and output of that little "controller" box to see how much power is actually flowing

[@jasonheckenlively1172]

Yea that would be pretty useful in a review for a power generation device. Kinda pointless without any numbers

[@destro513]

Yeah it's basically the only important thing to talk about

[@MrSummitville]

It will *NOT* be 500 watts, as advertised on the sticker on the tail.

[@Chris-yy7qc]

@@jasonheckenlively1172 Exactly my thoughts...

[@BigcountryReactions]

@@MrSummitvillehow do,you know

[@B.M.0.]

Definitely worth getting the sponsor on this one. Trying to machine perfection when you only have the wrong tools for the right job is asking too much of yourself.

[@sanstx3987]

Even if the world ends, humanity will survive because there are people like him out there. Greetings from Hungary.

[@DonaldWells-wk8dc]

Jeeze....😏

[@michaellichter4091]

A very beautiful wind turbine, where height matters, the higher the wind turbine, the more wind it catches. It's truly an ideal combination, the solar panel and the wind turbine, so you can generate electricity day and night, and if both are unavailable, you have the battery as a buffer. A very intelligent design. 🤗👍

[@gannas42]

These cheap wind generators seem to be so hit-and-miss that it was nice to see someone able to use one effectively and have it operate properly. I will definitely keep this brand in mind if I find myself in the market to make a purchase. Thanks for the review!

[@Teknopottu]

How do we know it works? All we know it could produce 5 watts in gusty wind and 50 watts in a storm.

[@gannas42]

@@Teknopottu He said it charged the battery which is better than any other wind turbine I've helped troubleshoot.

[@Teknopottu]

@@gannas42 True. Some numbers would come needed, though. If there was a voltage rise on a dead battery after days of charging, it tells the generator does something. There are people on the comments considering getting one or several and powering stuff with them. Not giving full information can create wrong expectations and seems atleast lazy considering the video maker knows his stuff around electronics.

[@Dr.JustIsWrong]

The 'FT500' implies to me 500 watts. Seems like a lot.

[@Teknopottu]

@@Dr.JustIsWrong Any turbine of any size can be rightfully named 500W because in theory any generator can produce 500W giving there is enough wind. The most important thing is how much if any the turbine is able to generate in normal or higher than average wind. This turbine could very well generate 500W but at what winds and could it take it without destroying itselve is another thing.

[@timmeier8863]

I added this turbine to my solar shed , I’m very happy with the outcome, I do not send any power back to the main grid , so many negative views on turbines I thought I’d see for myself, I added it to one of my battery banks (cheapest one ) with just a pair of small jumper clamps for fast disconnect, it unloads when main controller is in boost mode 14+volts so I don’t see a problem there , and no dump load because it unloads and I run grow lights at night and 250 watt heater , ( I’m retired) I have cameras and wi fi on/off switches , but I can get 3amps at 10 mph so far , 3 amps ? Well harbor panels at 4 and renogy at 5 amps per 100 watt panels , but wind must be constant at mph so now when I hear my wind chimes I know my batteries are charging

[@60gregma]

I am thinking that rubber pad is supposed to wrap around the pole where you attach the turbine collar to the pipe to deaden noise transfer. It may also prevent water from migrating into the mounting pipe. Might not be needed in all applications.

[@margarita8442]

correct darlinks

[@garrystreeter-noaafederal2049]

I’m thinking it is for vibration dampening or galvanic isolation.

[@margarita8442]

@@garrystreeter-noaafederal2049 yes darlinks noise reductions

[@DadofScience]

A few of these combined with pack of second hand solar panels could really be an awesome yet affordable off-grid setup. Nice!

[@t.h.o.r.]

The black rubbery strip gets wrapped and inserted into the mounting collar to reduce vibration down the pole. Great review- Ive had one for year and its still sitting behind my couch!

