How to make a generator from a washing machine engine with your own hands

Having an autonomous power source at home is very beneficial: such a device will help out if the power supply is turned off. Its power, although small, is sufficient to serve as a backup source of energy.

Buying a new generator is expensive, but doing it yourself is possible. In the article you will learn how to make a generator from a washing machine engine.

How to choose and convert a washing machine engine into a generator

How to make a generator from an electric motor with your own hands? Not easy. It will take patience, as well as the ability to make some parts on a lathe.

From a conventional asynchronous motor of a washing machine with a power of 170-180 W, it is possible to create a generator with a power of 1,5 kW. It is better to use the engine from the Vyatka washing machine and other Soviet-made models, since they are more powerful.

Tools and parts

Also for work you will need:

  • neodymium magnets in sizes of 20, 10 and 5 mm – only 32 pieces;
  • rectifier;
  • glue;
  • lathe;
  • sandpaper;
  • cold welding;
  • scissors;
  • pliers, screwdrivers.

The order of work

Magnets can be bought either in specialized stores or on the Internet. If you do not have a lathe at home, you can order the manufacture of parts from a familiar craftsman.

  1. It is necessary to remake the rotor of an induction motor so that magnets can be installed. To do this, the cores are removed, part of them is cut off on a lathe to a depth of 2 mm.
  2. To install the magnets, you need to make grooves in the core to a depth of 5 mm.

Core preparation is complete. Now you need to put the magnets in place. To do this, make a coating for the core from a piece of tin. This template must exactly match the positioned holes. Therefore, cut a piece to exactly the diameter of the core, with holes in the right places.

Note! Magnets must be installed at an equal distance from each other. Otherwise, during operation, they will begin to stick together, due to which the generator will lose power.

Installation of magnets and step-by-step assembly of the generator

Consider how to convert the engine into a homemade generator.

  1. Place the magnets on a strip of glued tin – at an equal distance. Magnets are also attached with superglue. It is important that all of them are located evenly, without tilt. Since the magnets are quite strong and may come off during operation, wear safety goggles.
  2. Once the magnet template is positioned on the rotor, fill in any gaps between them with cold welding. To do this, knead the composition well and cover the entire space. You can also fill the space between the magnets with epoxy.
  3. Using sandpaper, sand the surface of the rotor until it is completely smooth. For convenience, you can clamp it in a vise.
  4. Check the housing bolts and bearing, they may need to be replaced with new ones.

Remodeling work completed. You have made a generator from a direct drive motor. You can start testing a homemade device.

How to check the generator

What you need to check:

  • controller;
  • tester;
  • rectifier;
  • battery.

Using a multimeter, find the two wires leading to the working winding, they should show the same resistance. We cut off the rest of the wires as unnecessary.

Now connect the wires of the working winding to the rectifier. The latter is connected to the controller, which in turn is connected to the battery. To check how much power the alternator is putting out, connect the leads of a multimeter (set to voltmeter mode) to the battery.

Using a drill or screwdriver, spin the generator at a speed of 800-1000 rpm. If the multimeter showed from 200 to 300 Volts, this is an excellent result. If the voltage is low, most likely the magnets are installed unevenly.

Use cases

Now you have a generator, what’s next?

  • By installing the generator to the chainsaw, you can get a small power plant. Her energy is enough to light 2 small rooms, the operation of a computer and a TV.
  • Connect to a hydro turbine that can be installed in a home waterfall or fast flowing stream.

And you can install a wind generator to produce mechanical energy that can be converted into electrical energy. You can use a generator from an asynchronous or collector motor. This is a safe alternative power source that starts up with winds of 2-3 m/s. The maximum efficiency can be obtained at 9-10 m/s.

However, for home consumption, a wind force of 4 m / s will be enough, then you will get:

  • At 0,15-0,20 kW, you can light up rooms and watch TV.
  • At 1-5 kW, connect a computer, washing machine, refrigerator.
  • At 20 kW even start heating.

It is recommended to install a windmill with three blades, it is considered the most efficient. For installation, you need a strong iron rod – it will serve as a support. A generator, rotor and blades are installed on it. It is also necessary to provide a protective casing for the generator from the weather.

The moving part of the windmill is hinged. Then the mast is attached – so that the whole structure is stable. A wire is laid along the mast to the generator, the other end is attached to the shield. Then the controller, battery and inverter are connected.

Read more about how to make a wind generator from a washing machine in the next article.

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