> >For Daniel's stream:
> > approx head is 120ft
> > flow is probably 70-80GPM (1 gps)
> > probably looking at a 500w system
> > creek is about 800ft away from the residence
> > maybe 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.
> > this is a weekend-high-usage situation
>
>Someone who has done this reported: I worked with about 100 ft of head
>when I built a 140W DC system several years ago. It utilized an
>alternator and a bronze Harris pelton wheel directly mounted on the
>shaft. This was unsatisfactory because the commutator would last only
>about 15 months before wearing so badly that the alternator had to be
>replaced--usually in mid-winter under very inconvenient conditions.
Love having actual experienced folks. So, Daniel would have say 15 months
using an off-the-shelf inexpensive automotive 12 or 24VDC
alternator. Please note Daniel specified this is a "weekend" cabin
situation presumably not on the grid. My modern electrified 3br 2ba home
uses 1KW/hr on average. Many calculations show that Daniel's stream
"could" provide this flow and we are talking a "cabin in the woods" versus
a full blown modern home. Conceiveably, Daniel could run the water wheel
"only" when he is visiting his weekend cabin assuming the batteries are
sufficient and kept fully charged. Let see, 1.25 years of full time = 460
days = 4 years of weekends for the cost of an inexpensive
alternator. Daniel could even put in a battery operated clock timer to
open one nozzle by the waterwheel for "X" minutes a day to charge up and
keep topped off his deep-cycle battery bank. We do love our fancy gadgets
with complex generators, frequency manipulators, load controllers, etc. and
so on; but; I still suggest a minimal, simple, and inexpensive solution -
its a "weekend cabin" after all....
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