Hydroelectric 3D Printed Intake update after Storm Ellen

[@brinhaerycammel3467]

This Bjorn guy is a very generous person, I don't have a use for his model but I know how much work goes into these types of developments, say a big thank you to him from me as a sometimes prototype developer! much respect.

[@KrisHarbour]

Couldn't agree more! He will be reading this so you have told him yourself.

[@totherarf]

Likewise! It is nice to see someone who is not grasping everything they can off what they do (in monetary terms anyway). This goes for you too Kris ;0)

[@BjornErikLarsen]

Thank you! This has been a fun and interesting project. I am very happy that I can give something back to Kris after he has been producing all these fantastic videos. Kris was the guy that inspired me to start building my own Hydro Electric system high up north in Norway.

[@raymondjames9689]

@@BjornErikLarsen Do you think think it would be possible to make one with minimal fasteners if you had a big enough printer bed? I have a 400x400mm 3d printer (Anycubic chiron) that could get close to making a one piece coanda screen for an intake. Is bed size the limiting factor for the size of tile you made or are there other considerations?

[@BjornErikLarsen]

@@raymondjames9689 Thanks for your thoughts! That should be absolutely possible. The print bed is definately the biggest limiting factor on my old Makerbot 2X printer. ABS plastic has a tendency warping near the the printbed edges so I cannot use the full printbed. I have got ASA plastic that should not warp so much, so maybe I can print bigger parts soon. One problem with long plastic parts is that they flex more so somekind of support structures will be needed to prevent this.

[@andrewgiles6192]

Anyone else struggle with him leaving that last little leaf on the left? 😂

[@IsThisAvailable550]

And the one on the right that he pushed to the center

[@welshlyn9097]

Andrew Giles you are spot on 👌👌👌

[@KrisHarbour]

Would it be equally annoying if i left it there just so you would comment about me leaving it there? :D

[@andrewgiles6192]

@@KrisHarbour consider my noodle twisted 😂

[@cragmc8386]

Hahahaha I did! 😂

[@dcampbell855]

Chris, I am so very impressed at your vast knowledge of different systems. Your work, especially in an off-grid setting, is top notch, informative, and inspiring. PLEASE continue to keep posting!

[@philthorpe4549]

Kris, it would be interesting to know how the wind turbine copes with the high winds in terms of potential damage? Plus, have you considered dumping excess power into an immersion water heater once the batteries have filled? Thanks for the video, you're really on top of this hydro.

[@ChuckUnderFire]

This is completely off topic, but I’ve been curious. Other than Dot’s harp playing, what kind of music do you typically listen to?

[@davewilliams6172]

There are a lot of over-engineers watching this series of videos all wanting mechanisms to auto clean the screen. KISS...Keep It Simple Stupid...just make it part of your morning routine to walk up to the pond, use a brush on the screen and then walk over to the workshop to carry on making brilliant inspiring stuff as usual! Looking forward to seeing the greenhouse build...I really miss my allotment and greenhouse! I loved that storm...spent most of the time sat outside under cover watching the display, quite magical lol

[@_s_9920]

couldn't have said it better. The problem with the engineering-inclined is that they don't factor in the reality of the environment and inperfect conditions. Outside of a city, nature will throw everything it can at your machines and systems and only the simple, low tolerance and sturdy things will last and hardwork and sweat is required to keep it maintained. Automation is something best left to the factory floor. As the saying goes, you'd take a German engineered car on a highway but you'd sooner take a Lada into the bush.

[@KrisHarbour]

I could not agree more with both if these comments, thank you both :)

[@welshlyn9097]

Kris Harbour Natural Building just keep doing what you’re doing,that’s why i watch you.best thing on you tube.stay safe Welsh Lyn.

[@illusivec]

While I am a firm believer of the KISS axiom myself, in this situation I'd have definitely tried to automate the cleaning process. I don't know about the channel owner's situation, but if that hydro system is his only electricity source, having this auto cleaning could prove to be crucial. He could get too sick to go out and clean the intake and if he's relying on electricity to sustain himself, having an auto cleaner could be the difference between life and death. Sure adding an auto cleaner complicates things and increases the number of things that can break but I'd argue even if the auto cleaner breaks down, he'd be no worse off than where he is right now. There is likely even a way to make this cleaning system purely mechanical. I'd also investigate Teflon coatings for those intakes.

