For the needs of building a private residential building or cottage, a home craftsman may need standalone source electrical energy, which you can buy in a store or assemble with your own hands from available parts.
A homemade generator can operate on the energy of gasoline, gas or diesel fuel. To do this, it must be connected to the engine through a shock-absorbing coupling, which ensures smooth rotation of the rotor.
If local natural conditions allow, for example, frequent winds blow or a source is located nearby running water, then you can create a wind or hydraulic turbine and connect it to an asynchronous three-phase motor to generate electricity.
Due to similar device you will have a constantly working alternative source of electricity. It will reduce energy consumption from public networks and allow you to save on its payment.
In some cases, it is permissible to use single-phase voltage to rotate an electric motor and transmit torque to a homemade generator to create your own three-phase symmetrical network.
How to choose an asynchronous motor for a generator based on design and characteristics
Technological features
The basis of a homemade generator is an asynchronous three-phase electric motor with:
- phase;
- or a squirrel-cage rotor.
Stator device
The magnetic cores of the stator and rotor are made of insulated electrical steel plates, in which grooves are created to accommodate the winding wires.
Three separate stator windings can be connected at the factory according to the following diagram:
- stars;
- or triangle.
Their terminals are connected inside the terminal box and connected with jumpers. The power cable is also installed here.
In some cases, wires and cables may be connected in other ways.
To each phase asynchronous motor symmetrical stresses are applied, shifted along the angle by a third of the circle. They generate currents in the windings.
It is convenient to express these quantities in vector form.
Rotor design features
Wound rotor motors
They are equipped with a winding made like a stator winding, and the leads from each are connected to slip rings, which provide electrical contact with a launch and adjustment circuit through pressure brushes.
This design is quite difficult to manufacture and expensive. It requires periodic monitoring of operation and qualified maintenance. For these reasons, it makes no sense to use it in this design for a homemade generator.
However, if there is a similar motor and there is no other use for it, then the leads of each winding (those ends that are connected to the rings) can be short-circuited among themselves. In this way, the wound rotor will turn into a short-circuited one. It can be connected according to any scheme discussed below.
Squirrel-cage motors
Aluminum is poured inside the grooves of the rotor magnetic circuit. The winding is made in the form of a rotating squirrel cage (for which it received such an additional name) with jumper rings short-circuited at the ends.
This is the most simple circuit engine, which is devoid of moving contacts. Due to this, it operates for a long time without the intervention of electricians and is characterized by increased reliability. It is recommended to use it to create a homemade generator.
Markings on the motor housing
In order for a homemade generator to work reliably, you need to pay attention to:
- , characterizing the quality of protection of the housing from environmental influences;
- power consumption;
- speed;
- winding connection diagram;
- permissible load currents;
- Efficiency and cosine φ.
The principle of operation of an asynchronous motor as a generator
Its implementation is based on the method of reversibility of an electric machine. If the motor, disconnected from the mains voltage, begins to forcibly rotate the rotor at the design speed, then an EMF will be induced in the stator winding due to the presence of residual magnetic field energy.
All that remains is to connect a capacitor bank of the appropriate rating to the windings and a capacitive leading current will flow through them, which has a magnetizing character.
In order for the self-excitation of the generator to occur, and a symmetrical system of three-phase voltages to form on the windings, it is necessary to select a capacitance of capacitors greater than a certain critical value. In addition to its value, the output power is naturally influenced by the design of the engine.
For normal generation of three-phase energy with a frequency of 50 Hz, it is necessary to maintain a rotor speed that exceeds the asynchronous component by the slip value S, which lies within the range S=2÷10%. It must be maintained at the synchronous frequency level.
Deviation of a sinusoid from the standard value in frequency will negatively affect the operation of equipment with electric motors: saws, planes, various machines and transformers. This has virtually no effect on resistive loads with heating elements and incandescent lamps.
Electrical connection diagrams
In practice, all common methods of connecting the stator windings of an asynchronous motor are used. By choosing one of them they create various conditions for equipment operation and generate voltage of certain values.
Star circuits
Popular option for connecting capacitors
The connection diagram for an asynchronous motor with star-connected windings for operation as a three-phase network generator has a standard form.
Scheme of an asynchronous generator with capacitors connected to two windings
This option is quite popular. It allows you to power three groups of consumers from two windings:
- two voltage 220 volts;
- one - 380.
The working and starting capacitors are connected to the circuit using separate switches.
Based on the same circuit, you can create a homemade generator by connecting capacitors to one winding of an asynchronous motor.
Triangle diagram
When assembling the stator windings according to a star circuit, the generator will produce three phase voltage 380 volts. If you switch them to a triangle, then - 220.
The three schemes shown in the pictures above are basic, but not the only ones. Based on them, other connection methods can be created.
How to calculate generator characteristics based on engine power and capacitor capacity
To create normal operating conditions for an electric machine, it is necessary to maintain equality between its rated voltage and power in generator and electric motor modes.
