Wind farm from a car generator: assembly and installation instructions. How to make a wind generator with your own hands: useful tips Video: Windmill from a car generator

Making a windmill yourself seems like an overwhelming task that takes a lot of time and effort. But following the step-by-step instructions, you can easily and quickly achieve the desired result for little money.

Having set out to acquire a wind generator, many want to make it on their own. As research on the Internet has shown, most people do this, but such a decision took them a lot of time and effort (at least the very first assembly). The most commonly used assembly scheme on DC magnets. This path is much easier than creating the generator itself. For this reason, it is recommended to be patient and start looking for an engine that would be perfect in terms of parameters to make a wind generator with your own hands.

Generator selection

As it turned out, most use an old motor from computers as a generator. Such a motor is a rarity and has been used since the days when computers used large tape reel drives. Among all the possible options, the best can be considered a DC motor from the manufacturer Ametek for 30 volts. This is the most suitable option to make a wind generator, since even a slight rotation of its shaft can freely generate 12 V. This motor is quite hard to find, but there are plenty of similar ones on ebay and Amazon marketplaces. Additionally, in the description, knowledgeable people indicate the possibility of their use as a generator for a windmill.

Engine selection must be done taking into account the following parameters:

• D.C;
• low revs;
• high voltage;
• high current.

The thing is that an engine designed for 7200 revolutions and a voltage of 24 V is unlikely to be able to give the required values ​​​​at low revolutions. But if you take a 30-volt motor with a nominal value of 325 rpm, then it is quite realistic to expect a voltage of 12 volts from it even at low speeds characteristic of a windmill.

The approximate cost of the same Ametek is about $26. You can find a slightly cheaper engine, but this is not so important. With the usual light push, it lights up a 12 volt lamp without any problems, which is what we needed. So, we found the engine-generator. We proceed to the next step - the calculation of the blades.

blades

As a quality, you can easily use an ordinary PVC plumbing pipe 60 cm long and 15 cm in diameter. Cut it into 4 parts. These will be blanks for the blades. Then cut out a 5x5 square at the base to create the fastener later. To keep the exact shape and not cut off the excess, it is recommended to initially drill a small hole in the right place. Next, simply cut off the excess plastic along the workpiece diagonally. Everything, the first blade is ready.

Use the cutout as a template to create the other three blades. It will also play the role of a spare part if something goes wrong. We chose the engine for our wind generator and made the blades. Now we need to make them one single.

Assembling a generator with blades

To combine the blades with the generator, you can use an ordinary pulley as a base and an aluminum disk with a diameter of 13 cm. By fastening them together using a bolted connection, you will get an excellent light and practical base, which will be an intermediate link that transmits wind power from the blades, rotating the wind generator. The blades themselves are also fastened with bolts. You can buy a hood at the plumbing store to hide all the metal parts and give the windmill more streamlined. Practice has shown that all these parameters allow even a light breeze to create rotations and at the same time the wind generator produces the 12 V required for it.

Turbine installation

To install the turbine with your own hands, you can use an ordinary wooden stand made of a bar 84 cm long. It is also advisable to use a piece of plastic pipe with a diameter of 10 cm to protect the engine from all kinds of precipitation. As a tail for a 12 volt windmill, it is recommended to use an aluminum plate 21x35 cm in size and 20-30 mm thick. It is ideal as a counterweight and as an element for turning the installation into the wind. All dimensions are not critical and can be slightly modified to fit the design features.

It is also recommended to polish all the elements and round off the corners for a more attractive look and better aerodynamic performance. Then cover all wooden parts with several coats of paint. You can choose any color, because nothing depends on it.

For greater convenience, on the edge where the generator itself will be located, you can screw a few planks so that it sits tightly in its place. Fasten the motor with clamps. The wind generator is ready. Now you need to install it on the mast.

Mast elements

The end result when creating a windmill with your own hands depends entirely on the ability to turn depending on the direction of the wind and the main height.

An ordinary iron pipe with a diameter of 2.5 centimeters easily slides inside an electrical pipeline with a cross section of 3 centimeters. On the bar, install an iron flange with a seat for a 2.5 cm pipe. Its center should be about 19 cm from the edge. Next, simply screw a piece of pipe into the flange. You also need to drill a hole in the bar for the wires that will pass through it.

The base can be done in the following sequence:

1. A circle with a diameter of 60 cm is cut out of plywood;
2. Two metal plumbing elbows with a diameter of 2.5 cm are attached to it using flanges;
3. A tee with a diameter of 3.5 cm is installed in the middle, onto which the main pipe is wound;
4. A few holes must be drilled in a wooden disk to secure it to the ground.