[@charlesalberti563]

I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart, I've been told my whole life it would be near impossible to live the way you do in modern times. But your channel has showed me that not only is is possible but with hard work and creativity it's very doable

[@mhkoo1]

I suggest make a protection against leaves where the protection is like a box without a bottom in front of the intake and water that leaves the "pond" must go through the box. Since the water can only enter at the bottom of the box and the bottom must be below the water level (say 10 cm), only water will exit the pond and leaves stay on the surface of the pond.

[@CosmicGorilla]

I was in West Wales during those storms, awesome or what.

[@LandtoHouse]

You mentioned in a video that KZbin was not making as much money as you wanted. Perhaps these 3d printed screens can be your new product!

[@rmojo23]

Would a valve that closed for a short time back flush the intake clear the debris on the intake screen?

[@kevinwilliams8662]

Suggest making a bristle brush of some kind to hang on a nearby tree to clean that screen easily.

[@earthangel8730]

Exactly my thought!

[@kirknay]

nylon for corrosion resistance? I know it's used on brush heads for rust removal, but not sure if it would work here.

[@lorns123]

I went back and watched the first few videos when the house was being built. When I look at how much has been achieved in such a short amount of time I can't really believe it. So impressive what this guy has created.

[@SSingh-nr8qz]

Hi, I think I may have figured out how to solve the leaf issue. It seems like there is a vacuum forming from water being pulled into the grill that is stronger than the water flow trying to push the leaf off. so the water flowing over the leaf and the suction of water behind the leaf is making it stick. To solve this. The outside of the grill fins need to be vertical ridges (smoothed out). It would allow for enough space for water to flow between both sides of a leaf to push it off the grill. The key here is to make the vertical ridges super smooth so water can flow smoothly and reduce things getting caught on the ridges. So if you are looking at each of those 3d printed modules, put 4 equally vertically spaced 1/8th inch ridges that have no edges and smoothed out. You should still get a smooth flow of water coming into the intake but no leaves. It's basically similar mechanics of flight. Having a pressure difference on a surface can make it lift up or push down depending on how much difference there is on either side of a wing. I hope this helps. Really have been enjoying your journey building this system. I always tune in.

[@KrisHarbour]

That is an interesting idea for sure. Thanks for that. I will mention that to Bjorn and see what he thinks about it.

[@SSingh-nr8qz]

@@KrisHarbour Cool! Just seeing if I can help. The main concept is you are allowing water to get underneath the leafs. You have the right flow of water and gravity on your side. Just got to break that suction and you should be in business.

[@FurnitureFan]

@@SSingh-nr8qz Great thinking. I wondered if it was some static force making those leaves cling to the surface, as I've seen cars add a strip of rubber to shake that off. But if course it must be a vacuum from the back.

[@SSingh-nr8qz]

@@FurnitureFan That was my thinking too. Remember the purpose of these screens it to draw in water.. Falling water creates air pressure as it falls. basically a tiny vacuum. We still want that pressure falling and ending up heading down the pipe. The trick will be figuring out how much air is being sucked in and then just equalizing it by allowing for air to get under the debri to not allow for suction and let the rest be done by the water falling down the screen. if that don't work, I would suggest a leaf blower set on a timer LOL.

[@____5837]

*EDIT* From the comments to this, this is a bad idea with the new useless non feed in tariffs *EDIT* Just wondering given you seem to be consistently generating more power than you can use, have you looked at the cost of getting connected to the grid vs what you would earn from feed in tariffs?

[@DireChris]

I hope he remains off grid, but if there's a constant surplus, I'd love to see him come up with a creative way to use it.

[@user936]

@@DireChris if fit in with his lifestyle I'd say pump some of that water uphill again to a reservoir he can tap into that potential energy later on. However this is usually used when you have a peak somewhere in the day you want a boost in output for. I'm sure someone has a better idea.

[@VirusX87]

You’d be looking at a minimum of £10k to get grid connected in a remote area like this, feed in tariff has ended and we only have the export tariff now at roughly 5p kWh even then it all has to be mcs certified to be able to be connected to the grid and register for that.