[@user-uo9cy2ep2h]

I just turned 50. My Grandfather, a lifetime farmer had an old, I mean now it would be probably 90 to 100 years old, wind powered battery tender. I was born in 73, and it was on top of his shop my entire time, he passed in '11. Whole point, it's old tech we ignore as a civilization.

[@korebeast973]

for only 126 dollars this could be an amazing off-grid option. get 3-5 and you can charge damn near anything and have pretty consistent power with a battery storage. get 2 and a medium solar panel and as long as there is sun you've got power. seems like an amazing option

[@FrankelysHernandez]

Can u connect 3 of this paralel?

[@MrSummitville]

Keep dreaming.

[@johnslugger]

*Yah, $126.00 to buy it and $500.00 to order a replacement Stator coil from China IF they even have any in stock. Most of these wind turbines where made in 2004 to 2010 and have been sitting in warehouses filled to the rafters for over 18 years. The manufacturing plant is long dead and the molds sold for scrap metal. Before you buy a wind turbine pretend you already own one and try to buy parts for it. Your lucky if they even bother to email you back and if they do the repair parts cost are over $500.00 with shipping. The stator coils go first and they cost BIG BUCKS!! BUY AMERICAN!*

[@maddhatter3564]

Tip from an 11 year veteran of off grid. Read everything you can but still be prepared to have failures. It's a pretty steep learning curve.

[@user-qk7nu7td6n]

I think we need to think a large scale

[@macmccune21]

Just woke up, made a cup of coffee, and read the title as if you found a machine that generates wind. Im still going to watch, but the disappointment is real. Gonna drink my coffee now!

[@zerodoinkthirty9610]

Haha

[@cuendilar]

You mean a fan?

[@captainjollyrogersailingso6809]

😂 I’m blonde lol turbine I’m thinking i might get 6 for my sailboat unless they have bigger ones

[@solarwind907]

Rule of thumb just FYI is when you’re installing a wind turbine you want the bottom of the blades to be 30 feet above anything within 300 feet. That get you out of the turbulent air created for instance, by the building you mounted it on. If you were living out there and needed as much power as you could get for a refrigerator, maybe a microwave, charge a bank of batteries, etc. you would want to have it on a tower to maximize power production. Having said all that, you did great :-)! You’re trying to charge a little battery a little bit and maybe run a few LED lights/charge your phone. Everything about this little turban screams Chinese and cheap and at 126 bucks you probably got what you paid for. I think you did an awesome review!! Thank you very much,

[@oliverdaley934]

Hi, I live off grid and my turbine is 1kw. its mounted 1 foot above my ridge roof and catches every breeze there is and brings in 30% of our power. I think experience is better than theory and every instance has nuances that could make it a great or terrible location. having said that every time I need to service the turbine or check it, its not the best location to do this, but it is best for wind. I also liked the gaffer tape on the pole in this video! awesome

[@solarwind907]

@@oliverdaley934 is it mounted on your roof? Or on a proper tower 1 foot above your roof? if it’s on a tower, how far is the tower away from your roof? How long has it been installed and working? Is your house the tallest obstacle within 300 feet of your wind turbine? Thank you,

[@solarwind907]

@@oliverdaley934 Oliver, I am glad your wind turbine is producing a level of power that you are happy with. If you have all the power you need, there’s no reason to improve power production. That’s great. However, please understand that installing a small wind turbine on a proper tower, where the bottom of the swept area of the blade is at least 30 feet above the tallest obstruction within 300 feet, is a good rule of thumb. It’s based on decades of data compiled by respected small wind industry companies, as well as government entities such as national renewable energy laboratories or NREL. There are two reasons why you might want your wind turbine higher. 1, to get it into the laminar flow. Turbulent air can put a lot of stress on your blades which in turn stresses the bearings, rotor, etc. It also lowers power output. In short, it wears your turban out faster, and you will get less power. 2, the higher you are above the surface obstructions, the higher the wind speed. Speed is represented as V cubed in the power equation. So if you were to go from an average wind speed of 10 mph to 11 mph for example., You would gain over 30% in power. This is a proven fact. Maybe Google “wind power equation“ for clarification. Towers are expensive and require knowledge of soils, materials, and proper installation. I think it’s great that you live off grid and make your own power!! There are a lot of people who couldn’t do what you do, Hopefully you’re in touch with other people locally who can point you to reputable local dealer/installers that can help with any problems that may come up in the future. All the best to you,