For this purpose, the capacitance of the capacitors is selected taking into account the reactive power Q they generate at various loads. Its value is calculated by the expression:
Q=2π∙f∙C∙U 2
From this formula, knowing the engine power, to ensure full load, you can calculate the capacity of the capacitor bank:
С=Q/2π∙f∙U 2
However, the operating mode of the generator should be taken into account. On Idling capacitors will unnecessarily load the windings and heat them up. This leads to large energy losses and overheating of the structure.
To eliminate this phenomenon, capacitors are connected in stages, determining their number depending on the applied load. To simplify the selection of capacitors for starting an asynchronous motor in generator mode, a special table has been created.
| Generator power (kVA) | Full load mode | Idle mode | ||||
| cos φ=0.8 | cos φ=1 | Q (kvar) | C (uF) | |||
| Q (kvar) | C (uF) | Q (kvar) | C (uF) | |||
| 15 | 15,5 | 342 | 7,8 | 172 | 5,44 | 120 |
| 10 | 11,1 | 245 | 5,9 | 130 | 4,18 | 92 |
| 7 | 8,25 | 182 | 4,44 | 98 | 3,36 | 74 |
| 5 | 6,25 | 138 | 3,4 | 75 | 2,72 | 60 |
| 3,5 | 4,53 | 100 | 2,54 | 56 | 2,04 | 45 |
| 2 | 2,72 | 60 | 1,63 | 36 | 1,27 | 28 |
Starting capacitors of the K78-17 series and similar ones with an operating voltage of 400 volts or more are well suited for use as part of a capacitive battery. It is entirely acceptable to replace them with metal-paper counterparts with the appropriate denominations. They will have to be assembled in parallel.
It is not worth using models of electrolytic capacitors to operate in the circuits of an asynchronous homemade generator. They are designed for chains direct current, and when passing through a sinusoid changing in direction, they quickly fail.
There is a special scheme for connecting them for such purposes, when each half-wave is directed by diodes to its own assembly. But it's quite complicated.
Design
The autonomous device of the power plant must fully support the operating equipment and be carried out as a single module, including a hinged electrical panel with devices:
- measurements - with a voltmeter up to 500 volts and a frequency meter;
- load switching - three switches (one common one supplies voltage from the generator to the consumer circuit, and the other two connect capacitors);
- protection - eliminating the consequences of short circuits or overloads and) saving workers from insulation breakdown and phase potential reaching the housing.
Main power supply redundancy
When creating a homemade generator, it is necessary to ensure its compatibility with the grounding circuit of the working equipment, and when operating autonomously, it must be reliably connected to.
If a power plant is created for backup power supply of devices operating from the state network, then it should be used when the voltage from the line is disconnected, and when restored, it should be stopped. For this purpose, it is enough to install a switch that controls all phases simultaneously or connect complex system automatic switching on of backup power.
Voltage selection
The 380 volt circuit has an increased risk of injury to humans. It is used in extreme cases, when it is not possible to get by with a phase value of 220.
Generator overload
Such modes create excessive heating of the windings with subsequent destruction of the insulation. They occur when the currents passing through the windings are exceeded due to:
- incorrect selection of capacitor capacity;
- connecting high power consumers.
In the first case, it is necessary to carefully monitor the thermal conditions during idle. If excessive heating occurs, the capacitance of the capacitors must be adjusted.
Features of connecting consumers
The total power of a three-phase generator consists of three parts generated in each phase, which is 1/3 of the total. The current passing through one winding should not exceed the rated value. This must be taken into account when connecting consumers, distributing them evenly across phases.
When a homemade generator is designed to operate on two phases, it cannot safely generate more than 2/3 of the electricity. total value, and if only one phase is involved, then only 1/3.
Frequency control
A frequency meter allows you to monitor this indicator. When it is not installed in the design of a homemade generator, you can use the indirect method: at idle, the output voltage exceeds the nominal 380/220 by 4–6% at a frequency of 50 Hz.
One of the options for making a homemade generator from an asynchronous motor and its capabilities are shown in their video by channel owners Maria and Alexander Kostenko.
Goods
(13 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5)Wind power generators continue to gain popularity. They are most often interested in people living in rural areas and having the opportunity to install such impressive structures on their plots. But, given the high cost of this equipment, not everyone can afford to buy it. Let's see how to make a wind generator with your own hands and save money on creating your own alternative source of electrical energy.
Wind generator - source of electricity
Tariffs for public utilities are raised at least once a year. And if you look closely, in some years the price of the same electricity rises twice – the numbers in payment documents grow like mushrooms after rain. Naturally, all this hits the pocket of the consumer, whose income does not show such sustainable growth. And real incomes, as statistics show, show a downward trend.
Until recently, it was possible to combat rising electricity tariffs in one simple but illegal way - using a neodymium magnet. This product was applied to the flow meter body, causing it to stop. But we strongly do not recommend using this technique - it is unsafe, illegal, and the fine if caught will be such that it will not seem small.