[@____5837]

@@VirusX87 oh ok. It used to be a lot more profitable when they paid ~15p and paid for half of everything you generated even if you didn't export it

[@dper1112]

He mentioned in the past, and in passing in this video, that when solar and wind producing high, he turns down the hydro. In other words, he's only producing slightly more than he needs.

[@cbauer72]

If anything, as currently designed in this video, the bolts aren't a problem, they're an asset. Water flowing over those edges would never contribute to the input of the pipe. The bolts are actually deflecting water back onto the plates. Obviously there's water loss, but it's less than there would be if the bolts were flush with the face.

[@maxfuchs3387]

Why don't you place the water intake below the waterline? After that you could still send the water over the screen. You will lose a little bit of elevation, but won't pick up any of the floating debris.

[@wolfe1970]

Be interesting to do a time lapse of the intake, im sure if that gets partially blocked you will have less suction and any stuck leaves might be pushed down ?

[@simonwass7199]

just use the excess flow of water to power a screen that rotates or aime type of scrubber

[@aronthomas5224]

Pleased to see the new system is working so well with the recent storm! I’m looking forward to seeing the work on the greenhouse. Just wanted to say another thank you for sharing your work and journey. Having been stuck indoors most of the year following an accident I’ve really enjoyed watching your videos and seeing that all of this is possible not far from my own home. I think I’m all caught up on your older videos now from before I came across your channel last year 😂

[@sharkaac51]

Just curious but would this inlet perform better if it was inserted into the base of the dam (with filter)? Then allow for extra water to run over the top?

[@colint]

You talked about increasing the 'chamfer' on the top beam of the dam to help make the water flow into the intake straighter - is it still on the list? On that subject - would flow straightening vanes on the top of the dam help?

[@cragmc8386]

Hey Kris, nice position to be in power-wise. Could maybe dump some of that excess power to an immersion tank/tanks for your shower/hot water? Could also help keep your greenhouse heated in the winter with some kinda radiator setup or perhaps some of those electric tube greenhouse heaters. They're low wattage and would save you running pipes for hot water. Hmmmmm. Options! Glad to see the hydro setup coped fine with that storm 👌 Looking forward to the next video already to see what other projects you've got going on, always enjoyable to watch 👍👍

[@SamVella]

I wonder if the screen would clear it's self if there was no suction? Wonder if you could shut the turbine down and see if it clears it's self? Might be interesting and you could automate it to do it once a day for 2 mins or something if it worked.

[@Robvdh87]

Great system already. How much of those sticky leaves do you think are up to suction? Not sure if it would work but maybe a percentage of those could be flushed away by just closing the valves temporarily to make a part of the intake backfill and overflow? Although you probably thought of that yourself already.

[@dronegirl2024]

i luv your vids on the hydro as i plan to do something simlar in the near future so i do now know the negatives bits to watch for ..thank you..

[@JoeMalovich]

Plant cattails for natural filtering

[@jamescunliffe9872]

Maybe an old cylindrical vacuum cleaner brush could be placed behind the screen so it rotates using improvised paddles?:)

[@jessicapeck1061]

Another awesome and informative video. I find it all really interesting, although I admit the numbers go over my head a bit. One day I’ll get it 😅 Nice update on how the hydro intake is coping. Almost think I should put one of the street outside my shop - when it rains here, its a little river. Council would never approve though 😂

[@pierrotgretillat9365]

Salut une seule grille complète tank you vidéo magnifique super bravo

[@charleydavidson69]

Hi Kris and Dot. Just spent a pleasurable couple of months during lockdown catching up on your videos. Well done on all your achievements. i know you have a lot on your plate but a potential project for the future could be beekeeping. Fits in well with the self sustainability angle of your lifestyle. Keep the videos coming. Keep safe Kim

[@allonesame6467]

As well as being fortunate, you have positioned yourself, prepared yourself intellectually, practically and skills-wise to be able to put this all together, then tweak it, experiment, share and collaborate with others of likemind and abilities. No small feat that. Bravo, You!-- and Dot and all your accomplices. Blessings Abound.

[@DC-wv2zg]

What about briefly turning off the turbine? This would stop the suction and flush off more leafes. Then the turbine could spin up again.

[@KrisHarbour]

That happens all the time anyway with nozzles being turned on and off. Also butterfly valves are very high loss.

