TheBackShed.com

Forum Index : Windmills : combiner question

Author

Message

marthy
Newbie

Joined: 20/11/2007
Location: United States
Posts: 3

Posted: 05:23pm 02 Dec 2007

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Hello all, I am new to this forum, but not to electricity. I am currently a
college student working on my degree in electrical engineering. I have
started to build a model or prototype wind turbine, and had a question. The
combine box that is built on this page below, would that be only appropriate
for a solar setup or would it work in a setup for wind power. Also, any
advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
http://www.freesunpower.com/project1.php

Gill

Senior Member

Joined: 11/11/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 669

Posted: 02:58am 03 Dec 2007

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

G'day marthy,
As it states, this box is for combining multiple inputs to one output. It says it can have up to 12 inputs (all fused). For a solar array this number of individual connections is not unusual, but for wind it is. For economy and efficiency one large wind generator is much better than several smaller ones. It is therefor far less likely to have multiple inputs, two at most.

You may however wish to combine wind and solar. Here it would be worth while only if you include the following:
Blocking diodes on ALL inputs. On AC wind generator's input the rectifier would suffice on that particular input.
Regulator/Controller must be shunt type as the solar one will not suit wind gen.

Well thats how I see it.Hope that's helped.

was working fine... til the smoke got out.
Cheers Gill _Cairns, FNQ

GWatPE

Senior Member

Joined: 01/09/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2127

Posted: 03:45am 03 Dec 2007

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Yeh Gill, this be right.

It is highly unlikely that the controller would be suitable for wind and solar. Not much info on that link as to the operation of the controller. I would keep the wind quite separate from the solar. I would only have the wind side directly connected to the battery with a separate dump load controller. My experience with solar and wind feeding a battery is usually the wind generator tends to shut down the solar controller as the battery gets charged.

Just remember that cost is not the major factor here. The system has to actually work and be safe.

cheers, Gordon.

become more energy aware

Print this page

To reply to this topic, you need to log in.