[@oliverdaley934]

@@solarwind907 hi! so it is mounted on a tube/pole which I put through the roof and the bottom of the turbine blade is 1ft from the ridge line. so no tower, but a pole secured through the building. its been installed in this location for over 3 months over winter. it is a unique location we live, as in a valley in high ground country, but it is not effected by the roof, or it could be but not negatively. I might add the roof is not a traditional up and over ridge. the roof is rounded on the top as by design in the detail, that I would say is unique. if it was mounted higher, it would be terribly exposed as the winds get strong. so I can't relate to your points on proximity to buildings. thanks

[@solarwind907]

@@oliverdaley934glad it working for you. Some issues other people have run into when doing what you did are: - Roof leaks. - Vibration - Noise - once, fire in the roof, due to poorly made, and placed power connections. All the best,

[@sski]

Right-on, Brother! I've been looking for a quick set-up system like this to populate the old TV tower next to my house to provide power to a charging station I want to set up in a room for phones, tablets, laptops, optics, and other rechargables, as well as have a backup source along with my solar panels in case of grid out scenarios. I bought one for now (thanks for the discount!) to check it out and give it a test run, but I have room for 3 to 4 of these on my tower, which is over 65ft tall. Thanks for posting this video today!

[@__beer__]

Would have been good to know how much current was actually being put into the battery, which is the main thing you need to know when setting up a power generation system. Also i think the rubber strip is for mounting to a smaller diameter pole, so that the clamp will close down on it.

it can't be generating more than 30 watts based on the size of it.

[@johnbutler5208]

Wrong

[@rexhorning7228]

They are well worth the money. I tested mine in town but didn’t have enough wind to do anything. After I moved it to the farm and it definitely helps keep the batteries charged over night when there is no sun on the solar. Only puts out about 30 amps on the high side. Mine was listed as a 300 amp model. They might have intended 300 amps per 24 hours For the price I have been happy. I also added a low voltage disconnect and configured it so I could burn off power when battery was fully charged to keep from burning up the generator.

[@JouniKyyronen-nv1ep]

only 30amps, 10amps is good charging for 100ah battery

[@johnslugger]

*Please do a 1 year follow up video so we can see how long it takes for the stator coil to burn up.*

[@MrEScience]

Really nice, honest review. Could tell you were surprised it worked as well as it did. Also, I just saw you on the news! Great interview!

[@MrSummitville]

He has no clue regarding "how well it worked". There were no measurements of voltage or amperage. He shared no facts. I heard ... "should be" - way too many times.

[@Cameron_the_Robot]

Really impressed by the cost. Very affordable wind turbine. Have a few off grid projects at my property that could certainly use more power. Right now I am just on creek power. Might be able to finally use the StarLink and give the camper a charge.

[@crankytank]

Great review! Thank you!! Considering one of these for my off-grid spot. I get a lot of wind!!

[@vincei4252]

Interesting. I have a 1200W 110V turbine I wasn't allowed to install by my town, it's quite a bit larger than yours. It's 3 phase AC also so you could have connected the 3 wires in any order to the rectifier which is just a bunch of diodes. It's a shame you didn't do any power measurements under mild and windy conditions :(

[@technologyrethinked]

you don't need permision, fuck them

[@Deiphobuzz]

Still needs to be a lot higher up though. Atleast 10 meters or 30ft above anything within 100 m or 300ft. Consistant wind is a must, gusts are killer for the performance.

[@bencotton3050]

VEVOR makes a lot of great stuff. I have an induction cooktop from them and it rules

[@sosteve9113]

Interesting, going to check that out

[@rockyduggan235]

One of the most underrated YT channels.

