How to make a wind generator from a car generator. Homemade wind generator for home and summer cottages: principles of operation, diagrams, what and how to make a wind generator from a car generator without alteration

Alternative energy sources are the dream of any summer resident or homeowner whose site is located far from central networks. However, receiving bills for electricity consumed in a city apartment, and looking at the increased tariffs, we realize that a wind generator created for domestic needs would not hurt us.

After reading this article, perhaps you will make your dream come true.

A wind generator is an excellent solution for providing a suburban facility with electricity. Moreover, in some cases, its installation is the only possible way out.

In order not to waste money, effort and time, let's decide: are there any external circumstances that will create obstacles for us in the process of operating a wind generator?

To provide electricity to a summer cottage or a small cottage, a sufficiently small wind power plant, the capacity of which will not exceed 1 kW. Such devices in Russia are equated to household products. Their installation does not require certificates, permissions or any additional approvals.

In order to determine the feasibility of a wind generator device, it is necessary to find out the wind energy potential of a particular area (click to enlarge)

There is no taxation for the production of electricity, which is spent on providing for their own household needs. Therefore, a low-power wind turbine can be safely installed, generate free electricity with its help, without paying any taxes to the state.

However, just in case, you should inquire if there are any local regulations regarding individual power supply that could create obstacles to the installation and operation of this device.

Wind turbines that are able to meet most of the needs of a medium-sized farm cannot cause complaints even from neighbors.

Your neighbors may have complaints if they experience the inconvenience associated with the operation of the wind turbine. Remember that our rights end where other people's rights begin.

Therefore, when buying or self-manufacturing a wind generator for a home, you need to pay serious attention to the following parameters:

Mast height. When assembling a wind generator, you need to take into account the restrictions on the height of individual buildings that exist in a number of countries around the world, as well as the location of your own site. Be aware that buildings that are more than 15 meters high are prohibited in the vicinity of bridges, airports and tunnels.
Noise from gearbox and blades... The parameters of the generated noise can be set using a special device, after which the measurement results can be documented. It is important that they do not exceed the established noise standards.
Etheric interference. Ideally, when creating a wind turbine, protection against tele-interference should be provided where your device can provide such trouble.
Environmental service claims. This organization can only prevent you from operating the facility if it interferes with the migration of migratory birds. But this is unlikely.

When creating and installing the device yourself, study these points, and when buying a finished product, pay attention to the parameters that are in its passport. It is better to protect yourself in advance than to get upset later.

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The expediency of the wind turbine device is justified, first of all, by a sufficiently high and stable wind pressure in the area.

It is necessary to have a sufficiently large area, the usable area of which will not be significantly reduced due to the installation of the system

Due to the noise accompanying the operation of the wind turbine, it is desirable that there should be at least 200 m between the neighbors' housing and the installation

The steadily increasing cost of electricity convincingly argues in favor of the wind generator device

The device of a wind generator is possible only in areas, the authorities of which do not interfere, and it is even better to encourage the use of green types of energy.

If there are frequent interruptions in the region of the construction of a mini power plant that processes wind energy, the installation will minimize the inconvenience

The owner of the system must be prepared for the fact that the funds invested in the finished product will not pay off immediately. The economic effect can become tangible in 10-15 years

If the payback of the system is not the last moment, you should think about building a mini power plant with your own hands

A wind generator or wind power plant (WPP) is a device that is used to convert the kinetic energy of a wind flow into mechanical energy. The resulting mechanical energy rotates the rotor and is converted into the electrical form we need.

The principle of operation and the device of the kinetic wind turbine are described in detail in the article, which we recommend that you familiarize yourself with.

The wind turbine includes:

blades forming a propeller,
rotating turbine rotor,
the generator axis and the generator itself,
an inverter that converts alternating current to direct current used to charge batteries,
battery.

The essence of wind turbines is simple. During the rotation of the rotor, a three-phase alternating current is generated, which then passes through the controller and charges the DC battery. Next, the inverter converts the current so that it can be consumed by powering lighting, radio, TV, microwave oven, and so on.

The detailed design of a wind generator with a horizontal axis of rotation allows you to have a good idea of what elements contribute to the conversion of kinetic energy into mechanical, and then into electrical

In general, the principle of operation of a wind generator of any type and design is as follows: in the process of rotation, there are three types of force effects on the blades: braking, impulse and lifting.

This scheme of the operation of the wind turbine allows you to understand what happens to the electricity produced by the operation of the wind generator: part of it is accumulated, and the other is consumed

The last two forces overcome the braking force and set the flywheel in motion. On the stationary part of the generator, the rotor forms a magnetic field so that the electric current flows through the wires.

