DIY wind generator from a car generator. Converting a car generator for a homemade windmill to permanent magnets Vertical wind generator from a car generator

Want to save on utility bills? Assemble a wind generator with your own hands from available materials.

Principle of operation

The device consists of a rotor with blades, an electric generator, a mast for installation, inverters, a battery, a charge controller, and wires through which electricity passes.

The mast can be with or without guys. Depending on the type of structure, sometimes it can be lowered for maintenance or repair of the device.

Wind generator - a device for converting wind energy into electrical energy

  1. The operation of a wind generator includes 5 main stages:
  2. The wind spins the rotor or blades.
  3. The connection between the electric generator and the rotor occurs.
  4. The generated energy goes first to the charge controller, and then to the battery.
  5. It then goes to the inverters and is converted from 12 to 220 Volts (or from 24 to 380 Volts).

Electricity is supplied to the network.

The power of the wind generator is enough for street lighting, alarms and other devices

Important information: It is advisable to install high-power wind stations in regions where the average wind speed per year is not lower than 5 m/s. Otherwise, the payback period can be compared with the duration of operation.

Specifications

  • Before determining the need to use a wind generator, you should familiarize yourself with its technical characteristics:
  • maximum power - 1500 W;
  • voltage - 28 V;
  • maximum current - 54 A;
  • the maximum noise level in case of correct balancing is less than 57 dB;
  • minimum rotation speed - 1200 rpm;

maximum rotation speed - 4500 rpm.

The weight of the structure head should not exceed 25 kg. This value does not include the weight of the wind wheel and tail.

Wind power from a car generator: advantages and disadvantages

  • A homemade wind generator can be constructed from:
  • electric motor removed from the milling machine;
  • rotary part of a screwdriver or drill;
  • scooter motor wheels;
  • computer cooler;
  • washing machine motor;

car generator.

This is interesting: Wind generators are not only economical, but also environmentally friendly designs. They do not require the use of gasoline or other fuel to operate, so they do not pollute the atmosphere with harmful emissions.

Advantages of a wind farm based on a car generator:

  • speed of construction;
  • cheapness;
  • maintainability;
  • quiet operation;
  • synchronicity (stable voltage is provided);
  • possibility of using standard 12 Volt batteries.

As for the disadvantages, there are only three of them:

  1. This type of wind generator requires a high speed of up to 2000 rpm, so it is less reliable than specialized devices.
  2. The warranty on car generators is about 4000 hours of operation. Given this, it is easy to guess that the wind generator will require annual repairs. However, in this case you won’t have to spend too much money; you can simply replace the device that has failed.
  3. Many generators have electromagnetic excitation, which reduces efficiency (about 15% of the energy goes to the excitation coil).

Materials, devices and tools

To make a wind farm, you need:

  • car generator;
  • metal bucket or pipes (for making blades);
  • acid or gel battery;
  • battery charging relay and charge indicator lamp;
  • the box in which the wires will be connected;
  • wire or clamps (for securing to the generator mast);
  • four bolts with nuts;
  • 12 Volt switch button;
  • wires (cross section - 4 mm²);
  • wire cutters, screwdriver, wrench, drill.

How to make a wind generator with your own hands

Creating a windmill from a car generator involves several steps.:

  1. The rotor is being manufactured. To make it, you can use an ordinary bucket, which is cut into 4 equal blades lengthwise, without cutting to the end. One hole is drilled on each part of the bottom. The same thing is done on the generator. It is important that symmetry is precisely maintained to avoid imbalance. The blades can also be cut from PVC pipe using a ready-made template. They are then bolted to the metal disc.
    The edges of the blades are ground, which gives the device an aesthetic appearance and reduces noise during operation
  2. The rotor is attached to the generator with bolts.
    The bolts must be tightly tightened to ensure the reliability of the structure.
  3. The wires are connected to the generator, and then the electrical circuit is assembled in the box.
    To operate the wind generator, wires with a cross section of 4 mm² are used
  4. The remaining elements are attached to the mast. The rotor is attached to the mast using bolts or by welding
  5. The battery is connected to the circuit.

