How to make a small windmill from a bicycle generator. Wind turbines from car generators. How does the legislation relate to the installation of a wind generator at your site

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

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

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

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

What is a wind generator? General system structure

There are several ways to obtain electrical energy - through exposure to a stream of photons (light, for example, solar panels), through 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 called generators.

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

The principle of the device of the simplest electric generator

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Of course, simpler schemes can be used in everyday life. For example, a wind turbine just serves some low voltage lighting equipment, etc.

Pros and cons of wind farms

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

It is difficult not to notice how the stability of electricity supply to suburban facilities differs from the supply of city buildings and enterprises with electricity. Admit that you, as the owner of a private house or summer cottage, have repeatedly encountered interruptions, inconveniences and damage to equipment associated with them.

The listed negative situations, together with the consequences, will cease to complicate the life of lovers of natural spaces. Moreover, with minimal labor and financial costs. To do this, you just need to make a wind power generator, which we talk about in detail in the article.

Here, the options for making a useful system for the household are described in detail, eliminating energy dependence. In addition, a self-built wind turbine 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
- The initial stage of manufacturing the installation
- Advantages and disadvantages of a rotary windmill model
Axial wind turbine on neodymium magnets
- Distributing and securing 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 central networks. However, getting bills for electricity consumed in a city apartment and looking at the increased tariffs, we realize that a wind generator created for domestic needs would not hurt us.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The expediency of a wind turbine device is primarily based on a sufficiently high and stable wind pressure in the area.

It is necessary to have a sufficiently large area, the usable area of \u200b\u200bwhich will not be significantly reduced due to the installation of the system

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

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

The device of a wind generator is possible only in areas, the authorities of which do not interfere, but rather also encourage the use of green types of energy

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

The owner of the system must be prepared for the fact that the funds invested in the finished product will not pay off immediately. The economic effect may 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 generator or wind turbine (WPP) is a device that is used to convert the kinetic energy of a wind flow into mechanical energy. The resulting mechanical energy rotates the rotor and is converted into the electrical form we need.

The wind turbine includes:

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

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

The detailed design of a wind generator with a horizontal axis of rotation allows you to well imagine which elements contribute to the conversion of kinetic energy into mechanical energy, and then into electrical energy

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

In general, the principle of operation of a wind generator of any type and design is as follows: in the process of rotation, there are three types of force effects on the blades: braking, impulse and lifting. The last two forces overcome the braking force and set the flywheel in motion. On the stationary part of the generator, the rotor forms a magnetic field so that the electric current flows through the wires.

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

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

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

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

Classification of types of energy generators

There are several criteria by which wind turbines are classified.

So, wind turbines differ in:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wind turbines are divided according to step characteristics into models with fixed and variable steps.

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

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

In order to restore the technical characteristics of the motor, it is necessary to rewind the 36 stator coils. Rewinding requires a wire with a diameter of 0.56 mm. Turns must be made 35 pieces

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rotary wind turbine

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

Such a model may well meet the electricity needs of a garden house, various outbuildings, as well as illuminate the adjoining territory and garden paths at night.

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

Our goal is to manufacture a wind turbine with a maximum power of 1.5 kW. For this we need the following elements and materials:

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

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

The initial stage of manufacturing the installation

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

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

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

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

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

Now, along with the continuation of work on the capacity, we will redo the alternator pulley.

In the bottom of the former pan and in the pulley, you need to outline and drill holes for the bolts. Work at this stage must be treated with the utmost care: all holes must be symmetrically positioned 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. Each blade is made separately and then assembled into a common device

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

Usually the direction of its rotation is oriented clockwise. The bending angle of the blades affects the area of \u200b\u200baction of air currents and the speed of rotation of the propeller.

Now you need to fix a bucket with blades prepared for work on the pulley. We install the generator on the mast, 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. Later, it will certainly come in handy. We fix the wires on the device mast.

To connect the battery, you need to use wires with a cross section of 4 mm². It is enough to take a 1 meter segment. This is 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 enough. 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, no problems will arise during its operation.