[@basilbrushbooshieboosh5302]

Love your experimentation man. I'll be attempting the same in a while in my place in Tasmania. I have to get a house built at a coop on mid-north coast of NSW first, but then, a couple years down track, I'll be off to Tassie to fix that place up. Cheers for all the ideas and inspiration from your projects. Mic Barrett

[@averyintrusive7610]

In the US a lot of places will pay you for putting power back into the grid. I have no idea how it works there but an extra green use for your excess if possible. Plus another income source possibly. Thanks for bringing us along.

[@69Buddha]

Dude, awesome results! Thanks for putting in time to show it to us. Last week you educated me on the non-magnetic properties of stainless, but I can't get it out of my head that some neodymium would make install/removal of the screen a snap. My brain came up with this -- drill holes in the stainless frame holding the screen, and epoxy some magnets into it. Match those to magnets epoxied into the plastic screen? Might not be worth the effort on a final product where you don't remove the screen often, but would speed up swapping for testing. Great job on everything though, and thanks for putting up with all of our silly suggestions!

[@KrisHarbour]

Yeah That could work. But education for this week neodymium magnets are really easily corroded. they would fall to bits in a short period of time. they do have a coating but that does not last long. I hope that didnt sound to patronising :D

[@69Buddha]

@@KrisHarbour Anyone that gets offended by free knowledge will only limit themselves -- thanks for the education!

[@AndrewBryantPianoTuner]

This is a Complaint! We want longer videos. 11 mins suck.

[@anthonyjackson3907]

You know experiments don't work properly without a lab coat .

[@DireChris]

100% lol

[@chrisfryer3118]

Good vid. I'd have liked to have seen footage of your turbine in storm Ellen. Storm Doris (a few years back) killed mine, but you've reawakened my interest, might have to get some new bearings pressed in. Saving for a new lifepo battery bank, my lead-acid has had it after 6 years.

[@JeffRozanVideos]

after watching this and mr hydro in colorado the past couple years now it seems like the only way to do this would be an automated windshield type wiper using Arduino or raspberry pi or something simpler

[@damojoslin6477]

Chris, cant you stick a net going across to catch some of the debris? Might mean a few more visits to keep clear but might mean less interference with the flow.

[@damojoslin6477]

And I mean semi-submerged before it

[@thattastesliketea2131]

maybe you can make a filter on the top of the water angled to the overflow so the leaves will go down the over flow and not bunch up may not work as i dont have expirence with this

[@Gabriel.Leni100]

What kind of monitoring app are you using? and how does it work? over Wifi? looks quiet interesting!

[@tyronerobert5702]

Hi Kris how are you getting on with just filtering wvo I've just bought a full set up and was wondering if you could give me some tips please by the way content is brilliant I'm enjoying every minute cant wait for the next one sort of thing 👍👍

[@gazza2963]

nice hydro update mate! why do you always do this to my brain? ideas flowing now (pun intended) cant wait for your next video

[@ClintonRyanThompson]

I love your videos - outstanding job! Have you considered vertical slats rather than horizontal for the grate? Also, are you planning on making those screws flush?

[@keepingupwithyoutubers959]

I Love a good storm! Maybe it's the Caribbean in me 🤷🏿‍♀️

[@kletusbobby7029]

Good work, thank you for keeping us updated during/after unusual weather. Bjorn sounds like a nice bloke. Thank you both.

[@5fingers1]

Looking great 👍 way to go Bjorne.

[@kezzie40]

Thanks for an awesome video, I’m new to this and I’m finding very informative. Thanks to all for the input.

[@stihl888]

Coming along well. I'm interested in your thoughts on a (steel) guillotine type plate with lot's of small holes that would allow water to pass through and also give you the ability slide the top plate up and down every day or so to sever/cut any foliage, stems stuck in the holes (essential like hedge trimmers one plate being the blade the other being the anvil). It wouldn't be too difficult to make and you could also incorporate an automated function where the top plate activates every few hours to clear any debris. In addition, this type of mechanism may offer the ability to open up the pores or close them depending on the amount of natural water flow required during periods of heavy/little rain.

[@AndrzejSQ9PKW]

What is elevation difference between inlet and turbine? We have 32 meters and pelton turbine attached to 7,5 eltric motoro which have neodymium magnets. It generate 3,5kW and stable 50hz.