Wires are connected to the resulting structure, which lead to devices that consume energy (alarms, street lighting, etc.). If necessary, a voltage converter can be installed as an additional element.

Video: Windmill from a car generator

Installation Rules

It is recommended to install the windmill at a relatively long distance from the house and other structures (20 meters or more). It is advisable to choose an open space for this. In addition, take into account the density of the soil: the length of the wedges intended for stretching the mast, as well as the material for their manufacture, depends on it. If the soil is soft, you need to select a more massive and longer wedge than in the case of hard soil. They must be used at least three..

The ideal option, which will ensure the greatest reliability, is to arrange four wedges


Stretching methods are selected taking into account the length of the mast and the condition of the soil. For tall structures that are installed on soft ground, more stringent requirements are imposed on the wedges.

The lower part of the mast is bolted to a metal stand and concreted

The mast is lowered into the soil to a depth of 0.5 meters or lower, the guy fastenings are concreted, since the soil tends to be loose after rain. This feature can cause them to weaken and pose a risk of the entire structure falling.

If the mast does not lower, then it is necessary to provide a device for lifting to the main elements of the wind generator, which will allow for its maintenance.

The means for lifting to a height should be secured to the mast, because it should ensure reliability and convenience during repair work. It is necessary to understand that wind speeds can be high, and therefore it is recommended to build a platform with a welded ladder.

Important information: It is prohibited to approach the blades until they come to a complete stop.

  • As for the height of the mast, it should be 10 meters higher than the highest obstacle, which is located within a radius of 100 meters.
  • During operation of the wind generator, it is better to follow these recommendations:
  • periodically inspect the bolt connections at the points where the mast is attached to the generator and the foundation;
  • Check the insulation condition of electrical equipment once every six months or more often.

Thanks to a wind generator, you can save on electricity bills. It is easy to use and maintain, does not create much noise, but is not protected from hurricanes.

Before starting work, you need to decide what kind of device you want to make, since there are several types of wind generators:

  • rotary;
  • axial, magnetic, etc.

There are two axis locations:

  • horizontal - the most common, the efficiency of this type is 2 times higher;
  • vertical - installed at the bottom, as it has a lot of weight. And the wind below is 2 times quieter and, therefore, the power of the device is reduced by a factor of 8. The advantage is less noise and ease of use.

Regardless of the type of design, to make a homemade wind generator you should stock up on:

  • car generator;
  • voltmeter;
  • battery charging relay;
  • voltage regulator for alternating current;
  • material for making blades;
  • acid or gel battery;
  • a box for covering the wire;
  • container (stainless steel pan or aluminum bucket);
  • 12 volt switch;
  • three-core electrical cable (cross-section not less than 2.5 mm square);
  • an old water pipe (diameter not less than 15 mm, length 7 m);
  • charging lamp;
  • four bolts with nuts and washers;
  • metal clamps for fastening.

In addition, you must have special tools for the job:

  • grinder with discs;
  • marker;
  • screwdriver;
  • drill and drill bits;
  • metal scissors;
  • set of spanners;
  • gas keys of different numbers;
  • wire cutters;
  • roulette

Rotary wind turbine

A rotary windmill (the easiest to manufacture) is usually assembled from two or four blades. Its design is simple, so anyone can make a windmill from a car generator without any special modifications or costs. The power of such a device is enough to supply energy to a small garden house.

The generator for the windmill is selected in accordance with the desired power. If we take a 12 volt generator as a basis, we get a device up to 5 kW. The rotor blades must be the same size, then a windmill from a car generator will work well.

In addition, the power of the structure will depend on the wind - on the speed at which it blows on the blades. The windmill starts to rotate at 2 m/cm, and with greater productivity it will work at 12 m/sec. The efficiency of its operation is affected by the size of the blades into which the wind will blow. Measurements must be taken accurately.

