From ancient times to the present day, mankind has been trying to find alternative energy sources. But, despite the progress in absolutely all industries without exception and the regular introduction of innovative methods of generating power into production, the most reliable and widespread are still natural resources - water, wind, etc. And if an ordinary consumer may have problems installing a hydroelectric power plant, then almost every owner is able to equip such a mechanism as a windmill for a private house. It is about this device, its technical characteristics, types and features of installation that will be discussed further.
What is a wind turbine?
Such a mechanism is a product whose main purpose is to convert wind energy into electrical voltage. Similar devices, which among consumers are called windmills, were used at the dawn of our era, only their form, of course, was different. Today, such a device has improved significantly.
Main resource forsuch a mechanism is the wind. Based on the observations made, based on its speed and density, experts find out what exactly the height should be to place this device, how many blades it should have, etc. Generators for a windmill are produced at specialized enterprises, but many owners prefer to make such a mechanism with their own forces with the help of improvised means. But before talking about the features of this process, it is necessary to find out how such a mechanism functions.
The principle of operation of a homemade windmill
Very similar to the system of this generator is the well-known aircraft turbine. The main difference is that the rotation of the blades of a windmill does not occur due to the operation of a powerful engine. The operation is based on the free energy of the wind, which is absorbed and subsequently converted into electricity that the owners need.
As a rule, the shape of the blades is selected so that any, even the slightest breath, is noticeable, and the mechanism immediately reacts to it. Despite the fact that the speed of rotation often seems low, small gears turn much faster than large ones, which is not always noticeable at first glance. Working in this way, the mechanism perfectly copes with the acceleration of the blades and the energy is produced in the right amount.
The main advantages of wind turbines
The undeniable advantages of such products include the following:
- environmental safety. A windmill for a private house does not affect the state of the atmosphere in any way and does not emit any harmful substances into the air.emissions and gases, since it does not require fuel for its operation;
- as it becomes clear, this mechanism is very beneficial from an economic point of view, since you do not have to spend money on fuel. All costs will be associated only with the installation of the structural parts of the windmill, and in particular its generator.
However, such a functional device still has some negative characteristics that cannot be ignored.
Disadvantages of wind turbines
The main disadvantage of the product is the inability to control the speed of its operation, which explains the constant difference in the amount of energy produced. Simply put, in the absence of wind, there is an inevitable need to use another source that already operates on some kind of fuel.
In addition, from the point of view of ergonomics, such installations are not very convenient, since they take up a lot of space. In addition, for maximum effect, it is best to place them on a hill, and not on flat terrain.
When installing a vertical windmill, it is extremely important to coordinate its installation with neighbors, as there are cases when this mechanism acts as a serious obstacle to television antennas, and the noise level is sometimes too high.
Next, we should consider two main types of windmills - horizontal and vertical. Each of them has its own characteristics related to both installation and operation.
Horizontal wind turbine device
The difference betweenthe two above-mentioned types of these mechanisms lies in the location of the axis. The horizontal version is more common for providing electricity to small private buildings and consists of the following structural components:
- Rotor shaft.
- Gearbox.
- Directly generator.
- Brake system.
Before you make a windmill, you should clearly understand that the blades of such a product must be made of durable metal that can withstand the effects of bad weather. Thanks to the gearbox, the entire mechanism functions reliably. To prevent unforeseen situations, it is allowed to install an additional motor capable of generating electrical energy.
Vertical windmill operation
This system is equipped with a rotor shaft that is no longer horizontal, but straight. The main advantage of this design is that the free energy obtained from the air is produced regardless of any particular wind strength. In addition, it is completely optional to mount such a mechanism in an open area; unlike a horizontal sample, it can be installed inside a building.
Generators for a windmill equipped vertically operate very simply. The incoming energy is converted into electricity by rotating blades, which, in turn, work thanks to the rotor shaft. In this case, the resulting voltage is alwayscan not only be directed to a residential area, but also brought to a specific equipment or device.
Materials for assembling a wind turbine
The package of such a home-made device does not include any parts that are difficult to get, as a rule, all elements are freely available on the market or on the farm. So, the mechanism is mounted using the following materials:
- car generator for windmill 12 V;
- regular battery of the same capacity;
- utensils made of aluminum or stainless steel, such as a bucket or large saucepan;
- vehicle relay;
- switch in the form of a button;
- a special device for measuring voltage - a voltmeter;
- wires of the required length;
- technical tools - drill, screwdriver, wire cutters;
- fasteners in the form of nuts, bolts and washers.
Having all the above materials available, you can begin to assemble a horizontal or vertical windmill.
Production process
If the blades of the device will be made from a bucket, then it should be divided into 4 parts, observing the proportions of future parts, and then, without reaching the end, cut out the elements with special scissors designed for metal.
At the bottom and on the pulley it is necessary to mark and drill holes for fastening the bolts. It is important that the openings obtained are located symmetrically to each other, otherwise, while rotating, the windmill may lean.
After this, the blades should be slightly bent. Windmill generators can spin in different directions, so here you should consider in which direction it moves in order to move the metal parts in this direction. The angle of the bend directly affects the speed of rotation.
The bucket with prepared blades is fastened to the pulley by means of bolts.
Next, a generator is connected to the system. By correctly combining all the wires, you can achieve uninterrupted operation of the equipment and provide electricity not only to residential premises, but also to additional communications such as a burglar alarm, video surveillance, etc.
There are other assembly options that use completely different parts, one of which is a magnet for a windmill generator. But a product made from a car battery is the easiest to install and operate.
How to protect a wind turbine from a hurricane?
There are times when the use of such a device is highly undesirable. In particular, this applies to situations where the speed of wind gusts exceeds 8-9 m/s. In this case, the homemade product needs some protection.
During bad weather, windmill generators are best covered with a side shovel. Such a mechanism has earned wide popularity among consumers, largely due to the simplicity of its device. This shovel is mounted from a standard profile pipe having a section of 20x40x2.5 mm and an ordinary steel sheet, the thickness of which should not exceed 1-2 mm.
A spring holding such an element can be any material made fromcarbon steel and zinc treated.
By installing such a protective tool, you can be calm for the integrity of the generator, since even the strongest wind will not be able to cause any mechanical damage to it. This also applies to the entire design of the product.
Proper care of a homemade windmill
In order for home-made equipment to function normally, the following recommendations for its operation should be followed:
- After a few weeks after the first start-up, the wind generator must be lowered and all fasteners checked for reliability.
- All structural parts of the generator must be lubricated with oil at least twice a year.
- Noticing that the blades rotate crookedly or constantly trembling, the windmill should be immediately lowered and any malfunctions immediately repaired.
- The current collector brushes should be checked at least once a year. This will avoid possible troubles associated with a short circuit in the network.
- Painting the structural parts of the whole mechanism can be done once every 2-3 years.
Thus, it is safe to say that it is much easier and cheaper to operate home-made windmills. Generators, the prices of which are rather big, are best made by hand, rather than acquiring expensive factory equipment. It is only important to comply with all assembly conventions, and then the resulting device will work for a long time and reliably.