The scheme was simply great, but later it stopped working for the following reasons:
Increasingly frequent control rounds began to identify unscrupulous owners en masse.
- Control rounds have become more frequent - representatives of regulatory authorities are visiting houses;
- Special stickers began to be stuck on meters - under the influence of a magnetic field they darken, exposing the offender;
- The counters have become immune to magnetic field– electronic accounting units are installed here.
Therefore, people began to pay attention to alternative sources of electricity, for example, wind generators.
Another way to expose a violator stealing electricity is to conduct an examination of the level of magnetization of the meter, which easily reveals facts of theft.
Windmills for home use are becoming commonplace in areas where wind blows frequently. A wind power generator uses the energy of wind air flows to generate electricity. To do this, they are equipped with blades that drive the generator rotors. The resulting electricity is converted into direct current, after which it is transferred to consumers or stored in batteries.
Wind generators for a private home, both home-made and factory-assembled, can be the main or auxiliary sources of electricity. Here's a typical example of how an auxiliary source works - it heats water in a boiler or powers low-voltage household lights, while the rest of the household appliances run on the main power supply. It is also possible to work as the main source of electricity in homes not connected to electrical networks. Here they feed:
- Chandeliers and lamps;
- Large household appliances;
- Heating appliances and much more.
Accordingly, in order to heat your home, you need to make or purchase a 10 kW wind power plant - this should be enough for all needs.
A wind power plant can power both traditional electrical appliances and low-voltage ones - they operate on 12 or 24 volts. A 220 V wind generator is made according to a scheme using inverter converters with electricity stored in batteries. Wind generators for 12, 24 or 36 V are simpler - they use simpler battery charge controllers with stabilizers.
Homemade wind generator for home and its features
Before we tell you how to make a windmill to generate electricity, let's talk about why you can't use a factory model. Factory wind generators are indeed more efficient than their homemade counterparts. Everything that can be done in production will be more reliable than what can be done in artisanal conditions. This rule also applies to wind generators.
Self-manufacturing of a wind generator is advantageous due to its low cost. Factory samples with a power from 3 kW to 5 kW will cost 150-220 thousand rubles, depending on the manufacturer. Such a high price explains the inaccessibility of store-bought models for most consumers, because it also affects the payback period - in some cases it reaches 10-12 years, although some models “pay off” much earlier.
Factory-built wind power plants for home use are more reliable and less likely to break down. But each breakdown can lead to huge costs for spare parts. As for homemade products, they are easy to repair yourself, since they are assembled from scrap materials. This justifies the far from perfect design.
Yes, it will be very difficult to make a 30 kW wind generator with your own hands, but anyone who knows how to work with tools will be able to assemble a small wind turbine of low power and provide for themselves required quantity electricity.
Diagram of a homemade wind generator - main components
Do homemade wind generator at home it is relatively easy. Below you can see a simple drawing explaining the location of the individual components. According to this drawing, we need to make or prepare the following components:
Scheme of a homemade windmill.
- Blades - they can be made from a variety of materials;
- Generator for a wind generator - you can purchase a ready-made one or make it yourself;
- Tail section – directs the blades in the direction of the wind, allowing for maximum efficiency;
- Multiplier – increases the rotation speed of the generator shaft (rotor);
- Mounting mast - all of the above components will be held on it;
- Tension cables - hold the entire structure and prevent it from falling from gusts of wind;
- The charge controller, batteries and inverter provide conversion, stabilization and accumulation of the received electricity.
We will try to make a simple rotary wind generator with you.
Step-by-step instructions for assembling a wind generator
Make a windmill out of plastic bottles even a child can do it. It will spin merrily in the wind, making noise. There is a huge number of different schemes for constructing such wind turbines, in which the axis of rotation can be located both vertically and horizontally. These things don’t generate electricity, but they do a great job of driving moles away. personal plots, which harm plants and dig their burrows everywhere.
A homemade wind generator for your home is somewhat similar to this bottle windmill. Only it is larger in size and has a more serious design. But if you attach a small motor to such a windmill, it can become a source of electricity and even power some electrical thing, for example, an LED - its power is not enough for more. By looking at the diagram of such a “toy”, you can understand how to make a full-fledged wind generator.
Making a generator for a windmill
In order to assemble a wind power plant, we need a generator, and one with self-excitation. In other words, its design must contain magnets that induce electricity in the windings. This is exactly how some electric motors are designed, for example, in screwdrivers. But you won’t be able to make a decent wind generator from a screwdriver - the power will be simply ridiculous, and will only be enough to operate a small LED lamp.
It will also not be possible to make a wind power station from a self-generator - it uses an excitation winding powered by a battery, so it is not suitable for us. From a household fan, we can only make a scarecrow for birds attacking the garden. Therefore, you need to look for a normal self-exciting generator of suitable power. Better yet, splurge and buy a store-bought model.