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For the manufacture of a wind power generator, an engine from unnecessary household appliances is suitable. The more volts per revolution, the more efficient the system will work.

A sleeve is attached to the rotor of the motor, on which the blades of the device are fixed. It is better to close the frontal node with a protective casing.

The front end with the motor and the blades must be balanced with the tail end. The shoulder of the tail from a pipe or rail should be longer, a shank of any shape is fixed on its edge

The mast holding the wind turbine must have at least three supports, the structure must be connected to the ground loop and a lightning rod must be installed

There are several criteria by which wind turbines are classified. How to choose the best device for suburban property is described in detail in one of the most popular articles on our website.

So, wind turbines differ in:

the number of blades in the propeller;
materials for the manufacture of blades;
the location of the axis of rotation relative to the earth's surface;
step sign of the screw.

There are models with one, two, three blades and multi-bladed.

Products with a large number of blades begin to rotate even with a slight wind. Usually they are used in such works when the process of rotation itself is more important than generating electricity. For example, to extract water from deep wellbores.

It turns out that the blades of a wind generator can be made not only from solid materials, but also from affordable fabric.

The blades can be sail or rigid. Sailing products are much cheaper than rigid ones, which are made of metal or fiberglass. But they have to be repaired very often: they are fragile.

With regard to the location of the axis of rotation relative to the earth's surface, a distinction is made between vertical wind turbines and horizontal models. And in this case, each variety has its own advantages: the vertical ones are more responsive to every breath of wind, but the horizontal ones are more powerful.

Wind turbines are divided according to step characteristics into models with a fixed and variable step. The variable pitch allows you to significantly increase the rotational speed, but such an installation is distinguished by a complex and massive design. Wind turbines with a fixed pitch are simpler and more reliable.

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After disassembly, only the stator remained from the fairly damaged autogenerator, for which the case was separately welded

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Windmill from a gyroscooter motor wheel, announcement.

Principle of operation

When the lifting force begins to act, the rotor of the generator begins to rotate. This force occurs when the blades begin to flow around the wind flow. Under these circumstances, the generator begins to generate alternating and unstable currents that are rectified in the controller.

This current is used to charge the batteries. At the same time, a second device is connected to the batteries - this is an inverter that converts the constant voltage of the storage equipment into an alternating single-phase or three-phase, which is used by the consumer.

A wind generator in normal cases does its work with a controller and an inverter, however, there is a possibility of other ways of using it:

Automatic battery operation.
Automatic operation with rechargeable battery and solar battery.
Automatic operation with battery and diesel back-up generator.
A wind turbine that performs its work in parallel with the network.

The benefits of wind power are certainly good. Wind energy is abundant, does not harm the environment, is completely safe and reliable as a resource for generating electricity.

Components that a wind generator cannot do without:

foundation foundation;
electrical cabinet;
towers;
stairs;
rotating mechanism;
gondolas;
an electric generator;
anemometer;
brake system;
transmissions;
blades;
systems for changing the angles of attack of the blades;

Required tools:

electric drill with drills (5.5 - 7.5 mm);
gas and adjustable wrench;
jigsaw with a file for metal;
screwdriver;
roulette;
protractor;
compass;
marker;
tap on ¼ × 20;

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

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

The operation of a wind generator includes 5 main stages:

The wind spins the rotor or blades.
There is a connection between the generator and the rotor.
The generated energy goes first to the charge controller, and then to the battery.
Then it goes to inverters and is converted from 12 to 220 volts (or from 24 to 380 volts).
Electricity is supplied to the grid.

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

Assembling a device for a 220v home

When everything you need is ready, proceed to the assembly. Each of the options may have additional details, but they are clearly stipulated directly in the manual. First of all, assemble the wind wheel - the main structural element, because it is this part that will transform the wind energy into mechanical. It is best if it has 4 blades.

Remember that the smaller the number, the more mechanical vibration and the more difficult it will be to balance it. They are made from sheet steel or an iron barrel. They should not wear the same shape as you saw in the old mills, but resemble the wing type. Their aerodynamic drag is much lower, and the efficiency is higher.

In order for it to catch wind streams from different directions in the future, assemble the liner using a pre-prepared tube. The tail section will be secured with a twist-off shampoo cap. A hole is also made in it and, after putting a plug on one end of the tube, they stretch it and fix it to the main body of the bottle.

We attach the USB output to the back panel of the stand and put all the received parts into one. It will be possible to mount the radio or recharge the phone through this built-in USB port. Of course, it does not have a strong power from a household fan, but still it can provide lighting for one light bulb.

