People
preferring electricity that is generated by wind power
usually goes for wind power Turbines that are sold in
the market at varying prices suiting the person’s pocket
vis-?-vis the power required. But for those who believe
in do-it-yourself modes, there is nothing like
home built wind generator power. However, for making home built turbines,
one needs a generator, blades to turn it according to
available wind speed, a mounting that keeps it turned
into the wind, a tower to get it up into the wind, a
battery bank and an electronic control system that can
switch the generated power from batteries to a dummy
load. And a clear idea as to how all these items should
be used to make the generator at home.
As
for the first item, one may look for motors that run
when connected to a power line and inversely generate
power when run by wind or any other means. However, all
motors do not follow the textbook formula, producing
inadequate power when spinning at the rated rpm.
Therefore, it needs some amount of picking and choosing
till the desired type of motor can be
selected.
The
next step towards making a home built wind
generator or a wind turbine (technical term used
for such an item) require making of blades. The blades
may be carved out of wood or for convenience’s sake from
6 inch ABS pipe that is 24 inches long. Cut lengthwise
into 4 pieces, they would provide one with 4 blades, out
of which 3 are to be used while the 4th may
serve as a spare blade for replacement when anyone of
them gets damaged.
While
progressing further with the project, one needs a hub to
which the blades are to be attached. This probably needs
a visit to the nearest home-center store where an
appropriate hub can be found. Once located, it becomes a
simple job to bolt the blades to the hub and fixing the
assembly to the shaft of the
motor.
This
being done to one’s satisfaction, the next action point
involves making a mounting frame for the turbine which
can be easily achieved by strapping the turbine to a
piece of wood measuring 2 inch x 4 inch. As the turbine
needs a tail to keep it turned into the wind all the
while, the same can be cut from a piece of heavy sheet
aluminum. In order to protect the assembly from the
ravages of nature, a 4 inch diameter PVC pipe cut into
two comes handy. One half of the cut pipe can shield the
contraption from rain, snow and slit while the other
half is kept reserved for replacement.
As
the home built generator power is nearing completion, it
now needs a wind turbine charge controller that monitors
the voltage of the battery(s) in the system and either
sends power from the turbine into the batteries for
recharging them or dumping the power from the turbine
into a secondary load if the batteries are fully
charged. Over-charging is likely to destroy the cells in
the battery. However, these minor electronic items are
always available at e-bay at a nominal
cost.
Now
that the unit is fit for operation, one needs the tower
to hoist it up into the wind. All one needs for this
piece of job is a 10 foot long 1.25 inch conduit and
some guy ropes. The rope will anchor the conduit to four
wooden stakes driven in the ground while the turnbuckles
on the lower end of each guy-line will allow plumbing of
the tower. Now one could raise or lower the tower by
releasing the line from either stake in line with the
pivot fixed at the base.
A
gust of wind is all that is required for the home built
generator power to work in full capacity. Making the
generator at home does not only save you money, but it
also gives you the creative satisfaction – particularly
if you are the engineering type.
This
guide will finally help you get your home built
generator power that you
want.
