Build a Wind-Powered Jeep (DIY STEM Project) — Step-by-Step Guide

Wind-powered vehicles are a fun way to learn how wind energy can be converted into mechanical motion. In this project, we build a simple wind-powered jeep model using a wooden kit, a motor, wheels, and a propeller. It’s a great hands-on activity for students, classrooms, science fairs, or anyone who enjoys DIY STEM builds.

Wind-Powered Jeep

Parts Included in the Kit

Before starting, lay everything out on a table and check the kit contents:

Insert Board No. 2 into Board No. 1 to form one side frame.

• Wooden boards No. 1 to No. 7 (stacked together in a sheet)

• 4 wheels

• 2 metal axles

• DC motor

• Battery box

• Propeller (fan blade)

• Screws and accessories

• Double-sided tape

✅ Tip: Carefully push out all wooden boards (1–7) from the stack first. This makes the assembly faster and prevents cracking while building.

Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions

Step 1 — Build the First & Second Side Frame

Insert Board No. 2 into Board No. 1 to form one side frame.

Connect Board 2 into Board 1.

Step 3 — Attach Side Frames to the Base

Attach the assembled Boards No. 1 and No. 2 onto Board No. 3 (the base board).

Lock the side frames onto Board 3.

Step 4 — Battery Box + Rear Supports

• Thread the battery box wires through the small holes in Board No. 3.
  
  

  

  Pass the wires through the holes neatly.

• Attach Boards No. 4 and No. 5 to the rear of Board No. 3.
  
  

  

  Build the rear support frame.

• Fix the battery box in place using double-sided tape.
  
  

  

  Tape the battery box so it won’t move.

  
  

Step 5 — Add Board 6 + Connect Wires

• Attach Board No. 6 onto Boards No. 4 and No. 5.
  
  

  

  Lock the top board into the rear frame.

• Connect the motor wires:
  

  

  Black wire goes to the right motor terminal.

• Black wire → right side of the motor.

• Red wire → left side of the motor.

Step 6 — Motor, Propeller, and Axles

• Insert the two metal axles through the holes in Board No. 1.
  

  

  Slide axles through to prepare for wheels.

• Attach the motor to the rear of Board No. 3.
  

• Insert the propeller onto the motor shaft.
  

  

  Push the propeller onto the motor shaft.

• Use double-sided tape to secure the motor firmly (so it doesn’t shift while running).
  

  

  Tape the motor to keep it stable.

  
  

Step 7 — Wheels + Final Check

• Install the four wheels onto the metal axles.
  

  

  Push wheels onto each axle end.

• Check that everything is straight and tight.
  

  

  Check all parts are tight and aligned.

✅ Assembly complete!

Power Up the Jeep

Now for the fun part:

1. Insert 2×AA batteries into the battery box.
   

   

   Slide down the knife switch to turn it ON.

2. Your jeep is now ready to run!

📦 Where to Buy

Shopee:

1. Wind Jeep

Lazada:

1. Wind Jeep

TikTok:

1. Wind Jeep

Aliexpress:

1. Wind Jeep

Final Thoughts

This wind-powered jeep is a simple but powerful way to explore STEM concepts through building. Once you finish, try testing it with different wind sources—like a fan at different speeds—and observe how the motion changes.

If you enjoyed this project, consider making more builds like rubber-band cars, solar cars, or balloon-powered racers.

Step-by-Step Guide: Test MC-38 (NC) & MC-38A (NO) Magnetic Reed Switch with Arduino

Magnetic reed switches are simple, affordable, and extremely useful sensors for door/window security systems, Arduino projects, and smart home automation.

In this guide (based on the video), we’ll test two popular models:

✅ MC-38 = Normally Closed (NC)
✅ MC-38A = Normally Open (NO)

MC-38 (NC) VS MC-38A (NO) Magnetic Reed Switch with Arduino.

By the end, you’ll understand how each one behaves, how to wire them, and how they can be used in real projects like alarms and home automation.