The pipe, which will serve as a mast, can be used both collapsible and solid. Its length must be at least 3 meters, and a diameter of 3.5 cm. To fix the pipe, you can use ordinary ropes with clamps.

We have created a mast and now we can safely install our 12-volt wind generator in working position. In this case, do not forget about connecting wires to it and pulling them through the pipe. A hole needs to be made at the base in order to bring them out and connect them to the controller, which we will now consider.

Controller Diagram

The controller allows you to regulate the charge in the batteries and at the same time does not give them excess energy. If the batteries are full, then this device redirects the current directly to the consumer. A 12 volt controller can be easily found at any electronics store. But it can be done with your own hands, which will positively affect the price.

The figure shows the assembly diagram of the controller. It has been slightly modified due to the fact that a large number of standard parts are very hard to find. Any radio amateur can put it together.

Having installed the windmill and connected the controller, we see that our design works and even the multimeter shows an almost exact value of 12 volts in light wind. The assembly of the wind generator is done by hand.

Expenses

Probably the most important part is the costs. After conducting a little market research, we can conclude that the purchase of all elements, including the inverter and batteries, our hand-assembled windmill will cost no more than $ 250. Factory wind turbines have almost the same characteristics as the one that you assemble with your own hands. That's just you have to pay more than $ 1000 for them.

Finally, there is an opportunity to show you a video on a topic that interests so many Internet users. In this video tutorial, we will show how to make a fairly powerful electric generator from a bicycle that will generate a current of 12 and 220 volts. Thanks to this device, it is possible to charge the battery in 1-1.5 hours and power a TV or other electrical appliances from it for several hours through an inverter. As a bonus, such a generator becomes a good exercise bike, on which it is pleasant to “ride”, realizing the benefits that it brings. You can use a bicycle generator in the country, at home with frequent blackouts, and on a hike it will be a great help to create almost urban comfort, if you make all the details of the structure foldable and mobile enough.

Technical characteristics of the bicycle generator. With a leisurely “ride” by pedaling, an electric current of 5 amperes is generated, with a voltage of 220 volts. The acceleration of rotation produces more than 10 Amps; in this mode, the author of this device blew a fuse.

For work you will need:
- 12 volt collector motor;
- nozzle on the motor axis - a chuck from a drill;
- uninterruptible power supply or inverter from 12 to 220;
- diode for 10 amperes: D214, D242, D215, D232, KD203, etc.;
- wires;
- a bike;
- 12 volt battery (the higher the power, the longer its charge will last).

Assembly.
First, set up the bike so that the rear wheel is suspended above the ground and rotates freely. To fix the bike in the right position, the author of the video tutorial used improvised materials and made a stand from the boards. He fixed a drill cartridge on the motor axle and installed the motor so that it was securely pressed against the rear wheel with the help of a spring. The connection turned out to be reliable, without slippage.

In this design, the motor acts as a generator, so any 12 volt collector motor can be used. The greater the power of the motor, the more energy it will generate. The device that the author made uses a fan from a VAZ car. Its rated power is 120 watts.

In order to find out how much power this motor is capable of generating electricity in generator mode, we connect a 90-watt light bulb to it and see that the generator performance is so high that the light bulb may burn out when the engine speed increases.

To store electricity, it is advisable to use a battery. A car battery is well suited for this purpose. To prevent the motor from spinning from the battery, you need to assemble a circuit with a diode that will block the current in the right direction and prevent unnecessary discharge. Diode anode to motor positive, cathode to battery positive.

The 12-volt battery can now be charged, which can be de-energized for equipment with the appropriate voltage. But in order for the voltage to be 220 volts at the output of the generator, an uninterruptible power supply from the computer will help.

The design of the uninterruptible power supply has a small 12-volt low-power battery. When the current is turned off in the network, the converter that is included in the UPS circuit increases 12 volts to 220, allowing the computer to work from it for some time. In order to ensure work for a long time, you can remove a low-power battery from the circuit and connect instead, as described above, a powerful car battery.

Now, by simply pedaling, you can get 220 volts, almost the same as in a conventional network. Such a generator is able to power many electrical appliances in the house. There is one but. If you connect a load of more than 500 watts to an uninterruptible power supply, then it starts to warm up and the battery is quickly discharged. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the power of the bicycle generator and the battery built into it and the expected load. Instead of an uninterruptible power supply, you can use a car inverter from 12 volts to 220 volts.

