YES HUGH YOU ARE CONFUSING HIM FURTHER, UNNECESSARILY !!
Wattage generated is acceptable and logical Though 48 volts may work the cost of # 2 wire may be higher than using other system types. Just because you have tried 3 times with induction motors and failed to get the proper results you are FOUL MOUTHING the Hundreds or even several thousands small hydro systems using induction motors as generators. Low cost, Long Lasting, Easy to implement, Easy to control and maintain. Using transformers and rectifiers to charge a battery bank is good if properly done - for small hydro induction motor-generator systems. Power transformation using transformers and rectification to feed a battery bank has to be done under the rules, not of the wind mills, but under the hydro system impedance to present the proper load to the generator to avoid stalling and/or de-magnetization of the motor, though I have a circuit that insures the later not to occur. So AC Generation is great for AC loads and Also for charging systems if done properly. AC generation can be used in this case for direct load feeding and at the same time to charge the battery bank as needed without stalling or "killing" the generator. A Turgo Turbine is ideal to the site, with two or three Nozzles with remote control, if needed, to regulate the water flow level corresponding to the seasonal water volume changes. The site can be a show case for a good small Turgo hydro system. Regards Nando ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hugh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2005 2:29 PM Subject: Re: [microhydro] AC vs. DC microhydro > > > > Just to confuse you even further :-) >> >> >>For our stream, the approx head is 120ft, flow is probably 70-80GPM >>(what we can get out of the creek). With that configuration, we're >>probably looking at a 500w system.. > > More like 8-900 watts. > >> but the problem is this: >> >>The creek is about 800ft away from the residence. That's too far >>for any DC current to travel on a reasonably-sized wire. > > Not really. At 48 volts it would be OK with #2 wire. > > Or if you prefer you can get a high voltage stream engine unit from > Energy Systems and Design (producing about 200 VAc) and then > transform it down and rectify it at the battery. > http://www.microhydropower.com/ I have done this on a mile long wire > run. Probably not worth it for 800 feet. The big wire is simple and > safe. > > I do not recommend the induction motor idea - I have tried this three > times and it is bad news every time. Induction motors are great for > AC loads (with a suitable load controller to regulate the voltage) > and you can also use them as an input to a Trace SW or similar > inverter. This works very well. But I do not find that it works > well with a transformer and rectifier. The output always disappoints > me. > >> So some >>people have pointed me toward AC hydrogenerators.. To have the AC >>come up from the creek, and then convert it to DC (using the >>inverter/charger) at the residence to charge the batteries. (we >>definitely want to go with the batteries instead of using the power >>directly, since this is a weekend-high-usage situation) > > You will need a very big battery to store much of that 100 > kilowatthours of energy Monday to Friday. > >> >>Now the questions (if any of you could even answer just one or two, >>that would be very helpful in getting me up to speed with this >>topic): >> >>1) I heard that AC hydrogenerators need to have some way of making >>consistent AC voltage / frequency.. So does that mean I need to hit >>the "lowest common denominator" by tuning the generator to produce >>60Hz at the lowest flow time of the season? Would that result in >>wasting power? > > a four pole motor would give near to 60 Hz at your site. Assuming a 4" > wheel. >> >>2) How does the inverter handle the AC current from the >>hydrogenerator, if it's not very consistent? (like if there's lower >>flow one week). Does it matter? > > It seems to have ben possible to synch quite well using Trace SW > inverters. > >> >>3) Is it better & simpler to just get a DC generator (which is >>cheaper), convert it to AC at the creek, and then move it up to the >>residence, and then convert it back to DC? Is there much power loss >>during those conversions? > > It is simplest to use a big thick cable at 48 volts DC. DC hydros no > longer use DC generators though, and you can get a high voltage wound > alternator. > >> >>4) I'm thinking of getting a 4-nozzle pelton wheel system, but I >>also heard of some other systems like "stream engine" which works >>better at low flow situations. Would my stream (120 ft head, 60 gpm >>flow) work well with the pelton wheel? > > I think you have a free choice there. > -- > Hugh > > (NOTE I am off to Costa Rica from 17th February - 3rd March and may > not get much if any email during that period.) > Scoraig Wind Electric > http://www.scoraigwind.co.uk/ > > > > > > > Does your company feature in the microhydro business directory at > http://microhydropower.net/directory ? If not, please register free of > charge and be exposed to the microhydro community world wide! > > NOTE: The advertisements in this email are added by Yahoogroups who > provides us with free email group services. The microhydro-group does not > endorse products or support the advertisements in any way. > > More information on micro hydropower at http://microhydropower.net > > To unsubscribe: send empty message to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > ------------------------ Yahoo! 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