[@rocklover7437]

Once you get the screws countersunk adapt a car windscreen wiper to sweep across the screen . A small Car Battery charged up with a small solar panel and have a timer so it sweeps half a dozen times a day .

[@DireChris]

Yes, an automated way of clearing debris would definitely make for an interesting series of videos!

[@SSingh-nr8qz]

Yeah not hard to do. Though wiper motors are not the best idea here due to the amp draw. You could it using far less energy using a belt driven design along a track with a sweeping blade. A small gears motor turning the track and having a blade sweep down. It will be slower that a car's wiper blade but gets the same job done with a fraction of the energy use and less wear and tear on the grill. Also use a brush than a wiper blade. More effective for this kind of application.

[@rocklover7437]

@@SSingh-nr8qz good call on the brush

[@IsThisAvailable550]

A good 'brush' could be one side of a letter box draft excluder.

[@barry341]

Hi Chris....have you heard of a DSM screen..(.Dutch State mining) ..I was in mining many years and used this screen on s small mill discharge..think a small one would work for you.

[@seangorman343]

Hi. Have you considered a flexible hose intake pontoon floating just below the surface ? Regards Sean

[@jupekai4601]

I would be inclined to connect to the grid, just to sell the excess power and get a check from the local energy company every so often.

[@FurnitureFan]

Or maybe he could set up a charging room for neighbours to use after any power cuts? It's surprising how many people forget to charge up devices or batteries before a named storm. It would be handy to have a local place to leave batteries for a few hours? (Maybe ask for a small charge, pardon the pun.)

[@seymourpro6097]

Look at "Colwick Sluice" on aerial view. (OK it's a big river!) At low flow times they have only one gate open, to control bigger flows they open more gates. Could you go for a wider coander box and have floating weirs that adjust to the available water AND run the working screens properly.

[@pooterist]

Terrific video, yet again - I so enjoy your stories and appreciate just how clever and hard working you are. Quite inspirational. A couple of thoughts though - first, like so many others, you are much too careless in taking about KW when you mean KWh. Power as opposed to Energy. I'm sure you know the difference, but like so many others, you tend to use the two interchangeably, for which there can be no excuse. - Slap slap. Second - and this is related to the first - when you show your (impressive) daily power generation log, showing 2 to 3 KWh per day during the storm and, presumably, during most of the wetter winter period, It might be educational, at least, to convert this to money. I don't know the average cost of electrical power in the UK, but a general rule of thumb is (using USD, or pounds, or euro - there all more or less the same these days) is something like $0.10 to $0.15 per KWh. Maybe double that in Germany, as I understand they have decided to turn off their nuclear power stations and now have to buy most of there electricity form France, where I now live). In the real world, electricity, including the infrastructure for the delivery network is still pretty cheap. The real generation costs using oil or coal alone turn out to be more like $0.02 per KWh - most of the actual paid price is for the infrastructure - but that's another issue. The costs for nuclear are much harder to calculate properly, but again, that''s another topic altogether. Anyway, I really think you AUGHT to display the dashboard with corresponding money values, so generating 25 or so pence a day - or whatever your current alternative costs might be. In this, I also appreciate that you might not even have the possibility of grid connectivity, so the cost isn't simple an alternative, it's the only way to turn on the kettle in the morning. Third point (and this time, I have a positive suggestion, instead of what might seem an unwelcome criticism). The 3D printed screens (terrific idea that) - maybe it would be useful to experiment with different scaling factors - the optimum scale, I presume, would depend on the size of the object you're trying to select out of the stream. It looks from these videos that you have something like 2.5 to 3.0 vanes per inch. Maybe a finer pitch, scaled to (say) 4 per inch would have less tendency to trap the leaf stems. Or would this simply increase the algae-based material to more easily build-up and block the finer gaps. Other applications might, as you discussed, have larger material to screen out - maybe requiring a larger vain to work optimally. Anyway, keep up the terrific stuff and be careful of that back of yours. Cheers and thank you once again

[@unclereeko8447]

Your design is protruding and slicing water. Therefore, your design DOES NOT use the Coanda effect. The attached clip demonstrates the Coanda effect. I suggest the ribs in your screen should be more like a round bar with a lip on the lower edge. I have a design profile that I could email. I believe it would actually be self cleaning with the exception of very small or dissolved particles.

