Alternative energy is similar but different than conventional energy. Frequently the operation is very inexpensive but the initial investment cost is higher. This is true for solar panels, (PV more than thermal) wind turbines, and electric cars. It is good to calculate the expense and time required initially more carefully than you would with a conventional energy project.
An electric vehicle has a battery capacity (energy) rated in kWh or kilowatt-hours. A wind turbine will have a power rating in kW or kilowatts. This is similar to the power rating listed on the electrical plate of many devices. (only in reverse as it is a power supply not a power demand) If your vehicle battery capacity was to be 20 kWh and you had a 2 kW power sources (wind turbine) it may take about 10 hours to charge the battery. In practice you will have to add about 5% to 10% to the power requirement for charging circuits. (22 kw so 11 hours at 2 kW @) and something to the time for the tapering charge of your charging equipment as the battery reaches the top of its capacity.
Wind turbines also do not put out constant power. It will vary with the wind speed. You may have to de-rate your proposed wind turbine based upon some average wind speed. To achieve your target charge time you will need to adjust the turbine power rating. Consider your actual EV usage in a day and add some spare. (for a night without wind.)
And your last question, what can someone do at home? A sufficiently funded "homemade" project will be successful depending upon the skill and understanding of the builder. If the brilliant engineer, Tommy all thumbs tried to make his own turbine the results might not be as imagined. If academically challenged Harry handy made the attempt he might never know what could have been achieved. A complex project may require more than one mind or set of hands. Good project management requires you add those capacities you don't possess from another source.
There are several forums on Yahoo (yahoo groups: http://groups.yahoo.com/ ) where interested parties get together to share info. Some are more active than others. Another great source is Home power magazine online. http://www.homepower.com/ which requires a paid subscription.
Best of luck to you.
Obviously a large enough wind turbine would do the trick. However most home made wind turbines would use an automobile alternator which for a 1969 vehicle would likely max out at 780 watts which is a little more than 1 hp. It's conceivable that you could do your commute on a horse but you may want a larger turbine. Until you actually have power meter readings of what your commute requires, we can't be sure of how large a turbine you would need.
Nickel Iron batteries would be a better choice than lead acid or lithium ion because it can be charged and discharged without shortening the life of the battery. Save the lithium ion for the car where weight is an issue.
You should also seriously considered a grid tied inverter as selling the power to the utilities and buying it back would be far more efficient than batteries. Lead acid batteries are 92% efficient at discharging but only 50% efficient at charging.
Also study the time value of money, net present value and internal rate of return as well as risk such as Bernouli risk. The statement "aside from the initial investment, it's free power!" is incredibly naive though common with people with a poor economics education.
P.S., your 1969 VW Bug would be worth more restored. Use a kit car chassis instead.
I am really sorry but I don't know how to tell you in detail how to do it and the costs.
But building solar panel and wind turbines at home are not hard and the equiptment you need is worth say from $100 up to $300 average depending how expensive are products in your area, I pay just $65-$70 for example, but I have connection, discounts in those shops + I live in a non-expensive city.
At home now the TV, PC, all the battery charging, heating and airconditioning is powered by turbines and panels I built at home using online guides
yes you can and all you really need is a few things like for the rotors just wood or a old lawn motor blade and the motor just a fan motor and you can ether place it on top of the roof or just take a 4x16 piece of wood and hook it up in your backyard and you might get more than enough for the car and for like 200-300 dollars
If this question seems really basic and elementary I apologize in advance, I am completely new to the whole concept of alternative energy sources but and age 49 not too old to learn.
I have a 1969 VW Bug that I am converting to electric power, with the help of some more knowledgeable friends, and plan to use it to commute the 12 mile round trip to work. I also have a friend who is interested in building a wind turbine, we live in an area just off the coast to there is always a breeze. I was pondering, could you actually build a homemade turbine that would make enough power to recharge an electric vehicle overnight? I am using lead based batteries in the beginning and then will save for some lithium batteries when I can. I just thought it would be very nice to have a wind turbine that would recharge my electric vehicle. Even if it only accounts for a percentage of the recharge, aside from the initial investment, it's free power!
