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How to Make a Mini Electric Windmill Out of a Computer Fan

The essence of an electric fan, like the ones in your computer, is a windmill in reverse. The parts are all the same, but the flow of electricity is reversed between a fan and a windmill. Computer fans don't make the most efficient windmills, but their small size and inexpensive nature make them ideal for experimentation and do-it-yourself projects. Converting a computer fan into a mini windmill requires soldering skills and a basic knowledge of electrical circuits.

Things You'll Need

Flathead screwdriver
Wire cutters
Wire strippers
Soldering iron
Solder
Red and black wire
Rectifier
Capacitor
Regulator
Glue

Instructions

- 1
  Flip the fan over so that the label is facing up. If the fan does not have a label, find the side with a small rubber plug in the center. The down-side will spin freely while the up-side will have the stationary support. Remove the sticker.
- 2
  Pry up the rubber cover with a screwdriver and set it aside. Pry up and remove the circle-clip under the rubber cover. Set it aside.
- 3
  Lift the outer casing of the fan off of the blades. Set the blades aside and set the casing so that the stationary supports are facing down.
- 4
  Cut the wires off of the fan as close as you can to the center of the fan.
- 5
  Strip a 1/2 inch of insulation off of a red, then do the same for a black wire. Twist the conductor together so there are no stray strands.
- 6
  Touch the bottom of the conductor of the red wire with the soldering iron. Touch the top of the conductor with the solder until the solder melts. When a drop or two have melted off, remove the solder and the iron. Repeat for the black wire. Examine the three legs that hold the copper coils from the fan to the base. Note that two of the legs have two copper wires connected to them. The other leg has only one wire.
- 7
  Touch the soldering iron to one of the legs with two wires connected. Touch the red wire to the leg until the solder melts. Remove the iron. Repeat for the black wire on the other leg with two wires.
- 8
  Cut any components off of the base under the copper coils. There may be rectifiers or capacitors that were used when the fan cooled a computer. Cut as closely as you can to the base and remove them.
- 9
  Set the fan blades back over the copper coils. Flip the fan over and replace the circle-clip and rubber plug.
- 10
  Attach the free ends of the red and black wires to your circuit. The fan will produce an alternating current as the blades turn. You need a rectifier to transfer the AC output from the fan into direct current voltage. Add a capacitor to smooth out the voltage to provide a consistent level of electricity. Add a regulator to further smooth the voltage so that your output is at a constant, fixed level.
- 11
  Glue the fan in a location where it will receive airflow.

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