Friday, August 6, 2010

Planning to build a wind generator

Things that are needed to build your own wind generator:

First of all the most common generator type is the 3-phase generator for that you need the number of magnets divided by the number of coils to be exactly 1 and 1/3-ds. For example 16 magnets divided by 12 coils. Also the coils can be wired mainly in 2 distinct formats first a star format that is used mainly in low wind speeds and delta format or configuration that is used in higher wind speed. The different wiring configurations allow the generator to achieve higher efficiencies in different winds.

1.-Magnets

N50 2" x 1" x 1/2" Block, Package of 24 Rare Earth Neodymium Magnets
Magnets are the core pieces of a generator, the stronger the magnets the stronger the generator. I suggest that you should get the largest you can afford, but for the starters you could choose magnets accordingly. Preferably they should be about these dimensions, 2 inch by 1 inch by 0.5 inches. But they could be a bit thinner, depends on what you can afford. 
Magnets are glued to a rotor that spins and when magnets move the magnetic field moves with them, that creates electricity in the stator.

2.-Copper wire
Tarnish Resistant Bright Copper Wire 24 Gauge 30 Yards (27.4 Meters)Second essential thing is the copper wire that is used to make the stator. Stator doesn't move, it relies on the rotor to spin instead. The copper wire has to be in an ellipse or molded to represent a sector. The thickness of the wire dictates the current (measured in amperes) that generator produces.The number of spools in one coil dictates the voltage that the generator makes. 
3.-Resin and hardener
Castin' Craft Clear Polyester Casting Resin - 32 OuncesThis is used to cast the stator and rotor. Most of the times they sell you only resin without hardener or catalyst. So always check that when you buy they are sold either together or it is said what kind of hardener is supposed to be used. Beware that this resin could be unsuitable for a wind turbine. Because it may not wet glassfiber. 
4.-Steel tubeing
It is essential to own or buy some steel. It doesn't matter if it's new or used, or even scrap steel. To make towers for the wind turbines, ususally the metal pole, with guy wires for safety, route is used. Also the furling system that helps the small and big wind generators to survive high winds that are out of the safe operating limits of those units, is made of metal mostly.
5.- Tools

One essential tool that you most probably can't do without is a welding machine. An anglegrinder for smoothing out welds and cutting steel is probably a good idea to own too. A drill for attaching screws and drilling holes should already be in every homeowners garage or toolbox.

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