When the battery is charged by pedaling, the battery voltage will increase. When it reaches 14.4 volts, the battery will be charged. It is impossible to continue charging further, since when recharging it, the electrolyte will begin to boil away.

Unlike a gasoline generator, a bicycle-based power generator does not require resources that may be in short supply.

Mankind has always sought to create alternative ways to produce electricity. The result of these aspirations were solar and smoke generators, as well as other devices that allow you to get electricity in a non-standard way. This material will provide an overview of the video on the manufacture of such a generator, which will allow you to get electricity.

We will need:
- several molds for ice;
- Apple vinegar;
- copper wires;
- nails;
- cutters.

First you need to cut the copper wires into 5 cm pieces. This can be done with bare hands, but we recommend using wire cutters to make the job easier.

Next, the resulting pieces must be carefully twisted and screwed onto the top of the nail. Such nails with wire need to be made according to the number of mold cells, so we advise you to be patient. The author, for example, has 32 cells and uses 16 nails.

Next, pour apple cider vinegar into ice cube trays. You need to fill in about half, but it’s not scary if you pour a little more, because you can drain the excess vinegar with a tube.

Next, we take nails with copper wire and place them in molds so that in one mold there is one nail and wire each, with the exception of the two extreme cells. For greater clarity, we present the final result in the figure below.

The author's test using a multimeter showed that such a generator produces 2.5 volts. You can increase the voltage of a homemade generator by adding vinegar to free cells and adding nails. Adding vinegar to 4 cells increased the power by 1 volt. To connect the LED, you need 4.5 - 5 volts, so you have to pour vinegar into 16 cells.

Let's move on to connecting the LED. It is enough to dip the contacts of the LED light bulb into the extreme cells with vinegar to make it light up.

The author's test using all 32 cells showed that such a generator can produce 12 volts. By increasing the concentration of vinegar, you can increase the voltage.

Constant and uninterrupted supply of electricity in the house is the key to a pleasant and comfortable pastime at any time of the year. In order to organize an autonomous power supply for a suburban area, we will have to resort to mobile installations - electric generators, which have been especially popular in recent years due to the large assortment of various capacities.

Scope of application

Many are interested in how to make an electric generator for a summer cottage? We will talk about this below. In most cases, an asynchronous alternator is applicable, which will produce energy for the operation of electrical appliances. In an asynchronous generator, the speed of rotation of the rotors than in a synchronous one and the efficiency will be higher.

However, power plants have found their application in a wider range, as an excellent means for extracting energy, namely:

• They are used in wind farms.
• Used as welding machines.
• They provide autonomous support for electricity in the house on a par with a miniature hydroelectric power station.

The unit is switched on using the input voltage. Often, the device is connected to power to start, but this is not a very logical and rational solution for a mini-station, which itself must generate electricity, and not consume it to start. Therefore, in recent years, generators with self-excitation or series switching of capacitors have been actively produced.

How an electric generator works

An asynchronous power generator produces a resource if the speed of rotation of the motor is faster than synchronous. The most common generator operates on parameters from 1500 rpm.

It produces power if the rotor at start is running faster than the synchronous speed. The difference between these figures is called slip and is calculated as a percentage of the synchronous speed. However, the stator speed is even higher than the rotor speed. Due to this, a stream of charged particles is formed that changes polarity.

Watch the video, how it works:

When energized, the connected power generator device takes control of the synchronous speed by independently controlling the slip. The energy leaving the stator passes through the rotor, however, the active power has already moved to the stator coils.

The basic principle of operation of an electric generator is to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. To start the rotor to generate power, a strong torque is needed. The most adequate option, according to electricians, is "perpetual idling", which maintains one speed of rotation during the operation of the generator.

Why use an asynchronous generator

Unlike a synchronous generator, an asynchronous one has a huge number of advantages and benefits. The main factor in choosing the asynchronous option was the low clear factor. A high clear factor characterizes the quantitative presence of higher harmonics in the output voltage. They cause useless heating of the motor and uneven rotation. Synchronous generators have a clear factor value of 5-15%, in asynchronous generators it does not exceed 2%. It follows from this that an asynchronous power generator produces only useful energy.

A little about the asynchronous generator and its connection:

An equally significant advantage of this type of generator is the complete absence of rotating windings and electronic parts that are sensitive to damage and external factors. Therefore, this type of apparatus is not subject to active wear and tear and will last longer.