[@phantomzone2571]

Other channels tested this 500 watt wind turbine. With a wind speed between 7 and 12 mps (25,2 - 43,2 km/h) the power was 130-170 watt. So probably you can get full power with 100 -120 km/h. Basically hope in a hurricane.

[@dysfunctional_vet]

to meet standard, bear in mind that as the wind speed increases, the weight of the turbine increases so use rated tubular steel if possible, and your turbine will also be at risk of pulling off as well. 2) all obstructions for at least 500 feet and 30 feet above those obstructions is the best practice, although not always possible. most of the generators are 3 phase in either a Y or a Delta configuration. more blades, lighter winds, more blades, higher wind start up. you need to service all generators once a year, to ensure the bearings are in good shape and all is well. i think it is earthmate or earthpower, some brand like that uses the wrong bearings and will fail rapidly

[@Happy357mag]

Can you do a video on it after a year of use? I'm curious as to how well the blades hold up in the sun and also, if the bearings last. Thanks!

[@saveitforparts]

That would be an interesting one. My previous homemade wind generators never lasted long enough for a good follow-up!

[@tyler496121]

The black rubbery thing is to wrap around you post before you slip your turbine on, I I think is just to snug it up on the pipe, great video.

[@dominicmogridge3920]

the bit of black rubber is a shim for insertion between pole and mounting clamp.thanks for your honesty and information.I have two decor solar battery banks,which seem to work well,and am using two 90w bresser panels.I live off grid 680ft up a mountain,so we usually have a good wind and no obstructions around.anyway thanks again.stay safe and lucky.blessings to you and yours.with thanks and respect.dominjc'maddog'mogridge.off grid in West cork.the republic of ireland,680ft above sea level half way up a mountain.

[@saveitforparts]

Sounds like a cool place to live!

[@timmeier8863]

I did not use rubber because I worried it might loosen up or deteriorate, to hard on my set up to lower unit on my own , so far so good

[@SchwaAlien]

This is the kind of thing we need for our wireless link station for our island, it’s got solar panels which work fine in the summer but we need to go charge the battery every couple days with a gasoline generator in the winter… plenty of wind tho.

[@MichaelNatrin]

Nice turban and great video.

[@e.miller8943]

When I visited my grandparents in rural west Texas about 70 years ago they had no electircity so they got a windmill. I don't remember how many, but they had several large lead acid batteries in the their basement for power storage. Because west Texas is so windy, the system worked well except when Aunt Lura Del did the ironing, all the lights in the house would dim.

[@johndaviddukejr2325]

This was helpful. Thanks.

[@gardenfork]

Nice! I’ve always wanted one. I have a servo motor and some plans for a cylindrical turbine. 😊 Eric.

[@saveitforparts]

Hopefully better than my vertical turbine made of barrels! That lasted a while but eventually flew apart!

[@madeinengland4910]

Ive got that same model had it 9 months ..Amazing ..gobsmacked..its 3 phaze took me a while all the wires are the same BLUE...But it doesnt matter how you wire them..really works well on the north East Coast of England..and very Cheap too £130 DELIVERED.nice.

[@bobcole3852]

Nice job on the review

[@PatrickBehrensFoobar]

This was super helpful. Been looking at these for an off grid area and wonder if would actually be OK to use for trickle charging some batteries for lights.Would be nice to have some readings on how much wattage it generates

[@AORD72]

You can calculate it. Watts=1/2*sweep area*air density*wind speed cubed. The problem is the wind speed is usually very low. Residential areas average something like 3 m/s. At 3m/s, with 0.75 meter blades, efficiency of 20%,, you get Watts = 1/2 * (PI*.75^2) * 1 * 4^3 *0.2= 4.8 Watts. Over a year with average wind speed you get 42 kW. If your power normally cost $0.2, then you save yourself $8..40 a year! That is why you don't see lots of homes with turbines, they are useless in residential areas. Industrial turbines work because they are built in high wind areas, and are tall to access stronger winds.