Specifications

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

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

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

Assembling the electrical circuit

Let's figure out how to make a simple windmill with a vertical rotary axis of rotation of the rotary type with our own hands. Such a model may well meet the electricity needs of a garden house, various outbuildings, as well as illuminate the adjoining territory and garden paths at night.

The blades of this rotor-type installation with a vertical axis of rotation are clearly made from elements cut from a metal barrel.

Our goal is to manufacture a wind turbine with a maximum power of 1.5 kW.

For this we need the following elements and materials:

12 V car generator;
12 V helium or acid battery;
semi-hermetic switch of the "button" type for 12 V;
converter 700 W - 1500 W and 12V - 220V;
a bucket, large saucepan or other large container made of stainless steel or aluminum;
automotive relay of a control lamp of a charge or battery charging;
car voltmeter (any is possible);
bolts with nuts and washers;
wires with a cross section of 4 square mm and 2.5 square mm;
two clamps for securing the generator to the mast.

In the process of performing the work, we will need a grinder or scissors for metal, a construction pencil or marker, a tape measure, nippers, a drill, a drill, keys and a screwdriver.

A controller for a system that generates electricity can also be assembled by hand. The rules and diagrams for manufacturing a controller for a wind turbine will be introduced in an article, the contents of which we advise you to familiarize yourself with.

We start making a homemade wind turbine by taking a large cylindrical metal container. Usually, an old boil, a bucket or a saucepan is used for this purpose. It is she who will be the basis for our future wind turbine.

Using a tape measure and a construction pencil (marker), we will apply the markup: we will divide our container into four equal parts.

When making cuts in accordance with the instructions contained in the text, in no case do not cut through the metal to the end.

The metal will have to be cut. To do this, you can use a grinder. It is not used for cutting containers made of galvanized steel or painted sheet metal, because this type of metal will necessarily overheat. For such cases, it is better to use scissors. We cut out the blades, but do not cut them to the very end.

Simultaneously with the continuation of work on the capacity, we will redo the alternator pulley. In the bottom of the former pan and in the pulley, you need to outline and drill holes for the bolts. Work at this stage must be treated with the utmost care: all holes must be located symmetrically so that an imbalance does not arise during the rotation of the installation.

This is how the blades of another design with a vertical axis of rotation look. Each blade is manufactured separately, and then assembled into a common device

We bend the blades so that they do not stick out too much. When we do this part of the work, be sure to take into account in which direction the generator will rotate.

Attach it with a bolt and nut to the bottle. After all the wires have been soldered, another hole is made in the bottle body to output these same wires. We stretch them and fix them in a bottle on top of the generator. They must match in shape and the body of the bottle must reliably hide all of its parts.

Materials, devices and tools

To make a wind farm, you need:

car generator;
metal bucket or pipes (for making blades);
acid or helium battery;
battery charging relay and charge indicator lamp;
a box in which the wires will be connected;
wire or clamps (for fastening to the generator mast);
four bolts with nuts;
button switch for 12 volts;
wires (section - 4 mm²);
nippers, screwdriver, wrench, drill.

How to make a wind generator with your own hands

The rotor is being manufactured. For its manufacture, you can use an ordinary bucket, which is cut into 4 equal blades lengthwise, without cutting to the end. One hole is drilled on each part of the bottom. The generator does the same. It is important that symmetry is maintained precisely to avoid imbalance. The blades can also be cut from PVC pipe using a ready-made template. They are then bolted to the metal disc.

The edges of the blades are sanded, which gives the device an aesthetic appearance and reduces noise during operation
The rotor is bolted to the generator.

It is necessary to tighten the bolts strongly to ensure the reliability of the structure.
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
The rest of the elements are attached to the mast.
The rotor is bolted or welded to the mast
Connected to the battery circuit.

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

DIY wind generator from a stepper motor

The blades will be PVC pipe. The workpiece is drawn on the pipe and then cut out with a cutting disc. The span of the screw should be about 50 cm, and the width should be 10 cm. It is necessary to grind a sleeve with a flange to the size of the SM shaft. It is pushed onto the motor shaft and secured with screws; plastic “screws” will be attached directly to the flanges.

Also carry out balancing - pieces of plastic are cut from the ends of the wings, the angle of inclination is changed by heating and bending. A piece of pipe is inserted into the device itself, to which it is also bolted. As for the electrical board, it is better to place it at the bottom, and bring the power out to it.

Installation rules

It is recommended to install the wind turbine at a relatively distant distance from the house and other structures (from 20 meters or more). It is advisable to choose an open space for this. In addition, take into account the density of the soil: the length of the wedges intended for stretching the mast depends on it, as well as the material for their manufacture.

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 support and concreted

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

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 means for lifting to a height should be fixed on the mast, because it should provide reliability and convenience during repair work. It must be understood that wind speed can be high, and therefore it is recommended to build a platform with a welded ladder.

