How do you make a hydro power generator at home?

Answer 1

At a hydroelectric station, gravity causes water to fall onto a turbine, causing it to spin. The turbine's rotation within an electromagnetic field converts the kinetic energy of the turbine into electrical energy.

Answer 2

BY Forde Kelsch McMinnville Oregon "WATER WHEEL EXPERT"

First determine if you want a toy or a reliable piece of equipment. A REAL WATER WHEEL / ELECTRIC GENERATOR SYSTEM consists of many different components that will be specific to each application. It is usually smart to start with determining how much water is available to the wheel and the elevation drop possible. Volume of water Times feet of elevation drop is what will determine the possible energy available . The wheel and generator components can then be sized to make the most out of what you have. It is possible to make a wheel and then try to run it on available water, but your wheel will not be efficient There is energy lost in every aspect when trying to produce electricity. If you have 2000 watts worth the water, the wheel will loose some transferring power to the generator shaft. The generator will loose some in the field windings and heat. The gearbox and if you use belts, there are losses, Then getting the electricity from the wheel to where its is to be used. The wires loose a percentage. When you consider everything You will be very lucky to get 50% of the theoretical available power.

Then there is the cost of construction, The components, site prep,etc.

DON'T TRY TO FIGURE IT AS YOU GO!!! Plan everything BEFORE STARTING!!!!

If you don't or cant ,get someone who can or you will most surely waste money and time and be disappointed

A 10' diameter steel Water Wheel rated for 2000 continuous watts would easily cost $3000-$5000 then there is a reliable gearbox for this wheel about $2200 . The generator can be on of the least expensive parts depending on voltages and design, but about $300. Wire is expensive..... this application about $3 per foot..... You might save some money using old steel and a used gear box.. whatever you can find as long as you make it fit the design.

This can be a real nice project and reliable power for a home IF YOU DO IT RIGHT.

I have several years on my 10' wheel and is beautiful it just hums away making juice I have recorded as much as 120 amps of 13.5 volts at more than 600 foot away from the wheel. it works well and maintenance is a couple squirts of grease each week and new belts each year.

How; contact me about your project... happy to share info fordekelsch@Yahoo.com

Answer 3

You need a few things:

A wheel

An Alternator/Generator

Water

Pipe

The kind of wheel you need is determined by the flow and head of your site. For low head high flow situations you must use a larger wheel and gear up to spin your alternator. For high head and lower flow situations a pelton wheel with direct drive works well.

This is what I did for my home made hydro-system.

Check it out

http://www.homebrewhydro.com

Probably cost less than 500 in parts and pipe. The batteries not included.

Answer 4

If you are just trying a simple demonstration. you use the flow of water to spin a permanent magnet within a coil of metal wire. In hydro-electric projects of a large scale, a water turbine is spun by the moving water. The turbine is connected to a generator which has a rotor and stator in which a magnetic field is created using an excitation current rather than a permanent magnet.

If you want to generate power for your home (presuming you have a waterfall nearby), you are far better off to buy a system since, among many other issues, you have the challenge of controlling production to meet your changing loads, and storing the electrical energy to meet peak demand if that exceeds production capacity.