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Have you wanted to install an alternative energy source for a long time? A significant obstacle to the implementation of the idea is the cost of the device. But do not despair, you can make a wind generator from the engine of a washing machine with your own hands.
This mechanism will convert the wind power into electrical energy, and you will use it for everyday needs. To create a device yourself, read our article.
Advantages of a homemade wind generator
If you buy a wind generator even from a Chinese manufacturer, together with the installation, it will cost 75000 rubles. To create a windmill with your own hands, you will need patience and sleight of hand, as well as an old washing machine, additional parts, time. But this work is worth the effort.
To get the maximum efficiency from the device, it must be placed in an open area. The windmill starts at a wind speed of 2 to 3 m/s. To obtain the maximum efficiency (COP), a wind force of 9-10 m/s is sufficient.
This is interesting! If you think that the higher the wind speed, the greater the efficiency, then this is not so. At 25 m/s, the performance of the wind turbine is significantly reduced, as the blades become perpendicular.
What is useful for a wind generator from a washing machine:
- The generated 0,15-0,2 kW of energy is enough to light two rooms and watch TV.
- When generating 1-5 kW, you can use a refrigerator, computer, washing machine.
- 20 kW will not only provide light to all rooms in the house, but also allow you to use heating.
Consider how to make and install a 2,5 kW wind generator.
Getting Started
The “heart” of the whole structure is an electric generator. To make it, you will need an engine from a washing machine – you can use it from Vyatka or another Soviet brand. For this purpose, you need to completely redo the motor rotor.
Since this is long and painstaking, it is recommended to buy a ready-made magnetic rotor, and here are the reasons:
- To fit the native rotor of the motor, it must be cut on a lathe, as well as grooves for attaching magnets.
- You need to buy neodymium magnets that cost as much as a new rotor.
- Attach magnets securely and accurately. A slight shift to the side will cause them to stick and reduce performance.
The generator rotor is the main and most expensive part of the design.
What other elements does a windmill consist of
- Mast.
- Gearbox.
- Shaft.
- Impeller.
- Gears.
- Flange.
We use what is at hand and make a mast. To do this, you can take a long pipe, but if there is none, you can use pipe segments of 32 mm. Weld them together and get a mast 10 m high.
- Cover the finished mast with paint.
- Fasten the mast vertically. To do this thoroughly, you can use a pole or other support. At the same time, make sure that the support does not interfere with the rotation of the windmill.
Engage in the assembly of the gearbox, as shown in the photo below:
The gearbox is designed to control and slow down the rotation of the wind turbine propeller. So it protects the device from breakage during strong winds. How to proceed:
- Take the gear from the water pump drive. It is put on the mast, as noted in Figure 5.
- Attach pieces of metal fittings around the perimeter to the gears. Secure the connection by welding. It is marked with the letter S in the picture.
- Bearings and gears are installed on these trimmings (axles) and pressed in. This action is shown under the letter B.
- A small gear is put on the mast, which is marked with the letter A.
- All gears are in contact with each other and constantly interact.
After assembling the structure, you need to protect the mechanism from the weather. Figure 11 shows the case. To install it, you can take the case from the old pump or electric motor.
Now you need to assemble the impeller. The blades are of this type: winged and sailing (like a windmill). It is better to opt for a vane design, they allow you to get more efficiency.
Make the blades out of light and hard material: wood, aluminum, plastic. According to our installation, the length of the blades should be 1,5-2 meters.
You can also make a propeller from a fiberglass sheet. But in order to achieve structural rigidity, it is necessary to glue the blanks in two layers. Then they are combined into a single mechanism.
The preparation of the parts is over, proceed to the assembly of the wind generator.
Instructions on how to make a wind generator from an engine
Let’s give a step-by-step example of how to build an alternative energy source from a direct drive engine.
You need to install the support and mast of the windmill in an open area, you can on a hill. After the support is installed, do the following:
- Attach the gearbox and propeller to the mast.
Some wind turbines use a tail, as shown in the picture. It is made of light and material, allows you to rotate the structure in the wind.
- Connect the long shaft to the gearbox base. Fix the shaft so that it does not fall out, but at the same time rotates freely.
- On a pre-prepared support made of metal corners, a manufactured generator is attached, which is connected to the shaft.
- For the generator and the rotor, it is necessary to provide a protective casing that will cover them from moisture. To protect against frost in winter, coat the structure with silicone grease.
Install the windmill correctly in calm weather.
It is advisable to connect all electrical appliances through an inverter.
It must be taken into account that a lot of noise and vibration comes from large installations. Now you can connect the generator to the network, and check the operation of the wind generator.
Be careful. Do not immediately connect expensive and powerful devices. Test the operation of the windmill on a conventional charger and other elementary devices.
A wind generator is an ideal option for a backup power source. It can serve as the main one, but only for small farms or cottages.