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

Wind turbine made of motor-wheel and magnets

Not everyone knows that a wind generator from a motor-wheel can be assembled with your own hands in a short time, the main thing is to stock up on the necessary materials in advance. The Savonius rotor is best suited for it, it can be purchased ready-made or independently. It consists of two semi-cylindrical blades and an overlap, from which the rotor rotation axes are obtained.

Choose the material for their product yourself: wood, fiberglass or pvc pipe, which is the simplest and best option. We make the junction of the parts, where you need to make holes for fastening in accordance with the number of blades. You will need a steel swivel mechanism to withstand any weather.

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

periodically revise the bolt connections at the points where the mast is attached to the generator and the foundation;
lubricate the bearings of the rotary device and generator;
monitor wheel balancing;
check the condition of the insulation of electrical equipment once every six months or more often.

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

From ferrite magnets

A wind generator with magnets will be difficult for inexperienced craftsmen to master, but you can still try. So, there should be four poles, each will contain two ferrite magnets. They will be covered with metal pads with a thickness of a little less than a millimeter to distribute a more even flow.

Today there are many options for how to make a device for converting wind energy, each method is effective in its own way. If you are familiar with the method of manufacturing equipment that generates energy, then it will not matter on the basis of what to make it, the main thing is that it meets the conceived scheme and gives good power at the output.

A wind generator or, among the common people, a wind turbine is a simple device that provides its owner with considerable savings due to the generation of free electricity. Such an installation is the dream of any owner of a plot cut off from centralized networks or a summer resident who is dissatisfied with a newly received receipt for electricity consumption.

Having understood the design of a wind generator, the principle of its operation, having studied the drawings, you can independently make and install a wind turbine, providing your home with unlimited alternative energy.

Is it legal to use wind?

Creating your own, albeit compact, but a power plant is a serious thing, so it is logical that the question involuntarily arises: is their use legal? Yes, if the power of the installation launched from the wind does not exceed 1 kW, which is quite enough to provide an average country house with electric current.

The fact is that it is with this power indicator that the device is considered household and does not require mandatory registration, certification, approval, registration and, moreover, is not subject to any tax.

However, before you make a wind generator for your home, it is better to protect yourself and take into account a few points:

Are there any special restrictions on the use of alternative energy sources in the region of residence?
What is the permissible mast height on the terrain?
Will the noise from the gearbox and blades exceed the established standards?
Should there be protection against airborne interference?
Will the mast interfere with bird migration or cause other environmental problems?

If you think over all the nuances in advance, then neither the tax, nor the environmental services, nor the neighbors will be able to make claims and prevent the receipt of free electricity.

How does a wind turbine work?

In the photo, ready-made homemade wind turbines are represented by elongated metal structures on three or four supports, with blades moving from the wind. As a result, the kinetic energy received by the wind flow is converted into mechanical energy, which in turn starts the rotor and becomes an electric current.

This process is the result of the well-established work of several mandatory constituent elements of a wind power plant (WPP):

Propeller with two or more blades;
Turbine rotor;
Reducer;
Controller;
Electric generator axis and generator;
Inverter;
Battery.

It is also necessary to provide a braking unit, a nacelle, a mast, a weather vane, a low and high speed shaft. The device also determines the principle of operation of the wind generator: a rotating rotor produces a three-phase alternating current that flows through the controller system and charges the DC battery.

The final amperes are converted by the inverter and routed through connected wiring to output points: outlets, lights, appliances, and electrical appliances.

How to do it yourself?

The most reliable and simpler design is considered to be a rotary wind turbine, which is an installation with a vertical axis of rotation. A ready-made home-made generator of this type is able to fully provide the energy consumption of the summer cottage, including the equipment of the living quarters, outbuildings and street lighting (though not too bright).

If you get an inverter with indicators of 100 Volts and a battery of 75 Amperes, then the wind turbine will be much more powerful and efficient: there will be enough electricity for both video surveillance and alarm systems.

To make a wind turbine, you will need structural parts, consumables and tools. The first step is to find suitable components of the windmill, many of which can be found among old stocks:

Generator from a car with a power of about 12 V;
Rechargeable battery 12 V;
Push-button semi-hermetic switch;
Inventor;
Car relay used to charge the battery.

You will also need consumables:

Fasteners (bolts, nuts, insulating tape);
Steel or aluminum container;
Wiring with a cross section of 4 sq. mm (two meters) and 2.5 sq. mm (one meter);
Mast, tripod and other elements to enhance stability;
Strong rope.

