Would you like to get cheap electricity using the power of the wind? I am sure that yes. Then the question arises of how to make an electric generator with your own hands. To complete the task, you should draw up a plan for its development, namely:

• prepare the materials from which the generator parts will be made;
• draw up a drawing according to which you can make an electric generator;
• flip through physics textbooks to consolidate some knowledge about electrical engineering in general.

The installation of a windmill - a system for supplying electricity by means of wind - corresponds to such goals. This low-power mechanism is enough to, for example, light up a room in a small building or water a vegetable garden. The savings in kilowatt-hours are evident.

Components of a wind power generator

The mechanism of this "mill" consists of four halves of a hollow cylinder, offset from the common axis. On the one hand, aerodynamic skew is noticeable. The air flow circulating across the axis tends to slide down, as it were. This occurs in the convex part of one of the half-cylinders. The other is directed with a concave gap to the wind and provides a certain resistance to the air. When the wind moves, both halves swing, changing places. This creates an acceleration of the mechanism, and the said cylindrical drum spins rather quickly.

How does this circuit differ from a propeller-type turntable?

A do-it-yourself electric generator in the form of a propeller must be manufactured very accurately. The above diagram is very convenient in design and installation. At the same time, the power of such a system is the same as that of a propeller with three blades up to 2.5 m in diameter. The cylinders provide sufficient torque. Another advantage of the mill is the absence of a current collector.

DIY electric generator.Device detail

The device is a four-blade drum, which was mentioned above. For the manufacture of drum halves, plywood, sheet plastic or the thickness of the rotor walls should not be large, you should pay attention to this when making blanks. The lighter the walls, the less the bearings will rub, that is, the air resistance during spinning will be insignificant.

Before using materials ...

For roofing iron, the vertical of the blades must be strengthened. For this purpose, a reinforced rod as thick as a finger is placed in the sides of the drum.

If the parts of the wind turbine are made of plywood, then it is important to impregnate them with hot drying oil. The convex sides of the blades can be made of lightweight plastic or metal. In the latter case, all joints must be carefully painted over with a dense oil paint... Wood is also suitable for construction.

What to make the crosses connecting the blades

To combine the blades into a rotor, a cross is needed. It is better to make it from iron strips with a cross section of 5x60 mm or from wooden blanks with a thickness of about 25 mm and 80 mm in width. At the edges of the blades, with a slight indentation, fixing holes should be drilled to secure them. The entire structure must be mounted on the axle.

What to make an axis of

An electric generator made with your own hands needs to be fixed on some kind of basis. This base is a steel axle having a diameter of 30 mm. Before assembling the axle, you need to find ball bearings suitable for the axle diameter. Then a steel cross is welded into it, and if the blade fasteners are made of wood, it is glued to the axis and at the same time clamped with M12 steel bolts into the holes drilled on the cross and pipe. Keep track of the distance of all blades from the axis, its approximate value is 150 mm. The distance should be the same everywhere.

The last detail of the device is the bed. How to make

Welding several metal corners or wood will do. When the bed is complete, the bearings can be installed. The main thing is that they stand level, without skewing. Pass the connecting straps into the lower part of the axle at its end different diameters by hooking them onto the pulley. It remains to connect the belt ends with some kind of current generator, for example, from a car. The construction is ready.

It is difficult not to notice how the stability of electricity supply to suburban facilities differs from the provision 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.

We have described in detail the options for making a useful household system that eliminates 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.

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

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

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

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

To provide 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.

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

The wind turbine includes:

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

The essence of wind turbines is simple. During the rotation of the rotor, a three-phase alternating current is generated, which then passes through the controller and charges battery direct current. Then 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 turbine with a horizontal axis of rotation allows you to well imagine which elements contribute to the conversion of kinetic energy into mechanical, and then into electrical

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

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

The last two forces overcome the braking force and set the flywheel in motion. On the stationary part of the generator, the rotor forms a magnetic field in order to electricity went on the wire.

