How to make a small windmill from a bicycle generator. Wind generators from automobile generators. How does the legislation relate to the installation of a wind turbine on your site

In this article, we will analyze in detail how to make a wind turbine with your own hands. After all, the life of a modern person without electricity is hard to imagine. And even small interruptions in the supply of electricity sometimes become a “paralyzing moment” for normal life in own house. And such problems, we have to admit, for some suburban villages or settlements in countryside- alas, not uncommon. This means that you need to somehow protect yourself from troubles, acquire a backup source of energy. And if you take into account the ever-increasing tariffs, then having your own source, and even working almost “for free”, becomes the cherished dream of many homeowners.

One of the areas of development of "free energy" in our time is the use of wind energy. Many have probably seen impressive pictures of huge windmills 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 - why not try to make a wind generator with my own hands in order to gain independence from the power grid once and for all?

The question is reasonable, but one should immediately cool the ardor of the "dreamer" somewhat. To create a really high-quality, productive installation for generating electricity, considerable knowledge in mechanics and electrical engineering is required. Need to be very an experienced craftsman of all trades - a number of operations of high complexity are ahead, requiring precise design and a qualified approach in execution. Due to the combination 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 even abandoned the planned project.

Therefore, this article will give 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 - whether it is worth taking on your own.

What is a wind generator? General arrangement of the system

There are several ways to obtain electrical energy - due to exposure to a stream of photons (light, for example, solar panels), due to certain chemical reactions (widely used in batteries), due to temperature differences. But the most widely used is the conversion of kinetic energy into electrical energy. 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 discovered and described in the 19th century by Faraday.

The principle of the device of the simplest electric generator

It lies in the fact that if a conducting loop 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, or created permanent magnets, or appearing in the excitation windings. When the position of the frame changes, the magnitude of the magnetic flux crossing it changes. And the higher the rate of change, the greater the performance and induced EMF. Thus, the more revolutions are transmitted to the rotor (the rotating part of the generator), the greater the voltage can be achieved at the output.

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

The transmission of rotation to the generator rotor can be carried out in different ways. And one way to find a free source of energy that will set in motion the kinematic part of the device is to “catch” the force of the wind. That is, about the same 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 rotational motion to the stator, that is, a windmill. Besides, prerequisite becomes a design that ensures reliable installation of the system, 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 revolutions of the rotor.

One example of an overdrive from a windmill to a generator

But this is not all. The presence and speed of wind are often extremely variable values. And to put the consumption of generated energy in dependence on the “whims of the weather” is an unreasonable business. Therefore, a wind generator 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 charge the powerful batteries included in the circuit. From batteries through an inverter that converts D.C. into an alternating voltage 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 wind-dependent) power of the generator, 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 is that it is this feature of the wind power plant that allows you to plan the power of the generator itself, not based on peak load indicators (the inverter will be responsible for this to a greater extent), but based on the predicted energy consumption over a certain period (for example, a month).

Of course, more can be used in everyday life. simple circuits. For example, a wind turbine simply serves some low-voltage lighting equipment, etc.

Pros and cons of wind farms

For example, let's first look at the simplest design wind generator, which even a middle school student can assemble. Practical use such a "power plant" - not very broad, but just to expand your understanding and gain some skills - why not?

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 house or cottage, have repeatedly encountered interruptions, inconveniences and damage to equipment associated with them.

The listed negative situations, together with the consequences, will no longer complicate the life of lovers of natural spaces. And with minimal labor and financial costs. To do this, you just need to make a wind power generator, which we describe in detail in the article.

Here are described in detail the options for manufacturing a system that is useful in the economy, eliminating energy dependence. In addition, a wind generator built with your own hands according to our advice will help to significantly reduce daily costs.