It is advisable to find, study and print drawings of wind generators with your own hands. You will also need tools, including a grinder, a meter, pliers, a drill, a sharp knife, an electric drill, screwdrivers (cross, minus, indicator) and wrenches.

Having prepared everything you need, you can start assembling, focusing on the step-by-step instructions telling how to make a wind generator with your own hands:

Cut out blades of the same size from a metal container, leaving an untouched strip of metal a few centimeters at the base.
Make holes symmetrically with a drill for the existing bolts in the bottom of the tank base and the alternator pulley.
Bend back the blades.
Fix the blades to the pulley.
Install and secure the generator to the mast with clamps or rope, stepping back from the top about ten centimeters.
Establish wiring (to connect the battery, a meter-long core with a cross section of 4 sq. Mm is enough, for a load with lighting and electrical appliances - 2.5 sq. Mm).
Mark the wiring diagram, color and letter coding for future repairs.
Install the transmitter with a quarter wire.
If necessary, decorate the structure with a weather vane and paint.
Secure the wires by wrapping the installation mast.

Do-it-yourself wind generators for 220 Volts are an opportunity to provide a summer cottage or a country house with free electricity as soon as possible. Even a beginner can set up such an installation, and most of the details for the structure have long been idle in the garage.

Photo of wind turbines with your own hands

The author has long been interested in the idea of using alternative energy. Having searched for information about various devices on this topic, the author found for himself a model of a wind turbine, which is easy to perform and not very expensive in terms of money.

Materials used by the author to create a wind turbine:
1) wires 3 \ 8-16
2) electronic charging controller
3) GM 7127 generator from AutoZone
4) stator upgrade kit - MTM cientific,
5) carbon fiber blades and hub - Picou Builders Supply, Co Inc.,
6) plumbing pipes
7) 38V DC Ametek tape motor

Consider the stages of creating a wind generator.
To begin with, the author purchased all the necessary components. Pipes and several meters of wires were bought from a hardware store. High voltage stator coils and transmission were ordered through online stores. An electronic controller was purchased to indicate battery charging.

After that, the author proceeded to assemble the main structure of the wind turbine.
The generator was mounted on a rack, and a small diode was installed on top of the turbine rack, which was wired to the generator coil. Since this is not a permanent magnet generator, the light bulb allows the coil to self-excite and will show the moment when the generator does not supply a charge, and therefore can be disconnected from the battery.

Then the blades were made from carbon fiber. Then the author started painting. The author painted the generator itself red, and the hub and blade fasteners white.

After assembly and painting, the author only had to wait for a windless day to install the structure of the wind generator.
Before starting the installation, the author decided to remove the blades to facilitate the process of installing the generator on the top of the tower.

Carrying out one more calculations of the length of the flagpole, the author discovered an error due to which it was impossible to install the mechanism perfectly. Therefore, according to new calculations, the author cut off 16 "pipes, but it turned out to be a little thicker than necessary. Therefore, armed with files, the author began to eliminate all calculation flaws manually.

For the convenience of raising the wind turbine and installing it, the author assembled a three-legged lift and, with the help of an assistant and a homemade lift, the entire structure was lifted onto the stand platform, where it was strengthened and balanced.

As you can see in the photo, three cables leave the generator, which the author will connect to the energy storage system from the wind turbine.

The first tests showed the reliability of the design. In strong winds of about 35 mph, the generator started to make noise, but the mounts held up. However, during the tests, the main drawback of this generator was revealed, which the author missed. the fact is that the car generator does not start producing current until the wind reaches 12 mph

The wind was strong enough last night, but the turbine was “at its best”. At times the gust of wind reached 35-40 mph. With such a wind, the turbine made noise, but the main thing is that it passed such a test. Due to a factory limitation, the car generator does not start producing current until the wind force reaches 12 mph, and at zero rpm it does not generate power and does not display voltage. When the wind is less than 12 mph and the generator's speed is low, it consumes the energy of the battery itself until it starts generating current, which practically spoiled it. Therefore, in order to fix the system and save the batteries, the author decided to modernize the generator in such a way as to make it an alternator with a permanent magnet.

The stator winding has been rewound. Initially, the stator had 4 turns of wire # 14, these were replaced with 10 turns of wire # 18. Laying the last 4 wires in the last layer turned out to be a difficult task, the author even tried to make indentations in the stator using a press, but this did not bring results.

As a result, the whole idea of rewinding the stator failed, since some of the winding rings were in contact with the metal core and created a short circuit. Therefore, the author discarded this venture and purchased a 38V DC Ametek tape motor. The author marked the mouthguards and spread them for greater convenience. The purchased rotor with beveled grooves gave a pretty good starting torque, when tested on manual traction, the voltmeter showed a little more than 9 V.