[@derekgray1633]

i camp at the beach and there is never a shortage of wind its almost like it never shuts off. ive been using solar with a jackery station but i need to look into this what an amazing little turbine!

[@visverkoper1]

You are one busy guy. You always have somthin' cooking. Like you said, Pair that up with a solar panel then you will be set for off-grid or sailboating. I would have loved this tech in my younger years camping and boating.

[@kielnetheller]

Great review

[@probagandalf3642]

The black rubbery thing fits on the inside of the big clamp you screw in on the base of the turbine. It prevents slipping if the base is not made of metal and can´t be squeezed that hard.

[@MaritimeUnprepared]

This is really neat

[@StringerNews1]

Nice! Here in New Mexico we get enough sun to make solar a no-brainer. But the Albuquerque canyon winds are too good to pass up. And I agree, having another source besides solar helps make a robust, fault-tolerant system. I've been thinking of putting one in the field beside my house, but was worried about the noise and annoying my neighbors. The way these things work is no different than a car alternator, 3-phase 3-wire delta. No matter how you wire it, the phases will go in sequence, think about it. And that 500W generator hooked up to a big enough battery could store up enough energy during the week to make possible a lot of electrical things during the weekend. A/C in the summer and electric heat in the winter.

[@maddhatter3564]

Right, wind is a good supplement. In very few areas would it be good for primary power

[@maddhatter3564]

I think you are over-rating offgrid power. If you expect to cook or run A/C on solar or wind you will need a massive system. I have 1200 watts on my main system and cant run A/C or cook on it. But it does an evap, 1 refrigerator and a freezer along with TV ,small computer and lights just fine

[@baldeagleApiaries]

Hey, thought you might wanna know what that little black rubbery thing was. That’s the liner between your mount and your pole to provide some cushioning and a seal.😊

[@stofffpv3128]

looks great, fab price too

[@michaelhowell2541]

That black thing is a silencer shim for the mounting pole/pipe.👍

[@MarkMattox-dh6dq]

Great video!! Thanks!!

[@dominicmogridge3920]

vevor is the battery bank seller.sorry for the typo.onwards and upward

[@AlbertFilice]

Piece of rubber could be for insulating the charge controller when you mount it to something

[@GingerNingerGames]

that's not bad, and he it's really capable of reliable 30A it'd make a very good addition to an off grid solar setup. I build lots of large vehicle based power system, and 40A is about the most we typically use for charging input from the vehicle.

[@dannym2595]

Excellent video! You should show how to do the electrical part. I know a bit of electricity and physics but only theory hahah thank you

[@SquaresToOvals]

That flat rubber may be for cushioning where the device clamps onto a pipe?

[@loyuq]

Hopefully see you in early fall!

[@McRocket]

Question? How do you 'short' a wire? Thanks for this video. ☮

[@DonaldWells-wk8dc]

If it's 6 in long kut 2 two🤔to 3.

[@rickainsley6895]

I think the rubber rectangle is for where you clamp the pole to the generator head.

[@Teknopottu]

How much power did it produce in a storm? If not yet measured, all you need is a clamp multimeter to measure the amperes.

[@olgavetushkina2446]

no time to measure)

[@mbspillane9684]

I saw an article that explain 100’ is best for overall generation

[@boringsoftware2093]

GREAT! :) (does it have a break? or does it explode in a storm?)

[@taylor-youngbauer]

I have a Vevor rotor with a 5.5cm ID for which I need a hollow support post. Can you please suggest the simplest reliable option?