The legality of installing a wind turbine
The principle of operation of the wind turbine
Classification of types of energy generators
Rotary wind turbine
- Starting stage of the plant manufacturing
- Advantages and disadvantages of a rotary windmill model
Axial wind turbine with neodymium magnets
- Distribution and fixation of magnets
- Single-phase and three-phase generators
- Coil winding rules
- Final assembly of the device
Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The legality of installing a wind turbine

Alternative energy sources are the dream of any summer resident or homeowner whose site is located far from the central networks. However, when we receive bills for electricity used in a city apartment, and looking at the increased tariffs, we realize that a wind turbine designed for household needs, we would not interfere.

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, 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 turbine?

To provide electricity to a dacha or a small cottage, a small wind power plant is sufficient, 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.

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

No taxation of the production of electricity, which is spent to meet their own domestic needs, is not provided. Therefore, a low-power windmill can be safely installed, it can be used to generate free electricity without paying any taxes to the state.

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

Wind turbines that are able to meet most of the needs of the medium farming, can not cause complaints even from the neighbors

Claims may arise from your neighbors if they experience inconvenience associated with the operation of the windmill. Remember that our rights end where other people's rights begin.

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

Mast height. When assembling a wind turbine, it is necessary to take into account the restrictions on the height of individual buildings that exist in a number of countries of the world, as well as the location of your own site. Be aware that near bridges, airports and tunnels, buildings that are more than 15 meters high are prohibited.
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.
Ether interference. Ideally, when creating a windmill, protection against tele-interference should be provided where your device can provide such trouble.
environmental claims. This organization can prevent you from operating the facility only if it interferes with the migration of migratory birds. But this is unlikely.

At independent creation and installation of the device, learn these points, and when buying a finished product, pay attention to the parameters that are in his passport. It is better to protect yourself in advance than to be upset later.

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The feasibility of a wind turbine is justified primarily by a sufficiently high and stable wind pressure in the area

It is necessary to have a large enough 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 windmill, it is desirable that there be at least 200 m between the neighbors' housing and the installation

The steadily rising cost of electricity convincingly argues in favor of a wind turbine

The installation of a wind generator is possible only in areas whose authorities do not interfere, but rather encourage the use of green types of energy.

If there are frequent interruptions in the area where the mini wind power plant is being built, 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

The principle of operation of the wind turbine

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

The structure of the WUE includes:

blades that form a propeller,
rotating turbine rotor
the axis of the generator 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. As the rotor rotates, 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, powering lighting, a radio, a TV, a microwave oven, and so on.

The detailed arrangement of a wind turbine with a horizontal axis of rotation allows you to imagine well what elements contribute to the conversion of kinetic energy into mechanical and then into electrical energy.

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

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 acting on the blades: braking, impulse and lifting. The last two forces overcome the braking force and set the flywheel in motion. On the stationary part of the generator, the rotor generates a magnetic field to electricity went on the wire.

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

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

The front part with the motor and blades must be balanced with the tail part. 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 windmill must have at least three supports, the structure must be connected to the ground loop and a lightning rod must be arranged

Classification of types of energy generators

There are several criteria by which wind turbines are classified.

So, windmills 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 surface of the earth;
pitch sign of the screw.

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

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

It turns out that wind turbine blades 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, there are vertical and horizontal models. And in this case, each variety has its own advantages: vertical ones are more sensitive to every breath of wind, but horizontal ones are more powerful.

Wind turbines are divided according to step features into fixed and variable step models.

The variable pitch allows you to significantly increase the rotation speed, but this installation is characterized by a complex and massive design. Fixed-pitch wind turbines are simpler and more reliable.

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From the badly damaged oscillator after disassembly, only the stator remained, for which the case was separately welded

In order to restore specifications motor, it is necessary to rewind 36 stator coils. In rewinding, a wire with a diameter of 0.56 mm is required. Turns must be made in 35 pieces

Before attaching the blades, the repaired engine must be assembled, varnished or at least epoxy coated, the surface must be painted

The wires are connected to parallel circuit, three wires are brought out to connect to the power supply

The axis, designed to ensure rotation, is made from a pipe outlet 15. Bearings are welded to the axis, which are attached through a pipe section 52

In the manufacture of the tail, galvanized sheet steel 4 mm thick was used, bent at the edges and installed in the groove selected in the rail

The blades are cut from a polymer sewer pipe, attached to the triangle connected to the engine with screws

A practically free wind generator can be made from junk parts: an engine from an old car and cutting a sewer pipe

Rotary wind turbine

Let's figure out how to make a simple windmill with a vertical axis of rotation of the rotary type with your own hands.