It is really more profitable to buy a generator than to make it - the efficiency of a factory-made model will be higher than that of a home-made one.
Let's see how to make a generator for our windmill with our own hands.
His maximum power is 3-3.5 kW. For this we need:
- Stator - it is made of two pieces sheet metal, cut in the shape of circles with a diameter of 500 mm. On each circle along the edge (slightly retreating from the edge) 12 neodymium magnets with a diameter of 50 mm are glued. Their poles must alternate. We prepare the second circle in a similar way, but only the poles here should be shifted;
- Rotor - it is a structure of 9 coils wound with copper wire with a diameter of 3 mm in varnish insulation. We make 70 turns in each coil, although some sources recommend making 90 turns. To place the coils, it is necessary to make a base of non-magnetic material;
- Axle - it must be made exactly in the center of the rotor. Moreover, there should be no beating; the structure must be carefully centered, otherwise it will quickly be broken by the wind.
We place the stators and the rotor - the rotor itself rotates between the stators. A distance of 2 mm is maintained between these elements. We connect all the windings according to the diagram below so that we get a single-phase alternating current source.
We make blades
In this review, we are making a fairly powerful wind generator - its power will be up to 3-3.5 kW in strong winds or up to 1.5 or 2 kW in moderate winds. Moreover, it will turn out to be quite silent, unlike generators with electric motors. Next you need to think about the location of the blades. We have decided to make a simple three-blade horizontal wind generator. One could also think about a vertical wind generator, but in this case the wind energy utilization factor will be lower - on average 0.3.
If you do vertical wind generator, then he will have only one advantage - he will be able to work in any wind direction.
The easiest way to make simple blades at home. For their manufacture, you can use various materials:
- Wood, however, over time it can crack and dry out;
- Polypropylene - this type of plastic is suitable for low-power generators;
- Metal is a reliable and durable material from which blades of any size can be made (duralumin, used in aviation, is good).
A small table will help you estimate the diameter of the blades. Check the approximate wind speed at your local location and find out what diameter the wind generator blades need to be made.
Making blades for a wind generator is not that difficult. It is much more difficult to ensure that our entire structure is balanced - otherwise strong gusts of wind will quickly break it. Balancing is performed by adjusting the length of the blades. After this, we combine the blades with the rotor of our wind generator and install the structure on the installation site to which the tail section is attached.
Startup and testing
The most important thing in the future is to choose right place to install the mast. It must be positioned strictly vertically. The generator with blades is placed as high as possible, where the wind is stronger. Make sure that there are no forest plantations, free-standing trees, houses or large structures nearby that block air flows - if there are any obstacles, place the wind generator at a distance from them.
As soon as the wind generator starts moving, you need to do the following - connect a multimeter to the generator outlet and check for voltage. Now the system is ready for full operation, all that remains is to decide what voltage will be supplied to the house and how this will happen.
Connecting consumers
We have already managed to make a low-noise windmill, and quite powerful one at that. Now it's time to connect the electronics to it. When assembling 220V wind generators with your own hands, you need to take care of purchasing inverter converters. The efficiency of these devices reaches 99%, so losses in converting the supplied direct current into alternating current with a voltage of 220 Volts will be minimal. In total, the system will have three additional nodes:
- Battery pack – accumulates excess generated electricity for future use. These surpluses are used to feed consumers during periods of calm or when there is very little wind;
- Charge controller – controls charging current, extending battery life;
- Converter – converts direct current into alternating current.
A scheme is also possible when Appliances And lighting, capable of operating with a voltage of 12 or 24 Volts. In this case, there is no need for an inverter converter. As for powering appliances for cooking, in order not to create unnecessary load on the wind generator, we recommend using gas equipment, powered by a liquefied gas cylinder.
220V wind generators are beneficial when the house already has equipment operating on alternating current with the specified voltage.
Video
Electric generators are an additional source of energy for the home. If the main power grids are far away, it may well replace them. Frequent power outages force the installation of alternating current generators.
They are not cheap, is there any point in spending more than 10,000 rubles? for the device, if you can make a generator from an electric motor yourself? Of course, some electrical engineering skills and tools will be useful for this. The main thing is that you don’t have to spend money.
You can assemble a simple generator with your own hands; it will be relevant if you need to cover a temporary shortage of electricity. It is not suitable for more serious cases, as it does not have sufficient functionality and reliability.
Naturally, there are many difficulties in the manual assembly process. Required parts and tools may not be available. Lack of experience and skills in such work can be intimidating. But a strong desire will be the main incentive and will help overcome all labor-intensive procedures.
Implementation of the generator and its operating principle
Due to electromagnetic induction, a electricity. This happens because the winding moves in an artificially created magnetic field. This is the principle of operation of an electric generator.
The generator is driven by an internal combustion engine. low power. It can run on gasoline, gas or diesel fuel.
An electric generator has a rotor and a stator. The magnetic field is created using a rotor. Magnets are attached to it. The stator is the stationary part of the generator, and consists of special steel plates and a coil. There is a small gap between the rotor and stator.
