Wind/Solar/Water system in Kerry

[Bob]

Here are a few pics of Our combined off grid system.

[Bob]

These are of the Wind turbine, a Navitron 2Kw 48v and the gin frame we used to put it up.

[Bob]

Batteries, about 1750Ah, three sets at 24v, one Chloride (the big ones, each cell about 140kg) and two (I think) Exide sets.

Inverter, A Ki-point 3Kw pure sine wave with 5Kw surge.

Solar, 12 Siemens SM55H 55w panels

Wind, a Navitron 2Kw turbine

Water, a Navitron 3Kw medium head.

We also have a backup gen set that can provide charging as well as heavy duty three phase for the big equipment in the workshop.

The rather rusty box inline with the water turbine is a filter.  It helps to prevent the turbine instantly blocking with leaves, fish and other rubbish.

It has taken about 10 years to put this lot together.  Any questions and I will do my best to answer.

[Panda_Badger]

Bob, excellent work, quite an achievement.

Wind, water, generator and solar PV. All you need now are some Navitron tubes and you've got the lot.

It must be great to see all your planning and labouring coming together now after all this time. Just goes to show what can be done when you put your mind to it.

The battery end of the installation looks complex. How have you managed to join the different loads to feed them?

Sterling mate, Pete.

[Bob]

Thanks Pete.  We do have a very simple solar shower, it consists of a 150m coil of 3/4 inch black plastic pipe under a corrugated plastic roof.  Produces enough hot water for about 12 showers on a good day.  I am currently building a version with a collector tank.

You ask how are all the electrics joined.

Well,  The batteries are 24v and have a very high capacity.  The pv's just feed straight in.  The water turbine is 220v and is connected via a switch mode charger.  I plan on changing the alternator for a large permanent magnet dc motor that is on my shelf.  This will reduce the losses associated with the controller and charger.

The wind turbine is 48v and is connected with the normal Navitron box.  I know that this will not prevent it from overcharging the batteries but I suspect that unless we have constant 20mph winds for a week this just won't be a problem.

[Panda_Badger]

Bob, cheers, thanks for the info. Looks like you'll be all set up in time for Winter. That is if we get one.

Pete.

[pmacantu]

Bob , Thanks for the insight.   I am up in Achill and very intrested in your set up.   I am on the Atlantic coast and I was vervous about the high wind speeds and the ability of the Navitron Turbine to withstand high winds.    Next year I hope to set up a wind system.  Do you recommend the 2KW 48V turbine?     P

[Bob]

What do I think of the 48v 2Kw?  Do you want me to be polite or honest?

Ok, you don't pay much and this has to be remembered however..  The first one I received had a buckled base plate with welds that my dog would have been embarrassed about.  It had no manual (I still don't have one), the "galvanized" guy lines were rusty, and the U clamps were missing.  Then it only worked for a week.

Navitron replaced it with a busted 220v one.

Then they replaced it with a 48v one that still seems to be working.

The construction is crude and the electrics may leave a lot to be desired.  I think that they should at least open the boxes to make sure that all the bits are there and that they appear to be serviceable.  Lads in Rutland please take note!

Perhaps, for an additional fee, offering turbines that have at least been balanced.  This is surprisingly hard to do with the low voltage high output models.  With the turbine on the bench (high on the bench) and the blades fitted it turns in a lumpy way making smooth adjustments very difficult.  Taking the blades off the turbine is not a lot better because that mount on a large tapered shaft that is difficult to replicate.  All this could be sorted with some simple kit that would be worthwhile for Navitron to have but probably not any of their individual customers.

Having said all that it is cheap, and I guess you get what you pay for.

Getting back to your original question.  I'm worried about high winds too.  Luckily my particular spot is not that windy but if you want a turbine that is indestructible then go for a Proven but you will have to spend 10 times as much.

Let me know what you decide to do.

[Shay]

Hi Bob,

I see you are using a Ki Point invertor. They are very resonably priced...whats your honest opinion
on the quality etc. Im looking at a pure sine wave 1kw one for a 1.3 kWp PV solar array but worried about the quality etc.

Regards,

Shay.

[Bob]

Hi Shay

I bought mine through CPC - a huge part of the Farnell group.  It has worked well for about three years or more.  My switch mode charger is also a Ki Point.  That has worked well for over a year.

From my experience I would recommend them.  I think they still sell on Ebay.

Regards

Bob

[Shay]

Thats great, I think I will go with them then.

Im located in the midlands myself and was considering a wind installation but the average wind speed is only around 4.5 m/s.... so Im looking at possibly buying  7 no. 180Wp Pv modules from the states....very attractive price at the moment with the strength of the euro against the dollar.

Have you or anyone else imported anything from the states recently....I believe I will be hit with a 5% duty and 21% vat...is this correct?

Shay

[billi]

hello
 the pv panels i ordered in canada paid in dollar and arrived from china....

yes 21 % vat  added on and then  other costs like custom clearance transport so called disbusments in total about 10%

[Shay]

Bob,

Since you seem to be a veteran.....where would recommend to source good value batteries in Ireland?

[Bob]

IHi

I would not describe myself as a veteran.

Batteries are always a hard one.  Two of my sets are ex-eircom (they use them in exchanges) and one set, the big ones, I was very luck to find locally secondhand.

I have tried using secondhand forklift batteries, not much good.

Sorry to say that I cannot really recommend anything except get to know an Eircom exchange service engineer!

[frotter]

Just to stick up for s/h forklift batteries - their main (only?) virtue? - Cheap!