How to make a wind generator

  1. The first stage is preparing the rotor. Take a metal container (pan, bucket). Using a marker and tape measure, mark four identical parts. The container is cut into blades using metal scissors or a grinder, without cutting to the end. The blades at the edges are slightly curved, which increases the speed of rotation. You cannot use materials made of tin with thin walls or take a galvanized container for the blades - these materials can deform and heat up under load.
  2. The side in which the pulley rotates is determined. Use a rotating motion to turn it left and right. Usually the pulley rotates clockwise, but it can also rotate counterclockwise.
  3. Connect the rotor to the generator. Using a drill, holes are made in the bottom of the container and the generator pulley. They must be symmetrical so that there is no imbalance during the movement of the blades. Attach the container with the blades to the generator (pulley) with bolts of the appropriate diameter.
  4. The resulting device is placed on a mast, which is made from a stored old pipe. If there are buildings at a distance of 30 m from the structure, the height of the mast must be increased. It is necessary that it be 1 m higher than these buildings, then the windmill will work better, because there will be no obstacle to the wind. We fix it with a metal clamp.
  5. Then the electrical wiring is installed and a closed circuit is assembled. All contacts are connected to the corresponding connectors. The wiring is fixed to the mast.
  6. At the last stage, the inverter, battery, instrumentation and lighting are connected. The inverter and battery should be connected using a cable (3 mm square in cross-section and 1 meter in size), and for the remaining parts a diameter of 2 mm square is sufficient.

A homemade wind generator from a car generator is ready.

Advantages and disadvantages of the design

Like all devices, a wind generator has its positive and negative sides.

Device maintenance

In order for a wind turbine to operate for many years without interruption, it is necessary to carry out periodic technical monitoring and maintenance.

  1. The current collector needs to be cleaned, lubricated and adjusted once every 2 months.
  2. Repair the blades if vibration and imbalance occur during rotation.
  3. Once every 3 years, paint metal elements with anti-corrosion paint.
  4. Check and adjust the mast fastenings and cable.

The efficiency of the device is affected by the area where the wind generator is installed (wasteland, presence of winds). But in any case, having this source of energy, independent of the stationary power supply, will never be superfluous.

One of the most effective sources of alternative energy is a wind generator. Solar panels are becoming popular, but so far the electricity they generate is 3 times more expensive than a wind power plant. In addition, the sun does not shine around the clock, cloudy weather reduces productivity by 5 times, and the efficiency of solar panels decreases by 5% annually.

What does a wind generator look like from a car generator?

Choosing a wind turbine design

The wind generator can have two axis arrangements. Preference is given to horizontal due to lower costs and 2 times greater efficiency.

View of a wind generator with a horizontal axis

Vertical rotors have to be installed at the bottom due to their large weight and dimensions, where the wind speed is 2 times lower, which reduces the power of the installation by 8 times. In some cases, they are used due to less noise, lack of orientation to the wind, low starting speed and ease of use.

If you make special guides for vertical drum units, productivity will increase, and drift from strong winds will be eliminated. The design is complex, but the result is worth it.

The number of blades is most often chosen to be no more than three, due to the high rotation speed and less noise. In high winds they can be destroyed, but in industrial designs the angles of rotation of the blades change, which makes it possible to regulate the speed and reduce the noise.

A 1 kW wind generator of industrial production, together with the complete set, costs about 50 thousand rubles. and higher. For most users, this amount is too high.

Autogenerator modification

Currently, a windmill from a car generator has been thoroughly developed for DIY production. For many car enthusiasts, it may lie idle in the garage. Even if it has some kind of malfunction, the parts can be useful, since a major rework will still be required. The generator requires high speeds, which can only be provided by strong winds. When weak wind prevails, this device is not suitable as a wind generator, even if modified to lower speeds.

Before you start making a wind generator with your own hands, you must keep in mind that it will additionally require a controller, battery and inverter, located in series one after another.

