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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteThe Honeywell Windgate was a real, compact wind turbine—but it is a historical product, not a current plug-and-play buying recommendation. Reported under the later model name WT6500, it used a gearless blade-tip generator and was advertised as starting in exceptionally light winds. However, a rotor beginning to turn at 0.5–2 mph does not mean it can produce substantial electricity in an ordinary, turbulent suburban breeze.
The original product report appeared on June 17, 2009. As of August 2026, anyone considering a surviving unit should verify current certification, parts, support, insurance acceptance, structural requirements, and electrical approval before purchase.
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What was the Honeywell Windgate?
The Windgate was a compact horizontal-axis wind turbine developed by EarthTronics and WindTronics and sold using the Honeywell name under license. The original report described a rotor approximately 6 feet (1.8 m) in diameter, intended for residential, agricultural, commercial, remote, and educational applications.
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Unlike a conventional large three-bladed turbine, the Windgate used an enclosed or shrouded rotor assembly. It was marketed for mounting on a roof, wall, or freestanding pole, with configurations intended for grid connection, battery charging, or off-grid use.
#1 Best Overall
- NOTE before Purchase: This wind turbine needs to be driven by a fan or blower at a right angle instead of natural wind. Natural wind needs to be relatively large to generate electricity. The greater the wind energy, the greater the power generated by the generator. If the wind is small, the leaves will rotate slowly, although it will generate electricity, but the output voltage and current will be small, and the light bulb will not turn on.(The natural wind is too small to light up the led.)
- Large Fan Blades: Nubuck Process, Fan blade diameter 17.5cm/6.88", a leaf has 11 blades, the wind is very strong, whether it is made of fan blades, the output wind, or electricity used in wind power conversion effect is very good. Note that the target audience for this product is teenagers or adults, this product is not-a-toy, please keep away from children.
- Power Generation Motor: DC 280 motor. 0~36V all can use. 3800rpm@12V, 7600rpm@24V. used with fan blades, the output current, voltage is also high. Under the fan, the maximum output of about 5.5v 80ma current. Actual measurement. If it is blowing in the hair dryer, current and voltage estimates will be higher. (The sunken circle mark on the tail is the positive pole of the motor.)
- 5V 5W LED Light: The led light has a wiring clip, the red clip is the positive pole, and the black clip is the negative pole. The operating voltage is between 2.4v and 6v. The light can be on when 2.4V. Fully brightened at 5v. The power of this led light is 5 watts. So the brightness is very good, much brighter than the average 3w. The quality is very good.
- Widely Application: Good choice for teaching physical DC wind power generation principle, It also a great teaching tool to develop youth hands-on ability and develop interests. Not only for testing and teaching purposes, but also for many practical DIY purposes. Such as bicycle wind power lighting. The delivery kit needs to assemble by yourself, just enjoy the DIY fun. In actual measurement: Wind motor generator can simultaneously power 8pcs 5V 5W LED lamps.
The Honeywell name can be misleading: later product literature states that the trademark was used under license and that Honeywell International made no representation or warranty for the product.
New Atlas reported the original Windgate announcement in 2009, while later product literature identified the machine as the Honeywell WT6500.
How the blade-tip generator worked
The central feature was WindTronics’ Blade Tip Power System (BTPS):
- Wind turns the rotor.
- The blade tips travel faster than the central hub.
- Permanent magnets mounted around the perimeter interact with the generator.
- The gearless arrangement avoids a conventional central gearbox.
- Power is routed through controls and an inverter to batteries, connected loads, or the grid.
The manufacturer promoted the gearless design as a way to reduce mechanical resistance, vibration, noise, and maintenance. Those are manufacturer claims, not independent proof that the turbine would outperform every conventional small-wind machine.
The specifications changed between the reports
Published figures do not agree. The differences may reflect changing specifications, different system configurations, or different definitions of “start-up” and “cut-in.” They should not be silently combined.
| Specification | 2009 report | Later WT6500 literature |
|---|---|---|
| Product name | Honeywell Windgate | Honeywell WT6500 |
| Size | About 6 ft / 1.8 m across | Approximately 78.7 in wide × 85 in high × 19.5 in deep |
| Weight | Less than 95 lb / 43 kg | 185 lb / 84 kg; shipping weight 400 lb |
| Lowest reported wind figure | 2 mph to begin spinning | 0.5 mph cut-in claim |
| Annual production | Up to 2,000 kWh | Up to 1,500 kWh, depending on height and location |
| Operating or shutdown range | Approximately 2–45 mph | Automatic shutdown reported at approximately 38 mph |
| Noise | Not specified in the original report | Below 35 dB at 10 ft, according to the brochure |
| Historical price | About $4,500 before installation | No current verified price |
The later brochure is dated February 2011, and the WT6500 product PDF should be treated as historical documentation rather than evidence of current availability.
