PMG booklet page


PMG stands for permanent magnet generator.  This booklet describes how to build one.  It was prepared in year 2000 by Hugh Piggott, for  Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG), as part of an overseas aid project for DfID.  It is not confidential; in fact the object is to disseminate it widely.


The latest version of the booklet can be downloaded in pdf format here

Feedback is more than welcome. Please let me know what you think.

Steel disks for the pmg can be obained in the UK from Andy Taylor phone 01305 861001 for £6 each.
 
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From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: windmills
Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002

Dear Hugh
I have built a number of axial field pmg's (down loaded
from your excellent website) and I am very pleased with
them. I have recently had a batch of mild steel discs
305 dia. x 6mm with a 65mm hole at the centre as per
plans  lazer cut (very nice finish).
and I thought that some pmg constructors or would be
constructors may have difficulty in cutting out or
obtaining such discs. I would therefore be happy to
supply discs at a very good price of six pounds each
plus postage. I hope this could help others to enjoy
constructing there own pmg/windmill as I have. I can be
contacted by e-mail or phone 01305 861001 or snail mail
at  18 Tillycombe Road, Portland, Dorset, Dt51lg,
England.  Yours sincerely Andy Taylor
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The pmg is intended for small wind turbines (although it can also be used for battery charging hydro turbines).  It is of the 'axial flux' type.  Magnets are fitted to steel disks and spun past coils.  Here is a picture of magnets on a wheel bearing.  Later I learned to embed the magnets in resin so as to prevent them from flying off at high speed.  All this is covered in the booklet.


Here's a picture of the stator which is the stationary bit which holds the coils.  The coils are set in resin.  Here below the resin is clear so you can see the coils embedded within.  A magnet rotor passes on each side of this disk and produces AC voltage in the coils.

Another magnet rotor fits on top of the stator.   Next, in this early picture, I am spinning the alternator with a power drill to collect data about the output at various speeds.

Here is a set of pictures detailing the way the stator is cast in a mould

And here is the rotor casting process:-

Assembly...

and flight :-)

I am also teaching courses where you can learn how to do this.

Hugh Piggott