Posted: 3/29/2026 9:14:40 AM EDT
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So a while I go I saw a vid on making a wind generator from a drill and I happened to have a drill or two with no batteries so I kept in a parts bin. I started watching those videos again yesterday and was watching washer motors and other motors being built into wind generators. I have a small lake behind the house so I get a pretty steady wind. So what is the easiest set-up to feed feed it into your house so you take some pressure off your meter and maybe even feed back into the grid? |
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Conceptually easy, because the solar industry has perfected this and made it pretty simple, but probably not as easy as you want to hear. You'll need hire an electrician, and buy and install a UL 1741-certified grid-tied inverter per the building and electrical codes. This will likely require building permits and the permission of your electrical utility as well. |
"Cogito, ergo armatum sum."
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Originally Posted By urbanredneck: So a while I go I saw a vid on making a wind generator from a drill and I happened to have a drill or two with no batteries so I kept in a parts bin. I started watching those videos again yesterday and was watching washer motors and other motors being built into wind generators. I have a small lake behind the house so I get a pretty steady wind. So what is the easiest set-up to feed feed it into your house so you take some pressure off your meter and maybe even feed back into the grid? It’s theoretically possible. Practically speaking, forget it. Most people underestimate how much power is available (and used) from the grid in their homes. Even if you managed to make a working, power producing windmill from a motor, the amount of power produced wouldn’t even be noticed. Off grid people who run solar with batteries, sometimes add a wind generator or two to help supplement their solar panels….particularly at night. But, the amount of supplemental power is low and off grid solar system work not because of the power they produce but by conserving use compared to on grid homes. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By ColtRifle: It’s theoretically possible. Practically speaking, forget it. Most people underestimate how much power is available (and used) from the grid in their homes. Even if you managed to make a working, power producing windmill from a motor, the amount of power produced wouldn’t even be noticed. Off grid people who run solar with batteries, sometimes add a wind generator or two to help supplement their solar panels….particularly at night. But, the amount of supplemental power is low and off grid solar system work not because of the power they produce but by conserving use compared to on grid homes. I’m a retired electrician, never did any back feed stuff, but I have torn out a bit of it. Mostly 15-20 yo systems with PV And wind generator. Homeowner always said the wind generator never worked lol. I did install a commercial made small version on a well pad to backup our solar for short winter sun. I *think it was maybe 100w/12v. It worked there for sure. We had a bank of 4-12v deep cycle running everything, which was a tiny amp draw, but 24/7 amp draw. |
If life was easy nobody would quit.
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Originally Posted By urbanredneck: One video I watched used 1500w washing machine motors as the generators. There are a lot of things to consider, but the main one is that those motors are not going to give you 1500w out. Way too much loss in the design. You also have to look at winding saturation, rpm, etc. Fun experiment though. |
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"Back feeding the grid" can fry a lineman, I assume there are some precautions warranted. I know mains need to be pulled if running a whole house generator. |
All your wheel weights are belong to me.
Patriot
Q-Tard
“We’re surrounded. That simplifies the problem.” - Chesty Puller, USMC
Patriot
Q-Tard
“We’re surrounded. That simplifies the problem.” - Chesty Puller, USMC
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Originally Posted By trails-end: You could start by installing a system to run some lights in an outbuilding. You will need a battery, charger, inverter or 12v lights, and your power generating device. This. I am not a windmill expert but I would determine how much wattage could be pulled from it, then size equipment from that. For example, a router and modem might pull 10w and a DVR about the same. It would be fun to have those items "off grid". |
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