Jump first...ask questions later

[Jeff Nick]

So I've had a small solar setup for a year or so....5 batteries a sp and an inverter. Worked awesome for the power outages this winter. So I decided to play around with wind power, maybe power my out building...keep the greenhouse going through the winter, whatever. So I purchased a 1200W turbine off ebay. I never thought this through, at all. Solar panels are easy, cheap charge controller and ready to rip. A 1200W wind turbine...not quit the same...so some questions I have. Firstly, what charge controller would I need for a 12 v system....second how do I bleed off the extra juice? I am a complete novice guilty of an impulse buy....please help. If I admit to my wife this was a waste of money, will never live it down or get my credit card back.
Thanks
Here's the setup I bought - http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Wind-generator-turbine-12-24-48volt-1200watt-motor-free-Rectifier/261537144230?_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985&_trkparms=aid%3D444000%26algo%3DSOI.DEFAULT%26ao%3 D1%26asc%3D20140402094601%26meid%3D850417834194512 6210%26pid%3D100012%26prg%3D20140402094601%26rk%3D 4%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D261535436537

[Rob Beckers]

Hi Jeff,

Your best bet would be to ask the seller. There are quite a few variables.

Normally a wind turbine is directly connected to the battery bank (via a rectifier to turn AC from the alternator into DC). A charge controller in diversion mode is then used to prevent the batteries from overcharging (though for a large battery bank and a small turbine, or one on a site that's not windy may not need that). "Diversion mode" means that the charge controller switches on a dump load when the batteries are full, to funnel off excess energy. The charge controller and dump load need to be sized to handle the full power coming from the turbine.

Most turbines need a load, or they run away (which gets ugly in a hurry). Some don't, they can run without a load. If yours is such a type a simpler setup may work. Some turbines can be braked by shorting the phase wires (others burn up when you try that, hence the need to talk to the seller), just don't short out the battery!

Before spending money on charge controllers and dump loads I'd first see if the turbine actually works as advertised (ie. hook it up to a battery via a rectifier). These eBay sales are highly suspect...

-RoB-