[@yutubl]

My advices: 1.) use the highest possible mast to put the wind rotor on top. Why? Because wind speed are faster at higher heights and additionally the physical law of wind rotor blade energy is proportional to cubic of wind speed (v³), meaning: doubled wind speed 2v results in eight times wind rotor energy E_wind ~ (2v)³ = 8v³. 2.) Select a good windy location for your wind power rotor/generator like the old wind mill places with following criteria: top of hill/mountain free wind streaming areas with lower environment without (high) obstacles around (no buildings/towers, trees or mountains to thedirection where wind comes from. I assisted running long term wind speed and direction measurements, the sensor called anemometer was put on top of a 10 m high aluminum measuring mast which always have been set up on wind interesting location mostly hill top and free environment at least from the main wind direction, so never trees were around.

[@cultofcedar]

Pretty cool stuff! I run solar panels but wind is a great option for off grid! I’m in NYC and I believe they’re building one of the countries largest off shore wind farms so cool to see renewable energy in any capacity!

[@RyanGribble]

Wind power is not as effected as its believed to be. I love in an area of many wind farms. It really does cost more to produce than they'll ever vegetated in revenue, if they weren't subsidized they'd never be built.

[@cultofcedar]

@@RyanGribble It’s true there’s many pros and cons to every renewable energy source. It all comes down to location though. Off shore wind could be a great choice for dense cities. If my apt had panels it’d mean sausage because there’s ~500 apts in the building. Bright side I’m a block from the ocean. Unlimited wind farm real estate. On my house I can run completely off of a 12kw system plus charge my car (~40kw usage daily). If it were a multi family house then it just wouldn’t cut it. Also have to factor in local power cost. Iirc it’s something like 27¢ per kw here in NYC (going up almost 10% next month) so solar was cheaper than grid electricity. Have another house in ABQ, NM and electricity is so cheap (>10¢ iirc) it’s just be a waste to get solar even with incentives.

[@K1ZEK]

nice video .good for field day. thanks 73 Leo

[@saveitforparts]

I'm thinking it might be nice for some future radio plans we have out there!

[@jamesparker2337]

Great info video, and I think the playground area could use a good Weed Wacker review! Or 55-gal drum of Round Up, but on the plus side maybe a great planting area for pot plants not showend?

[@saveitforparts]

I don't think we have any wacky plants, unless you count trying to grow pears in Wisconsin 😂 Yeah it could use a visit by the lawnmower if we can get the darn thing running reliably.

[@arnoldreiter435]

would like to have seen some actual numbers from this. What voltage did it get to? what amps did it generate ? will the controller charge up a lithium battery ? about two years ago i put up a 300w generator but never got more than 12.4v and .6 amps which works out to less than 10 watts....found out that it needed at least a 20mph wind to actually produce....took it down and it sits with the rest of my junk in the back yard.

[@earthenergyhex]

Cool video

[@fmphotooffice5513]

Remarkable what you can get for

[@saveitforparts]

The connections are supposed to have a heat-shrink sleeve, I just didn't get around to that! It's still a bit in-progress since I'm still evaluating how it works, I might try to do a follow-up video along with some footage of what happened to the prior DIY wind generator.

[@rowanjones3476]

Its a 3 phase alternator - the absolute phase rotation doesn’t matter if all you’re doing is rectifying it to DC. If you’re hooking up a mains voltage AC 3 phase motor, phase rotation relative to the supply *does* matter as it will determine the direction the motor spins, but for a 3 phase resistive load such as a water heater, it again doesn’t matter.

[@studioopinions5870]

I have a question, Can you hook up a single solar panel and separate regulator on the same battery as the wind generator? Thanks for your time to answer. ( I hope ) Terry

[@saveitforparts]

I think you can have both solar and wind on the same battery system, but I haven't tried that yet. The diagrams in the Vevor manual show that as an option.

[@studioopinions5870]

Oh wow, Thanks so much for that. Sorry I'm late, Duties to tend to, Lol.

[@erhardbaehni1832]

nice addition for solar panel electricity generation when no sun . my problem is no additional power input on my smart converter,, but how about charging 12 volt batteries and run an 220 v inverter (euro) and feed this into the ac input (yes it needs a selector switch for the grid power input or this input . ) May some voltage relays to select when the battery powers are low .