There are two types of electric generator. The first has synchronous rotor rotation. Him complex design, and low efficiency. In the second type, the rotor rotates asynchronously. The principle of operation is simple.
Asynchronous motors lose a minimum of energy, while in synchronous generators the loss rate reaches 11%. Therefore, electric motors with asynchronous rotor rotation are very popular in household appliances and in various factories.
During operation, voltage surges may occur, which have a detrimental effect on household appliances. For this purpose, there is a rectifier at the output ends.
The asynchronous generator is easy to use maintenance. Its body is reliable and sealed. You don’t have to worry about household appliances that have an ohmic load and are sensitive to voltage surges. High efficiency and long service life make the device popular, and it can also be assembled independently.
What will you need to assemble the generator? First, you need to choose a suitable electric motor. It can be taken from washing machine. There is no need to make a stator yourself; it is better to use ready-made solution, where there are windings.
You should immediately stock up on a sufficient number of copper wires and insulating materials. Since any generator will produce voltage surges, a rectifier will be needed.
According to the instructions for the generator, you need to do a power calculation yourself. So that the future device issues required power, it needs to be given a speed slightly higher than the rated power.
Let's use a tachometer and turn on the engine, so you can find out the speed of rotation of the rotor. You need to add 10% to the resulting value, this will prevent the engine from overheating.
Capacitors will help maintain the required voltage level. They are selected depending on the generator. For example, for a power of 2 kW, a capacitor capacity of 60 μF will be required. You need 3 such parts with the same capacity. To make the device safe, it must be grounded.
Build process
Everything is simple here! Capacitors are connected to the electric motor in a delta configuration. During operation, you need to periodically check the temperature of the case. Its heating may occur due to incorrectly selected capacitor capacitors.
A homemade generator that does not have automation must be constantly monitored. Heating that occurs over time will reduce efficiency. Then the device needs to be given time to cool down. From time to time you should measure the voltage, speed, and current.
Incorrectly calculated characteristics are not able to give the equipment the necessary power. Therefore, before starting assembly, you should carry out drawing work and stock up on diagrams.
It is quite possible that homemade device will accompany frequent breakdowns. This should not be surprising, since it is practically impossible to achieve a hermetically sealed installation of all elements of an electric generator at home.
So, I hope it’s now clear how to make a generator from an electric motor. If you want to design a device whose power should be enough to simultaneously operate household appliances and lighting lamps, or construction tools, then you need to add up their power and select the desired engine. It is desirable that it has a small power reserve.
If at manual assembly the electric generator failed, do not despair. There are many on the market modern models, not requiring constant supervision. They can be of different power, and are quite economical. There are photos of generators on the Internet; they will help you estimate the dimensions of the device. The only negative is their high cost.
Photos of DIY generators
I will show you how to assemble a simple, but quite powerful, 220 volt generator.
Required:
- commutator motor, you can have another one for 12 volts- attachment to the motor axis - drill chuck
- UPS or inverter from 12 to 220
- 10 ampere diode: D214, D242, D215, D232, KD203, etc.
- wires
- bike
- and preferably a 12 volt battery
Assembly:
- secure the bike so that the rear wheel rotates freely, hang it up- screw the cartridge onto the motor axis
- fasten the motor so that the cartridge is pressed tightly against the wheel, you can tighten it with a spring
- connect the motor to the battery: the negative wire of the motor to the negative of the battery, the positive wire of the motor to the anode of the diode, the cathode of the diode to the positive of the battery
- connect the battery to an uninterruptible power supply or an inverter
All! You can connect 220 volt consumers to the uninterruptible power supply and use electricity! As soon as the battery is discharged, all you have to do is pedal and the battery will be charged in about an hour.
Where can I get the parts?
- the motor can be bought at a car store: cooling fan motor. It's not expensive. And if you want it for almost nothing, then you can twist it at a metal collection point from an old car.- uninterruptible power supply from a personal PC, maybe an old one with a bad internal battery. Or an inverter 12 - 220, sold in car stores.
- 10 ampere diode, for example: D305, D214, D242, D243, D245, D215, D232,
D246, D203, D233, KD210, KD203, etc. Sold in radio parts stores. Or you can unscrew it from old equipment.
My experience:
I used this generator for several months and it showed pretty good results! The battery charging current was approximately 10 amperes and depended on how you pedaled. If you turn it slowly, you get 5 amperes, if you turn it as quickly as possible, you get 20 amperes. The average generator power is 120 watts. Mainly used low power consumers:3 W - phone charging
- 5 W - radio receiver
- 7 W - charging and using the tablet
- 10 W - charging camera, flashlight and video camera
- 12 W - energy saving light bulb
- 30 W - music center
- 40 W - laptop
- 70 W - TV (rarely turned on)
I had enough charge for almost a day, after which I pedaled for an hour and I could use electricity again.
