just finished the pond dam with constant flow from both the 24 inch drain pipes. looking to try and install a micro hydro-electric turbine, any of y'all know where to start with something like that? local company that deals with that?

Big money

big money meaning expensive to install or big money that I can save by making my own electricity for the shop?

Big money cost if ya gonna completely power a shop. Battery bank, inverter, charge controller...etc. I'll take time to recover investment.

I think it might be worth it, just something small...for maybe a small investment ..if nothing else it makes a cool toy, LOL

I know nothing about this but I have always liked the idea. Maybe you could rig something up with car alternators and an inverter?

Water wheel and alternator. I saw Marty Rainey build one on Homestead Rescue.

thats an awesome website thanks. I asked for some info and a quote...now we'll see who shows up, LOL

I'm paying pioneer electric $11/month for my security lights..pretty sure I can at least run one of those..

You can build a water wheel then in stall a DC generator. Like the one below

https://www.marathon-motors.com/G062-056T17D2114-1-2-Hp-200-208-3-PH-56-FR-1800-Rpm-G062.htm

Then convert to AC. I've thought about doing it. There are also some other options.

I’d love to have a way to generate my own electricity. There’s nothing I’d like better than to be 100% off the grid. If I was single with no kids, I would be.

The cost to go off grid is going down but still has a ways to go in order to be feasible. Built a $20K system 15 yrs ago and still you would have to give up a lot in wattage used that must would not.

And you’d probably stay that way

You can make power with hydro cheap and easy. If you just want to run lights you can use a generator or alternator an old battery and 12 volt lights.

We set up our old hunt cabin with 2 12 volt batteries, water tank caught roof run off, 12v pump, 12V lights, had a fireplace but them showers were tuff..

Living in Selma, I bet you're power goes out often. It went out last weekend all night last time I was up there.

I don't know if you meant to link something different, but this is just a 1/2hp, 3ph motor.
Since water flow and velocity are inconsistent, the cheapest option is to install a 1ph inverter, using the hydro to charge a bank of deep cycle batteries.

I think charging a bank of batteries is the way to go. from what I am reading its a lot like having solar do the same type of thing?