Do-it-yourself wind generator from a washing machine engine: types of products, step-by-step instructions

Electricity is a rather expensive source, whose environmental safety is in doubt. This is due to the fact that hydrocarbons are used to produce electricity. These processes not only consume mineral resources, but also poison the environment. You can provide the room with wind energy. Such installations are not cheap, but you can make a wind generator from a washing machine engine with your own hands.

Wind turbine as an energy source

Such devices are not often used as the main sources of electricity, but as additional ones they are quite optimal. This is ideal for summer cottages, country houses, which are located in places where power outages often occur. A self-made construction from a washing machine engine or a screwdriver will be very cheap and will help save significant amounts on energy costs.

This is a great solution for thrifty owners who do not want to overpay and are willing to work hard to reduce costs. The classical design includes mechanical devices, the main purpose of which is to convert the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical, and then into electrical. Most modern models are equipped with three blades. This is necessary to increase the efficiency. They begin to function at a wind speed of 2-3 m / s.

Wind speed is the most important indicator, because the performance of the unit depends on it. In technical documents for industrial wind turbines, they always indicate the indicators at which the product operates with maximum efficiency parameters. In most cases, this value is 9-10 m / s.

There are also maximum permissible wind speeds. They vary between 23-25 ​​m / s. With such indicators, the efficiency of the wind generator is significantly reduced, because the blades of the unit change position. If we talk about a self-made installation, it is extremely difficult to calculate the technical characteristics in it.

It is necessary to focus on average values, and then calculate the required amount of electricity for basic needs.

Unit profitability

Installation of a wind generator is justified if the wind speed exceeds 4 m / s. In a similar situation almost all needs can be met:

1. A product with a performance of 0.15−0.2 kW will be able to transfer the lighting of premises to environmentally friendly energy. In addition, it will be possible to connect a TV or PC.
2. A design with a power of 1-5 kW will be able to ensure the functioning of appliances, including a washing machine and refrigerator.
3. To operate all systems and equipment on environmentally friendly energy, including heating, a 20 kW unit will be required.

When making a wind generator from a washing machine with your own hands, you should take into account the instability of the wind speed.

Electricity can disappear at any time, therefore, household appliances must not be connected directly to the device. This requires batteries and a charge control device, since electrical equipment requires a voltage of 220 V.

To make the unit with your own hands, you will need to buy several parts. Many of them can probably be found in old household appliances, but some will need to be purchased. Main elements:

• a gearbox for adjusting the speed of the rotor;
• a battery, the purpose of which is to accumulate electricity to power devices at a time when the rotor blades do not move;
• the tail part, thanks to which the structure moves in the direction of the wind;
• rotor with blades;
• a casing that is needed to protect the parts of the wind generator from moisture and other negative environmental factors;
• converter for converting current;
• mast for fixing the structure.

If you buy a ready-made station, along with the installation you need to pay 70-80 thousand. rub. A home-made wind generator will cost no more than 3.5-4 thousand rubles. rub.

The difference in cost is significant, so it is quite advisable to make and install the structure on your own. The result will be a unit with a power rating of about 2.5 kW. This is quite enough for the functioning of household appliances.

Principle of operation and types of products

All wind turbines are different, regardless of whether they are industrial or do-it-yourself. Their classification is carried out on several grounds:

1. Number of blades. The most practical are units with 3 blades. However, their number can vary both up and down.
2. Blade pitch. This value can be constant or variable.
3. Movement characteristics of a rotor with blades attached to it. The movement can be carried out vertically or horizontally. A feature of the latter is higher efficiency rates, and the former are more resistant to negative external factors.
4. Materials for the production of blades are different - hard or sail. The latter are much cheaper, the rigid ones are more durable.

When self-manufacturing a wind turbine, you first need to decide on the design. In addition, it is necessary to calculate the required power taking into account the operating conditions.

