HOW DO I MAKE A WATER OR WIND MILL PRODUCE ELECTRICITY?

If you want concise and clear directions, the best source is http://www.otherpower.com and purchase the book “Homebrew Wind Power”. It covers making the turbine and alternator. Even if you find wind power is to complex for your needs, the book is still a great practical education and covers the theory as well. Water power is more complex — it depends on your stream depth, water flow and how good you are at fabricating water turbines. There are no consumer oriented water turbines that I am aware of.

If you have ever had a generator lamp on a bicycle, you will know that it generates drag you can feel and lights a pathetic small bulb. Using a bicycle to recharge a car battery is not practical. Most science centers have a cycle hooked up to a generator to see how much you can generate — and the results aren’t promising.

The least complex solution (discounting the high tech that went into manufacturing them) is a 200W solar panel, a charge controller, an inverter and a deep cycle battery. This could be obtained for approximately $1600 (in 2009) and would allow you run small appliances. Wind and water power have moving parts and require maintenance and significant engineering skills.

There are some ready to use, low cost wind generators on the market but they have a lot of poor reviews — mostly unrealistic power outputs and pieces breaking off.

Start with the book and go from there. If you decide to go with solar, I have some good reference materials at http://www.nlcpr.com/Links1.php

Good luck.