Step 1: What You Need (Parts List)

To build the same setup from the video, gather these items:

🔧 Components

• Arduino Uno (or any Arduino board)

• Breadboard

• Jumper wires

• 2× LED (optional but recommended)

• 2× Resistor for LED (220Ω to 330Ω)

• 1× MC-38 (NC) reed switch

• 1× MC-38A (NO) reed switch

• Matching magnet pieces

Step 2: Specifications

The MC-38 and MC-38A look similar, but they have different contact types and electrical ratings. These specifications help you understand the safe voltage/current limits and ideal mounting conditions.

✅ MC-38A → Normally Open (NO)

✅ MC-38 → Normally Closed (NC)
✅ Operating Voltage: Up to 100V DC
✅ Rated Current: 0.5A Max
✅ Contact Power: 10W Max
✅ Actuation Distance: 15–25mm typical
✅ ABS Plastic Housing
✅ Cable Length: ~30cm

MC-38 & MC-38A key specifications and correct NO/NC contact type

Step 3: Understand NC vs NO

Before wiring, know the difference:

🧩 MC-38 = Normally Closed (NC)

• Default state: Circuit CLOSED

• When magnet moves away: Circuit OPENS
  ✅ Best for security systems (wire cut = alarm trigger)

MC-38 normal state circuit closed.

🧩 MC-38A = Normally Open (NO)

• Default state: Circuit OPEN

• When magnet moves away: Circuit CLOSES
  ✅ Best for simple Arduino logic (open door = ON trigger)

MC-38A normal state circuit open.

Step 4: Simple Project Wiring Setup

Now connect the sensors to Arduino using the wiring diagram shown in the attached image. This simple circuit allows Arduino to detect the sensor state and trigger LED indicators.

Simple Arduino wiring setup for MC-38A (NO) and MC-38 (NC) sensors.

Step 5 — Upload Arduino Code & Open Serial Monitor

You can download the code HERE. The sensor status is shown using:

✅ LED indicator
✅ Arduino Serial Monitor output

Serial Monitor output shows live sensor status while testing magnet distance.

What you do:

1. Upload your sketch (code)

2. Open Serial Monitor

3. Watch the value change as you move the magnet

Step 6: Test MC-38 (Normally Closed / NC)

Now test the MC-38 sensor (NC).

✅ Test Results:

MC-38 (NC) changes from closed to open when the door/window opens.

📌 Magnet close (door closed): circuit is CLOSED → reads LOW

📌 Magnet far (door open): circuit is OPEN → reads HIGH

✅ So when you open the door, the Arduino detects it instantly.

Step 7: Test MC-38A (Normally Open / NO)

Now test the MC-38A sensor (NO).

✅ Test Results:

MC-38A (NO) changes from open to closed when the magnet moves away.

📌 Magnet close (door closed): circuit is OPEN → reads HIGH

📌 Magnet far (door open): circuit is CLOSED → reads LOW

✅ This gives the opposite behavior from the NC version.

📦 Where to Buy

Shopee:

1. MC-38/MC-38A Sensor

Lazada:

1. MC-38/MC-38A Sensor

TikTok:

1. MC-38/MC-38A Sensor

Aliexpress:

1. MC-38/MC-38A Sensor

Final Conclusion

MC-38 (NC) and MC-38A (NO) magnetic reed switch sensors are simple, reliable, and perfect for security systems, Arduino projects, and smart home automation. Once you understand the difference between Normally Closed vs Normally Open, you can easily build door/window alarms, IoT sensors, and automation triggers.

💛 If you like this post and the video, please Like 👍, Subscribe 🔔, and Share 📤 it with others who love Arduino projects!

2026: The Year of My Creative Engineering (MCE)

A new year doesn’t magically make us new people. But it does give us a clean timestamp — a moment to decide what we will do differently.

Happy New Year ✨

For me, 2026 is about one thing:

My Creative Engineering.

It’s the mindset that creativity is more than inspiration.
Creativity becomes powerful when it is:

• structured

• tested

• iterated

• and shipped into the real world

Last year, I learned that consistency isn’t a personality trait it’s a design choice.
A system beats motivation. Every time.

So this year, I’m committing to:

1. Shipping more than I talk

2. Building systems that protect my focus

3. Documenting the journey — wins and failures

4. Creating work that solves real problems

I’m not chasing perfection.
I’m chasing progress with intention.

If you’re building something too:
Let this be your reminder — your idea deserves a real form.
Not someday. Now.

Welcome to 2026.
Let’s engineer something worth remembering.