- 1). Set up your water wheel support structure next to the current of a quickly flowing river. Check the structure for integrity and strength when you are done. Traditionally, a triangular-shaped structure has been used to support water wheels.
- 2). Deploy the water wheel and secure it in place with the main axle. Once it is securely in place, the wheel should turn smoothly as the river current passes. On the shore side, you should see the end of the main axle turn.
- 3). Attach a gear array and supports to the shore-based side of the main axle. You will create two possible outcomes from the rotation of the main axle. One will be a mechanical energy solution and the other will be an electrical energy solution. Make sure that the gears are bolted to the ends of the axles so they don't slide off.
- 4). Set your gear ratio at 3 to 1 for large rotating objects like millstones to achieve slow, yet powerful, rotation. Attach the smaller axle to this gear configuration and connect it to the object you wish to rotate. For faster rotating objects set the gear ratio at 1 to 3. The smaller axle now rotates quickly. You can use this configuration for pumping water, grinding belts, polishers, sharpeners and other mechanical processes that require speed. For electrical power, go to the next step.
- 5). Attach the main axle by way of the gears in a ratio of 1 to 15 to the smaller axle and electrical generator. Please note that when you change the gear ratio you change the number of cycles per minute to turn the generator. Turning the smaller axle now generates electrical energy. You can then attach the variable transformer and set it to 110 AC/60 cycles per minute. This is the standard North American household current. You can now power any device in your home with this water wheel (provided the current settings match the device and there are no current drops across other devices in the series).
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