A home wind generator is an alternative device for generating electricity. Such equipment will be indispensable if you are not very close to the center line.
Advantages and disadvantages of the equipment
A wind generator for the home is a popular unit. However, it has its pros and cons. Among the advantages are the following:
- for the generated energy you do not need to pay anything;
- you will not suffer in case of disconnection of the main power source;
- windmills can supply energy to those houses that are far from centralized lines;
- there is the possibility of using a generator for space heating (together with other sources, such as solar panels);
- the device does not emit any harmful substances, and also you do not have any waste left, that is, you do not pollute the environment.
It should be noted that the wind generator for the house has certain disadvantages:
- The initial purchase and installation are quite expensive;
- such a device can only work when the wind blows, so you can’t constantly use such energy;
- the device makes a fairly strong noise.
Types of equipment
The wind generator for the house can be with a vertical or horizontal axis. The second type is more common. First of all, they were invented much earlier than vertical-axis devices. But they have their drawback: for the operation of such an aggregate, a certain direction and wind force are necessary.
The first type of device has its advantages. In addition, it is becoming more popular than horizontal axis generators. The fact is that he is constantly expanding the range of capacities. And also vertical devices do not depend on the direction of the wind.
Design and principle of operation of the product
Do-it-yourself wind generators for the home are not difficult. However, you should first understand the design of the device. So, the presented device consists of only several parts: rotor, blades, mast, as well as a “tail”, thanks to which the device rotates in the direction of the wind. In addition, additional batteries may be included in the overall system.
In addition to the main components, in your own design you can use a variety of sensors, anemometers, rotary blades regulators. If the windmill is manufactured in production, then it can be equipped with a noise absorber, a system of orientation in the wind.
As for the operating principle of the presented equipment, it is very simple. When the wind blows, the blades of the windmill begin to rotate. As a result, the generator is turned on, which produces electric current. Since it is constant, it is necessary to use an inverter. Thanks to it, at the output you get an alternating current.
For the correct operation of the presented apparatus, it is necessary to use various measuring instruments that will help to identify any inaccuracies in the activity of the wind turbine and to eliminate them in time.
How to choose a production model?
Choosing a wind generator for a private house is quite simple. It is only necessary to be guided by certain parameters. So, at the time of purchase, pay attention to such factors:
1. The direction of the wind. If your area has pretty calm and quiet weather, or if the air flows all the time moving in different directions, then perhaps such a device will simply not suit you. Although in this case, you can use vertical wind generators for the home.
2. Power. Here, too, it all depends on in which area you will use the presented device. If the terrain where you are going to install it is not very favorable for its work, then you should not buy too powerful, and therefore expensive model. All your expenses simply will not pay off. For example, in this case you can buy a small apparatus with vertical blades.
3. Manufacturer. Here you need to focus on well-known manufacturers with a good reputation and positive reviews.
What tools and materials are needed to make?
So, for work you will need such items:
- drill and drill;
- nippers and screwdrivers;
- keys;
- clamps, washers, bolts, as well as stainless steel wire;
- a working automobile, as well as a non-working acid battery with a capacity of 12 V;
- An old bucket or pan of stainless material, if necessary, you can use plastic;
- voltmeter;
- wires, the cross section of which is 2.5 and 4;
- battery charging relay, as well as an automobile relay for monitoring the charge lamp;
- switch-button on 12 V;
- large outdoor communication box.
Manufacturing technology
It’s easy to build a homemade wind generator for the home. First you need to make a rotor. A bucket is used for this. First, with the help of a marker, mark up the element and cut it into 4 parts. For this, scissors for metal or a grinder are used. Further, in the bottom of the bucket, it is necessary to drill holes for fasteners (bolts). Here it is necessary to be extremely careful so that the pulley and the generator stand correctly.
Further, the cut out blades must be bent (at a certain angle depending on the direction of the wind). Now you can begin to mount the bucket to the pulley. For this, bolts are used.
Now you should make an electrical circuit. That is, the wires must be connected to the generator. In order to facilitate future use and repair of the device, try to rewrite the marking and position of the cords. Further, the entire circuit is assembled in a communication box. Now the generator can be fixed on the mast. The wires are also attached here.
After the generator is installed, you can connect all the other devices that you need. Then you can bring the lighting system to your generator. In principle, the device is ready. It is only necessary to pre-verify its operation.
Features of the installation of the device
In order for the equipment presented to work efficiently, you need to install it correctly. During installation, some nuances must be taken into account. For example, you should not fix a windmill in the area of tree growth. The most convenient place for installation - hills and elevations. A particularly favorable position for the generator is the steppe or coastline.
If you want to supply yourself with free electricity, then warn the neighbors, because this device makes a lot of noise. If you do not want additional problems, then try to install the unit at a distance that will not be less than 250 m.
Features of heating a house with a wind generator
You should not hope that your windmill will be the main source of energy. It can only supplement the main system in case of failures in its operation. Heating a house with a wind generator will be effective if you use other sources of energy at the same time, such as solar panels.
A wind generator is suitable as the main heat source only if there is a constant wind of sufficient strength in the territory where it is located. In addition, in winter, the rotor can freeze, so the blades will not spin. In this case, equipment failure may occur. Therefore, try to protect the unit from moisture and freezing ice.