Johann1982 Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 @plonkster It did sound like a helicopter at times, but never tilt over. I had it in very strong winds also and didn't have any problems. It is scary though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 So its up.... It is braked currently, so only turns slightly in the wind. If I let it run I can see it making 10-20V AC in a gusts of wind. I presume it has to get up to more than 48V before it starts charging? Any updates... keen to see how things go...especially battery soc overnight.Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johann1982 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Yes, please update! Or did the same thing happen to you as it did to me when I first installed it? .... No wind for 2 weeks, not even a breeze! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepBass9 Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 OK, done (mostly). I have connected everything up. It was a bit of a chore as I have some nice thick cable to use to go to the wind turbine, but the problem is it was buried as it used to go to a borehole pump, so I spent the morning unburying it. The turbine spins nicely in the wind. In a light breeze it makes about 20V, and then in gusts up to 40V. I'm not sure if the battery is charging though? Does it need to get to above the battery voltage to charge? The turbine makes AC so surely the charge controller can step it up with a transformer? I'll go and take some pics just now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johann1982 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 3 minutes ago, DeepBass9 said: OK, done (mostly). I have connected everything up. It was a bit of a chore as I have some nice thick cable to use to go to the wind turbine, but the problem is it was buried as it used to go to a borehole pump, so I spent the morning unburying it. The turbine spins nicely in the wind. In a light breeze it makes about 20V, and then in gusts up to 40V. I'm not sure if the battery is charging though? Does it need to get to above the battery voltage to charge? The turbine makes AC so surely the charge controller can step it up with a transformer? I'll go and take some pics just now. Sounds good. Yes, It will probably be trickle charging in low winds. What wind speed do you get at the moment? It is a big turbine so it needs good wind speed for proper charging. Add the extra pole length if it doesn't catch enough wind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johann1982 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Oh, and you will also be able to hear when the turbine cuts in and starts to charge, noticeable change in pitch from the turbine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepBass9 Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 Hmm, I need to get a charge monitor so I can see what is going on. No idea what the wind speed is. Breezy I guess? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johann1982 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 It will most likely be free spinning in a breeze. Try putting it higher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johann1982 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Or what does the wind forecast in your area look like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepBass9 Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 I just tested the amperage between the charge controller and the battery and it does charge a bit in the stronger gusts, I saw up to 5A briefly. I'm looking for one of these to monitor the charging. Anyone know where you can buy one in Joburg (as in a physical shop)? http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/255620507/100A_DC_Digital_Multifunction_Power_Meter_Energy_Monitor_Module_Voltmeter_Ammet.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeinTheTerrible Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 4 minutes ago, DeepBass9 said: I just tested the amperage between the charge controller and the battery and it does charge a bit in the stronger gusts, I saw up to 5A briefly. I'm looking for one of these to monitor the charging. Anyone know where you can buy one in Joburg (as in a physical shop)? http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/255620507/100A_DC_Digital_Multifunction_Power_Meter_Energy_Monitor_Module_Voltmeter_Ammet.html Aliexpress + DHL = happy days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johann1982 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 6 minutes ago, DeepBass9 said: I just tested the amperage between the charge controller and the battery and it does charge a bit in the stronger gusts, I saw up to 5A briefly. You are probably getting 10km/h breeze with 20km/h gusts. When you are getting a constant 25 to 30km/h wind speed you will see that turbine charging at around 10 to 15A. Will also sound like there is a wolf on the koppie.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepBass9 Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 22 minutes ago, HeinTheTerrible said: Aliexpress + DHL = happy days In theory, if the post office doesn't lose it, or the couriers spend a whole week trying to find my place. I would prefer to go to a shop so I can install it now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepBass9 Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 21 minutes ago, Johann1982 said: You are probably getting 10km/h breeze with 20km/h gusts. When you are getting a constant 25 to 30km/h wind speed you will see that turbine charging at around 10 to 15A. Will also sound like there is a wolf on the koppie.. Probably something like that. If it gets stormy later there should be some stronger winds. Here's the final installation. It is spinning quite fast, the camera just froze it. Johann1982 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco De Jongh Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 I just tested the amperage between the charge controller and the battery and it does charge a bit in the stronger gusts, I saw up to 5A briefly. I'm looking for one of these to monitor the charging. Anyone know where you can buy one in Joburg (as in a physical shop)? http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/255620507/100A_DC_Digital_Multifunction_Power_Meter_Energy_Monitor_Module_Voltmeter_Ammet.html I could not find someone selling these of the shelve, all the guys I could find bring them in when you order it so it takes 4to6 weeks for delivery. I brought in a few similar units from China directly, it arrived 2 days ago, only started playing with them last night. You have to calibrate the unit for your voltage and expected current. But they surprised me with the functionality. Does a lot more than what I expected. Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johann1982 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Looks great. What does it sound like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 This? or maybe this one? No idea what they are like, I usually end up ordering from someone else :-) You ever need to search all the hobby sites at the same time use underground.co.za. I actually know the guy who made that site :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepBass9 Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 I can just hear it from my office. I can hear why your neighbours complained though! I have found a watt meter which I will pick up tomorrow, then I can see better what's going on : https://www.electromannsa.com/products/ft08-rc-150a-hight-precision-watt-meter I should then be able to then hear from the tone how much power its making! From the video it looks like it will do the job, also records peak amps and watts which is useful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt2quF5JoiA ___ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johann1982 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 That looks like a cool meter to have. Yes, you will definitely hear it tonight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepBass9 Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 We have a caracul and jackal problem currently, where our goat kids are taken at night. Maybe the howling turbine on the hill will scare them away? If it does it will pay for itself many times over. We lost 10 kids over the last 2 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepBass9 Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 I see now that the AC volts into the charge controller go up until they plateau at about 41VAC and at that point the tone of the generator changes. I can also see the battery volts tick up a bit so it is charging a bit in the stronger gusts. Anyway, when I have the watt meter tomorrow all will become clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johann1982 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 In high winds that thing will probably scare your wife too...lol I am sure it will work as a deterrent for the jackals, but they tend to get used to new noises very quick and start ignoring it after a while. Only thing that works for a jackal is a 306 round between the eyes. ___, Chris Hobson and ibiza 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepBass9 Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 30 minutes ago, DeepBass9 said: I see now that the AC volts into the charge controller go up until they plateau at about 41VAC and at that point the tone of the generator changes. I can also see the battery volts tick up a bit so it is charging a bit in the stronger gusts. Anyway, when I have the watt meter tomorrow all will become clear. So some dimly remember physics lecture and google reveal that the peak voltage is thoeretically 1.414 times the RMS AC voltage so the 40V AC has a peak of 56V which is what the battery voltage currently is. All makes some sort of sense now. Jaco De Jongh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco De Jongh Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Deepbass can you please post a few photos of the controller and or device that turns this 3 phase ac back into Dc. I am curious about this setup of yours. Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepBass9 Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 It is this : http://www.dhgate.com/product/1000w-48v-wind-generator-charge-controller/255236094.html Jaco De Jongh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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