How to make a generator with your own hands

Device asynchronous alternator

The purchase of an asynchronous electric generator is a rather expensive pleasure for the average resident of our country. Therefore, many craftsmen resort to solving the issue of self-assembly of the apparatus. The principle of operation, as well as the design, is quite simple. With all the tools, assembly will not take more than 1-2 hours.

According to the above-described principle of operation of the electric generator, all equipment should be adjusted so that the rotations are faster than the engine revolutions. To do this, you must connect the engine to the network and start it. Use a tachometer or tachogenerator to calculate RPM.

After determining the value of the engine speed, add 10% to it. If the rotation speed is 1500 rpm, then the generator should be running at 1650 rpm.

Now you need to remake the asynchronous generator "for yourself", using capacitors of the required capacities. Use the following plate to determine the type and capacity:

We hope that it is already clear how to assemble an electric generator with your own hands, but please note: the capacitance of the capacitors should not be very high, otherwise the generator running on diesel fuel will get very hot.

Install the capacitors according to the calculation. Installation requires a fair amount of attention. Ensure good insulation, if necessary, use special coatings.

Based on the engine, the generator assembly process is completed. Now it can already be used as a necessary source of energy. Remember that in the case when the device has a squirrel-cage rotor and produces a rather serious voltage that exceeds 220 volts, it is necessary to install a step-down transformer that stabilizes the voltage at the required level. Remember that in order for all appliances in the house to work, there must be strict control of a home-made 220-volt electric generator in terms of voltage.

Watch the video, the stages of work:

For a generator that will run at low power, single-phase asynchronous motors from old or unwanted household appliances, such as washing machines, drain pumps, lawn mowers, chainsaws, etc., can be used to save money. Motors from such household appliances should be connected in parallel with the winding. Alternatively, phase-shifting capacitors can be used. They rarely differ in the required power, so it will need to be increased to the required performance.

Such generators show themselves very well when it is necessary to power light bulbs, modems and other small devices with a stable active voltage. With certain knowledge, you can connect an electric generator to an electric stove or heater.

The ready-to-use generator should be installed so that it is not affected by precipitation and the environment. Take care of an additional casing that will protect the installation from adverse conditions.

Almost every asynchronous generator, whether it is a brushless, electric, gasoline or diesel generator, is considered a device with a fairly high level of danger. Handle such equipment very carefully and always keep it protected from external weather and mechanical influences or make a casing for it.

Watch the video, practical advice from a specialist:

Any autonomous unit should be equipped with special measuring instruments that will record and display performance data. To do this, you can use a tachometer, voltmeter and frequency meter.

• Equip the generator with an on/off button if possible. You can use manual start to start.
• Some power generators need to be grounded before use, carefully assess the area and select a site for installation.
• When converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, sometimes the efficiency can drop to 30%.
• If you are not confident in your abilities or are afraid to do something wrong, we advise you to purchase a generator in the appropriate store. Sometimes the risks can turn out to be extremely deplorable ...
• Monitor the temperature of the asynchronous generator and its thermal regime.

Results

Despite their ease of implementation, homemade power generators are very painstaking work that requires complete focus on design and proper connection. The assembly is financially feasible only if you already have a workable and unnecessary engine. Otherwise, you will pay more than half of its cost for the main element of the installation, and the total costs may significantly exceed the market value of the generator.

Want to save on utility bills? Assemble a wind generator with your own hands from improvised means.

Principle of operation

The device consists of a rotor with blades, an electric generator, a mast for installation, inverters, a battery, a charge controller, and wires through which electricity passes. The mast can be with stretch marks and without them. Depending on the type of structure, sometimes it can be lowered to prevent or repair the device.

Wind generator - a device for converting wind energy into electrical energy

The operation of a wind generator includes 5 main stages:

1. The wind spins the rotor or blades.
2. There is a connection between the generator and the rotor.
3. The generated energy goes first to the charge controller, and then to the battery.
4. It then passes to the inverters and is converted from 12 to 220 volts (or from 24 to 380 volts).
5. Electricity is fed into the grid.

The power of the wind generator is enough for street lighting, signaling and other devices

Important information: It is advisable to install high-capacity wind farms in regions where the average wind speed for the year is not lower than 5 m/s. Otherwise, the payback period can be compared with the duration of operation.

Specifications

Before determining the need to use a wind generator, you should familiarize yourself with its technical characteristics:

• maximum power - 1500 W;
• voltage - 28 V;
• maximum current - 54 A;
• the maximum noise level in case of proper balancing is less than 57 dB;
• minimum rotation speed - 1200 rpm;
• maximum rotation speed - 4500 rpm.

