Can these Windmills Generate Electricity?

The wheel on the 8 foot windmill is 22 inches in diameter.  The wheel has bearings and turns on a solid shaft.  The only thing that turns is the wheel.  There are a number of problems in attempting to generate electricity.  First of all the wheel is far too small to run anything bigger than say a bicycle generator.  Windmills that generate electricity need to be 9 feet or more in diameter. It might be possible to place a bicycle generator on the pivot, however the top assembly - wheel, tail and pivot is balanced so it will turn easily into the wind.  Adding a very small generator would have to be placed so the balance is not affected.  The next problem is only the wheel rotates.  One would have to add a pulley or gear to the wheel to rotate a generator.  This would need to be done in a way that does not effect the balance.  The final problem is the entire head rotates - one would need to put in a way to get wires to the tower.  I think that the best that could be hoped for is to run a bicycle generator and light up a few LEDs on the tail.  I also think that getting a small bicycle generator to be turned by the wheel would be very difficult to do.  The windmills are really just decorative.  Run over to my blog site, I will be posting some comments about generating your own electricity using the wind.

Check Out - Payment options - completing orders

There are two ways to check out on each item.  and  

The Add to Cart Button is used if you want to pay with a check or you do not want to use a credit card on line.

(You can phone me with your credit card number)

If you are using your credit card click on the Continue Link           If you are using Pay Pal enter your information

The Continue Link will take you to a screen where you can enter your information. Be certain to enter your billing information for your credit card - The billing information MUST match your credit card.  You will be able to enter a different Shipping address later. 

 Enter your credit and credit card billing information and click on Review Order and Continue.  I you have a Pay Pal account connected to the email address you entered you will see this screen:

If you do NOT want to use the Pay Pal account connected with your email click on the Continue without logging in button.  If you do NOT have a Pay Pal account you will NOT see the above screen, you will go to this screen:

If you have something to tell me or special instructions click on the "Add Special Instructions to merchant"

BE Sure to check the information in the Ship to area - This is where your item will be shipped!!!  If you want your item shipped to an address that is different than your credit card billing address - this is where you put where you want your item shipped - sending to someone else?  That is fine just put the name and shipping information here.  Also the shipping address MUST be a physical address - most items are sent UPS.  (if you use a PO Box as your billing address - you must put in a physical address to ship to.  UPS does NOT deliver to PO Boxes.)

Finally make certain the phone number is correct - if not change it here.  This is so UPS or I can get in contact with you in case there is a problem with the delivery address.

Click the Pay Now button and you are done - on the next screen you will get a confirmed order page. 

The Add to Cart button is to be used if you want to pay by Check or you DO NOT want to use your credit card on line.  If you are paying by check complete the order.  Print out your invoice and mail your invoice and check to the address on the Final Screen.  If you do not want to use your Credit Card on line, complete your order and phone me - I can take your credit card over the phone but I must have a completed order first.  There is not a way to use a Credit Card on line with the Add to Cart check out.  (If for some reason the Pay Pal Buy Now button does not work - you can use this Add to Cart check out and phone in your credit card number after you complete the check out) - If you are phoning in a credit card number or using the phone to attempt to contact me and I do not answer -  please leave a message with your name and what you are calling about on my answering machine.  The store hours are 8AM-8PM Mon-Sat Eastern, - 502 570 5974 - however I am not always in the store.  Other people in the store DO NOT answer my phone when I am not here.  In fact the best way to contact me is by email.  The email address - ron@yardgardenwindmill.com  at the bottom of every page is a link that will open a send email form. The phone number and mailing address is also at the bottom of every page.

NOTE: I prefer you complete either the Buy Now or the Add to Cart Check out.  I rarely take orders over the phone - reason?? - I tend to make mistakes typing in information like your name and address and items end up getting sent to the wrong address or an invalid address.

Click on  

This screen will appear:

Click on Checkout and this screen will appear:

Enter your billing information - a phone number and email are required - - If your billing and shipping address is the same click the box in Ship to "Same as Billing" and click Next.

If your billing address is different than your ship to address or if you are sending this to someone else fill out the Ship to information.  An email address and phone number are required.  Click Next

If you have any comments or questions for me enter them in the comment box.  Click Next and you go to the order confirmation screen.

 Check your order - is the item correct?  Is the billing information correct?  Is the shipping information correct??  Click Finish and you will go to the Order Complete Page - and you are done.  At this point you can telephone in a credit card number or you can mail a check to the address shown

INTERNATIONAL ORDERS - and HI, AK, FPO, APO and US Possessions

The above instructions to check out are for the lower 48 United States Only - the items are shipped UPS.  If you live in AK or HI or any of the US Possessions or have an APO or FPO address there will be an additional shipping charge.  Items will be shipped USPS Priority.  FedEx and UPS are very expensive outside the lower 48 states.  Your order total will show shipping for the lower 48 states - You will be billed for the additional shipping through Pay Pal so you must have a Pay Pal account and the email you show must be your Pay Pal email.

All international orders must be paid through Pay Pal with a Pay Pal account.  The shipping shown on your order is for the lower 48 US states only.  There will be an additional shipping charge on all international orders - you will be billed through Pay Pal for the additional shipping.  Pay Pal is the ONLY payment accepted on International Orders.  As soon as the added International shipping charge is paid then your order will be processed and shipped.

There is a chart on the Home page that has the international shipping charges. As you can see it is costly to ship these items internationally.   NOTE - the Antique Copper Weather Vanes are available only to United States buyers in the lower 48 states.  The windmills and Black weathervanes can be shipped to most international addresses.  They are shipped USPS Priority International.  International buyers are responsible for any Duty, Taxes or other fees your countries Postal service might add.   There are some countries that are high risk and or not allowed to ship with USPS.