When we build our house (a few years off), we want a windmill hooked up to a generator so we can have power if there’s ever a big storm/anything else that’d knock out the electricity.
I’ve had two. Never attached them to generator equipment, tho.
One was an old Waupun windmill, for pumping water. My dad rebuilt it, and it recirculated water into a stock tank, which we tried to turn into a hot tub. A farmer had the windmill, and didn’t want it anymore. So we carried it home.
One was a miniature Dutch-style windmill. A little room inside, and a working windmill above. Bladespan was about 14 feet I think. During a windstorm the blades came off and augered into the ground about two feet short of our house.
Now we don’t have any working windmills.
We’ve built dikes on our property too. This Hollander blood carries a certain compulsion.
I think you’ll find that a bonafide wind generator will work better than one that is converted from something
like a water wind mill.
Lots of info on the web.
Old Aeromotors are still around from the 30s and 40s.
Don’t choke on your gum when you price a new one.
Try this [cite](http://www.countrylife.net/servlets/sfs?t=messageOverview&i=953568555281&b=953568555281&c=
Default&l=0&customerID=guest&FormID=959192659250) for lots of useful info.
How often does the power go out? Pretty rare for me and I live on top of a mountain.
I do like the idea of self sufficiency, and had ideas of going solar on another piece of land I bought, and in fact, my house is passive solar. I heated with wood for 10 years until I got sick of it and bought a propane stove last year.
When you build, build well. Is it harder to heat (like where I live) or harder to cool (like Florida)? The house design can make all the difference.
And, a windmill is probably the worst choice for temp power. There is no guarantee that the wind will be blowing when the lights go out. Windmills are typically used as a backup to solar cells. To help charge batteries. Its a good combo, because a windmill can work at night.
If you are worried about losing power, buy a little generator. But remember, you can’t just plug this into your fuse box and power the whole house.
My advice - Candles, and wine. Lots cheaper, and much more fun.