BEGINNERS: Turbine to Battery to Inverter to Grid

[Adam Wright]

Ok, I have assembled all the parts I need to get started, but the only thing I am missing is self assurance and a grid tie shut off. I think. Im hoping y'all will blast me to pieces in one response or tell me EXACTLY what I need to hear..

Wind Turbine-Controller-Battery-Inverter-Cut off-Grid

I bought a small wind turbine advertised as a 12/24v windmill that produces 8000 watts. I'm not an idiot (kinda) I really dont think it will produce 8 kW. But it is a start. I had the mount welded on a pole, wired it, and put it 20' in the air with a triangle of guy lines.

I hooked up the controller to the wires from the windmill, and then to a marine battery, and got a green light and a 11V reading from my voltmeter. Now all I need is wind, and I hear it is on the way.

I want to see if the battery charges to a full 12v before I proceed. At that point, I have a pure sine wave 6000w inverter to run 120v appliances. I understand that in order to connect to the grid, one needs a device that shuts off power if the grid goes down to protect line workers.

So, here is where you can help if I have done it right, or tear me apart because I really am an idiot. Can I just wire the inverter into the grid from the inverter and start running the meter backwards, or at least slowing it down, after I get the cut off? What is the lowest cost cut off? Am I moving too fast and need to do more homework?

Please take it easy on me. I'm just asking for advice, and maybe this will help someone else.

-hip

[Glen Johnson]

To connect to the grid ( laws aside ), you will need a specific inverter designed for the task.. aka a " grid tie inverter ". Some will take you lower voltage ( haven't seen one do " 12v " yet most run between 70-600v ) . If you connect a non grid tie to the grid it will just go bang...


Once you " cut off " the grid you won't be spinning anything backwards.... I would strongly suggest you do A LOT more research before going ahead...

After doing a lot more research, sit down and write out a plan on what you want out of your system, the REALISTIC amount you can put on your house .. etc... I've been off grid for about 5 years, took about 2 to get properly set up ( budget etc. ) and a lot of research, planning and work...

[Adam Wright]

Actually, that is what I expected to hear. The inverter I have will work, but not to reduce power consumption, only to create independent power.

The cut off is a safety feature for line workers, and is an extra expense I do not need except to protect society from my system when I can afford to tie in to the grid. That is much farther down the line now you have confirmed my fear that connecting to the grid will only result in the loss of my inverter, and maybe more.

I think with my current budget I need to build the solar and battery part of the system until it is capable of supplying all my power needs.

Thank you for your response,

-hip

[Andy Rhody]

A grid-tie inverter needs to synchronize itself to the 60 cycle frequency of the grid in order to put power into the grid. They do a "self check" to make sure the grid voltage and frequency are are acceptable before they start.

All legal grid-tie inverters will not operate unless they recognize a grid and if there is no grid, they will immediately shut down to prevent electrocuting any grid workers.

Doesn't sound like your inverter is a grid-tie but should be good for an off-grid system.