In this project we will look at how to assemble a simple gasoline generator do it yourself from inexpensive components. The author did everything on the basis of a gasoline engine from a lawn mower, as well as a permanent engine, which is used as an electricity generator. Such a generator is needed in order to charge the batteries when the solar panels or propellers do not produce the right amount of energy.
Regarding real technical data homemade, then the device has a 12V / 16A output.
However, the true goal of the author is to create a plant, thanks to which biogas will be formed. It is probably planned to supply this or a similar generator with such gas and receive free electricity. Also, a similar generator can be run on wood gas, if you create an installation for its production.
The project cost our author $ 20, given that the lawn mower costs $ 5, as well as a DC motor.
Materials and tools for homemade:
- gasoline engine (suitable for lawn mowers);
- 90V DC motor (can be found in treadmills and so on);
- pulleys and belt;
- U-shaped bolts with nuts;
- a piece of plastic or other material to create an engine mount (generator);
- hinge (needed so that the belt can be pulled);
- drill, cutting tool and more.
Generator manufacturing process:
Step 1. Engine Preparation
If the engine was purchased in a used state, then it will need to be adjusted, and possibly repaired. When buying, it is important to measure the degree of compression, if possible. If it turns out to be bad, then the engine will work poorly and consume a lot of fuel. You will also need to carefully adjust the carburetor.
From the lawnmower you need to remove the blade, the protective wing and other elements that are not important and will interfere. As a rule, everything is removed quite simply, you will need wrenches and screwdrivers.
Step 2Install an electric generator (DC motor)
In order to fix the generator, the author needed a thick piece of hard plastic. It was cut to size and bolted in the shape of the letter “U”. Metal or wood is also great for such purposes, but plastic is easiest to work with.
Further it will take a little enthusiasm to assemble the hinge on which the engine will be held. With this hinge, the engine can be raised or lowered, thereby adjusting the belt tension. For such purposes, a door hinge is suitable. For reliability, it is best to use two loops at the same time, and you need to choose stronger.
For convenient belt tension, the author makes a handle that connects to the engine (generator). At the place of attachment of the handle there is a plate with a series of holes that will allow the handle to be fixed at a given angle. Among other things, this handle works as a clutch, this is necessary for easier starting a gasoline engine.
If you use plastic or thin metal, do not tighten the screws too much, as the material may bend, as happened with the author.
Step 3. Testing the generator
First of all, to start the generator, you must lower the belt tension knob, thereby loosening it. Now you need to start the gas engine. When it warms up, you can lift the handle back, now the belt will stretch, and the electric motor will begin to generate current.
It is important to choose the optimal speed of the gasoline engine. Firstly, what voltage the generator generates depends on the speed. And secondly, fuel consumption depends on it.
As a test of the generator, the author took a block of 12V bulbs in the amount of 20 pieces, each lamp consumes 2 A. This will turn on the lamps more, the more the load will go on the generator. If you turn on all the lamps, the load will be 40 A, but this is too much and is not even necessary for such a generator.
Initially, 4 lamps were connected, the load was 8 A, and the generator withstood it easily, the lamps burned brightly. This voltage is enough to charge the battery. Later, the author unscrewed 2 more lamps, that is, the load was 10A. Theoretically, such a generator can produce more than 10A, but experience has shown that with a greater load the engine starts to junk. Perhaps this is because it is old and needs repair. In principle, he can increase the degree of compression and pour synthetic oil to increase productivity.
Step 4. Charging the battery
It is important to note that when charging from such a generator, a diode must be in the circuit. It will impede the direction of current to the motor, and as a result of losses. The author did not use such a diode, since he has a special controller for charging batteries from such sources, this controller already has a protective diode. In addition, the controller prevents overcharging the battery and how to damage them. By the way, the author also assembled the controller with his own hands.
In the end, the author completed construction its generator, making various improvements in the testing process. It was found that a larger torque was needed for the generator, so in the end a smaller pulley was put on the engine, and a larger one on the generator.
The generator itself was already installed on a 1/4 inch thick steel sheet. As a result, after all the modifications, the generator began to produce a current of 16 A without any problems!