In order to attach the alternator to the same mount that was used for the old car alternator, the author carved a flange.

The new stator is relatively smaller than its predecessor in size, but it starts to work even in the weakest wind. In order to overcome the resistance of the battery and start charging, a wind force of 7-8 mph is enough. In this case, the installed diode does not allow the generator to switch to motor mode.

And here is a photo of the system's battery pack.

In order for the windmill to turn relative to the wind, the author made a turning mechanism. The generator is mounted on the right, and the tail is attached to the curved section of the pipe at the back.

» DIY simple home wind generator

Windmill alternative energy is a tempting idea that has embraced a huge number of potential electricity consumers. Well, electromechanics of various calibers trying to make a wind generator with their own hands can be understood. Cheap (almost free) energy has always been worth its weight in gold. Meanwhile, the installation of even the simplest home wind generator provides a real opportunity to get free electricity. But how to make a home wind generator with your own hands? How to make a wind power system work? Let's try to reveal the curtain of secrecy with the help of the experience of experienced electricians.

The topic of making and installing self-made wind generators is very widely represented on the Internet. However, most of the material is a banal description of the principles of obtaining electrical.

The theoretical technique of the device (installation) of wind generators has long been known and quite understandable. But how things are practically in the household sector is a question that is far from fully disclosed.

Most often, it is recommended to choose car generators or asynchronous AC motors supplemented with neodymium magnets as a power source for homemade home wind turbines.

The procedure for converting an asynchronous AC motor for a generator for a wind turbine. Consists in the manufacture of a "coat" of the rotor from neodymium magnets. Extremely complex and time-consuming process

However, both options require substantial revision, which is often complex, costly, and time-consuming.

It is much easier and easier in all respects to install electric motors, similar to those that were produced before and are now produced by Ametek (example) and others.

For a home wind generator set, DC motors with a voltage of 30 - 100 volts are suitable. In generator mode, you can get about 50% of the declared operating voltage from them.

It should be noted: when operating in generation mode, DC motors must be spinned up to a speed above the rated speed.

Moreover, each individual motor from a dozen identical copies can show completely different characteristics.

DC motor for home wind generator. The best option among the products manufactured by Ametek. Similar electric motors produced by other companies are also well suited.

It is not difficult to test the efficiency of any similar motor. It is enough to connect an ordinary 12-volt car incandescent lamp to the electrical terminals and turn the motor shaft by hand. With good technical indicators of the electric motor, the lamp will definitely light up.

Wind turbine in home construction kit

three-blade propeller,
weather vane system,
metal mast,
battery charge controller.

It is advisable, but not required, to follow the manufacturing sequence for all remaining parts of the wind turbine. Consistency is the order that is required in any endeavor to be effective. Obviously, ready-made sets provide significant assistance in the construction of an energy machine:

Propeller blade manufacturing

The manufacture of the rotor blades of the generator from a plastic pipe with a diameter of 150-200 mm seems to be quite easy and simple.

For the described design of a home wind generator, three blades were made (cut). Material: 152mm plumbing pipe. The length of each blade is 610 mm.

Propeller blades for home wind turbine. The propeller elements are made of a conventional plumbing pipe, which is widely used in the housing and utilities sector

The plumbing pipe is initially cut to length with a small margin for processing. Then the cut piece is cut along the centerline into four equal pieces.

Each piece is cut using a simple propeller blade pattern. All cut edges must be carefully cleaned - polished for better aerodynamics.

Wind turbine propeller elements - plastic blades, are fixed on a pulley, assembled from two separate discs. The pulley is pushed onto the motor shaft and attracted by the screw.

The part of the hub on which the blades are attached has a diameter of 127 mm. The other part is a gear, 85 mm in diameter. Both hub parts were not custom made.

Home wind turbine propeller blades fixed to the hub. Assembled from scrap parts and ready for installation on a home wind turbine, the simplest propeller

The metal disc and gear were found in old technical junk. But the disc was without a hole for the shaft, and the gear had a small diameter. By combining these parts into a single whole, it was possible to solve the problem of the ratio of mass and diameter.

After fixing the blades, it remains only to close the end of the hub with a plastic fairing (again for aerodynamics).

Wind vane base

A regular wooden block (preferably made of hard rocks) 600 mm long is suitable for a weather vane base. At one end of the bar, an electric motor is fixed with clamps, at the other, a "tail" is mounted.

The vane part of the installation, where the engine and the tail of the wind turbine are installed. The motor is additionally secured with clamps, the tail with overhead blocks

The tail section is made of sheet aluminum - it is a cut rectangular piece that is simply inserted between the bracing blocks and secured with screws.

