Parts List for Five Gallon Bucket Hydroelectric Generator
by Catherine LaineSeptember 22nd, 2008

Here, at long last, is an incomplete (sorry!) complete parts list for the 5 Gallon Bucket Hydroelectric Generator.
If this is your first time hearing about this picohydro system, check out this lovely description of the apparatus and its potential uses in the field by Sam Redfield.
Permanent Magnet Alternator and Body of Generator
- One Supercore 24 Permanent Magnet Alternator
- One five gallon bucket
- Three five gallon bucket lids
PVC Pipe and Fittings
- Four 3/4” 90 degree
- Three 3/4” T’s
- Eight 3/4” couplings
- Four 3/4” to 1/2” adaptors
- One 3/4” to 2” adaptor
- Eight ¾” x 1 3/8” PVC pipe
- One ¾ x 2” PVC pipe
- Four 3/4” x 3 1/4” PVC pipe
- Four 1/2” 45 degree
- Four 1/2” 90 degree
- Four 1/2” Plugs
- Two 2” male threaded/glue coupling
- Two 2” female threaded/glue coupling
- Two 2” PVC valves
- PVC cement
Threaded Rod and Hardware to Mount PMA to Bucket Lid
- Four 10-24 Pieces of threaded rod 4 ¾ ” long
- Eight 3/16” x 1 1/4” Fender Washers
- Eight 10-24 lock washers
- Eight 10-24 washers
- Twelve 10-24 nuts
Threaded Rod and Hardware to Mount Splash Guard to PMA
- One 3/8” piece threaded rod at 3 3/4”
- One 3/8” piece threaded rod at 1 3/4”
- Four 3/8” fender washers
- Four 3/8” nuts
- Eight 3/8” lock washers
- Eight 3/8” washers
Electrical
- One 3′ red 6 AWG. wire
- One 3′ black 6 AWG. wire
- Two 6 AWG. Wire lugs
Other Hardware
- Toilet tank to bowl gasket
Other Equipment
- Dump Load Regulator
- Standard car battery
- 100 Watt inverter
Penstock and Trash Rack
- One five gallon bucket
- Two feet hardware cloth
- Baling wire
- Schedule 40 2” PVC pipe for penstock
Manual coming soon.
Related Posts:
Sam Redfield on Pico-hydro at La Florida
What can you do with 400 watts?
Rural Electrification: Power to the People















August 20th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
PLease post the manual. I’d really like to see how it was done.