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I was always attracted by getting free energy from natural resources. And somehow, I had the idea to create a simple mini-power plant that would generate electricity from a passing water stream.
Homemade hydroelectric power station from an old washing machine

It all started with the idea of ​​using the drum of an old washing machine as a water wheel - a miniature home-made hydroelectric power station.
Homemade hydroelectric power station from an old washing machine

Homemade hydroelectric power station from an old washing machine

With the help of metal corners, direct blades of moisture-proof plywood were attached to the drum.
Homemade hydroelectric power station from an old washing machine

Homemade hydroelectric power station from an old washing machine

The torque from the water wheel is transmitted through the belt to a bicycle dynamo (DC generator). The generated electricity goes to the LED. Just turn the wheel slightly with your hand and the LED will flash.
Homemade hydroelectric power station from an old washing machine

Homemade hydroelectric power station from an old washing machine

The basis of the entire structure is a bicycle frame.
Homemade hydroelectric power station from an old washing machine

Two bearings allow the water wheel to spin freely.
Homemade hydroelectric power station from an old washing machine

The first tests on a small river showed that the water wheel on the frame is set too high, which prevents the water flow from spinning normally.
After small changes in the design of the frame, the wheel began to settle lower and the rotation speed increased sharply. As a result, the dynamo began to rotate and the 4.5 V LED lit up.
Homemade hydroelectric power station from an old washing machine

So, from an old rubbish, a self-made hydroelectric power station turned out.
Further, the mini hydroelectric power station assembly was installed on a small stream.
Homemade hydroelectric power station from an old washing machine

Homemade hydroelectric power station from an old washing machine

It produces only a few volts, but they are enough for the LED to glow.
Homemade hydroelectric power station from an old washing machine

It was a good experiment to start with.

Watch the video



Further improvement in the project


Further improvements to the water wheel should affect:
  • Build a mini-dam to increase the pressure of water. At the same time, it is not planned to completely block the river so that the fish can leave in the second stream.
  • Under the dam, install a pipe through which water will flow to a makeshift turbine. In the pipe, arrange a casing of conveyor rubber tape. By blocking the flow of water through the pipe, you can perform maintenance on the mechanisms.
  • According to calculations, the turbine will give out power about two times more than a water wheel. In addition, replacing a water wheel with a turbine should eliminate the problem of freezing in winter.
  • The flow of water will spin the turbine, transmitting torque to the generator. The turbine will be held on two bearings made of solid wood. With regular lubrication, they will last a long time. The thrust washer will keep the mechanism from lateral displacement.
  • To make metal blades, calculating the angle at which they need to be bent (the power of the hydroelectric power depends on this parameter). It will be necessary to fasten the blades using rubber gaskets in order to avoid their separation.
  • To transmit torque, use a shaft assembled from pipes.
  • Install the generator. Place a smaller pulley on the generator than that installed on the shaft. This will increase the speed, which is necessary for the efficient operation of the generator.

The generator should produce about 600 watts of electricity. This will make it possible to connect household appliances.If the next stage of the experiment succeeds, it will be possible to think about further modernization in order to generate several kilowatts of electricity.
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Comments (13)
  1. Melkiades
    #1 Melkiades Guests 12 September 2018 10:38 p.m.
    20
    Damn to fill up so much crap to light up the LED ... The author really burns!
    1. Guest Michael
      #2 Guest Michael Guests September 13, 2018 12:21
      5
      I agree. I read the title, I think, cool. and this ....
  2. lmn
    #3 lmn Guests September 13, 2018 15:07
    3
    Dreaming of 600 watts and laughter and sin sweat_smile
  3. Guest Igor
    #4 Guest Igor Guests September 13, 2018 16:56
    4
    Well in vain you, the main thing is to start and do.
  4. Pavel skaletski
    #5 Pavel skaletski Visitors September 13, 2018 20:36
    0
    Blow on the diode and it will burn, let it do an experiment with one hand on the leg of the diode and the other leg into the network and it will burn.
  5. Knell wardenheart
    #6 Knell wardenheart Guests September 14, 2018 11:55
    6
    The author go ahead and listen to no one. What you do is really interesting, keep it up!
  6. Guest wit
    #7 Guest wit Guests September 14, 2018 22:54
    2
    )))) We need to sell the technology to the Saudis. And let the LEDs light up as much as they want. On all its rivers.
  7. Igor Borisov
    #8 Igor Borisov Guests September 15, 2018 08:24
    0
    Why reinvent the wheel if it is already invented ?!
  8. Guest Alex
    #9 Guest Alex Guests September 15, 2018 18:24
    1
    Front of the Gorenje washer. Behind Zanussi. And the tank is generally from Hansa. Why couldn't you choose a tank?
    1. WUA
      #10 WUA Guests September 16, 2018 20:08
      3
      but he can proudly say that several large companies worked on this project
  9. Glory
    #11 Glory Guests September 16, 2018 10:06
    0
    But nothing that the cycle generator produces a break? Does the diode from the constant work? Doesn’t something happen?
  10. Guest Victor
    #12 Guest Victor Guests September 16, 2018 13:59
    1
    At one time, a mini-hydropower plant was made from auto parts. Wheel gear generator 14v wiring battery further consumers radio bulbs 12V and tp
    Low charge was compensated by a battery that was charged at night
  11. Guest Alexander
    #13 Guest Alexander Guests September 21, 2018 09:08
    1
    the dressing skin is not worth it, you need a generator not for toys, but to provide electricity to the entire country house, in case of a power outage, and this is at least 6 kW.

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