Help needed in connecting SWEA inverter

[squirrelr]

Hi.  I am just about to connect up a 300w Navitron turbine to the grid via the SWEA inverter.

Some help needed

1. Does the "Automatic wind generator charger controller" supplied with the turbine do the same job as the DP 35 diode box referred to in the SWEA literature?

2.  On the "Automatic wind generator charger controller" there are 4 terminals labelled as "To Turbine generator" I reckon that the generator output goes to the 3 red ones but what is the black one for?

3. Which output do I take to the SWEA inverter?  The "TO Batteries" or the "DC output"?

4. If there is a mains power cut and it is windy how is the wind generator protected from "over reving and burning out".  Do I need a dump load in the system and where would it be wired in?  What is recommended as a dump load?

5. I have a Sangamo SP01 single phase watthour consumer meter.  If I wire this between the SWEA inverter and my mains will it it record energy harnassed by the turbine?

Grateful for any help

[Ivan]

Hi,

1. The controller supplied with the turbine is a little more sophisticated, but essentially it will carry out the same function when using with the SWEA grid-tie system.

2. The black one is not used.

3. Either, as they are connected in parallel

4. SWEA recommend the use of the 'AP Box' to prevent overvoltage. This includes a resistive load which is designed to bring the turbine to a standstill. Alternatively, I have set up a system using a higher voltage battery fed by a separate rectifier unit (so that the batteries are isolated from the grid-tie inverter). It's a bit over-the-top, but it is a simple and fairly cost-effective solution.

5. Quite possibly, although I would not guarantee it. The Navitron watt-meter certainly does, and I think it is pretty common that these devices couldn't care less about which direction the power is flowing

Ivan

[squirrelr]

Many thanks for your help, Ivan.

I like the idea of the higher voltage battery fed by a separate rectifier unit  to prevent overvoltage in the event of a power cut.  One question: does the system have to be manually switched over to the higher voltage rectifier or can it be totally automatic?

Regards

squirrelr

[Ivan]

The AP Box is designed to shut down the wind turbine if the voltage goes too high. If you do not use the AP Box, you can do it manually..but this assumes you are present when the condition arises. Alternatively you can build your own auto-switchover, if you have suitable electronics experience.

Ivan