[@kittl29fujam1]

For $129, this thing actually seems pretty decent

[@saveitforparts]

Yeah I was actually surprised how cheap it is!

[@briansouth9325]

Dude I've been debating this for months! Thanks!

[@MrSummitville]

You need a lot more research. There are no facts here.

[@meezee894]

Hi what gauge wire did you connect to the three wires stubbed out of the wind turbine. thanks

[@saveitforparts]

Not sure, I think I just used whatever household AC wire I had in the scrap bin. The kind you install in a wall.

[@johnbutler5208]

Could you tell me how long your blades are. Mine are 22 in to the bolt hole.

[@NeonThoughtBox]

You certainly did earn that sponsored review. XD

[@kenputer56]

The rubber is to go around the pipe at the mount to cut down on vibration noise.

[@GavinFreedomLover]

I must have missed the power output figures, do you have a meter connected to it, cheers.

[@saveitforparts]

I didn't have the meter going on the 2nd day due to the rainstorm, then I forgot to follow up with measurements once it dried out!

[@robertmorris9998]

Pretty good review but it would be really nice to have some teal world numbers about the actual output and total wattage over a prolonged period. Thanks

[@timmeier8863]

Prolonged period is difficult to answer without being a mathematician I’m 69 but I’ve seen mine hit 6amps /100 watts easy in 10-15 mph winds, I put a camera on my equipment to watch amps/watts (cheep $35 cameras are awesome) also I used to fear the wind every storm because of greenhouse but now when I here those wind chimes it’s not so bad , also only 16 feet off ground, I was concerned about neighbors and I do stuff on my own so 16 feet was all for now , it must be constant wind for any real numbers tho but for $ and a hobby not shabby

[@jontallman3878]

Not bad! If it had slip ring you would not have any twisted wires or did you have any problems with that?

[@saveitforparts]

It seems to have a slip ring inside the head unit, so no issues with twisting.

[@marksommers6764]

Slip rings ? How the picture from the security cam with the generator bobbing around above it ?

[@saveitforparts]

It seems to have built-in slip rings. The camera view isnt too noticably wobbly!

[@walkercustoms]

I live on an old farm in NE WI I'd like to have a few of these.

[@maddhatter3564]

most wind turbines are 3 phase , braking is usually done by shorting 2 of the phases out.

[@johnharris6589]

I think the black rubber could be for the pipe clamp

[@DetroitMicroSound]

Cool! ...A few more, and you've got a lot of power available.

[@jalexand007]

I like the vertical design. More durable

[@dworkx1]

Did you wires spin with the wheel and yank on the connection eventually?

[@saveitforparts]

There's a commutator or slip ring in there so the thing can freely rotate.

[@DevinRostron]

Would love voltage and amperage readings out of that rectifier in various wind speeds😊

[@saveitforparts]

I'll have to go back and mess with it some time, it was too wet to get the multimeter out!

[@AORD72]

You can calculate it. Watts=1/2*sweep area*air density*wind speed cubed. The problem is the wind speed is usually very low. Residential areas average something like 3 m/s. At 3m/s, with 0.75 meter blades, efficiency of 20%,, you get Watts = 1/2 * (PI*.75^2) * 1 * 4^3 *0.2= 4.8 Watts. Over a year with average wind speed you get 42 kW. If your power normally cost $0.2, then you save yourself $8..40 a year! That is why you don't see lots of homes with turbines, they are useless in residential areas. Industrial turbines work because they are built in high wind areas, and are tall to access stronger winds.

[@MrSummitville]

​@@AORD72 You calculated the power in the wind. That is *NOT* the power that is generated by this wind turbine. This wind turbine will never generate 500 watts, even in hurricane speed winds.