If you use a 1000 W converter and a 75A battery, this installation will provide electricity and video surveillance devices, and burglar alarms and even street lighting.

The advantages of this model are as follows:

economical;
elements can be easily exchanged for new or repaired;
special conditions for functioning are not needed;
reliable in operation;
provides complete acoustic comfort.

There are also disadvantages, but there are not so many of them: 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 on neodymium magnets

Since neodymium magnets appeared in Russia relatively recently, axial wind generators with ironless 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 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 for the future axial generator.

It is assumed that this part is not new, but already used. In this case, it is necessary to disassemble it, check and lubricate the bearings, thoroughly clean off sediment deposits and all rust. Don't forget to paint the finished generator.

A hub with brake discs, as a rule, goes to craftsmen as one of the components of an old car that has gone to junk, so it needs to be thoroughly cleaned

Distributing and securing magnets

Neodymium magnets should be glued to the rotor discs. For our work, we will 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 be the same, 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 the magnets, the poles alternate. It's important not to be wrong. If you are not sure if you are placing the elements correctly, make a hint template or apply 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.

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 identify the poles, take the magnets and bring them close to each other. If surfaces attract, put a plus on them, if they repel, then mark them with minuses. Alternate the poles when placing magnets on disks.

The magnets are installed in compliance with the rule of alternation of policies, along the outer and inner perimeters there are plasticine sides: the product is ready for filling with epoxy resin

To securely fix the magnet, you need to use high-quality and strongest glue.

Epoxy can be used to enhance the secure hold. It should be diluted as indicated in the instructions, and filled with a disc. The resin should cover the entire disc, 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 under load. The reason for the vibration is the difference in the amplitude of the current, which arises due to its inconsistent return at a time. The three-phase model does not have such a drawback. It differs in constant power due to phases compensating each other: when the current rises in one, it falls in the other.

According to the test results, the return of a three-phase model is almost 50% higher than that of a single-phase model. Another advantage of this model is that in the absence of unnecessary vibration, the acoustic comfort is increased when the device operates under load.

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

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

Coil winding rules

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

We chose a not too fast generator option. Our procedure for charging a twelve-volt battery should begin at 100-150 rpm. Such initial data requires that the total number of turns of all coils is 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 wind turbine at low speeds can be more powerful if the number of poles is increased. In this case, the frequency of current oscillations in the coils will increase. If a wire of a larger cross-section is used to wind the coils, the resistance will decrease, and the current will increase. Don't overlook the fact that higher voltages can “consume” 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 manually. A bit of ingenuity and an excellent machine tool that easily copes with winding is already there

The performance of homemade generators is greatly influenced by the thickness and 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 specific no-load rpm.

Let's give an example. With a resistance of 3 ohms and 200 rpm, 30 volts are output. 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 goes 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, then you 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.

Already finished coils must correspond in size to magnets: they must be slightly larger than magnets or equal to them.

The thickness of the stator that we are making has to correlate correctly with the thickness of the magnets. If the stator is made larger by increasing the number of turns in the coils, the disk 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 a lower current.

Plywood is used to make the mold for the stator. However, the sectors for the 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 applying the epoxy resin, you need to grease the form with petroleum jelly or wax, then the resin will not stick to the form. Some people use tape or film instead of lubricant.

The coils are fixed between themselves motionlessly. In this case, the ends of the phases are brought out. The six outside wires should be connected with 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 attached to the top of the mast. In order to be able to reach it in case of a breakdown, it is necessary to provide a special mount at the base of the mast, which will allow raising and lowering the pipe using a hand winch.

The mast with a wind generator attached to it rises high, 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 cut a two-meter propeller, consisting of six blades, from its surface. It is better to develop the shape of the blades independently by experience. The goal is to increase torque at low revs.

Protect the propeller from too strong wind. A folding tail is used to solve this problem. The generated energy is stored in batteries.

To the attention of our readers, we have provided two options for wind generators, made by hand for 220 V, which enjoy increased attention not only of owners of suburban real estate, but also of ordinary summer residents.

Both wind turbine models are efficient in their own way. These devices are able to demonstrate especially good results in steppe areas 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 construction of a self-made installation, draws the attention of viewers to mistakes that can be made in the process of self-manufacturing a wind generator, and gives practical advice.