Such a model may well meet the needs of electricity garden house, a variety of outbuildings, as well as highlight in the dark adjoining territory and garden paths.

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

Our goal is to manufacture a windmill with a maximum power of 1.5 kW. To do this, we need the following elements and materials:

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

In the process of doing the work, we will need a grinder or metal shears, a construction pencil or marker, a tape measure, wire cutters, a drill, a drill, keys and a screwdriver.

Starting stage of the plant manufacturing

We start making a homemade windmill by taking a large cylindrical metal container. Usually, an old boiling pot, bucket or pan is used for this purpose. It will be the basis for our future WPP.

Using a tape measure and a construction pencil (marker), we will mark up: we will divide our container into four identical parts.

When making cuts in accordance with the instructions contained in the text, in no case cut through the metal to the end

The metal will have to be cut. To do this, you can use the grinder. It is not used to cut a container made of galvanized steel or painted sheet metal, because this type of metal will overheat.

For such cases, it is better to use scissors. We cut out the blades, but do not cut them through to the very end.

Now, along with the continuation of work on the tank, we will redo 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 should be taken as carefully as possible: all holes should be located symmetrically so that no imbalance occurs during the rotation of the installation.

This is how the blades of another design with a vertical axis of rotation look like. Each blade is made separately, and then mounted in a common device

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

Usually the direction of its rotation is oriented clockwise. The angle of the blades bend affects the area of influence of air currents and the speed of rotation of the propeller.

Now you need to fix the bucket with the blades prepared for work on the pulley. We install the generator on the mast, while fixing it with clamps. It remains to connect the wires and assemble the circuit.

Prepare to write down the wiring diagram, wire colors, and pin markings. You will definitely 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 with a length of 1 meter. That's enough.

And in order to connect a load to the network, which includes, for example, lighting and electrical appliances, wires with a cross section of 2.5 mm² are sufficient. We install the inverter (converter). This will also require a 4 mm² wire.

Advantages and disadvantages of a rotary windmill model

If you did everything carefully and consistently, then this wind generator will work successfully. At the same time, there will be no problems 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;
special conditions for functioning are not needed;
reliable in operation;
provides complete acoustic comfort.

There are also disadvantages, but they are not so 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 impromptu propeller.

Axial wind turbine with neodymium magnets

Since neodymium magnets appeared in Russia relatively recently, axial wind turbines with iron-free stators began to be made not so long ago.

The appearance of magnets caused a rush demand, but gradually the market was saturated, and the cost of this product began to decline. It became available to craftsmen, who immediately adapted it to their various needs.

An axial wind turbine based 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 of 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, carefully clean away sediment deposits and all rust. Do not 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 gone to scrap, therefore it needs to be thoroughly cleaned

Distribution and fixation of magnets

Neodymium magnets must be glued to the rotor disks. For our work, we take 20 magnets 25x8mm. Of course, you can use a different number of poles, but the following rules must be observed: the number of magnets and poles in a single-phase generator must match, but if we are talking about a three-phase model, then the ratio of poles to coils must be 2/3 or 4/3 .

When placing magnets, the poles alternate. It is important not to make a mistake. If you are not sure that you will place the elements correctly, make a hint template or apply sectors directly to the disk itself.

If you have a choice, buy better not round, but rectangular magnets. In rectangular models, the magnetic field is concentrated along the entire length, and in round models, in the center.

The opposing magnets must have different poles. You will not confuse anything if you use a marker to mark them with minus or plus signs. To determine the poles, take the magnets and hold them close to each other. If the surfaces are attracted, put a plus on them; if they repel, then mark them with minuses. Alternate the poles when placing the magnets on the disks.