What does a complete wind turbine look like?

In general, the design will not be cheap. In addition, the batteries will have to be replaced with new ones from time to time.

Rotor manufacturing

The autogenerator rotor has an electromagnetic excitation winding, which requires additional control electronics and brushes with a commutator.

If you make it yourself using permanent magnets, the design can be simplified by removing the collector. In addition, it is necessary to rewind the stator windings so that the device turns from high-speed to low-speed. You should also remake the iron rotor, which closes the magnetic lines to itself and, as a result, no current will be generated in the stator coils. The figure below shows a disassembled generator.

Autogenerator disassembled

A non-magnetic attachment for the old rotor shaft is machined from aluminum. Then a steel pipe bandage is put on it with tension. Markings are made on it, and rectangular neodymium magnets with alternating poles are glued with superglue. Epoxy resin is poured between them, after which the surface is leveled.

DIY rotor with neodymium magnets

The generator produces enough energy when rotating at a speed of about 6000 rpm. For it to be effective at 600 rpm, the stator winding should be rewinded, increasing the number of turns by 5 times. In this case, the cross-section of the wire must be reduced.

To get a powerful source of energy, you will need a homemade generator for a windmill using neodymium magnets.

The disadvantage of supermagnet generators is magnetic sticking, when it is difficult to move the shaft from its place.

To reduce it, magnets are glued with a slight distortion. In addition, the blades should also be made larger. The magnetic field will decrease if you go through all the stator plates, separating them with a knife and hammer. They are then leveled on the anvil with a rubber hammer. The stator is assembled using special equipment with the plates tightened with clamps.

DIY wind wheel

The blades are made of plastic or duralumin pipe, the diameter of which is 20% of the footage. A meter pipe with a diameter of 20 cm is cut lengthwise into 4 equal parts. A wing is made from one part, followed by the next ones, using it as a template. The edges of the blades are rounded and ground to remove burrs. The blades are attached to an old circular saw blade, grinding off its teeth and drilling holes for installation.

Segmented blades are typically used for incompressible media. The air profile must have a complex shape to ensure high performance. The main work is performed by the outer ends of the blades. Craftsmen make them with stiletto heels, since the internal part near the rotor does not work. The figure below shows such a design where the blades are welded to round steel rods.

View of a four-blade wind wheel

The wind wheel is installed horizontally on a tripod and balanced by sharpening the blades until the structure is balanced. They must rotate in the same plane with a skew of no more than 2 mm.

Wind turbine assembly

The diameter of the wind wheel shaft must be at least 20 mm. If the generator has a smaller one, the shafts should be installed coaxially, connecting them with a coupling. The wind wheel is installed on a key and additionally secured with a nut screwed onto the axle.

The frame of the device is made of profile pipe. The rotation axis is a pipe mounted in two bearings. It is attached to the top of the mast. The weather vane is cut out of galvanized sheet metal 40x60 cm and secured with bolts. The length of the tail is 1.5 m. The distance from the blades to the mast is made at least 25 cm, so that when bending from a strong wind they do not break.

The generators work to recharge the battery, which must supply 220V household appliances.

An inverter is needed to convert the voltage. If you rotate it quickly, the battery may fail due to the high charging current. To prevent this from happening, you should install a voltage controller. You can buy it or make it yourself.

The wind generator is maintained as follows:

  1. adjusting, cleaning and lubricating the current collector every 2 months;
  2. repair of the blade when imbalance and vibration occur;
  3. painting of metal parts after 3 years;
  4. checking and adjusting fasteners.

Video. DIY wind generator.

A self-generator without conversion is not suitable for a wind generator, because it requires a high rotation speed. The gearbox does not solve the problem, as the rotational resistance increases. Without some experience, it is difficult to make an effective unit with your own hands. A well-made wind turbine will easily generate power up to 1 kW.