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- FIFTH-GENERATION WIND TURBINE KIT: Updated version of the best-selling STEM kit about wind power and energy, kids can make their own wind turbine to explore this renewable energy source.
- OPTIMIZED FOR INDOOR & OUTDOOR USE: Design includes a new blade hub and gear ratio to enhance performance in outdoor wind and with indoor fan setups.
- WHAT YOU LEARN: Dive into the technology behind one of the most promising sources of clean energy, how it has been used it the past, and how it is used today.
- INCLUDES ELECTRIC MODEL CAR: Use your turbine to generate and store electricity to power a model car in just two minutes—no batteries required!
- GUIDED JOURNEY THROUGH WIND POWER: The 32-page, full-color manual provides illustrated step-by-step assembly instructions and easy-to-understand explanations about the scientific concepts at work.
Why the low-wind claim needs careful interpretation
Three wind-speed terms matter:
- Start-up or spin-up speed: when the rotor begins turning.
- Cut-in speed: when the generator begins delivering usable electrical output.
- Rated-output wind speed: the wind speed associated with a stated power rating.
A turbine can spin in a very light breeze while producing little useful electricity. Annual energy depends on the complete wind-speed distribution at the site, not the lowest speed at which the blades move. Available wind power also rises approximately with the cube of wind speed, so a modest increase in average wind can matter far more than an impressive low cut-in number.
For that reason, the reported 1,500–2,000 kWh per year should be read as an “up to” claim dependent on height and location—not as a household guarantee. The 2009 article’s comparison with average household energy use was also geographically and historically specific, and should not be used as a current universal estimate.
Are rooftops suitable?
The Windgate’s small size made roof and wall installation attractive, but a roof is not automatically a good wind site. Buildings, trees, parapets, and nearby structures create turbulence, rapidly changing wind direction, and gusts. These conditions can reduce energy capture, increase fatigue on the mounting structure, and transmit vibration into the building.
Before installing any turbine, a construction professional should assess:
- Roof, wall, pole, foundation, and fastener capacity.
- Dynamic and wind loads, not just the unit’s static weight.
- Vibration transmission and access for inspection or removal.
- Clearances from people, buildings, property boundaries, and overhead conductors.
- Local zoning, building permits, homeowners-association restrictions, and insurance requirements.
- Utility interconnection rules for grid-connected systems.
A professional electrician was required in the original description. That report also referred to automotive-type batteries, but this is an old description and may not apply to every WT6500 configuration. The controller, inverter, battery chemistry, wiring, disconnects, and protection equipment must be confirmed for the actual system.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsHow quiet was it?
The later brochure advertised acoustic emissions below 35 dB at 10 feet. This is a manufacturer specification at a stated distance, not an independent modern field test or a guarantee that every installation will be inaudible.
Rank #3
- 500W High-Efficiency Output: VEVOR 500W high-power wind turbine generator delivers exceptional wind energy utilization and efficiency, making it a versatile solution for powering various applications from homes to farms, RVs, boats, and more.
- Optimize Wind Energy Utilization: With 2.5m/s start-up wind speed, 12m/s rated wind speed, and 3-25 m/s operating wind speed, our wind power generator ensures optimal power generation in wind-rich areas, especially where the average wind speed exceeds 3 Beaufort scale. Its power output is further enhanced in high-wind conditions.
- Reliable and Durable Performance: Featuring a 12V three-phase AC permanent magnet synchronous generator, this wind turbine system operates quietly at just 55dB while boasting an extended lifespan. Controlled by an MPPT microprocessor, it intelligently adjusts current and voltage to match diverse electrical circuits.
- Premium 5-Blade Design: Crafted from reinforced fiberglass nylon, the waterproof and corrosion-resistant fan blades withstand extreme temperatures from -40°C to 80°C, ensuring consistent and stable performance. With a 47-inch rotor diameter, it efficiently maximizes power generation efficiency.