Magnets are installed in compliance with the policy alternation rule, along the outer and inner perimeters there are sides made of plasticine: the product is ready for pouring with epoxy resin

For reliable fixing of 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 fill the disk with it. The resin should cover the disc completely, but not drain from it. You can prevent the possibility of dripping if you wrap the disc with tape or make temporary plasticine fences from a polymer strip around its perimeter.

Single-phase and three-phase generators

If we compare single-phase and three-phase stators, then the latter will be better. A single-phase generator vibrates when loaded. The reason for the vibration is the difference in the amplitude of the current, which occurs due to its inconsistent return over a point in time. There is no such drawback in the three-phase model. It differs in constant power due to the phases compensating each other: when the current rises in one, it falls in the other.

According to the results of testing, the return of a three-phase model is almost 50% more than that of a single-phase one. Another advantage of this model is that in the absence of unnecessary vibration, acoustic comfort increases when the device is operating under load.

That is, a three-phase generator practically does not buzz during its operation. When vibration is reduced, the service life of the device is logically increased.

In the struggle between three-phase and single-phase devices, three-phase invariably wins, because it does not buzz so much during operation and lasts longer than single-phase

Coil winding rules

If you ask a specialist, he will say that before winding the coils, you need to perform a thorough calculation. The practitioner in this matter will rely on his intuition.

We chose a not too high-speed generator option. Our procedure for charging 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. It remains for us 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 a larger wire is used to wind the coils, the resistance will decrease, and the current will increase. Do not lose sight of the fact that more voltage can "eat" the current due to the resistance of the winding.

The winding process can be facilitated and made more efficient if a special machine is used for this purpose.

It is not necessary to do such a routine process as winding coils manually. A little ingenuity and an excellent machine that can easily cope with winding is already there.

On the performance of homemade generators big influence render the thickness and the number of magnets that are located on the disks. The total final power can be calculated by winding one coil and then spinning it in the generator. The future power of the generator is determined by measuring the voltage at a specific RPM without load.

Let's take an example. With a resistance of 3 ohms and 200 rpm, 30 volts come out. If you subtract 12 volts of battery voltage from this result, you get 18 volts. We divide this result by 3 ohms and we 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 a little, you will get more copper in the sector and the turns will be straighter. If we compare the size of the magnet and the diameter of the inner hole of the coils, then they must match each other or the size of the magnet may be slightly smaller.

Ready-made coils must 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 that we make must be properly 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 be as follows: the same voltage is formed, but, due to the increased resistance of the coils, we will get less current.

Plywood is used to make the mold for the stator. However, sectors for coils can be marked on paper using plasticine as borders.

If fiberglass is placed 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 grease the form with petroleum jelly or wax, then the resin will not stick to the form. Some use tape or film instead of lubrication.

Between themselves, the coils are fixed motionless. In this case, the ends of the phases are brought out. The six wires brought out to the outside should be connected in a star or delta. 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 a special mount at the base of the mast, which will allow you to raise and lower the pipe using a manual winch.

The mast rises high with a wind generator attached to it, but the prudent master made a special device that allows, if necessary, to lower the structure to the ground

To make a screw, you can use a PVC pipe with a diameter of 160 mm. It will be used to carve out of its surface a two-meter propeller consisting of six blades. It is better to develop the shape of the blades on your own empirically. The goal is to increase torque at low revs.

The propeller should be protected from too strong wind. To solve this problem, a folding tail is used. The generated energy is stored in batteries.

To the attention of our readers, we have provided two options for do-it-yourself wind turbines for 220 V, which enjoy increased attention not only from owners of suburban real estate, but also from ordinary summer residents.

Both models of wind turbines are efficient in their own way. These devices are able to demonstrate especially good results in the steppe area with frequent and strong winds. 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 himself, draws the attention of the audience to the mistakes that can be made in the process self-manufacturing wind turbine, gives practical advice.

Please note that getting to a 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 occurrence, using this particular source of alternative energy may be the most effective for you. The above examples of self-made windmills prove that it is not so difficult to make them with your own hands. Wind energy is a public and renewable resource that can and should be used.