To improve the properties of durability, it is recommended that a wooden block be additionally treated with impregnation and varnished on top.

On the lower plane of the bar, at a distance of 190 mm from the rear end of the bar, a tubular outlet is fixed through the support flange for connection to the mast.

A home wind vane system (the lower part), made from simple accessible parts. Such details can be found in every household owner.

Not far from the flange fixing point, a hole d = 10-12 mm is drilled on the pipe wall for cable outlet through the pipe from the wind generator to the energy storage.

Base and articulated mast

While the vane part of the home wind generator is already ready, it is the turn of the production of the support mast. It is quite enough to raise a home installation to a height of 5-7 meters. A metal pipe d = 50 mm (outer d = 57 mm) is just right for the mast of this wind generator project for the house.

The support plate for the lower part of the windmill mast is made of thick plywood (20 mm). Pancake diameter 650 mm. Along the edges of the plywood pancake, 4 holes d = 12 mm are drilled evenly in a circle and with an indent of 25-30 mm.

Bottom and top that will fit between the mast. On the left is a support platform with a hinge mechanism for lifting / lowering the wind generator installed on the surface

These holes are intended for temporary (or permanent) ground pin fastening. The plywood underneath can be reinforced with steel sheet for a firm installation.

On the surface of the support plate, a structure is attached, assembled from metal plumbing flanges, branch pipes, angles and tee couplings.

Between the corners and the tee coupling, the threaded joint is not completely completed. This is done on purpose to achieve a hinge effect. Thus, the lifting or lowering of the wind turbine can be carried out without difficulty at any time.

The stand for the windmill mast is equipped with four holes for additional fastening with pins to the ground. This is, approximately, the state of the support element when the mast is installed and raised.

The tee coupling is connected by a central branch to a piece of pipe, in the lower part of which there is a limiter for the mast pipe. The mast pipe is put on a tubular piece of a smaller diameter until it stops against the stop.

The upper part of the mast and the wind vane system are connected in approximately the same way. But there, as a limiter, bearings are installed inside the mast pipe.

Fastening the mast with guy wires is carried out as standard using ordinary clamps, which are easy to do with your own hands from sheet metal

So, to assemble the entire mast system, you just need to connect the lower and upper parts with the mast pipe, without any fasteners. Then, thanks to the hinge device, lift the wind turbine and fix the mast with guy wires.

The convenience of the hinge system is obvious. For example, in case of bad weather, the wind turbine can be quickly "laid" on the ground, preserving it from destruction and just as quickly set into working position.

Home wind generator and controller circuit

Monitoring the voltages and currents taken from the generator of a home wind power plant and supplied to the batteries is imperative. Otherwise, the battery will quickly fail.

The reason is obvious: instability of the charging cycle and violation of charging parameters. Or it should be applied, for example, which are not afraid of chaotic cycles, overvoltage and currents.

Control functions are achieved by assembling and incorporating a simple electronic circuit into the construction of a home wind generator. Home wind turbines are usually equipped with relatively simple circuits.

Schematic diagram of a wind turbine battery charge controller, the assembly of which is described in this publication. Minimum electronic components and high reliability

The main purpose of the circuits is to control a relay that switches the outputs of the wind generator to a storage battery or to a ballast load. Switching is performed depending on the current voltage level at the battery terminals.

The controller circuit, traditional for home wind turbines, was applied in this case as well. The electronic board contains a small number of electronic components. It is enough to simply solder the circuit with your own hands at home.

The principle of construction ensures that the batteries are charged until the voltage limit at the terminals is reached. The relay then switches the line to the installed ballast. The relay must be taken with a contact group for high currents, at least 40-60A.

Setting up the circuit involves adjusting the trimmers for setting the corresponding voltages of the control points "A" and "B". The optimum voltage values at these points are: for "A" - 7.25 volts; for "B" - 5.9 volts.

If the circuit is configured for such parameters, the battery will be disconnected when the voltage at the terminals reaches 14.5 V and reconnected to the wind generator line at a voltage at the terminals of 11.8 V.

Structural electrical diagram of a home wind turbine: A1 ... A3 - storage battery; В1 - fan; F1 - smoothing filter; L1 ... L3 - incandescent lamps (ballast); D1 ... D3 - powerful diodes

The wind generator circuit provides for the control of fan "3" (can be used for ventilation of battery gases) and an alternative load "4" through power transistors of the IRF series.

The status of the outputs is indicated by red and green LEDs. Provides for the installation of manual control of the state of the controller through the buttons "1" and "2".

System connection features

Concluding the publication, one important feature should be noted. (provided that the turbine is already running) must be carried out in the following sequence:

Connect the "battery" contacts to the battery terminals.
Connect the wind generator contacts to the relay terminals.