- Quality Construction: Built from die-cast aluminum, the turbine body is waterproof and corrosion-resistant. Its tail can be adjusted to align with the wind direction, enhancing wind resistance for more safe operation. Equipped with dual bearings, the fan operates quietly and efficiently, ensuring top-notch performance.
Actual experience can include aerodynamic noise, mechanical sounds, gust-related changes, and building-transmitted vibration. Noise at 10 feet is also different from noise at a neighboring property line.
What did it cost?
The original article reported an expected U.S. retail price of approximately $4,500 in 2009, initially through ACE Hardware, with installation extra. EarthTronics was also reported as claiming an installed cost roughly one-third that of conventional turbines.
Neither figure is a current project budget. A real installation may require engineering, roof reinforcement or a tower, foundations, wiring, controller, inverter, batteries, permits, utility work, lifting equipment, labor, maintenance, and replacement parts. There is no verified current WT6500 retail price in the supplied documentation.
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Is the WT6500 still available?
The available brochure and purchase announcement are historical. A current PNNL small-wind certification table lists models such as the Bergey Excel 10 and Excel 15, DS3000, Kestrel e400nb, EOX S-16, SD6, SkyWind NG, and Skystream 3.7, but does not list the Honeywell WT6500 in the surfaced current data.
That does not by itself prove that no used unit exists, but it means a seller should provide current evidence of:
- Authentic model identity and complete technical documentation.
- Current certification accepted by the authority having jurisdiction and utility.
- Replacement blades, bearings, generator components, controller, inverter, and safety equipment.
- Warranty or service support.
- Insurance acceptance and a permitted installation pathway.
- A site-specific energy estimate based on a credible power curve.
Do not treat an old marketplace listing as proof that the turbine remains supported or legal to interconnect.
Rank #4
- Material: ABS engineering plastics;Net weight: approx. 147g
- A great replica of a Wind Powered Turbine, which is powered by sunlight shining on a solar panel in the base.
- It is a great desk model for an executive or an educational item to assist children understands the change between Solar Power and wind power.
- It is a great gift for your child, for your friend, for your client, and everyone who is interested in this product.Easy assemble. No glue required, No battery required.
- What's You Get: 1 x Solar Powered Rotating Base,1 x Tray,1 x windmill
How it compares with current options
For a serious current project, begin with the PNNL small-wind certification information and the U.S. Department of Energy distributed-wind resource hub. Certification does not guarantee financial success, but it is a more useful starting filter than an old product headline.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The Bergey Excel 10 is a current 10-kW-class turbine with a 7-metre (23-foot) rotor designed for homes, farms, and small businesses. It is substantially larger than the historical Honeywell concept and generally requires a suitable site, tower, permits, and professional installation.
The larger Bergey Excel 15 is aimed at farms, ranches, businesses, institutions, and off-grid projects. Its approximately 31.5-foot rotor diameter illustrates how far current serious small-wind installations can be from a compact rooftop device.
Bergey’s residential guidance gives an installed-cost indication of approximately $65,000–$95,000, showing why the 2009 $4,500 figure should not be used to estimate a modern project.
For homes with weak or turbulent wind, solar photovoltaic panels—possibly combined with battery storage—may be a better fit. A solar-wind hybrid can make sense at an off-grid site with strong seasonal or nighttime wind, but it adds design and maintenance complexity.
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Quick Recap
A practical decision checklist
- Measure the resource: use a credible assessment at or near the proposed hub height; do not rely only on a regional wind map.
- Check turbulence: open, unobstructed land is generally more favorable than a roof surrounded by buildings and trees.
- Request a power curve: obtain annual energy estimates based on the actual site’s wind distribution.
- Confirm certification: check current records and the requirements of the local authority and utility.
- Obtain structural engineering: include dynamic loads, vibration, mounting, foundations, and maintenance access.
- Define the electrical system: establish whether it is grid-tied, battery-based, or hybrid, and identify compatible controls and inverters.
- Secure approvals: confirm zoning, building, electrical, utility, insurance, and safety requirements.
- Verify serviceability: identify a supplier for critical parts and technical support.
- Calculate total cost: include equipment, installation, engineering, batteries, permits, lifting equipment, and future maintenance.
- Compare alternatives: evaluate solar, efficiency improvements, storage, and a current certified turbine on lifetime cost per kilowatt-hour.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