Please note that it is not easy to reach the device when it is raised to a decent height. Reinstalling such a wind turbine will most likely be problematic. Therefore, the folding structure of the mast in this case will not be superfluous.

This video shows a rotary windmill with a vertical axis of rotation. This installation is not high, made in an original way and is distinguished by high sensitivity: 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, the use of this particular source of alternative energy may be the most effective for you. The above examples of self-made wind turbines prove that making them with your own hands is not so difficult. Wind energy is a publicly available 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 for multi-tariff schemes (night mode is paid at reduced prices). And if you have a personal plot, you can not only save on consumption, but also organize an independent power supply for a private house.

This is a normal practice that originated in Europe and North America, and has been actively introduced in Russia for the last couple of decades. However, the equipment for autonomous power supply is quite expensive, the payback "to zero" does not come earlier than after 10 years. In some countries, it is possible to return energy to the public grid at a fixed rate, which shortens the payback time. In the Russian Federation, a cashback requires a number 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 homemade wind generator for a home is not prohibited, its manufacture and use does not entail administrative or criminal penalties. If the power of the wind generator does not exceed 5 kW, it belongs to household appliances, and does not require any approval from the local power 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 wind turbine, even with such a performance, requires complex engineering solutions: it is easy to make it for tech. Therefore, the power of homemade products rarely exceeds 2 kW. Actually, this power is usually enough to supply power to 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 on the manufacture of a wind turbine with your own hands, it will not be superfluous to check the presence (absence) of subject and municipal regulatory legal acts, which may impose some restrictions and prohibitions. For example, if your house is located in a specially protected natural area, the use of wind energy (which is a natural resource) may require additional approvals.

Problems with the law can arise when there are restless neighbors. Household windmills 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:

By the location of the generator, the device can be horizontal or vertical

At the rated voltage generated

Typical examples of homemade wind turbines

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

The propeller, which can be installed either directly on the generator shaft, or using a belt (chain, gear).
The generator itself. This can be a ready-made device (for example, from a car), or a conventional electric motor, which, when rotating, produces an electric current.
Inverter, voltage regulator, stabilizer - depending on the selected voltage.
Buffer element - storage batteries that ensure the continuity of generation, regardless of the presence of wind.
Installation structure: mast, roof mount 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 to take in the wind.

A good option is a household wind turbine from a cooler. You get a complete 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 - unless you light a lamp on LEDs, or charge a mobile phone.

Nevertheless, the system is quite functional.

Quite good blades are obtained from aluminum sheets. The material is available, it is easy to shape, the propeller is light enough.

If you are building a rotary propeller for a vertical generator, you can use cut cans. For heavy-duty systems, halves of steel drums are used (up to a volume of 200 liters).

Of course, you will have to be very careful about the issue of reliability. Strong 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 turbine from a screwdriver. The whole structure is used: motor, gearbox, blade holder.

The compact generator is derived from a printer stepper motor. Again, the power is only enough to power an LED lamp or a smartphone charger. Outdoors is an irreplaceable thing.

If you are on your own with a soldering iron, and you are well versed in radio engineering, you can assemble the generator yourself. Popular scheme: wind generator with neodymium magnets. Design advantages - you can independently calculate the power under the wind load in your area. Why neodymium magnets? Compact and powerful.

You can remake the rotor of an existing generator.

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

The efficiency of such a wind turbine 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 center clutch of the propeller.

Mast

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

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

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

Outcome

A home-made wind generator is not as complex as it might seem at first glance. Given the high cost of factory products, you can save a lot by making a home wind farm and readily available materials. Taking into account the low costs of creating a wind turbine, it will pay off quickly enough.

Wind generator: principle of operation, types of devices

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

A modern wind turbine can have:

Horizontal axis of rotation;
The vertical axis of rotation.

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

You can easily study 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);
Rotors of Ugrinsky (improved rotors of the semi-cilendrie type);
Darrieus rotors (can be helical, curved and H-shaped);
Multi-blade wind turbines (used in carousel-type wind turbines);
Helical rotors (have a tapered rotor).