If this sequence is not followed, there is a high risk of damaging the controller.

Installation of a 4 kW wind generator - video guide

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In this article, we will take a closer look at how to make a wind generator with your own hands. After all, the life of a modern person without electricity is difficult to imagine. And even small interruptions in the supply of electricity sometimes become a "paralyzing moment" for a normal life in your own home. And such problems, we have to admit, for some suburban villages or settlements in rural areas - alas, are not uncommon. This means that you need to somehow protect yourself from troubles, acquire a backup energy source. And if we take into account the constantly growing tariffs, then having our own source, and even working almost “for free”, becomes the cherished dream of many home owners.

One of the directions of development of "free energy" in our time is the use of wind energy. Many have probably seen impressive pictures of huge wind turbines successfully used in some European countries - in some places the share of wind generated energy already reaches several tens of percent of the total. So the temptation arises - shouldn't I try to make a wind generator with my own hands in order to get independence from the power grids once and for all?

The question is reasonable, but the ardor of the "dreamer" should be somewhat cooled off. To create a truly high-quality, efficient power generation plant requires a lot of knowledge in mechanics and electrical engineering. You need to be a very experienced jack of all trades - there is a whole series of operations of high complexity that require precise design and a qualified approach in execution. For the totality of these reasons, as can be judged from the discussions on the forums, quite a lot of "applicants" either did not receive the expected result, or completely abandoned the conceived project.

Therefore, this article will provide an overview picture showing common problems and directions for their solution in the process of creating wind turbines. It will be possible to roughly estimate the scale of the work and soberly weigh your capabilities - is it worth it to undertake it yourself.

What is a wind turbine? General structure of the system

There are several ways to obtain electrical energy - due to exposure to a stream of photons (light, for example, solar batteries), due to certain chemical reactions (widely used in batteries), due to temperature differences. But the conversion of kinetic energy into electrical energy is currently used most widely. This transformation takes place in special devices, which are called generators.

The principle of operation of the generator of the converter of kinetic energy into electrical energy was disclosed and described back in the 19th century by Faraday.

The principle of the device of the simplest electric generator

It consists in the fact that if the conducting frame is placed in a changing magnetic field, then an electromotive force will be induced in it, which, when the circuit is closed, will lead to the appearance of an electric current. And a change in the magnetic flux can be achieved by rotating this frame in a magnetic field, either created by permanent magnets, or appearing in the excitation windings. When the position of the frame changes, the value of the magnetic flux crossing it changes. And the higher the rate of change, the greater the indicators and the induced EMF. Thus, the more revolutions are transferred to the rotor (rotating part of the generator), the more voltage can be achieved at the output.

The diagram is certainly shown with great simplifications, just to clarify the principle.

The transmission of rotation to the rotor of the generator can be carried out in different ways. And one of the ways to find a free source of energy that will set the kinematic part of the device in motion is to "catch" the force of the wind. That is, in about the same way as the creators of windmills once managed to do it.

Thus, the device of a wind generator implies the presence of a generating device and a mechanism for transmitting its rotational motion to the stator, that is, a wind turbine. In addition, a design that ensures reliable installation of the system becomes a prerequisite, since it often has to be placed at a considerable height so that natural or artificial obstacles do not interfere with full-fledged "wind catching". In some cases, a kinematic transmission is also used, designed to increase the number of rotor revolutions.

One example of an overdrive transmission from a wind turbine to a generator

But that is not all. The presence and speed of wind are often extremely variable values. And making the consumption of the generated energy dependent on the "whims of the weather" is unreasonable. Therefore, a wind turbine usually works in conjunction with an energy storage system.

The generated current is rectified, stabilized and, through a special controller device, either goes directly to further consumption, or is redirected to charging the powerful batteries included in the circuit. From the batteries through an inverter that converts direct current into alternating current of the desired voltage and frequency, power is supplied to the points of consumption. Batteries become a kind of buffer link: if the current load is less than the current (very dependent on wind strength) generator power, or if consumption devices are not connected at all for some time, then the batteries are being charged. If the load becomes higher than the generated power, the batteries are discharged.

An interesting point - it is this feature of the wind power plant that allows you to plan the power of the generator itself, not based on the peak load indicators (the inverter will be more responsible for this), but based on the predicted energy consumption over a certain period (for example, a month).

Of course, simpler schemes can be used in everyday life. For example, a wind turbine is simply serving some kind of low-voltage lighting equipment, etc.

Pros and cons of wind farms

For example, let's first look at the simplest design of a wind generator, which even a middle school student can assemble. The practical application of such a "power plant" is not very wide, but just to expand your understanding and acquire some skills - why not?