Payment for electricity today occupies a significant share in the cost of maintaining a home. IN apartment buildings, the only way to save money is to switch to energy-saving technologies and optimize costs under multi-tariff schemes (night mode is paid at reduced prices). And if available personal plot you can not only save on consumption, but also organize independent energy supply for a private house.

This is a normal practice that originated in Europe and North America, and has been actively implemented in Russia over the past couple of decades. However, equipment for autonomous power supply is quite expensive, payback "to zero" comes no earlier than 10 years later. In some states, it is possible to return energy to public networks at fixed rates, this reduces the payback time. IN Russian Federation to apply for a "cashback" you need to go through a series of bureaucratic procedures, so most users of "free" energy prefer to build a wind generator with their own hands, and use it only for personal needs.

The legal side of the issue

A home-made wind generator for a home does not fall under prohibitions, its manufacture and use does not entail administrative or criminal punishment. If the power of the wind generator does not exceed 5 kW, it belongs to household appliances, and does not require any coordination with the local energy company. Moreover, you do not need to pay any taxes if you do not make a profit from the sale of electricity. In addition, a home-made generating windmill, even with such a performance, requires complex engineering solutions: it is easy to make it. Therefore, homemade power rarely exceeds 2 kW. Actually, this power is usually enough to power a private house (of course, if you do not have a boiler and a powerful air conditioner).

In this case, we are talking about federal legislation. Therefore, before deciding to make a windmill with your own hands, it would not be superfluous to check the presence (absence) of subject and municipal regulatory legal acts that may impose some restrictions and prohibitions. For example, if your home is located in a specially protected natural area, the use of wind energy (and this is a natural resource) may require additional approvals.

Problems with the law can arise in the presence of restless neighbors. Windmills for the home are individual buildings, so they are also subject to some restrictions:

Varieties of generators

Before deciding how to make a wind generator with your own hands, consider the design features:

According to the location of the generator, the device can be horizontal or vertical

By nominal generated voltage

Typical examples of homemade wind turbines

The device of the wind generator is the same, regardless of the chosen scheme.

Propeller, which can be installed both directly on the generator shaft, and using a belt (chain, gear drive).
The actual generator. This can be a ready-made device (for example, from a car), or a conventional electric motor that, when rotated, generates an electric current.
Inverter, voltage regulator, stabilizer - depending on the selected voltage.
Buffer element - rechargeable batteries that ensure the continuity of generation, regardless of the presence of wind.
Mounting structure: mast, roof mounting bracket.

Propeller

Can be made from any material: even from plastic bottles. True flexible blades significantly limit power.

It is enough to cut cavities in them for wind intake.

A good option is a household windmill from a cooler. You get a ready-made design with professionally made blades and a balanced electric motor.

A similar design is made from a cooler for computer power supplies. True, the power of such a generator is scanty - except to light a lamp on LEDs, or charge a mobile phone.

However, the system is quite functional.

Good blades are obtained from aluminum sheets. The material is available, it is easy to mold, the propeller is quite light.

If you are building a rotary propeller for a vertical generator, you can use tin cans cut lengthwise. For powerful systems, halves of steel barrels are used (up to a volume of 200 liters).

Of course, you will have to carefully approach the issue of reliability. Powerful frame, shaft on bearings.

Generator

As mentioned above, you can use a ready-made automobile, or an electric motor from industrial electrical installations (household appliances). As an example: a wind generator from a screwdriver. The whole structure is used: engine, gearbox, cartridge for attaching the blades.

The compact generator is obtained from the stepper motor of the printer. Again, there is only enough power to feed LED lamp or charger smartphone. In nature - an irreplaceable thing.

If you are “on you” with a soldering iron and are well versed in radio engineering, you can assemble the generator yourself. A popular scheme: a wind generator with neodymium magnets. Design advantages - you can independently calculate the power for the wind load in your area. Why neodymium magnets? Compactness with high power.

