Results

This page shows data which has been acquired showing the output of my wind turbine.

As you know for the last couple of months I have been busy writing software for monitoring/logging data from my turbine and Xantrex XW inverter. I now have accumulated about 3 weeks of actual run-time data. I have been working with Xantrex and they have been an invaluable help in working out some issues. If interested more information can be gotten at http://www.briery.com/wind_turbine/build_log7.html

It has all been a great learning experience! However along the way I realized that I had measurement problems, from bad analog current meter, irregularities in measuring Hz (rpm), as well as anemometer issues (averaging).

One by one I have been addressing them, but still working on making my own digital anemometer. So I still question wind speed.

Also along the way I realized that my wind turbine has a stall issue in that the generator overpowers the blades. To help I have installed a massive .6ohm, 6kw power resistor, this has helped the turbine in medium winds. I still have a bit of a stall issue, but I am also in a pretty good wind area, so better a bit stalled - than a bit loose - as the following numbers will show...

So I know that my turbine is under-performing, but I'm willing to live with it as it appears to have good high-wind survivability. Over the last couple of months we have has 48mph winds two times and once 58mph. Seems that when the wind really blows here that it is a very gusty wind, with huge bursts of high energy, a number of times I have seen output of 5-6kw!

With all explainations, here are some numbers with the sell point of 54.0 volts:

You will notice one section not present, it is a gray area as with my anemometer averaging and wind gusting I can't get any good readings.

At 24mph winds I manually cut-out the .62ohm load resistor, it brought things back down to 150rpm, 800 watts. I like the abiltiy to somewhat control the output of the turbine in higher winds.

The top end is pretty apparent! At some point large gusts of wind have caused the turbine to begin to 'break away'!!

So far I have been present when these events have occurred and have manually shorted out my line resistor, that appears to get the turbine back under control and slow it down in quick order.

This is one reason that with the software that I am designing that I will have the ability to have the computer automatically switch out the line resistor for me.

I should add that I got the 17lb, 24" long, .62ohm 6kw power resistor from a guy named Nando, he used to be on the OtherPower.com discussion board but is nomore. If anyone is interested in purchasing one (a great deal at less than $50) you can contact him at HERE.

Once I finish up the interface to the anemometer I should be able to get more accurate instanttaneous wind speed measurements. I am working with a PicAxe chip, and will have a wireless ghz transmission that should be easily read for almost a mile...

In any case it would appear to be a good high wind turbine (like where I live) as the rpm's are kept low.

If you find this site useful and would like to support it, you can do so simply by clicking the button below and donating whatever you like.
To donate you can either use your PayPal account or a credit card (using secure authorization). Donations can be for as little as $1.00

© 2007 Briery Mountain Enterprises, LLC, Creative Commons "Some Rights Reserved"

Except where otherwise noted, this site is licensed under a Creative Commons License