Water Pump

Once I saw a wind generator with a 60's or 70's car water pump and fan blade belted to a generator mounted on a board on the roof of a garage. It probably worked until the bearings went. I might try that, but I would put a rubber hose from inlet to outlet and fill it nearly full with gear oil - sae30 or maybe 90. Use the hub of the fan blade. Cut off the fan blades and bolt a broom stick or long 40 inch dowel rods of broomstick diameter and bolt a square piece of tin or masonite maybe 1 foot square to the outside end at a slight angle to catch the wind. Mount it on a 2x4 board or 2x6 would be better about 8 10 ft. long with a 2 ft. by 4 ft. piece of tin or masonite for a tail. Then mount it on a bearing so it can turn into the wind. You could use a car wheel axle there.

Offered by Darrell.

I like the idea of using a car water-pump-generator. I don't think it is necessary to close the water pump up with added oil being pumped all the time. The ball bearings in a water pump do not run in the water, but runs on the outside of the water seal with a drain hole to the outside air. The typical water pump ball bearings are individually packed in grease with dust seals of their own. What makes a water pump go out on a car is when the water leaks past the water seal and gets into the ball bearings washing away the grease. If one just ran this pump dry the water seal would soon wear out, but this wouldn't heat anything because water would not be put into the pump. The bearings being self lubricated and sealed should last as long as they last depending on the balance and speed of the constructed windmill. I think adding ever widening flat boards bolted to the existing metal of each fan blade might be an alternative, that would also work. The biggest concern I would have would be the pulley size ratio not being great enough in order to run the generator fast enough. This water pump driving a generator with a belt idea, is simple, light and easy to construct. I like it.

Offered by Mike.

I didn't know that about the water pump bearings. I think I looked at an older Ford water pump about 15 years ago with that in mind and it was open in the back so the impeller was exposed. I think it had a brass bushing bearing and it was shot. I was always told that if you put water pump lube in the radiator the water pump will last longer. I think we are thinking of different vintage cars. But what you said sounds fine about the ball bearings. Now I may build one.

Offered by Darrell.

Water pump lube put in the radiator helps just keeps the water pump seal from wearing out. It never makes it to any bearings whether old or new cars. If this seal wears out then the ball baring on the other side of the seal wears out. For those who plan to build this type of windmill, I recommend checking the small drain hole near the front of the pump (near the shaft but below it about 1"). If this has evidence of water deposits dried out, and if you have a choice, don't use the pump. It probably was about to go bad due to water leaking into and through the ball bearings to make it to this drain point. If it's the only one you have, then check the wobble or wear of the bearings from time to time and use it anyway.

Offered by Mike.