Dan Lenox
20th December 2009, 08:05
All,
Recently I have made modifications to the PowerDashboard (http://www.briery.com) software suite and created a 'Wind Only (http://www.briery.com/wind_only.html)' version of the software with a discounted the price of only $85.
The software requires the use of a DataQ DI-148U-SP (http://www.dataq.com/products/startkit/di148usp.htm) (A/D controller), shunt and step-down transformer to operate, and will give RPM, volts, amps and watts. If you want wind speed and direction a 'bare' Davis anemometer can also be connected.
The step-down transformer is used to tap between 2 of the 3 phase output from the turbine, and is necessary as the DataQ has an upper limit of 10v. Typically a simple door bell step-down transformer which converts 115v to 15v (10:1 reduction) can be used. These door bell transformers can be purchased fairly cheaply from just about any local hardware store.
The software samples the sine wave output and can compute the turbine RPM and volts output. The shunt is used to measure amps, and watts can be calculated.
Users can define up to 9 'Triggers' by defining the parameters in which an auto-shutdown will be performed. These parameters include:
Wind Speed
Battery Voltage
Turbine RPM
Turbine Amps
Turbine Watts
Grid down
Event duration
Each Trigger definition can include one or more parameters, so redundant triggers can be created, from simple events to complex ones.
More information pertaining to the Auto-Shutdown capability can be found here. (http://www.briery.com/auto_shutdown.html)
*Relay Board is required in order to provide manual and auto-shutdown. This relay is needed because the DataQ digital outputs are TTL level and too low to drive an electrical contactor directly.
PS: a version of PowerDashboard will soon be available for Outback product line...
Dan Lenox
Recently I have made modifications to the PowerDashboard (http://www.briery.com) software suite and created a 'Wind Only (http://www.briery.com/wind_only.html)' version of the software with a discounted the price of only $85.
The software requires the use of a DataQ DI-148U-SP (http://www.dataq.com/products/startkit/di148usp.htm) (A/D controller), shunt and step-down transformer to operate, and will give RPM, volts, amps and watts. If you want wind speed and direction a 'bare' Davis anemometer can also be connected.
The step-down transformer is used to tap between 2 of the 3 phase output from the turbine, and is necessary as the DataQ has an upper limit of 10v. Typically a simple door bell step-down transformer which converts 115v to 15v (10:1 reduction) can be used. These door bell transformers can be purchased fairly cheaply from just about any local hardware store.
The software samples the sine wave output and can compute the turbine RPM and volts output. The shunt is used to measure amps, and watts can be calculated.
Users can define up to 9 'Triggers' by defining the parameters in which an auto-shutdown will be performed. These parameters include:
Wind Speed
Battery Voltage
Turbine RPM
Turbine Amps
Turbine Watts
Grid down
Event duration
Each Trigger definition can include one or more parameters, so redundant triggers can be created, from simple events to complex ones.
More information pertaining to the Auto-Shutdown capability can be found here. (http://www.briery.com/auto_shutdown.html)
*Relay Board is required in order to provide manual and auto-shutdown. This relay is needed because the DataQ digital outputs are TTL level and too low to drive an electrical contactor directly.
PS: a version of PowerDashboard will soon be available for Outback product line...
Dan Lenox