Often vertical wind turbines are whirligig-shaped (an example is the rotary wind turbine "Genghis Khan"). The most effective device of its group is considered to be a multi-blade top-type design.

Homemade wind turbine: advantages and disadvantages

The installation of a wind turbine may be necessary if electricity is not supplied to your site, there are constant interruptions in the power transmission network, or if you want to save on electricity bills. A wind turbine can be purchased, or you can make it yourself.

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 manufacturing is most often made from scrap 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 region;
Better in harmony with the design of the house and landscape design, because the appearance of the windmill depends only on your imagination and skills.

The disadvantages of homemade devices include their unreliability and fragility: often homemade products are made from old engines from household appliances and machines, so they quickly fail. At the same time, 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 you can understand how to replace some parts that are difficult to find at home.

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

Any wind turbine has in its design:

Blades that rotate;
Generator generating alternating current;
Controller - a device that converts mechanical energy from the blades into current;
An inverter is a device that converts DC to AC;
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-wind turbine. True, the power of such a wind blower will not exceed 100 watts. When for power supply of small and medium-sized houses you need a wind generator with a power of 5 kW, and for commercial objects - 10 kW.

DIY electric generator: calculating the power of the device

The manufacture of any wind turbine for private use begins with the preparatory stage - calculating the power of the device. 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 impossible to use only wind energy for heating: the wind speed is quite changeable. But as an additional source that will save money, you can use the wind.

Many experts recommend to additionally calculate the power of an electric generator.

To do this, you can use the numerous formulas that are presented on the net. The simplest solution would be to use a calculator that calculates the wind force on its own. In this case, you only need to drive the desired values \u200b\u200binto the program. Most often these are: the area over which the wind is blowing, the density and speed of the wind.

You can find out the average speed of air masses in your region by contacting the meteorological service.

In addition, for work, you will need an electrical diagram of the wind turbine, detailed construction drawings, which can be drawn on a regular sheet of paper or visualized using a computer program for three-dimensional 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 rpm. In addition, the low-speed motor can be used even on a single-blade wind turbine. Also, a low-speed generator can be made from a stepper motor.

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

There are a large number of different power generators, which should be chosen based on your own preferences.

Disc motors with neodymium magnets are especially popular. At the same time, magnets can be of 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 the pedal bike generator.

Many people make a low-power generator from a gas generator, a car or tractor generator, a battery from a screwdriver. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that a gearbox that reduces the speed will need to be installed on a structure with a generator from a tractor and an autogenerator.

DIY wind turbines for 220 V

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

To make the wind generator practical and of high quality, it is better to read the detailed instructions before making it.

The manufacture of any wind turbine involves the presence of such stages as:

Blade manufacturing. The blades of a vertical wind turbine can be made from a barrel. You can cut parts using a grinder. The screw for a small wind turbine can be made from a PVC pipe with a cross section of 160 mm.
Manufacturing of a mast. The mast must be at least 6 meters high. At the same time, in order for the twisting force not to break the mast, it must be fastened to 4 stretch marks. At the same time, each stretch must be wound around a log, which should be buried deep in the ground.
Installation of neodymium magnets. The magnets are glued to the rotor disc. It is better to choose rectangular magnets, in which 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. Moreover, there should be no more than 1200 skeins.
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, which 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 systems, heating and ventilation of a small country house, greenhouse.

DIY windmills 5 kW (video)

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

Examples of wind turbines (photo)

We have described in detail the options for making a system that is useful in the household, eliminating energy dependence. According to our advice, an inexperienced home craftsman can build a wind generator with his own hands. The practical device will help you to significantly reduce your daily expenses.

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

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

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

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

How to make a small windmill from a bicycle generator. Wind turbines from car generators. How does the legislation relate to the installation of a wind generator at your site

What is a wind generator? General system structure

The legality of installing a wind turbine

The principle of operation of the wind turbine

Classification of types of energy generators

Rotary wind turbine

The initial stage of manufacturing the installation

Advantages and disadvantages of a rotary windmill model