If anyone knows other methods for generating electricity at home, please share in the comments.
It is difficult not to notice how the stability of electricity supplies to suburban facilities differs from the provision of urban buildings and enterprises with electricity. Admit that you, as the owner of a private home or cottage, have more than once encountered interruptions, associated inconveniences and damage to equipment.
The listed negative situations, along with the consequences, will no longer complicate the lives of lovers of natural spaces. Moreover, with minimal labor and financial costs. To do this you just need to do wind generator electricity, which we talk about in detail in the article.
We have described in detail the options for manufacturing a system that is useful in the household and eliminates energy dependence. According to our advice, an inexperienced person can build a wind generator with their own hands. House master. This practical device will help to significantly reduce your daily expenses.
Alternative sources energy is the dream of any summer resident or homeowner whose plot is located far from central networks. However, when we receive bills for electricity consumed in a city apartment and look 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.
Wind generator – perfect solution to provide a suburban facility with electricity. Moreover, in some cases, installing it is the only possible solution.
In order not to waste money, effort and time, let's decide: are there any external circumstances that will create obstacles for us during the operation of the wind generator?
To provide electricity to a summer house or small cottage, it is enough, the power of which will not exceed 1 kW. Such devices in Russia are equated to household products. Their installation does not require certificates, permits or any additional approvals.
The principle of operation of a wind turbine
A wind generator or wind power plant (WPP) is a device that is used to convert the kinetic energy of 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 device are described in detail in the article, which we recommend that you read.
The wind turbine includes:
- blades forming a propeller,
- rotating turbine rotor,
- the generator axis and the generator itself,
- an inverter that converts alternating current into direct current, which is used to charge batteries,
- battery.
The essence of wind turbines is simple. As the rotor rotates, a three-phase alternating current is generated, which then passes through the controller and charges battery direct current. The inverter then converts the current so that it can be consumed to power lights, radios, TVs, microwaves, and so on.
The detailed design of a wind generator with a horizontal axis of rotation allows you to clearly imagine which elements contribute to the conversion of kinetic energy into mechanical, and then into electrical
In general, the operating principle of a wind generator of any type and design is as follows: during the rotation process, three types of force effects occur on the blades: braking, impulse and lifting.
This diagram of the operation of a 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 electric current flows through the wires.
Image gallery
Classification of types of energy generators
There are several criteria by which wind power plants are classified. How to choose best option devices for country property are described in detail in one of our websites.
So, windmills differ in:
- number of blades in the propeller;
- blade manufacturing materials;
- the location of the axis of rotation relative to the surface of the earth;
- pitch feature of the screw.
There are models with one, two, three blades and multi-blades.
Products with a large number The blades begin to rotate even in light winds. They are usually used in work where the rotation process itself is more important than generating electricity. For example, to extract water from deep wells.
It turns out that wind generator blades can be made not only from hard materials, but also from affordable fabric
The blades can be sail or rigid. Sailing products are much cheaper than rigid ones, which are made from metal or fiberglass. But they have to be repaired very often: they are fragile.
Regarding the location of the axis of rotation relative to the earth's surface, horizontal models are also distinguished. And in this case, each variety has its own advantages: vertical ones react more sensitively to every breath of wind, but horizontal ones are more powerful.
Wind generators are divided according to step characteristics into models with fixed and variable pitch. The variable pitch allows you to significantly increase the rotation speed, but this installation has a complex and massive design. Wind turbines with a fixed pitch are simpler and more reliable.
Image gallery
Wind-electric installation of rotor type
Let's figure out how to make a simple windmill with a vertical axis of rotation of the rotor type with your own hands. Such a model may well provide the electricity needs of a garden house, various outbuildings, and also provide illumination in the dark. local area and garden paths.
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 produce a wind turbine with a maximum power of 1.5 kW.
To do this we will need the following elements and materials:
- 12 V car generator;
- 12 V gel or acid battery;
- semi-hermetic switch of the “button” variety for 12 V;
- converter 700 W – 1500 W and 12V – 220V;
- a bucket, large saucepan or other large container made of of stainless steel or made of aluminum;
- car charge or battery charging warning lamp relay;
- car voltmeter (you can use any one);
- 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 completing the work, we will need a grinder or metal scissors, a construction pencil or marker, a tape measure, wire cutters, a drill, a drill, keys and a screwdriver.
You can also assemble a controller for a system that generates electricity yourself. The article will introduce you to the rules and manufacturing schemes, the contents of which we recommend that you familiarize yourself with.
Starting stage of installation manufacturing
We start making a homemade windmill by taking a large metal container cylindrical. Usually, old boiling water, a bucket or pan is used for this purpose. This will be the basis for our future wind turbines.
Using a tape measure and a construction pencil (marker), apply markings: divide our container into four equal parts.
When making cuts in accordance with the instructions contained in the text, under no circumstances cut through the metal all the way through.
The metal will have to be cut. For 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 certainly overheat. For such cases, it is better to use scissors. We cut out the blades, but do not cut them all the way through.