Horizontal structures are preferable in that high-precision calculations are not required for their production. Such a windmill is much easier to make, it starts working even with a slight wind. The disadvantage is the bulkiness of the product and noise during operation.

The vertical unit is suitable for those who have time to assemble and install a complex but compact system. The wind turbine functions by the movement of the blades, which are attached to the rotor. The latter is fixed on the generator shaft, which generates a flow of electricity. Further, the energy goes to battery devices, where it is accumulated, and then supplies power to household appliances.

Advantages and disadvantages

Wind turbines have been popular for a very long time. The designs are constantly being improved, and the wind is an easily accessible energy source. Devices powered by it are environmentally safe and convenient, because they are placed on masts without taking up useful space. The units are easy to maintain and repair.

Structures emit sound during operation. The noise can be louder or quieter, but it is always present. Often this aspect disturbs the owners of the house and neighbors. There are other disadvantages as well.

Wind is an extremely unpredictable element. Due to this, the activity of the generator is unstable, therefore, it is necessary to accumulate energy so that in calm weather it will not be left without electricity.

Manufacturing instruction

To produce a wind generator, you will need a 1.5 kW washing machine engine. Besides, will be required:

• neodymium magnets 0.5-1.2 cm in size - 32 pcs.;
• sandpaper;
• epoxy resin;
• glue.

You can buy magnets in online stores or retail chains. They need to be installed on the rotor. From the latter, it is necessary to remove the cores or cut off part of them on a lathe. Then grooves are made in them with a depth of 5 mm.

When the structure is ready, you need to install the magnets in the provided places. The first step is to make a tin cover for the core, and then install the magnets at the same distance from each other. It is important to observe the distance, otherwise the magnets will stick together during operation, and the performance of the device will significantly decrease.

The finished magnetic template is placed on the rotor, and the gaps are filled with epoxy. When the procedure is over, you should clamp the rotor in a vice and carefully sand the surface with sandpaper. After that, the condition of the bolts should be checked on the bearing and housing. If the elements are worn out, it is recommended to replace them.

Functional check

To check the operation of the assembled wind generator, you will need additional devices. Among them:

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

First of all, you need to determine which wires go from the working winding, and remove all the rest.

These conductors must be connected to a rectifier. The latter is connected to the controller, which is connected to the battery. The system is ready for testing.

The power of the windmill is checked as follows: a voltmeter is brought to the battery, and the assembled unit is unwound with a conventional drill or screwdriver. It should be noted that the speed of the latter should be at least 800 rpm, the best option is 1000. Normal indicators are 200-300 V.

When assembling a wind turbine from a washing machine, it may be difficult to manufacture the impeller. You need to choose a lightweight, but at the same time durable material. A good solution is fiberglass blades. They are lightweight, but very reliable and durable. For the mast, pipes made of steel with a diameter of 32 mm are sufficient.

Installation process

The first step is to choose a suitable place for the wind generator. It is advisable to install the support in an open area, the top of a hill is best suited for this. Many experienced craftsmen believe that the higher the support structure, the better. Step-by-step actions:

1. Place the mast on the supporting structure, fix it in the fixing points. During the installation process, it is advisable to use mounting claws.
2. Fasten the pre-assembled impeller with gearbox to the mast. Then you need to check the functioning of the gearbox.
3. The next step is to connect the shaft to the main gear. The latter is located at the base of the gearbox.
4. Fix the shaft in the fasteners.
5. Connect the rotating shaft to the generator, which is already fixed to the metal structure from the corners. It is installed vertically, strictly opposite the shaft.

To protect the wind generator from various weather conditions, you can make a canopy over it. Such designs significantly increase the service life of the product.

Experts do not advise to immediately connect expensive and powerful household appliances to the windmill. First, you need to test the design on a phone charger or other simple devices.

A wind generator is the best option as an alternative source of energy, but it can also become the main one for small buildings or country houses. A homemade device will work for more than one year. In addition, a hand-made product will significantly save the family budget. The main thing is to carefully study the information and not be afraid of experiments.