Just built my first battery array, have some questions!

[Alfie Dring]

So I've been working on a mobile powerpack for a green soundsystem project, its been quite a fun challenge but nothing too taxing so far.....

Heres the enclosure minus door...

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g130/TeamSlayer01/Speakerbox/SP_A0457-1.jpg

And heres a wiring diagram,

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g130/TeamSlayer01/Speakerbox/Sust_Sounds_Powerpack_Wiring.jpg

So far just the batteries, fuses and inverter have been connected, but we're looking to add the wind turbine into the mix soon by connecting it across the points indicated. Now this particular turbine is a small "travel" model which is supposed to have a built in regulator to allow it to be connected directly to the array like this. That dosent bother me! What does bother me is wether or not this could cause a problem with the inverter if both are connected and running at the same time? I dont understand enough about DC electrics to know wether say 18v at the turbines output would even appear at the inverters input? Would it be "sponged up" by the battery array? Also are there any general rules or caveats i should look out for with respect to simultaneous charging and discharging?

Heres the Turbine: http://www.navitron.org.uk/product_detail.php?proID=193&catID=69

And this is the inverter: http://www.caravantechnology.com/1000WPureSineWaveInverter.aspx

Any help/advice much appreciated! :toung:

Regards

Alf

[Rob Beckers]

Hello Alf,

1 kW! That's quite a bit of noise... eh... music!:drum:
It's normal for small wind turbines to directly charge batteries. You are correct that the batteries simply cap the voltage, it won't get beyond battery voltage. The wind turbine's charge controller takes care of properly charging the batteries so they don't get overcharged.

-RoB-

[Alfie Dring]

Thanks for the quick reply Rob :) It is indeed quite a bit of noise! When we get it all working ill be sure to post some links and pics.

Glad to hear what your saying about the voltages, makes sense to me that the batterys would have that effect :smile1:

We're now become confused about dump loads:embarrassedt: The manual for the turbine is a bit confusing, it states that there is an internal regulator that will "shut off" the turbine causing it to "stop producing power" once the array is at 14.1V. It also seperately states that a diversion load controller and dump load are reccomended but that these are optional extras??

What would be the advantage of the diversion controller in our setup? What would be the caveat of not using one? I cant figure why it would make any difference really since there is no option to defeat or bypass the internal regulation. How is this turbine, when not used with a dump load/diversion controller, dissipating its excess power anyway?

Thanks for your help.

Alf

[Rob Beckers]

Hi Alfie,

It's hard to give a good answer without knowing more about your particular wind turbine. Is the manual for it online somewhere? Or a manufacturer's Web page?

Most wind turbines cannot run unloaded. So when the battery voltages reaches "full charge" they switch from batteries to a diversion/dump load (just a big heater). A diversion controller is used in case the wind turbine hooks up straight to the batteries (with just a rectifier, but no regulation). It keeps an eye on the battery voltage and switches on the diversion load when the battery is full. Whether you need a diversion controller or not would depend on what comes with the wind turbine, and if it can run unloaded (if it has a controller that simply disconnects the turbine when batteries are full).

-RoB-

[Dan Lenox]

Alfie,

I took a look at the users manual for your turbine and find it unusual that they say that a diversion controller/load is optional.

It's the purpose of the diversion controller to monitor the voltage of the battery bank, and at a preset level switch in the diversion load, so as to keep a sufficient load on the turbine. A wind turbine that does not have any (or insufficient load) can quickly spin up in speed, and possibly self destruct.

A wind turbine can very quickly raise the battery voltage when you get a good blow. For instance while you are sleeping (and very little electrical load) the wind picks up to 15m/s, there is a good chance that at some point in time the battery bank will not cap the voltage and it will raise.

You state that the turbine has an internal regulator that will "shut off" the turbine, but if that fails and you have no diversion controller - bye bye turbine...

Speaking of battery bank, do you have a ventilation system set up for venting out hydrogen gas from the bank? Hard to tell from the pictures if they are AGM or not, but even my AGM battery bank I have vented to the outside.

Dan Lenox

[Alfie Dring]

Hi Rob,

Here's the manual: http://www.navitron.org.uk/download_data.php?catid=15&did=78

After re-reading the manual and taking in your post I think that this turbine can run unloaded or optionally be provided with a dump load. Presumably the dump load would keep the RPM down once the batteries were charged and thus increase the life of the mechanical parts? This might well be a bit of an assumption though.

TBH im not even sure if it has any kind of furling or limiting mechanism. Im going to make certain that its possible to short it very easily if need be and hope for moderate weather!

Thanks again :)

[Alfie Dring]

Hiya Dan,

I hear ya, I think we have relatively little chance of that type of failure as the turbine will always be attended and also we can adjust the load we place on the array depending on wind conditions.... Still it is a worry and would be a lot nicer to avoid this possibility :(

Regarding venting, the box is by no means airtight and will always be used outside or at least in the back of a van with one door open. Should be alright i think?

PS These are the batteries http://www.elecsolbatteries.com/products/Batteries/Elecsol-110.html It says they have a sealed for life design. Im guessing that means venting wont be a problem?

Cheers..

Alf