Simultaneously with the continuation of work on the tank, we will remodel the generator pulley. In the bottom of the former pan and in the pulley you need to mark and drill holes for the bolts. The work at this stage must be treated with the utmost care: all holes must be located symmetrically so that no imbalance occurs during the rotation of the installation.
This is what the blades of another design with a vertical axis of rotation look like. Each blade is manufactured separately and then mounted into a common device
We bend the blades so that they do not stick out too much. When we perform this part of the work, we be sure to take into account which direction the generator will rotate.
Usually the direction of its rotation is clockwise. The bending angle of the blades affects the area of influence of air flows and the speed of rotation of the propeller.
Now you need to attach a bucket with blades prepared for work to the pulley. We install the generator on the mast, securing it with clamps. All that remains is to connect the wires and assemble the circuit. Be prepared to write down the wiring diagram, wire colors, and pin markings. You will certainly need it later. We fix the wires on the mast of the device.
To connect the battery, you need to use wires with a cross section of 4 mm². It is enough to take a segment of 1 meter in length. That's enough.
And in order to connect a load to the network, which includes, for example, lighting and electrical devices, wires with a cross-section of 2.5 mm² are sufficient. Install the inverter (converter). For this you will also need a 4 mm² wire.
Advantages and disadvantages of the rotary windmill model
If you did everything carefully and consistently, then this wind generator will work successfully. In this case, no problems will arise during its operation.
If you use a 1000 W converter and a 75A battery, this installation will provide electricity to both video surveillance devices and burglar alarm and even street lighting.
The advantages of this model are:
- economical;
- elements can be easily replaced with new ones or repaired;
- no special conditions are required for operation;
- reliable in operation;
- provides complete acoustic comfort.
There are also disadvantages, but not too many: the performance of this device is not very high, and it has a significant dependence on sudden gusts of wind. Air currents can simply disrupt an improvised propeller.
In order to accurately select the model of wind generator of the required power before starting work, we recommend using the formulas given in the recommended article.
Assembly of an axial wind turbine on neodymium magnets
Since neodymium magnets appeared in Russia relatively recently, axial wind generators with iron-free stators began to be made not so long ago.
The appearance of magnets caused a rush of demand, but gradually the market became saturated, and the cost of this product began to decline. It became available to craftsmen, who immediately adapted it to their various needs.
Axial wind turbine on neodymium magnets with a horizontal axis of rotation is a more complex design that requires not only skill, but also certain knowledge
If you have a hub from an old car with brake discs, then we will take it as the basis for the future axial generator.
It is assumed that this part is not new, but has already been used. In this case, it is necessary to disassemble it, check and lubricate the bearings, thoroughly clean away sedimentary deposits and all rust. Don't forget to paint the finished generator.
The hub with brake discs, as a rule, goes to craftsmen as one of the components of an old car that has been scrapped, and therefore needs thorough cleaning
Distributing and securing magnets
Neodymium magnets must be glued to the rotor disks. For our work, we will take 20 magnets 25x8mm.
Of course, a different number of poles can be used, but it is necessary to observe following rules: the number of magnets and poles in a single-phase generator should be the same, but if we are talking about a three-phase model, then the ratio of poles to coils should be 2/3 or 4/3.
When placing magnets, the poles alternate. It's important not to make a mistake. If you are not sure that you will place the elements correctly, make a hint template or apply the sectors directly to the disk itself.
If you have a choice, buy rectangular rather than round magnets. In rectangular models, the magnetic field is concentrated along the entire length, and in round ones - in the center.
Opposing magnets must have different poles. You won't confuse anything if you use a marker to mark them with minus or plus signs. To determine the poles, take magnets and bring them close to each other.
If the surfaces attract, put a plus on them, if they repel, then mark them with minuses. When placing magnets on disks, alternate poles.
The magnets are installed in compliance with the rule of alternating policies, plasticine sides are located along the outer and inner perimeters: the product is ready to be filled with epoxy resin
To securely fasten the magnet, you need to use high-quality and as strong glue as possible.
To enhance the reliability of fixation, you can use epoxy resin. It should be diluted as indicated in the instructions and filled with it on the disc. The resin should cover the entire disc, but not run off it. You can prevent the possibility of dripping if you wrap the disk with tape or make temporary plasticine barriers made of a polymer strip around its perimeter.
Single-phase and three-phase generators
If we compare single-phase and three-phase stators, the latter will be better. A single-phase generator vibrates when loaded. The cause of vibration is the difference in the amplitude of the current, which arises due to its inconsistent output at a time.
The three-phase model does not have such a disadvantage. It is characterized by constant power due to phases that compensate each other: when the current increases in one, it decreases in the other.
According to the testing results, the output of the three-phase model is almost 50% greater than that of the single-phase model. Another advantage of this model is that in the absence of unnecessary vibration, acoustic comfort increases when the device operates under load.