The mass of the structure head should not exceed 25 kg. This value does not include the weight of the propeller and tail.

Wind farm from a car generator: advantages and disadvantages

A homemade wind generator can be constructed from:

• an electric motor dismantled from a milling machine;
• rotary part of a screwdriver or drill;
• scooter motor-wheels;
• computer cooler;
• engine from a washing machine;
• car generator.

The latter option is used most often because it has a lot of advantages, and for many it is the most affordable.

This is interesting: Wind turbines are not only economical, but also environmentally friendly designs. They do not need to use gasoline or other fuel for their operation, so they do not pollute the atmosphere with emissions of harmful substances.

Advantages of a wind farm based on a car generator:

• construction speed;
• cheapness;
• maintainability;
• quiet work;
• synchronism (stable voltage is given out);
• the ability to use standard 12 volt batteries.

As for the shortcomings, there are only three of them:

1. This type of wind generator needs a high speed of up to 2000 rpm, so it is less reliable than specialized devices.
2. Vehicle generators are warranted for approximately 4,000 hours of operation. Given this, it is easy to guess that the wind turbine will require annual repairs. However, in this case, you don’t have to spend too much, you can simply replace the device that has failed.
3. Many generators have electromagnetic excitation, which reduces efficiency (about 15% of the energy falls on the excitation coil).

Materials, devices and tools

To make a wind farm, you need:

• car generator;
• metal bucket or pipes (for the manufacture of blades);
• acid or gel battery;
• battery charging relay and charge control lamp;
• a box in which the wires will be connected;
• wire or clamps (for fixing on the generator mast);
• four bolts with nuts;
• button-switch for 12 volts;
• wires (section - 4 mm²);
• wire cutters, screwdriver, wrench, drill.

How to make a wind generator with your own hands

Creating a windmill from a car generator involves several steps:

1. The rotor is being made. For its manufacture, you can use an ordinary bucket, which is cut into 4 equal blades along, without cutting to the end. One hole is drilled on each part of the bottom. The same is done on the generator. It is important that the symmetry is exactly observed to avoid imbalance. Blades can also be cut out of PVC pipe using a pre-made template. Then they are bolted to the metal disk.
   The edges of the blades are polished, which gives the device an aesthetic appearance and reduces noise during operation.
2. The rotor is bolted to the generator.
   The bolts must be tightened strongly to ensure the reliability of the structure.
3. The wires are connected to the generator, and then the electrical circuit is assembled in the box.
   For the operation of the wind generator, wires with a cross section of 4 mm² are used.
4. The rest of the elements are attached to the mast. The rotor is attached to the mast with bolts or by welding.
5. Connected to the battery circuit.

Wires are connected to the resulting structure, which lead to devices that consume energy (alarm, street lighting, etc.). If necessary, a voltage converter can be installed as an additional element.

Video: Windmill from a car generator

Installation rules

It is recommended to install a windmill at a relatively long distance from the house and other structures (from 20 meters or more). It is advisable to choose an open space for this. In addition, consider the density of the soil: the length of the wedges intended for stretching the mast, as well as the material for their manufacture, depends on it. If the soil is soft, you need to select a more massive and longer wedge than in the case of hard soil. They must be used at least three. The ideal option, which will provide the greatest reliability, is the arrangement of four wedges.

Stretching methods are selected taking into account the length of the mast and the condition of the soil. For tall structures that are installed on soft ground, more stringent requirements are imposed on the wedges.

The lower part of the mast is bolted to a metal stand and concreted

The mast is lowered into the soil to a depth of 0.5 meters or less, the guy wires are concreted, since the soil is loose after rain. This feature can cause them to weaken and create a threat of the fall of the entire structure.

If the mast does not lower, then it is necessary to provide a device for lifting to the main elements of the wind generator, which will allow it to be serviced. The climbing device should be fixed on the mast, because it must provide reliability and convenience during repair work. It must be understood that the wind speed can be high, and therefore it is recommended to build a platform with a welded ladder.

Important information: It is forbidden to approach the blades until they come to a complete stop.

As for the height of the mast, it must be 10 meters higher than the highest obstacle, which is within a radius of 100 meters.

During the operation of the wind turbine, it is better to follow these recommendations:

• periodically inspect the bolt connections in the places where the mast is attached to the generator and the foundation;
• lubricate the bearings of the rotator and generator;
• control the wheel balance;
• check the condition of the insulation of electrical equipment once every six months or more often.

Thanks to the wind turbine, you can save on electricity bills. It is easy to use and maintain, does not make much noise, but is not protected from hurricanes.