Introduction
Aims
In this part of the activity we will:
- Add a new custom plate to the wind turbine
- Add an electrical circuit to the wind turbine
- Add a voltage divider and understand how it works
Learning outcomes
| Learning outcome | |
|---|---|
| Mechatronics | How to use a screwdriver, screws and nuts |
| Hacking | How to change an original design |
| Electronics | Understand, create and use a voltage divder |
Preperation
Equipment required
| Equipment item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Mind wind turbine kit | 1 |
| Custom plate | 1 |
| Custom wago holders | 2 |
| Wago 221 connectors | 4 |
| Mini breadboard | 1 |
| M4 x 55 screws | 5 |
| M4 square nuts | 5 |
Tools required
| Tool | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Screwdriver (Philips and flat) | 1 |
What we’re going to make
The first wind turbine we built was great, but it was also a bit limited.
We want to add a microcontroller to it. Our aim is to automatically measure it’s speed with the computer.
To do that we’re going to have to make some more space to attach and electronic circuit and a microcontroller.
We’re going to do this by hacking the original kit.
The custom wind turbine we’re giong to make is shown below (click the play button to show the model)
Hardware changes
Dissasembly of the mind wind turbine
Remove the blades and rotor from the wind turbine
Remove the M4 screws and nuts
The M4 screws (4mm in diameter) are the largest screws. Remove all 5 of these, and the corresponding nuts from the assembly.
Place them carefully back into the bag they came in
Assembly of the custom wind turbine
Make sure you’ve got all of the correct parts
Assembly
Assemble the parts together with a screwdriver (Phillips) as shown
Almost finished assembly
You should end up with a part that looks like this!
Finished assembly
Add the microbit holder to complete it (if not already attached)
Be careful with it (it clips into the assembly)
It should end up looking like this