That is, a three-phase generator practically does not hum during its operation. When vibration is reduced, the service life of the device logically increases.
In the fight between three-phase and single-phase devices, three-phase invariably wins, because it does not hum so much during operation and lasts longer than single-phase
Rules for winding a reel
If you ask a specialist, he will say that before winding the coils, you need to perform a careful calculation. A practitioner in this matter will rely on his intuition.
We chose a generator that was not very fast. Our charging procedure for a twelve-volt battery should begin at 100-150 rpm. Such initial data require that the total number of turns of all coils be 1000-1200 pieces. We just have to divide this figure between all the coils and determine how many turns there will be on each.
A windmill at low speeds can be more powerful if the number of poles increases. The frequency of current oscillations in the coils will increase. If you use a larger cross-sectional wire to wind the coils, the resistance will decrease and the current will increase. Don't lose sight of the fact that higher voltage can "eat up" current due to winding resistance.
The winding process can be made easier and more efficient if you use a special machine for this purpose.
It is not at all necessary to do such a routine process as winding coils by hand. A little ingenuity and an excellent machine that can easily cope with winding are already there
The performance characteristics of homemade generators are greatly influenced by the thickness and number of magnets that are located on the disks. The total total power can be calculated by winding one coil and then spinning it in a generator. The future power of the generator is determined by measuring the voltage at specific speeds without load.
Let's give an example. With a resistance of 3 ohms and 200 rpm, 30 volts comes out. If you subtract 12 volts of battery voltage from this result, you get 18 volts. Divide this result by 3 ohms and get 6 amperes. The volume is 6 amperes and will go to the battery. Of course, in the calculation we did not take into account the losses in the wires and on the diode bridge: the actual result will be less than the calculated one.
Usually the coils are made round. But, if you stretch them out a little, you will get more copper in the sector and the turns will be straighter. If you compare the size of the magnet and the diameter of the inner hole of the coils, then they should match each other or the size of the magnet may be slightly smaller.
Ready-made coils should correspond in size to the magnets: they should be slightly larger than the magnets or equal in size to them
The thickness of the stator we make must be correctly related to the thickness of the magnets. If the stator is made larger by increasing the number of turns in the coils, the interdisk space will increase and the magnetic flux will decrease. The result may turn out to be this: the same voltage is generated, but due to the increased resistance of the coils, we will receive less current.
Plywood is used to make the stator mold. However, sectors for coils can be marked on paper using plasticine as borders.
If you place fiberglass fabric on top of the coils at the bottom of the mold, the strength of the product will increase. Before application epoxy resin You need to lubricate the mold with Vaseline or wax, then the resin will not stick to the mold. Some people use tape or film instead of lubricant.
The coils are fixed to each other. In this case, the ends of the phases are brought out. The six wires brought out should be connected in a star or triangle. By rotating the assembled generator by hand, it is tested. If the voltage is 40 V, then the current will be approximately 10 amperes.
Final assembly of the device
The length of the finished mast should be approximately 6-12 meters. With such parameters, its base must be concreted. The windmill itself will be fixed to the top of the mast.
So that it can be reached in the event of a breakdown, it is necessary to provide at the base of the mast special mount, which will allow you to raise and lower the pipe using a hand winch.
The mast with the wind generator attached to it rises high, but the prudent master made special device, which allows, if necessary, to lower the structure to the ground
To make a screw, you can use PVC pipe diameter 160 mm. It will be used to cut a two-meter propeller consisting of six blades from its surface. It is better to develop the shape of the blades yourself experimentally. The goal is to increase torque at low rpm.
The propeller should be protected from excessive wind. To solve this problem, use a folding tail. The generated energy is stored in batteries.
We have provided our readers with two options for self-made 220 V wind generators, which enjoy increased attention not only from country property owners, but also from ordinary summer residents.
Both wind turbine models are effective in their own way. Especially good results These devices can be demonstrated in steppe areas with frequent and strong winds. They are efficient enough to be used in organizing and supplying electricity. And they are not so difficult to build with your own hands.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
This video shows an example of a wind turbine with a horizontal axis of rotation. The author of the device explains in detail the nuances of the design of the installation, made by hand, and draws the audience's attention to mistakes that may be made in the process. self-made wind generator, gives practical advice.
Please note that getting to the device, raised to a decent height, is not so easy. Reinstalling such a wind turbine will most likely be problematic. Therefore, the folding design of the mast in this case will not be superfluous at all.
This video shows a rotary windmill with a vertical axis of rotation. This installation is located low, made in an original way and is highly sensitive: even a slight wind sets the blades of the device in motion.
If you live in an area where winds are not considered a rare phenomenon, using this particular source of alternative energy may be the most effective for you. The above examples of self-made windmills prove that making them with your own hands is not so difficult. Wind energy is a publicly accessible and renewable resource that can and should be used.
We invite site visitors interested in the topic of the article to express their opinions in the comments and ask questions that arose while reading the material.
