anysuggestion on windturbine

[Early duck]

hi all new here and to renewable energy what I have built so far I have 12 250 watt 24 volt solar panels connected to Coleman 440 charge controller to 2 12-83-13 crown forklift batteries with a magnum 4024 inverter, i would like to add a 800 to 1000 watt wind turbine I live in central Alabama no much wind but I would like it for when no sun and a storm is moving in, plenty of wind then because it will not be producing most of time like to keep cost down, there are so many out there that claim to be the best would like some opinions about companies yall have dealt with and their products , also i was thinking a dump load being a 50 gallon water heater with 2 dc elements sending water to the water heater that is on the grid any thoughts

[Rob Beckers]

Bergey makes a 1kW, their XL.1. It's a pretty decent turbine.

-RoB-

[Ralph Day]

I'd second the Bergey XL1. I've had one for almost a year and it produces well. It is noisy when it dumps wind after a full furl. Kinda like a big turboprop airplane going overhead (C130 Herc comes to mind).

I got a Clipper for mine (through Rob) for a power dump and it works great. The Midnite Solar Classic 250 is a fantastic controller for it too. I came from a Southwest Windpower H80 and simple controller before, this MS 250 and Bergey turbine combination is light years ahead of that.

Be prepared to fork out a bit of money though. The turbine and controller will cost you over $4K USD, then to tower it up will be several thousand more. Nice to have power and battery charging when it's dark or gloomy out.

Ralph

[Early duck]

thanks guys bit costly for me when it's only be usable occasionally when we have storm which are usually 10-20 miler per hour other than that it would be not working, Solar takes care of most of power use but in winter we may go 2 or 3day without sunlight and some wind nothing with a constant blow why I was wanting to stay around $500 to $600 maybe 3 phase and convert it at charge controller which is a Coleman air 440. have built one out of treadmill motor but only get around 8 to 10 volts (need 24 volts) sporadically
no constant wind thinking one manufactured for 3 phase or 24 volt would do better plus have not figured out how to build braking system or the furling, thinking a little charge would be better than none, also what are your thoughts on 50 gallon water heater with dual elements as dump load feeding water into water heater on grid, right now when sun is out the Coleman air 440 is constantly kicking to dump then back to battery(it disconnects solar as it tries to dump) if it does reach temp relay to disconnect water heater and connect resistor

sorry love to tinker and learn may not be worth putting in wind mill but will any way a small one hehehe thanks again guys
p.s. moving circuits from grid to off grid little at time

[Brian McGowan]

I have one from this place.
http://hydrogenappliances.com/
Got it from ebay. Like this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wind-Turbine-PMA-24-VOLT-AC-3-PHASE-Permanent-Magnet-Alternator-Generator-PC-/231551062787?hash=item35e984d303:g:jcEAAOxy-8pSZeFJ

Cheap and dirty. Made from a GM alternator.
Brian

[Ryan Nobles]

Brian, do you have an reports of your setup, for I am highly interested. Their products are basically what I was looking at building but for their price, there is no way I can beat or even match them.

Ryan

[Brian McGowan]

I don't have any reports. I don't keep any real data. I am about 3 miles east of a good class 3 wind zone and the thing sits on a 20 foot pole between two trees so no part of this setup is good. Township limits me to 35 feet or I would have it on a 50' pole and even that is not enough. It would just be better. I got it because people were telling me I should buy a weather station and record data for a year before deciding if conditions were right for a turbine. This was cheaper than the weather station. It does provide power when I need it on those rare occasions. I am still thinking about putting up a telephone pole for it at the corner of my garage with a small "I" beam attached to the side and making a trolley to move it up and down the pole for maintenance. I am thinking a 50' pole sunk 10 feet into the ground with 10' piece of the pipe mounted to the trolley. Probably 3' for mounting which would give me 7' sticking up above the telephone pole for a total of 47' not including the rotor sweep. It exceeds the township limit by a lot but I am losing patience with them. They want $1500 to ask for a variance which might get turned down then I am out the money anyway. The turbine cost me less than $350. It is not a building so I don't feel the height limit should apply to me and they regularly put up telephone poles that are taller than that but I know I would be violating the law. Might just try it and beg for forgiveness if they come calling. Anyway, there you have it. I think if I were to do it again I would get the 3 phase one and put the rectifier at my control setup. I got a DC one and have another diode at my control setup to make sure the lines going out there are never charged with power unless the turbine is making it. I ran two 12/3 cables out there and just twisted all conductors for each of the cables together for two conductors but I could easily change that for 2x12AWG cables per phase.
That's all I have for now but ask questions if you want to know something else. I am as happy with the unit as I can be. It is not elegant or glorious but it does work when it turns.
Brian

[Ryan Nobles]

What is your charge control setup? I am looking at going this route just for learning, something to play with, and to add a little of juice at night. I live in the high desert, just east of a mountain range. I get wind at night during the summer and wind all the time during the winter (trees are short also). I will have plenty of solar, so like I said previously, I am just looking for a little bit of supplemental power.