[@himmelsrand7527]

The monitoring software looks cool

[@alanhat5252]

2:44..4:54 skimmer. You seem to be talking about something perpendicular to the flow & in that instance I agree with you, but you have a secondary outlet step in your dam & I think that if you set your skimmer at something like 10° off perpendicular & aimed to deflect skimmage across to secondary outlet the problems you discuss will go away.

[@carolewarner101]

The last I remember, you weren't using any "dump load" mechanism. Your reasoning for that was a bit over my head, but I'm wondering what happens when you have all that electricity being generated from the three various sources and your batteries are topped up and you're not using much electricity. What happens to all that excess power and how do your various systems adapt to not overloading your system during storm events for example when your wind and hydro systems are producing power like mad? Many thanks.

[@mikewild5367]

Great channel, what a brilliant way to save on utilities,. You have a great way of explaining everything, well done. Mike UK

[@happyface7342]

If you were to install a floating boom you wouldn't get any Debris flowing over your intake, but you would have to clear the backlog now and again 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@andrewallason4530]

Would planting bull rushes in front of the spillway improve the flow by collecting all the junk?

[@kenleach2516]

Lovely watching, I love seeing your ideas and tests! Huge step forward intake wise!

[@Edgardocelectric007]

Hi Kris I’ve been following your progress on your turbine, my question is a simple one hope you can answer. In this system you can now check on your tablet you power, load , and storage how was that done is it an abb and charge controller are you using. I’m guessing but is it Midnight Solar. Super great video really like them

[@adrian_dickinson]

Hi I worked on a water intake for a utility company in Cumbria for fresh water. The water came in through a fine screen & debris plus leaves was the problem. They overcame this by a sudden burst of compressed air that cleared the screen to keep the flow/volume up, I can not remember if it was ever 20 mins or work a auto basis if the volume slowed down. Nice system you have there. Did the land there have the dreaded planning permission when you bought it.

[@blumperjoe8920]

thanks for the update, incredibly fascinating. can't wait to see the next designs

[@_XoR_]

I think problem with suction and other things getting caught could be improved by changing the laminar flow and making it more turbulent. Maybe try experimenting with 3d printing some vortex generator fins for the dam intake?

[@diabsiniman]

i dont know exactly how this works, but could you have the "slats" not be exactly horizontal, possibly vertical, maybe at an angle, maybe even herringbone, that way any leaves and stuff that gets stuck in the "slats" can be pushed to the side, possibly with a little lift at the end to push the stuff out, this would mean more fixed and non-adjustable blades.

[@robertgreen7593]

Would clear, thick perspex be good? You could see what is going on in the box. Perhaps a longer box would give a greater surface to the intake as well especially if you put the pipe on the side rather than the front.

[@bjrn-oskarrnning2740]

Given how much power you're generating, have you considered hooking up to the grid to backfeed and make some money? Why/why not?

[@leemccormick4228]

Have you considered a kind of water wheel powered tank track made with brushs to clean the intake screen. Brushes like that used as draft excluders on doors. Possibly make useing bike sprockets and bike chain. Might help lower maintenance times

[@frankandersen7854]

Why all the troubles with the intake box. Wouldn't it be better to take the water directly from the pond somewhere in the middle between the top and bottom? That way you probably don't need an intake filter, but it could be a 1M pipe with lots of holes and a fine screen around. This way you will also avoid vortex and air in the feed pipe, plus you will have more water available during the dry season.

[@mikedobbelaere2552]

Why not place a net in the water like 50 orso cm before the intake, surrounding it. Should hold back most of the large debris, water can still easily pass around and under, and shouldn't be maintained that often.

[@MrSamurailanx]

I hope someone could create a electrical sweeper on the surface of collander and connect it to bluetooth. A camera is also attached so you can monitor the debris stuck in the collander. Everything should be waterproofed. Just a thought so you don't have to go up and down everyday. Just a thought.