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Classification of types of energy generators

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

So, wind turbines differ in:

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

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

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

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

As for the location of the axis of rotation relative to the earth's surface, horizontal models are also distinguished. And in this case, each type 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 a fixed and variable step. The variable pitch allows you to significantly increase the rotational speed, but such an installation is distinguished by a complex and massive design. Wind turbines with a fixed pitch are simpler and more reliable.

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

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

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

For this we need the following elements and materials:

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

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

A controller for a system that generates electricity can also be assembled by hand. The rules and schemes of manufacturing will be introduced in the article, the content of which we advise you to read.

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.

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

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

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

Usually the direction of rotation is clockwise. The bending angle of the blades affects the area of ​​action 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 segment with a length of 1 meter. This is enough.

And in order to connect a load to the network, which includes, for example, lighting and electrical devices, enough wires with a cross section of 2.5 mm². 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 alarm and even street lighting.

The advantages of this model are as follows:

• economical;
• elements can be easily exchanged for new ones 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.

In order to accurately select the model of a wind generator of the required power, before starting work, we recommend using the formulas given in the recommended article.

Assembly of an axial wind turbine on neodymium magnets

Since neodymium magnets appeared in Russia relatively recently, axial wind generators with 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 artisans who immediately adapted it to their varied needs.

Axial wind turbine on neodymium magnets with a horizontal axis of rotation is a more complex design that requires not only skill, but also certain knowledge

If you have a hub from an old car with brake discs, then we will take it as the basis for the future axial generator.

It is assumed that this part is not new, but already in use. 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 must 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 magnets, the poles alternate. It is important not to be mistaken. 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 alternating policies, plasticine bumpers are located along the outer and inner perimeters: the product is ready to be filled with epoxy resin

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

Epoxy can be used to increase the reliability of the fixation. 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 made of 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 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 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 the three-phase model is almost 50% higher than that of the single-phase model. Another advantage of this model is that in the absence of unnecessary vibration, the acoustic comfort increases when the device operates under load.

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

In the struggle between three-phase and single-phase devices, the three-phase device 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 self-made 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 we are making has to match the thickness of the magnets correctly. 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, 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 applying epoxy resin, you need to lubricate 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 finished mast should be approximately 6-12 meters long. 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 the event 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 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 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 models of wind turbines are efficient in their own way. Special nice results these devices are able to demonstrate in the steppe area with frequent and strong winds... They are efficient enough to be used in an organization and in the supply of electricity. And they are not so difficult to build with your own hands.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

This video shows an example of a wind turbine with a horizontal axis of rotation. The author of the device explains in detail the nuances of the design of the installation, made by hand, draws the attention of the audience to mistakes that can be made in the process self-made wind generator, 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 located not high, it is 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-manufacturing 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.

We invite visitors interested in the topic of the article to express their opinion in the comments and ask questions that have arisen in the course of familiarization with the material.

Unfortunately, domestic power supply organizations do not keep their word. Their contracts signed with consumers are worthless. The supply of electricity outside large cities is inconsistent, the quality of the supplied current is low (meaning voltage), therefore, residents of small towns and villages always have candles, kerosene lamps in stock, and the most advanced ones install gasoline current generators. This article will offer another option, which will be indicated by the question of how to make an electric generator with your own hands? Let's look at one version of this device.

Electric generator from a walk-behind tractor

Residents of suburban settlements have been using walk-behind tractors for a long time. After all, it is today, if I may say so, the most reliable assistant, without which work in the garden or garden is not carried out. True, like all this type of tools, the walk-behind tractor fails. You can restore it, but as practice shows, it is better to buy a new one.

The owners of the instrument are in no hurry to say goodbye to it, so each owner has country house there is one old copy in the closet. It will be possible to use it in the design of an electric generator with a voltage of 220/380 volts. It will create torque to the current generator, which can be used as a conventional induction motor. In this case, a powerful electric motor will be needed (at least 15 kW, with a shaft speed of 800-1600 rpm). Why is the electric motor so powerful?