- useful thing. It helps to generate electrical energy using only natural phenomena, in this case this phenomenon is the wind. The stronger the wind, the more energy you can get using a wind generator.

They are divided into two categories:

  1. industrial;
  2. domestic;

Industrial ones are installed by the state or large energy corporations and most often they are integrated into networks. Using a wind generator at home, you receive, first of all, not electricity, but direct alternating current.

They are classified:

  • in count ;
  • the material from which it is made;
  • along the axes of rotation;
  • by screw pitch;

There are 2 main types of wind turbines:

  1. The axis of rotation is vertical.
  2. The axis of rotation is horizontal.

Principle of operation

When the lifting force begins to act, the generator rotor begins to rotate. This force occurs when wind flow begins to flow around the blades. Under these circumstances, the generator begins to produce alternating and unstable current flows, which are rectified in the controller.

This current is intended for charging batteries. At the same time, a second device is connected to the batteries - this is an inverter, which converts the direct voltage of the battery equipment into single-phase or three-phase alternating voltage, which is used by the consumer.

The wind generator in normal cases does its work with the controller and inverter, but there are other ways to use it:

  1. Automatic battery operation.
  2. Automatic operation with battery and solar battery.
  3. Automatic operation with battery and diesel backup generator.
  4. A wind turbine that does its work in parallel with the network.

The benefits of wind energy are certainly good. Wind energy is abundant, environmentally friendly, and completely safe and reliable as a resource for generating electricity.

Components that a wind generator cannot do without:

  • foundation base;
  • electrical cabinet;
  • towers;
  • stairs;
  • rotating mechanism;
  • gondolas;
  • electric generator;
  • anemometer;
  • brake system;
  • transmissions;
  • blades;
  • systems for changing blade angles of attack;

Required tools:

  • electric drill with drills (5.5 – 7.5 mm);
  • gas and adjustable wrench;
  • jigsaw with metal file;
  • screwdriver;
  • roulette;
  • protractor;
  • compass;
  • marker;
  • tap ¼ ×20;

Windmill manufacturing procedure


Before you begin building a windmill, you should select a suitable generator that will provide energy at low rotations. A good generator is a car one, but before using it it is necessary to rewind the stator and implant neodymium magnets.

If you don’t have a self-generator, you can weld a housing for the stator.

The action plan is:

  1. Take a sheet of steel whose thickness is 2 mm.
  2. Using a grinder, cut out 2 octagons that will exceed the outer diameter of the stator by 2 centimeters.
  3. Cut 2 strips, the width of which will be 1.5 centimeters.
  4. Compress the strips along the stator and weld them to the octagons.
  5. Make 2 flanges from 2 mm steel.
  6. Drill holes for the 201st bearings to attach the flanges with bearings.

Rotor manufacturing:

  1. Find a metal rod whose thickness is 12 mm.
  2. Cut threads on the stud to secure the screw.
  3. Take out a metal sleeve, the thickness of which will be 76 mm.
  4. Take a piece of the 72nd pipe and make a 2 mm ring.
  5. Fry with clamps and cook.
  6. Fill the sleeve with epoxy resin onto the stud.
  7. Weld plates onto the stud so that it does not spin.
  8. Cut 2 circles from tin along the outer diameter of the sleeve.
  9. Insert the pin into the holes and fill with epoxy.
  10. Sand the rotor to a shine.

This rotor will help save a certain amount of money.

When the housing has acquired a normal appearance, it is necessary to move on to the stator. First you need to remove the old winding and scrape off the old varnish from the grooves. Then you should purchase 200 enamel wire with 200 turns of 0.56 mm.

The stator needs to be wound onto each coil directly onto a tooth so that it turns out tightly and evenly, and many turns can fit in. Notebook cardboard can be used as an insulating material. The wire must be wound in phases, stepping every 2 teeth. Then you should check the phases to see if they are shortened and coat them with varnish. You should get 12 coils of 3 phases.

