My Micro Hydro Project

   / My Micro Hydro Project
  • Thread Starter
#21  
Wow, I'm watching. I guess my questions are aimed at the hydro dynamics of the system.

How much does the velocity of the flow coming down effect the pressure or speed of the turbines vs just the 60' head? Wouldn't it be best to have a smooth as can be transition from the main downtube to the turbines to let the velocity help? or am I thinking wrong? It's late. My thinking cap already went to bed.

I will be watching!
I think you’re talking about pipe friction in the penstock (supply pipe). Obviously the less friction the better. I only have two 45 fitting in the whole 950’ run. There are charts to galore that show what your pressure should be according to your systems head, flow rate and length of penstock. In my systems case I should be right around 27-28 PSI.
every system is different of course. Some have low flow but very high head and some low head with high flow.
 
   / My Micro Hydro Project
  • Thread Starter
#22  
Well, i Did pressure test the penstock today and found a leak in my 45 fitting. It was actually cracked on the outter edge. I may have dropped it before the install or something. I also had another issue with the pe stock contracting and pulling out of the bell fitting. I will have to use a fernco fitting to fix that. Once the penstock is buried that issue should be eliminated. These are just issues I have to deal with in the process I guess.

Although I don’t have the inverter in stalled yet, (I haven’t gotten that far in the process,) I decided to upgrade my inverter from the Growatt 12k to the Schneider XW 6848. It is a lot pricier but I think for the money the quality and upgrades you get Is well worth it. so after talking with the small business guy I bought all my gear from, he Is gonna allow me to return the Growatt since it’s still in the crate, and get the Schneider. So another 10 hour trip to South Carolina is coming real soon.
If anyone is familiar with the Schneider XW I’d love to hear your opinion of it.
 
   / My Micro Hydro Project #23  
Although I don’t have the inverter in stalled yet, (I haven’t gotten that far in the process,) I decided to upgrade my inverter from the Growatt 12k to the Schneider XW 6848. It is a lot pricier but I think for the money the quality and upgrades you get Is well worth it. so after talking with the small business guy I bought all my gear from, he Is gonna allow me to return the Growatt since it’s still in the crate, and get the Schneider. So another 10 hour trip to South Carolina is coming real soon.
If anyone is familiar with the Schneider XW I’d love to hear your opinion of it.

Outback Radian and Schnieder XW Pro are both low frequency inverters and are the most dependable of off-grid inverters. In my opinion.
The Schneider XW Pro is a rock solid dependable unit. Has high overload capacity built in because of the heavy Tordial transformer coil that is built into it. The low frequency design is best for starting motor loads and unbalanced loads, where a high frequency inverter (like the Growatt) would trip out on just trying to start larger motor loads or unbalanced loads.

One of the best videos I have seen that shows the strong point of the Schneider XWPro inverter. At this link.


I have worked with grid tied and off grid systems installations and you can't go wrong with the XWPro.
Schnieder did have some customer service issues for a while, but they have stepped up to the plate in helping there customer base.
 
   / My Micro Hydro Project
  • Thread Starter
#24  
Outback Radian and Schnieder XW Pro are both low frequency inverters and are the most dependable of off-grid inverters. In my opinion.
The Schneider XW Pro is a rock solid dependable unit. Has high overload capacity built in because of the heavy Tordial transformer coil that is built into it. The low frequency design is best for starting motor loads and unbalanced loads, where a high frequency inverter (like the Growatt) would trip out on just trying to start larger motor loads or unbalanced loads.

One of the best videos I have seen that shows the strong point of the Schneider XWPro inverter. At this link.


I have worked with grid tied and off grid systems installations and you can't go wrong with the XWPro.
Schnieder did have some customer service issues for a while, but they have stepped up to the plate in helping there customer base.
Wow ! That’s exactly what I was hoping to hear. I’m a novice at the electrical side of this and definitely learning as I go. The Schneider is gonna a cost about 4k more than the Growatt but I only want do this once. As far as the video you posted, that is the exact video I watched that got me thinking that maybe the Schneider is really want I need over the Growatt I already bought. So, I called the business I bought my gear from and he definitely agreed of course but did explain it was much more expensive But we’ll worth it.
Thanks again for the post and sharing your experienc. Like I said I‘m a total novice and will gladly take all the advise I can get
 
   / My Micro Hydro Project #25  
For off-grid use a transformer based inverter is a must for motor starting and high currents on 120 volt line 1 or line 2 loads. A large amperage draw at 120 volts on a high frequecy inverter can trip the whole inverter out on overload very easily. Where a low frequency inverter will run for an extended time on the same load.

I always thought the Growatt was high frequency, because there was the transformerless verbage in there literature. I did look at the Growatt 12K for off-grid and it says that it is a low frequency inverter. So may have worked?
My personal experience is stay with known high quality products and to stay away from new comers until I have seen long term dependabilty with them.

With hydro, one of the most important functions I found out was having a dependable dump load, so I didn't over charge the batteries. So stay close to your turbine provider for recommendations on this.
A general saying that goes with off grid system newbies is, after you ruin your first set of expensive batteries the pocketbook gets your attention enough to monitor the system closer so battery failures don't occur so fast. Please don't ask me how I know this, I might go into overload and trip out!!!:)

My hydro system failed when a pickup went over a 25 foot embankment into the creek and crushed my undershot waterwheel. Could not rebuild due to new enviromental red tape.
Hope you keep us informed on how this is going for you.
Dean
 
   / My Micro Hydro Project #26  
@MAX-24-Dean I am so sorry to hear about the damage to your hydro setup!

@Ktm rider "Marty T" on YouTube has a few videos on his high head, low flow hydro setup. FWIW: He uses a small PLC controller to dump the excess load into a water heater. (If it were me, I would add a thermostatic mixer on the output to keep a consistent temperature.)
(Part 1)

All the best, Peter
 
   / My Micro Hydro Project
  • Thread Starter
#27  
Well , I decided to upgrade the inverter so I put this project on hold until I can go pick it up. I went from the Growatt ( which is still in the crate) to the Schneider XW Pro. It’s quite a bit pricier but it is of much better quality . I also have to take my turbines back and get then re wou d to match the new inverter
Also the snow has slowed me down a great deal. But in the next few weeks I. Hoping to be back at it and I’ll keep everyone updated.
 
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   / My Micro Hydro Project
  • Thread Starter
#28  
So I haven’t posted my progress in a while so I thought I’d update you guys.
I FINALLY got the leaks fixed which was difficult and to be honest a bit expensive . But I finally got the hydro online last week. I still have some issues with turbulent water entering the penstock at the Coanda box. I was losing all kinds of power from it during the night. But after building a baffle out of a piece of 8” pvc pipe to calm the water after it enters the Coanda box it seems to be working much better. I can make around 1.8 kw continuous depending on the flow of the creek. I couldn’t be happier with that. I combine that constant power with my 5kw solar array and my batteries are usually well charged.

As of right now I don’t have a few of my bigger loads on the critical load panel ( alt energy panel ) the hot water heater and the wife’s hot tub are two big ones. I am planning on buying a second Schneider inverter and solar charger to add those loads and be completely grid free.
If anyone has any questions or advice please chime in.
 

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   / My Micro Hydro Project #29  
This is absolutely amazing; I truly wish I had a better grasp on electricity, this blows my mind.
 
   / My Micro Hydro Project #30  
Looks great!!

I’m so jelly as I have always wanted a small hydro plant.
 

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