Hurricane Wind Power

[Ryan Nobles]

Has anyone used, seen, or heard of anyone utilizing a hurricane wind power turbine? I am interested to see if there field numbers are close to their spec sheets.

Ryan

[Ryan Nobles]

Looks like I will have a review worth reading in the event I give one a try.

I just picked up a primus Air-x on the cheap. That will be my first wind project even though there is not much involved.

[Rob Beckers]

Ryan, please let us know how the Air-X works out. It's been around a long time, but I've never really heard back from anyone that bought one.

-RoB-

[Ryan Nobles]

Rob, I will be more than willing to show what kind of numbers I will be producing (once I am set up). I currently have a midnite classic on hand that I will be using along with picking up a clipper. I want to be set up for a future quality turbine in the event the hurricane does not produce the numbers I want to see. This is my second winter at my current location so I know there is plenty of wind during the current and coming months.

[Rob Beckers]

So you have an Air-X and a Hurricane turbine? The Air-X has a build-in charge controller, in the nacelle. You don't need a Classic for that one.

-RoB-

[Ryan Nobles]

Rob, that is correct and I am aware :bigsmile:

I bought two midnite classics - 1 for my primary array and 1 for either a secondary array pointed in a different orientation or for a turbine that does not have "controlled" DC output. I picked up the air-x for $450 so if I get anything more than 100w, I will be more than pleased. It was an easy purchase because I need nothing more than a basic on/off/brake setup for it.

[Ryan Nobles]

Rob, I noticed there are several different clipper options with different size dump load resistors. Can you give me an explanation of the differences and how to size the proper resistance needed?

Ryan

[Rob Beckers]

Rob, I noticed there are several different clipper options with different size dump load resistors. Can you give me an explanation of the differences and how to size the proper resistance needed?

Dumploads are sized such that they are reasonably sure to keep the turbine under control at all wind speeds, without destroying the alternator...

There's no real general rule of sizing. This is something that manufacturers normally do and they don't mind too much if a few stators get destroyed in the process. It has to put enough load on to keep the rotor from speeding up (probably means forcing it slow enough to stall the blades), while keeping the stator current below the point where it melts the wires. Somewhere between black magic and engineering to get right.

The few times I've dealt with dumpload sizing it worked out to somewhere around 1-1/2 to 2 times rated power, but your mileage will definitely vary!

-RoB-

[Andy Rhody]

ROB SAID:

The few times I've dealt with dumpload sizing it worked out to somewhere around 1-1/2 to 2 times rated power,

Rob helped me do a dump load for my 2000 watt windmill. Rated power 2000 watts. I bought two 1500 watt oil filled electric heaters at Walmart, rewired them together in series making it a 3000 watt load. That equaled 1 1/2 times Rated power.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e295/andy47bottles/Science/042.jpg (http://s41.photobucket.com/user/andy47bottles/media/Science/042.jpg.html)