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How To Make An Alternator Generator For Your Home

How to Separate Generator from Engine

Self-reliance is the thing for some people nowadays. They explore eco-friendly ways to live. One of which is to produce their own electricity at home.

Whether you aim to completely go off the grid or to cut your consumption of facility-provided power, there are several DIY generator projects available for you.

In this article, we will discuss how to make a homemade generator with a alternator.

Generating Electricity

If your goal is self-reliance, making your own generator set with used or salvaged materials is a good way to start. Spending thousands of dollars to buy one just defeats the purpose.

To start, you should determine which electrical applications are essential for your daily living. Then, you should know the total load of these essential circuits so you can determine the size of the generator that you will need.

According to sources, you can run your home’s lighting system on a 12-volt circuit with battery backup by using automotive alternators and batteries with 12V lights. A 12V system can also run a refrigerator or stove by using a power inverter.

You can also use alternators to make solar or wind generators to back up a gasoline-powered generator.

Build A Generator From An Alternator

An alternator is a component of a car charging system. It converts mechanical energy into electrical energy called alternating current.

The alternator powers a vehicle’s electrical components such as lights, air-conditioning, clock, and power windows.

With the alternator’s capacity to generate electricity, it is often used to build homemade generators. There are a variety of projects available online using the alternator to power wind turbines and lighting systems.

Here is a simple project on how to build a generator out of an alternator. However, do it with caution. If you lack skills, it would be best to seek help from a skilled electrician or from people who have experience doing these projects.

Things You Need

  • Lawnmower engine
  • Automotive alternator
  • Alternator bracket
  • Belt (alternator belt)
  • Car battery
  • Bolts and nuts
  • A board or a rolling cart
  • Pulley for engine

Instructions

  1. Attach the motor to your base.

  2. Connect the alternator bracket to base.

  3. Attach the alternator to bracket. Place the bolt and tighten.

  4. Connect the battery cables to the positive and negative terminals of the alternator.

  5. Add the battery to your device.

  6. Attach the positive and negative cables to the correct terminals on the battery.

  7. Add the 12-volt direct current (DC) to the 110-volt alternating current (AC) power inverter(s).

  8. Connect the leads from the battery, then attach the power output leads. You can also wire this directly into the breaker box. Or, you can attach a cord with outlets so you can use the generator portably.

Conclusion

Once you’ve mastered how to make a homemade generator with a alternator, you can create your own electricity by tapping other sources of energy. Keep learning with the help of like-minded family and friends. Online resources are helpful too. However, always make sure to take safety precautions when working around electrical components.