It makes no sense to make a home-made generator for a couple of light bulbs, because the issue of full provision of the country house with electricity is being resolved. And with a low-power electric motor, you cannot get enough electricity. Although it all depends on the total power of household appliances and lighting at home. Indeed, in small dachas except for a refrigerator with a TV, there is nothing. Therefore, the advice is to first calculate the power of the house, then choose an electric motor generator.

Assembling the generator

So, in order to assemble a gasoline generator with your own hands with a voltage of 220 volts, you need to install a walk-behind tractor and an electric motor on the same bed so that their shafts are parallel. The thing is that the rotation from the walk-behind tractor to the electric motor will be transmitted using two pulleys. One will be mounted on the shaft of a gasoline engine, the other on the shaft of an electric one. In this case, it is necessary to correctly select the diameters of the pulleys. It is with these dimensions that the rotational speed of the electric motor is selected. This indicator should be equal to the nominal, which is indicated on the equipment tag. A slight upward deviation within 10-15% is welcome.

When the mechanical part of the assembly is completed, the pulleys are installed, connected by a belt, you can proceed to the electrical part.

• First, the windings of the electric motor are star-connected.
• Secondly, the capacitors connected to each winding must form a triangle.
• Third, the voltage in such a circuit is removed between the end of the winding and the midpoint. It is here that a current with a voltage of 220 volts is obtained, and between the windings 380 volts.

Attention! Installed in electrical circuit the capacitors must have the same capacitance. In this case, the value of the capacitance is selected depending on the power of the electric motor. It is this ratio that will maintain the correct operation of the current generator itself, but especially its start-up.

For information, we give the ratio of the motor power to the capacitance of the capacitors:

• 2 kW - 60 μF.
• 5 kW - 140 μF.
• 10 kW - 250 μF.
• 15 kW - 350 μF.

Pay attention to some useful tips provided by experts.

• If the electric motor warms up, then it is necessary to change the capacitors to elements with a reduced capacity.
• Usually, capacitors with a voltage of at least 400 volts are used for homemade power generators.
• Usually one capacitor is enough for a resistive load.
• If there is a need to use all three phases of the electric motor to power the house, then it is necessary to install a three-phase transformer in the network.

And one moment. If you are faced with a problem of how to organize heating using a homemade electric generator, then the engine from the walk-behind tractor will be small here (meaning the power of the device). The best option- this is an engine from a car, for example, from the Oka or Zhiguli. Many would argue that such equipment will cost a pretty penny. Nothing like this. You can buy a used car today for just a penny, so the costs will be negligible.

Advantages and disadvantages

So, what are the advantages of this device:

• You comfort yourself with the thought that you made it yourself. That is, you are proud of yourself.
• Financial costs are reduced to a minimum. Homemade unit will cost much less than its factory counterpart.
• If all stages of the assembly are carried out correctly, then the electrical equipment assembled by your hands can be considered reliable and quite productive.

Some negative points this kind of devices.

• If you are a beginner in electrical engineering or are trying to make a current generator without delving into all the subtleties and nuances of assembly, then you will fail. The time and money you spend will be considered a waste of time.

In principle, this is the only drawback, which inspires optimism.

Other generator designs

The petrol option isn't the only one. You can make the motor shaft rotate different ways... For example, using a wind turbine or a water pump. Not the most simple designs, but it is they that make it possible to move away from the consumption of an energy carrier in the form of gasoline.

For example, assembling a hydro generator with your own hands is also easy. If a river flows near the house, its water can be used as a force to rotate the shaft. For this, a wheel with many containers is installed in its bed. With this design, it is possible to create a flow of water that will rotate a turbine attached to the shaft of an electric motor. And the larger the volume of each container, the more often they are installed (the quantity increases), the greater the power of the water flow. In fact, this is a kind of generator voltage regulator.