It is necessary to create 24 poles on the rotor, since the ratio of magnet to coils is 2/3. Next, 24 magnets should be glued onto the rotor at equal distances and filled with epoxy.

After all the steps taken, you need to assemble the generator, connect the phases into a star and turn it over. It will turn out to be about 2000 rpm with 13 volts.


Manufacturing of blades:

  1. Take the barrel.
  2. Divide with a marker and tape measure into 4 equal parts.
  3. Cut out the blades.
  4. Bolt them to the bottom and pulley.
  5. Bend the blades, doing this carefully to avoid a sharp gust of wind.

After this, you need to mount the wheel and balance it. Balancing the wind wheel should be done in a closed and spacious room. An important part will be the stillness of the air.

Balancing:

  1. Suspend the wheel in working position at a height so that there are no obstacles to free rotation.
  2. Stop the wheel until it is completely motionless and release.
  3. Rotate the wheel manually through an angle of 360/3.
  4. Stop and release.
  5. Repeat the observation again until the wheel rotates completely around its axis.

If a wheel that has stopped and is released begins to rotate spontaneously, it means that the part of the wheel that rushes down has a heavier weight. It is necessary to make this part lighter by grinding the edge of one of the blades.

Similar tests on the same stand will show whether all parts of the blade “fit” into the plane of rotation of the wheel. To do this, you need to completely stop the wheel and place two bars on both sides of the blade, which will not interfere with the rotation of the bar at a distance of 2 mm from the blades. When the wheel rotates, the blade should not touch the bar.

Assembly

In order to assemble a windmill, it is necessary to make a rotating axis. It can be made from bearings and a 15th pipe bend with threads and nuts. It is necessary to fill the tube with epoxy inside the bearing, and pour it on a piece of plastic pipe, the diameter of which will be 50 mm. Thus a rotary axis appeared.

Windshield installation procedure:

  1. Make a beam 60 centimeters long from a 50*25 mm profile.
  2. Attach it to the generator beam.
  3. Secure the tail.
  4. Cut holes to secure the rotary axis.
  5. Install the blades.
  6. Attach the finished wind generator to the mast.
  7. Connect the small battery pack.
  8. Connect the multimeter.

The wind generator is installed and ready for use. In low-wind conditions, this windmill can easily provide LED lighting, a TV with a laptop and other small things. But this is only in low windy weather. In strong winds, energy production increases several times.

At the present time, the greatest problem that prevents the development of industrial small wind installations is their too high cost, and based on this, their acquisition in order to fully provide the house and nearby electrical energy will be financially beneficial with an average annual wind gust that reaches more than 6 m /With.

If a weak wind is blowing, then it is quite enough for the replacement energy to be able to help provide electricity to some small structures, then it is necessary to make a wind structure for the dacha manually - the cost will be several times cheaper than buying a ready-made one.

However, it should be remembered that wind energy is an industry that is developing rapidly, and therefore, if you always watch for new products, it will not be difficult to find the best option to solve the difficulty in building wind turbines for private homes.

A wind generator made from a car generator can help in a situation where a private home does not have the ability to connect to a power line. Or it will serve as an auxiliary source of alternative energy. Such a device can be made with your own hands from scrap materials, using the best practices of folk craftsmen. Photos and videos will demonstrate the process of creating a homemade wind turbine.

There is a huge variety of types of wind generators and drawings for their manufacture. But any design includes the following mandatory elements:

  • generator;
  • blades;
  • storage battery;
  • mast;
  • the electronic unit.

With some skills, you can make a wind generator with your own hands

In addition, it is necessary to think through the control and distribution system of electricity in advance and draw an installation diagram.

