How to Make a Wind Generator From a DC Permanent Magnet Motor
Wind turbines are devices that convert the energy of the wind into electrical energy. There are two types of wind turbine: vertical axis and horizontal axis. Vertical axis turbines are generally easier and cheaper to build, and require fewer parts and less maintenance. Although not quite as efficient as horizontal axis turbines, vertical turbines are more than capable of charging storage batteries. They are simple enough to be built with no special training or tools. A DC permanent magnet motor salvaged from another machine can be used in place of a conventional generator.
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Things You'll Need
- 2 plastic 5-gallon buckets
- Broomstick or similarly sized dowel
- 3 bearings with an inner diameter of the same size as the broomstick
- PVC pipe with an inner diameter as wide as the bearings' outer diameter, twice as tall as a bucket
- Aluminum or plywood sheet at least as wide as the buckets and three times as long
- Tinsnips
- Screwdriver
- Drill
- Hacksaw
- Hammer
- 24 large angle brackets with associated nuts and bolts
- Large DC permanent magnet servo motor
- 2 stainless steel bolts with associated nuts
- PVC pipe, 7 feet long, with an inner diameter the same as the motor's outer diameter
Instructions
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Cut the buckets in half vertically, using the hacksaw. These half buckets will be used for the blades of the turbine. Cut three discs out of the aluminum or plywood sheet, of the same diameter as the buckets' mouths. Use the tinsnips if using aluminum, the hacksaw if using plywood. These will form the frame for the blades. Drill a hole in the center of two of them of the same diameter as the short PVC pipe's outer diameter.
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Tap one bearing down over the broomstick to its center using the hammer. Tap as lightly as possible. Do not damage the bearing. Tap the other two onto each end.
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3
Bolt two of the blades to the top of the shorter PVC pipe, using two angle brackets for each. They should form an “S” shape. Bolt the disc without the hole to the top of these using four more angle brackets. Slide one of the other discs over the bottom of the pipe and bolt it to the bottoms of the blades, using four more angle brackets. Attach the other two blades to the pipe with four more brackets. Slide the remaining disc over the bottom of the pipe and attach the lower blades to it and the middle disc with the remaining brackets. Slide the PVC pipe over the bearing assembly.
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4
Drill a hole in the 7-foot pipe slightly further from the end than the motor is long. Drill another hole ½ inch below this. Put one of the stainless steel bolts through the upper hole and secure it with a nut. Slide the motor into the pipe, resting it on the bolt. Run its output wires through the lower hole. Bolt the motor's axle onto the blade shaft with the remaining stainless steel nut and bolt. Bury the end of the long pole 1 ½ to 2 feet in the ground.
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Tips & Warnings
It may be helpful to add bracing to the turbine to make it more stable.
Place the turbine where it will receive ample wind.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Zedcor Wholly Owned/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