[@dragoneyeshatesg00gle76]

ask bjorn to add a center stiffening bar under the wedges narrow and tall so its stiff but doesn't impede the water passing that way the entire mesh stiffens up reducing the flex in the cross wedges. canting the outer edges would make the water go towards the mesh. two opposite cant's make a peak and the outside ones just aim inwards. the stiffening bar under the wedges will decrease how many leave catch because the spaces between the wedges wont vary without more force. it'd likely also increase lifespan. what you need to do if you plan to use them permanently is create a sun shade for the 3D printed parts they are plastic and will become brittle as they are exposed to UV sunlight.

[@unclereeko8447]

Hi Chris I wanted to point out the screen is not using the Coanda effect. There is a better profile that actually does use the Coanda effect and is unlikely to foul up. I shall send an email explaining the system.

[@Babyblasphemy]

I wonder if it'd be possible to turn off the turbine for a couple minutes a day so that that pipe and box fill up, causing the suction to go away. This might allow some of the debris to be swept away.

[@Outrageous-Pursuits]

I would turn the leaves filter 90 degrees so that the slots run in the same direction of the water flow. That way, water would tumble through the 4mm slots but any leaves would not get a grip and flow down the top of the filter and not get jammed.

[@comeasyouare4545]

A water powered bush on the intake. You know like the rotary bushes on a vacuum cleaner. Or a small conveyor powered by water that has bushes on it.

[@rothgartheviking858]

i would use conical vertical slots for the intake skimmer. with wider part of the slots on the bottom to prevent blockage.

[@GonzoDonzo]

Have u considered designing an entire cover of stainless steel that will extend below the water level keeping any floating debris from ever entering the intake as well as preventing anything from falling on it? If it flows in winter when frozen u could insulate the cover as well keeping it ice free as it draws water from below the ice. This would serve as your float dam essentially. If the leaves are still a problem a cover that just protects the intake could be worth it alone

[@ben_stace]

Nice channel mate. You might want to try adding something to break the surface tension of the water running over the top. That should stop thing sticking to the printed mesh.

[@leopardx746]

Build a small skimmer in front of the grid. It won't affect the flow over the spill way and it will stop the crud.

[@DevlinFoster]

Looks good, have you seen the LeafGuard gutter systems? Take a look at the video on their website. It might give you some ideas for the sheet of aluminum you use before the screen. www.leafguard.com/

[@H4rleyBoy]

Just a thought Kris, and you may even have already sorted it, but would it be worth putting the 6 panels together as a sub-assembly and then just fitting that to the main body?

[@b1g1lz]

Maybe the water coming off the grill could rotate a small paddle wheel slowly that was connected to a light brush that swept back and forth like a window wiper cleaning the grill constantly?

[@nimistar01]

seeing that its made out of 3d printed plastic, isn't the lack of rigidity going to cause issues? plus if it gets hit with any direct sunlight it'll degrade due to UV light exposure. i suppose if you can just print another it doesn't really matter.

[@dreggory82]

It would be awesome if the angle was adjustable while in use. Then it would be even cooler if it was mechanically adjusted based on the flow amount by using a float mechanism or something. That way it would always have enough water left to clean itself.

[@johnmatthew6007]

Hi Kris what might you be able to do with excess power production? Hydrogen storage?

[@jackieharvey2694]

have you tried to increase the height of the dam and leave the intake below the water's surface 6-8 inches so that leaves and debry remain on the water's surface?

[@UraTrowelie]

I believe on your screens if there were some sort of ridges printed on the back side or X's on the back, some way to make it rigid. That they would work better

[@fernandotomaz2554]

Coming the winter you could float a diagonal rope to try to direct all the leaves to the overflow. Reducing the need for clean ups.

[@bowboysam]

How are the wind turbine blade edges holding up Kris? Are they getting worn at all with the rain, sun and turning?

[@kenpaul7714]

can your friend make the new 3 D Printed intake move able slightly like a window blind that can be operated on a solar timer to open slighly like a window blind to release the leaves caught

[@rorybennett4665]

Could suggest making the intake box bigger with a longer run .. should add more water to the system

[@bryanharrison3689]

The same type of screens are used in commercial laundries so if anyone has a laundry machinery supplier near to them check them out usually on discharge end of tunnel washers that operate a Weir system of filtering.

[@JuanPerez-tx2wm]

Tri to use the wather that was not used.It resorts to the principe of Ariete. Thus you return a part of the past water. Try ot please.