Wind wheel

The blades are perhaps the most important part of a wind generator. The operation of the remaining components of the device will depend on the design. They are made from different materials. Even from a plastic sewer pipe. Pipe blades are easy to manufacture, inexpensive and not susceptible to moisture. The procedure for manufacturing a wind wheel is as follows:

  1. It is necessary to calculate the length of the blade. The diameter of the pipe should be equal to 1/5 of the total footage. For example, if the blade is one meter long, then a pipe with a diameter of 20 cm will do.
  2. Using a jigsaw, cut the pipe lengthwise into 4 parts.
  3. From one part we make a wing, which will serve as a template for cutting out subsequent blades.
  4. We smooth out burrs on the edges with abrasive.
  5. The blades are fixed to an aluminum disk with welded strips for fastening.
  6. Next, the generator is screwed to this disk.

Blades for wind wheel

After assembly, the wind wheel needs balancing. It is mounted horizontally on a tripod. The operation is carried out in a room closed from the wind. If the balancing is carried out correctly, the wheel should not move. If the blades rotate on their own, then they need to be sharpened until the entire structure is balanced.

Only after successful completion of this procedure should you proceed to checking the accuracy of rotation of the blades; they should rotate in the same plane without distortion. Please allow 2mm error.


Generator assembly diagram

Mast

To make a mast, an old water pipe with a diameter of at least 15 cm and a length of about 7 m is suitable. If there are buildings within 30 m of the intended installation site, then the height of the structure is adjusted upward. For efficient operation of the wind turbine, the blade is raised above the obstacle by at least 1 m.

The base of the mast and the pegs for securing the guy wires are concreted. Clamps with bolts are welded to the stakes. For guy wires, galvanized 6 mm cable is used.

Advice. The assembled mast has considerable weight; if installed manually, you will need a counterweight made of a pipe with a load.

Generator conversion

To make a windmill generator, a generator from any car is suitable. Their designs are similar to each other, and the modification boils down to rewinding the stator wire and making a rotor with neodymium magnets. Holes are drilled in the rotor poles to fix the magnets. Install them alternating poles. The rotor is wrapped in paper, and the voids between the magnets are filled with epoxy resin.


Car generator

In the same way, you can remake the engine from an old washing machine. Only the magnets in this case are glued at an angle to avoid sticking.

The new winding is rewound along the reel onto the stator tooth. You can make a random winding, depending on who you are comfortable with. The greater the number of turns, the more efficient the generator will be. The coils are wound in one direction according to a three-phase circuit.

The finished generator is worth testing and measuring data. If at 300 rpm the generator produces about 30 volts, this is a good result.


Generator for a windmill from a car generator

Final assembly

The generator frame is welded from a profile pipe. The tail is made of galvanized sheet. The rotary axis is a tube with two bearings. The generator is attached to the mast in such a way that the distance from the blade to the mast is at least 25 cm. For safety reasons, it is worth choosing a calm day for the final assembly and installation of the mast. When exposed to strong winds, the blades can bend and break against the mast.

To use batteries to power equipment that operates on a 220 V network, you will need to install a voltage conversion inverter. The battery capacity is selected individually for the wind generator. This indicator depends on the wind speed in the area, the power of the connected equipment and the frequency of its use.


Wind generator device

To prevent the battery from being damaged by overcharging, you will need a voltage controller. You can make it yourself if you have sufficient knowledge in electronics, or buy a ready-made one. There are many controllers available for sale for alternative energy production mechanisms.

Advice. To prevent the blade from breaking in strong winds, install a simple device - a protective weather vane.

Wind generator maintenance

A wind generator, like any other device, requires technical monitoring and maintenance. To ensure uninterrupted operation of the windmill, the following work is periodically carried out.


Wind generator operation diagram
  1. The current collector requires the most attention. Generator brushes need to be cleaned, lubricated and preventatively adjusted every two months.
  2. At the first sign of a malfunction of the blade (shaking and imbalance of the wheel), the wind generator is lowered to the ground and repaired.
  3. Every three years, metal parts are coated with anti-corrosion paint.
  4. Regularly check the fastenings and tension of the cables.

Now that the installation is complete, you can connect devices and use electricity. At least while it's windy.

Do-it-yourself generator for a windmill: video