You can remake the rotor of an existing generator.

Or create your own design, with the manufacture of windings.

The efficiency of such a windmill is an order of magnitude higher than when using a circuit with an electric motor. Another indisputable advantage is compactness. The neodymium generator is flat and can be placed directly in the propeller's center sleeve.

Mast

The manufacture of this element does not require knowledge in electronics, but the viability of the entire wind turbine depends on its strength.

For example, a mast with a height of 10–15 meters requires well-calculated guy wires and counterweights. Otherwise, a strong gust of wind can overwhelm the structure.

If the generator power does not exceed 1 kW, the weight of the structure is not so large, and the issues of mast strength fade into the background.

Outcome

A homemade wind generator is not as complicated a design as it might seem at first glance. Given the high cost of factory products, you can save a lot by making homemade wind farm and quite available materials. Given the small cost of creating a windmill, it will pay off quickly enough.

Wind generator: principle of operation, types of devices

Most windmills are a steel tower - a mast, on top of which three blades are fixed. A modern household 5 kw windshield of the second magnitude can easily generate up to 5000 watts of electricity. This is quite enough to provide electricity to a residential building, a summer residence. The axial generator delivers up to 500 Wh. The most powerful wind generator in the world - 8 MW.

A modern wind turbine may have:

Horizontal axis of rotation;
vertical axis of rotation.

The horizontal visor has an axis that rotates parallel to the ground (like a conventional windmill). Vertical wind turbines can have both blades and rotors that move parallel to the ground.

You can easily learn the principle of operation of a wind generator on the Internet.

Rotors can vary in shape and size, and are divided into:

Savonius devices (rotors are made in the form of half-cylinders);
Ugrinsky rotors (improved semi-cylindrical type rotors);
Darier rotors (can be helical, curved and H-shaped);
Multi-bladed wind turbines (used in carousel-type windmills);
Helicoid rotors (have a conical rotor).

Often vertical wind generators are yule-shaped (an example is the rotary wind generator “Genghis Khan”). Most effective device its group is considered to be a multi-bladed design such as a top.

Homemade wind generator: advantages and disadvantages

Installing a windmill may be necessary if electricity is not supplied to your site, there are constant interruptions in the power grid, or you want to save on electricity bills. The windmill can be purchased, or you can make your own.

The advantage of a homemade wind turbine is significant cost savings

A homemade wind generator has the following advantages:

It allows you to save money on the purchase of a factory device, because the manufacture is most often made from improvised parts;
Ideal for your needs and operating conditions, because you calculate the power of the device yourself, taking into account the density and strength of the wind in your area;
Better harmonizes with the design of the house and landscape design, after all appearance windmill depends only on your imagination and skills.

To disadvantages homemade devices their unreliability and fragility can be attributed: homemade products are often made from old engines from household appliances and cars, so they quickly fail. However, in order for the wind turbine to be efficient, it is necessary to correctly calculate the power of the device.

How to make a windmill with your own hands

In order to make a wind generator with your own hands, you should know exactly what details exist in its design and what they are responsible for. So it will be possible to understand how to replace some parts that are difficult to find at home.

When making a homemade wind generator, it is better to prepare everything in advance necessary materials and tools for work

Any wind turbine has in its design:

Blades that rotate;
An alternating current generator;
Controller - a device that converts mechanical energy from the blades into current;
An inverter is a device that converts direct current into alternating current;
Rechargeable batteries;
Mast.

A simple small windmill can be made using a household fan as a basis. Some craftsmen adapt an old computer cooler for a mini-windmill. True, the power of such a wind blower will not exceed 100 watts. When a 5 kW wind turbine is needed to power small and medium-sized houses, and 10 kW for commercial facilities.

Do-it-yourself electric generator: calculating the power of the device

The manufacture of any windmill for private use begins with preparatory phase– calculation of device power. So, for example, for the operation of water heating, it will be necessary to install a windmill with a height of at least 5-6 meters. At the same time, it is not possible to use only wind energy for heating: the wind speed is quite changeable. But as additional source, which will save money, use the wind can.