With wind generators, things are a little different, because wind loads are not constant quantities. The rotation of the windmill, which is transmitted to the shaft of the electric motor, must be adjusted by adjusting it to the required value of the rotational speed of the shaft of the electric motor. Therefore, in this design, the voltage regulator is a conventional mechanical gearbox. But here, as they say, is a double-edged sword. If the wind reduces gusts, a step-up reducer is needed, if, on the contrary, it increases, a reduction gear is needed. This is the complexity of the construction of a wind power generator of current.

Conclusion on the topic

To summarize, you need to understand that homemade power generators are not a panacea. It is better to ensure that an electric current is constantly supplied to the village. It is difficult to achieve this, but you can get compensation for the inconvenience through the courts. And use the money already received to direct the purchase of the factory gasoline generator... True, you will have to take into account the consumption of expensive fuel (gasoline). But if there is a desire to assemble an electric generator with your own hands, then delve into the topic and try.

In these turbulent times, power outages sometimes occur. Solar panels a good option, but not on the eve of the cloudy and snowy winter- something better and more powerful is required here. A diesel generator is also a good option, just noisy and expensive to maintain. Then why not reinvent ... the bicycle? With easily accessible parts, you can build a powerful enough current generator that will charge your phone, laptop, or powerful battery for emergency lighting at home. The bike itself without wheels will stand on wooden base, and the pedaling will be transferred to the electric motor of the generator.

Bike generator

The installation of the bike is as follows: the rear wheel of the bike will drive the DC motor through the fan belt, this motor is connected to the charge controller, the charge controller charges the lead acid batteries, and the battery is connected to the inverter. And then you can connect any 220V device to the output of the inverter.

Main materials of the generator

• Flat board base
• Bicycle frame with rear wheel
• 12V lead acid battery
• DC-AC inverter
• DC-DC Charger
• 24 V DC electric motor
• Fan belt
• Wires, screws, and metal bar

First, attach the bike to a piece of thick plywood. Make sure you have enough space and attach the motor to the rear wheel through a pulley.

After installing the bike stand, the front wheel should sit firmly on the blocks. Next, remove the tire from the rear wheel. Attach the motor pulley. Attach the belt to the wheel and pulley. Make sure the motor is providing maximum fan belt tension.

The engine is used here at 2800 rpm, while driving at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour will give only 250 rpm on the rear wheel. Thus, we choose a pulley with a diameter about ten times smaller than the wheel, so even slow pedaling can give us the desired rpm (10x increase). For practical purposes, we chose the thickest belts that could fit into the wheel rim. Depending on which length you are using, the motor can be mounted on different distances from the rear wheel.

Charger

The charge controller regulates the current flowing into the battery and prevents overcharging and discharging of the battery. We will not give the scheme - firstly, the site is full of them, and secondly, it all depends on your capabilities and preferences.

Add a Zener diode

It is important not to exceed the level of the input charging voltage more than the limit (in our case, 24 V). You can add a powerful 24V breakdown zener, so if the voltage gets higher the zener will not let the excess voltage go to the charger.

Battery

If we use a 12 V battery, then a charge controller for a voltage of 12 V. The battery in the photo with a capacity of 18 A / h works great in this generator circuit and has a maximum charging current of 5 A.

Inverter

The current that comes out of the outlet is alternating current (AC). The inverter converts the low DC voltage of the battery into a boost of 220 VAC, so you can plug ordinary electrical appliances. When choosing an inverter, make sure that it is capable of supplying the output current and voltage for the required power. The inverter recommended in this project has a power of 500 watts.

Thus, it becomes possible, without the slightest additional costs, to obtain a sufficiently powerful, environmentally friendly source of electricity at least 12, at least 220 volts, which will help in case of accidents on power lines during a storm or other natural Disasters... And in combination, the generator works like a regular exercise bike!

For the needs of the construction of a private residential house or summer cottage home master you may need an autonomous source of electrical energy, which can be bought in a store or assembled by hand from available parts.

A home-made generator is capable of operating on energy from gasoline, gas or diesel fuel. To do this, it must be connected to the engine through a shock-absorbing coupling, which ensures smooth rotation of the rotor.