[@AORD72]

@@MrSummitville If you read properly, I said "efficiency of 20%" then multiplied "Watts=1/2*sweep area*air density*wind speed cubed" by 0.2 (efficiency of 20%, as a realistic guess at a small turbine efficiency). Of course this is all a rough approximation, but from reading small wind turbine tests is is about right. AS I SAID over a year at 3m/s wind you get 42kW, That is only 115 Watts a day. *WHERE DID YOU GET "This wind turbine will never generate 500 watts" from?*

[@monthuff972]

Would you again please tell how you wired yours up. I just acquired a brand new in the box Garosa which is identical to your wind generator but there is zero wiring directions. I also have the black control/voltage box that has zero directions on it. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[@saveitforparts]

Apparently any one wire from the turbine goes to any one wire from the magic black box. I think the turbine is a three-phase AC output so it doesn't matter which wire goes where.

[@monthuff972]

Thank you sir. I thought that's what I had witnessed but need more info. Further investigation in a different way had given me the same information. Now the build continues.

[@NINEPOINTFIVEPROJECTS]

what keeps the wires for twisting up as the generator changes directions in the wind?

[@saveitforparts]

It has a slip ring or commutator thing inside the top.

[@davewatson309]

DO NOT GO ANYWHERE NEAR IT WHEN THE STORMS COME! And remember they love copper, the thicker the better, old armoured cable, peeled back is perfect

[@andyrme2]

i d be interested in vertical wind turbine.. not trying to run the city or the house .. something to run five 100w bulbs and/or a small box fan

[@simon359]

How do you hook this up to 48 V system? I imagine there’s some kind of converter that goes from 12 to 48 V.

[@saveitforparts]

Maybe so, I don't know much about 48v systems. My work tried to sell some old 48v solar panels, but no one would buy them since it's apparently rare.

[@simon359]

@@saveitforparts You don’t need 48 V solar panels. 12 or 24 V don’t make a difference. How you wire them is important though. I usually wear remind me in a series parallel and then take a reading before I connect them, as you don’t want to go over maximum voltage on your charge controllers!

[@davidconner-shover51]

my main issue is the rectifier end of this, there is no voltage adjustment. not good with many applications, especially with LiFePO batteries does the turbine or controller short out the feed lines to prevent an overspeed when no longer charging? the last one I had didn't and went out gloriously in a 70mph wind gust

[@timmeier8863]

I’ve seen mine unload at about 14.6 volts and I have a brake system if I’m worried about storm

[@dougw7648]

My neighbor bought identical one and wants me to help him install. He seems to be having trouble finding right size pipe or conduit for the pole to raise it up. Can I ask you what you use for the pole and size/diameter?

[@saveitforparts]

I just had some random pipe lying around, can't remember the diameter offhand, sorry!

[@tonygernstl3859]

Please provide performance information on the wind turbine electrical output.

[@saveitforparts]

I meant to measure wattage when the wind was high, but it was also raining like crazy and I never got the meter out.

[@madcyborg]

The black rubber I think....is a wrap for the mounting pole to act as a noise isolator....

[@rory_odonnell]

What was the little wind measurement device you had in your hand?

[@saveitforparts]

Someone else brought that out, I'm not sure of the brand, closest I could find online is called a "Headwind Weather Station"

[@rory_odonnell]

@@saveitforparts thanks for the Info. Must check it out. I had looked at a similar wind turbine and the idea would be to have it going into a DC immersion heater in a water tank. Thinking that over the winter and it going day and night I would have some warm water to hand.

[@johnwalford9347]

the piece of rubber is a spacer for the top of the pole

[@scottandcherylfreeone9539]

If you have 2 turbine can they be wired together to the same controllers?

[@billsmith5166]

I'd be a bit nervous about the romex. I'd think it would eventually twist off. Was I missing something? It's amazing to see the stuff that's available for a pretty reasonable price these days.

[@saveitforparts]

It appears to have a slip ring inside, so the wires coming out don't rotate.

[@billsmith5166]

@@saveitforparts Ahh, maybe so. I was concerned with the rotation between the upper and lower mast, and I didn't see a slip ring there.