Many experts recommend additionally calculating the power of an electric generator

To do this, you can use the numerous formulas that are presented on the network. Most simple solution will use a calculator that calculates the strength of the wind on its own. You, in this case, will only need to drive the desired values \u200b\u200binto the program. Most often these are: the area on which the wind blows, the density and speed of the wind.

To know average speed air masses in your area, you can contact the weather service.

In addition, for work you will need an electrical circuit of a windmill, detailed design drawings that can be drawn on a regular sheet of paper or visualized using computer program for 3D modeling.

How to choose a generator for a windmill

Household windmills should be quiet. Therefore, it is better to use a low-speed (low-speed) engine as a generator for wind turbines. Such an engine is capable of performing from 350 to 700 revolutions per minute. In addition, a low-speed motor can be used even on a single-blade windmill. Also, a low-speed generator can be made from a stepper motor.

To increase the speed of the windmill, you can use the multiplier: it will speed up the rotation of the blades by 5-10 times.

There are a large number of different generators, which should be chosen according to your own preferences.

Disc motors on neodymium magnets are especially popular. Magnets, however, can be different sizes and, accordingly, power. Such a generator is made quite simply, but its cost is quite high.

In order to start the propeller, you can use a pedal bike generator.

Many people make a low-power generator from a gas generator, an automobile or tractor generator, a battery from a screwdriver. In this case, it should be borne in mind that a gearbox that reduces speed will need to be installed on a design with a generator from a tractor and an autogenerator.

Do-it-yourself wind generators for 220 v

In order to assemble the windcatcher, we need: a 12 volt generator, batteries, a converter from 12 v to 220 v, a voltmeter, copper wires, fasteners (collars, bolts, nuts).

In order for the wind generator to turn out to be practical and of high quality, it is better to read the detailed instructions before manufacturing it.

The manufacture of any windmill involves the following steps:

Blade manufacturing. The blades of a vertical wind generator can be made from a barrel. You can cut the parts with a grinder. The screw for a small windmill can be made from pvc pipes with a cross section of 160 mm.
Mast making. The mast must be at least 6 meters high. At the same time, in order for the torsional force not to break the mast, it must be fixed to 4 stretch marks. At the same time, each stretch must be wound on a log, which should be buried deep in the ground.
Installation of neodymium magnets. Magnets are glued to the rotor disk. It is better to choose rectangular magnets, in which the magnetic fields are concentrated over the entire surface.
Winding generator coils. Winding is carried out with a copper thread with a diameter of at least two mm. At the same time, skeins should be no more than 1200.
Fixing the blades to the pipe with nuts.

In the presence of powerful batteries and an inverter, the resulting device will be able to generate such an amount of electricity that will be enough to use household appliances (for example, a refrigerator and a TV). Such a generator is perfect for maintaining the operation of lighting, heating and ventilation systems of a small country house, greenhouses.

DIY windmills 5 kW (video)

The wind turbine is safe modern device, which allows you to transform wind energy into electricity, which is necessary for the operation of household appliances, heating systems, water supply, ventilation. With a little calculation, you can build a wind turbine without professional help. The above can help with this. detailed instructions, pictures and recommendations for choosing components!

Examples of windmills (photo)

We have described in detail the options for manufacturing a system that is useful in the economy, eliminating energy dependence. According to our advice, an inexperienced person can build a wind generator with his own hands House master. A practical device will help to significantly reduce daily expenses.

Alternative energy sources are the dream of any summer resident or homeowner whose site is located far from the central networks. However, when we receive 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 turbine?

To provide electricity to a summer house or a 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.

How to make a small windmill from a bicycle generator. Wind generators from automobile generators. How does the legislation relate to the installation of a wind turbine on your site

What is a wind generator? General arrangement of the system

The legality of installing a wind turbine

The principle of operation of the wind turbine

Classification of types of energy generators

Rotary wind turbine

Starting stage of the plant manufacturing

Advantages and disadvantages of a rotary windmill model