If local environmental conditions permit, for example, frequent winds blow or a source of running water is located nearby, then a wind or hydraulic turbine can be created and connected to an asynchronous three-phase motor to generate electricity.

Due to such a device, you will have a constantly working alternative source electricity. It will reduce the consumption of energy from public networks and allow you to save on its payment.

In some cases, it is permissible to use a single-phase voltage to rotate an electric motor and transfer torque to it to a home-made generator to create its own three-phase symmetrical network.

How to choose an induction motor for a generator by design and characteristics

Technological features

The basis of a homemade generator is asynchronous motor three-phase current with:

• phase;
• or a squirrel-cage rotor.

Stator device

The stator and rotor magnetic cores are made of insulated plates of electrical steel, in which grooves are created to accommodate the winding wires.

Three separate stator windings can be connected in the factory as follows:

• stars;
• or a triangle.

Their leads are connected inside the terminal box and connected with jumpers. The power cable is also mounted here.

In some cases, wires and cables can be connected in other ways.

Symmetrical voltages are applied to each phase of the asynchronous motor, shifted along the angle by a third of the circle. They generate currents in the windings.

It is convenient to express these quantities in vector form.

Features of the design of the rotors

Phase-rotor motors

They are provided with a stator winding, and the leads from each are connected to slip rings, which provide electrical contact with the starting and adjustment circuit through the pressure brushes.

This design is rather complicated to manufacture and expensive. It requires periodic monitoring of the work and qualified maintenance. For these reasons, it makes no sense to use it in this design for a homemade generator.

However, if there is a similar motor and there is no other use for it, then the conclusions of each winding (those ends that are connected to the rings) can be short-circuited among themselves. In this way, the phase rotor will turn into a squirrel-cage rotor. It can be connected according to any scheme discussed below.

Squirrel cage motors

Aluminum is poured inside the grooves of the rotor magnetic circuit. The winding is made in the form of a rotating squirrel cage (for which it received such an additional name) with short-circuited jumper rings at the ends.

This is the most simple circuit motor, which is devoid of moving contacts. Due to this, it works for a long time without the intervention of electricians, and is distinguished by increased reliability. It is recommended to use it to create a homemade generator.

Motor casing designations

In order for a homemade generator to work reliably, you need to pay attention to:

• characterizing the quality of protection of the case from the effects of the external environment;
• power consumption;
• speed;
• connection diagram of the windings;
• permissible load currents;
• Efficiency and cosine φ.

The principle of operation of an induction motor as a generator

Its implementation is based on the method of reversibility of an electric machine. If the motor, disconnected from the mains voltage, begins to forcibly rotate the rotor at the design speed, then an EMF will be induced in the stator winding due to the presence of residual energy of the magnetic field.

It remains only to connect a capacitor bank of the appropriate rating to the windings and a capacitive leading current, which has the character of magnetizing, will flow through them.

In order for the generator to self-excite, and a symmetrical system of three-phase voltages was formed on the windings, it is necessary to select the capacitance of the capacitors greater than a certain critical value. In addition to its value, the engine design naturally affects the output power.

For normal production of three-phase energy with a frequency of 50 Hz, it is necessary to maintain the rotor speed exceeding the asynchronous component by the slip value S, which lies in the range S = 2 ÷ 10%. It needs to be kept at the synchronous frequency.

Departure of the sinusoid from the standard frequency value will adversely affect the operation of equipment with electric motors: saws, planers, various machine tools and transformers. This practically does not affect resistive loads with heating elements and incandescent lamps.

Wiring diagrams

In practice, all common methods of connecting the stator windings of an induction motor are used. By choosing one of them, they create different conditions for the operation of the equipment and generate a voltage of certain values.

Star circuits

A popular option for connecting capacitors

The connection diagram of an asynchronous motor with star-connected windings for operation as a generator of a three-phase network has a standard form.

Scheme of an asynchronous generator with capacitors connected to two windings

This option is quite popular. It allows three groups of consumers to be powered from two windings:

• two with a voltage of 220 volts;
• one - 380.

The working and starting capacitors are connected to the circuit by separate switches.

Based on the same scheme, you can create a homemade generator with capacitors connected to one winding of an induction motor.

Triangle diagram

When assembling the stator windings in a star pattern, the generator will produce a three-phase voltage of 380 volts. If we switch them to a triangle, then - 220.

The three schemes shown above in the pictures are basic, but not the only ones. On their basis, other connection methods can be created.

How to calculate the characteristics of a generator by engine power and capacitance

To create normal operating conditions for an electric machine, it is necessary to observe the equality of its rated voltage and power in the modes of the generator and the electric motor.

For this purpose, the capacitance of the capacitors is selected taking into account the reactive power Q generated by them at various loads. Its value is calculated by the expression:

Q = 2π ∙ f ∙ C ∙ U 2

From this formula, knowing the motor power, to ensure full load, you can calculate the capacity of the capacitor bank:

С = Q / 2π ∙ f ∙ U 2

However, the operating mode of the generator should be taken into account. At idle, the capacitors will unnecessarily load the windings and heat them. This leads to large losses of energy, overheating of the structure.

To eliminate this phenomenon, capacitors are connected in steps, determining their number depending on the applied load. To simplify the selection of capacitors for starting an induction motor in generator mode, a special table has been created.

Starting capacitors of the K78-17 series and the like with an operating voltage of 400 volts and more are well suited for use in a capacitive battery. It is quite permissible to replace them with metal and paper counterparts with appropriate denominations. They will have to be collected in parallel.

It is not worth using models of electrolytic capacitors to work in the circuits of an asynchronous home-made generator. They are designed for direct current circuits, and when passing a sinusoid changing in direction, they quickly fail.

There is a special scheme for their connection for such purposes, when each half-wave is directed by diodes to its own assembly. But it is quite complicated.

Constructive execution

An autonomous power plant device must fully provide the operating equipment and be performed by a single module, including a hinged electrical panel with devices:

• measurements - with a voltmeter up to 500 volts and a frequency meter;
• switching loads - three switches (one common supply voltage from the generator to the consumer circuit, and the other two connect capacitors);
• protections - eliminating the consequences of short circuits or overloads and), saving workers from insulation breakdown and phase potential hitting the case.

Main power supply redundancy

When creating a home-made generator, it is necessary to provide for its compatibility with the grounding scheme of the working equipment, and in case of autonomous operation, it must be reliably connected to.

If a power plant is created for backup power devices operating from the state network, then it should be used when the voltage from the line is disconnected, and when restored, it should be stopped. To this end, it is enough to install a switch that controls all phases at the same time or connect a complex automatic system for turning on the backup power.

Voltage selection

The 380 volt circuit has an increased risk of human injury. It is used in extreme cases, when the phase value of 220 cannot be dispensed with.

Generator overload

Such modes create excessive heating of the windings with the subsequent destruction of the insulation. They arise when the currents passing through the windings are exceeded due to:

1. incorrect selection of capacitor capacitance;
2. connection of consumers of increased power.

In the first case, it is necessary to carefully monitor the thermal regime during idle. With excessive heating, it is necessary to adjust the capacitance of the capacitors.

Features of connecting consumers

The total power of a three-phase generator consists of three parts generated in each phase, which is 1/3 of the total. The current passing through one winding should not exceed the rated value. This must be taken into account when connecting consumers, distribute them evenly in phases.

When a home-made generator is created to operate on two phases, then it cannot safely generate electricity more than 2/3 of the total, and if only one phase is involved, then only 1/3.

Frequency control

The frequency meter allows you to monitor this indicator. When it was not installed in the design of a home-made generator, then you can use an indirect method: at idle, the output voltage exceeds the nominal 380/220 by 4 ÷ 6% at a frequency of 50 Hz.

One of the options for making a homemade generator from an asynchronous motor and its capabilities are shown in their video by the owners of the channel Maria with Alexander Kostenko.

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