The Micro Hydro Project: Episode 9 - Electronics

[@memyself3693]

I know its belated but CONGRATS !! And from the little of the framing i saw Sir you are a master craftsman!!

[@manvsland]

Bahaha well thanks! I'd say I'm pretty far from master but I'm certainly learning lots every step of the way!

[@ok-alarm]

i'll never get tired watching micro hydro videos

[@manvsland]

haha well I hope to keep you entertained for a long time! Thanks for watching!

[@robjohnston8632]

What a great system you designed and built. That was a lot of hard work and I am sure it will pay off. If you do a summary video, I would like to see how you pre designed your system and what you ended up using as a dump load and how that was wired into the EG4. I am sure you have seen in your manual that LifePO4 batteries can not be charged below freezing so you may want a dump load heater in your power shed. Great work, you should be very happy with what you built…

[@manvsland]

Thanks! Dang, the dump load with the EG4 is a bit of a sore spot! I haven't been able to figure anything out but I'm currently ordering parts to try a new tactic. I'll be sure to keep you updated with how all that is going. As far as an overvieew video, my system is up and running again so I would be happy to do that along with a 'design' segment. Great idea, stay tuned!

[@SpencerLAPower]

Great job man.Glad to see you got it all going didn't know you had a youtube channel. Great job!😊

[@manvsland]

Haha thanks Spencer! Still figuring things out, glad you found it :)

[@travisroyer7113]

I just installed a similar hydro in Nicaragua for my sister’s family, some suggestions for you to consider. The inverter/charge controller you are using has a minimum MPPT of 120V. (Depending on which windings your hydro PMA has) your max power could be a lower voltage than that, watching the video. I see it stays at 120V which makes me think it would find more power at a lower voltage. One simple way to check this out is to check your Voltage at free spin with no load connected, between 1/3 to 1/2 of that voltage is your max power. Hopefully, you can get the thing working again and figure your freezing problems out! Looking forward to seeing more of your video updates.

[@manvsland]

Thanks for your response! Yes I'm not very well versed on the inner workings of my inverter. It's been off all winter but hopefully I'll be able to fire it up again soon! My highest unloaded free spin output was 214 VDC. You're thinking if I can lower the voltage of the MPPT my wattage would continue to rise? Did I follow that right?

[@travisroyer7113]

Yes sir, your free spin voltage is going to be directly related to whatever your psi is while the Hydro is running. So if you put bigger nozzles on, (which I suspect would get you more potential watts) your working PSI will drop, then your free spin and max power point voltage will get even lower. For example, I used a midnite classic 250 on my project and it is finding the Max Power Point around 205V which if I remember correctly is around 43% of free spin 475V. so in your case if free spin is 214V 43% of that would be 92V. That alone would probably get you an extra 150W with your current nozzles. but remember, if you put bigger nozzles on your potential watts will be greater, but the Max power point will be even further away (with the inverter/charge controller having a minimum of 120V MPPT) So it’s likely you will not see any power increase. (if my assumptions are correct) hopefully this makes sense.

[@manvsland]

Ok, yea i think that makes sense. I'll have to look into it a bit more. I did order a box of different size nozzels that I'm looking forward to playing with! Stay tuned for that, I'd be interested in your feedback after you see how the different nozzel sizes affect the flow rate/psi/ and max wattage... thanks again!

[@offgridbc6810]

Watched the whole series so far, really enjoyed it. I am putting in a small system myself to augment my solar, but will only be part of the year because it is on a seasonal creek, but worth it because I already have the inverter and batteries for my solar system in place. The area you are in looks very familiar. Looks to be around smithers or further west from PG. Are you planning any more videos in this series or is it done now? One thing I am curious about though, is why you need to make your turbine watertight? I have a 1k streamengine from ES & D and it is recommended to be open to prevent splashback which will impede your turbine speed. Bigger jets would give you much more power as well. 1/4 inch seems very small for 140psi and running a 4 inch line. Just my observations.

[@manvsland]

Thanks for your wonderful comment! I'm not finished, I plan to do a 'chronicles' series that will follow all the improvements as I learn more and more. I just need internet, which means I need power, which means I need water, etc,etc. So I tend to film lots and then when the times are good, I can plug my laptop in, edit, and upload in bulk when I have internet :) I made the drain for the hydro watertight to try and keep moisture out of the basement of the powerhouse. I figured I'd be fighting with moisture enough down there and didn't want to introduce a bunch of unnecessary water. It might impede the turbine, you're right in that regard but that's why I have 2 x 3" drains at the bottom, to drain the water away quickly, and eventually out the singular 4" pipe. Works well but may be room for improvement! Thanks again, glad you're enjoying the series and good luck with your system - it is very satisfying when it's working!

[@TRS-Tech]

It looks lovely and a great install. The only th8ng you may want to check is fireproofing and clearance around the inverter in the manual. I cant see what type of breaker your using but some on them need the + and the - to work, may be worth checking that. Hope that helps ... Great job 👍

[@manvsland]

Yes, I'm unfortunately too close to the right wall for the proper fire clearance but I was limited with the small space...good catch!

[@TRS-Tech]

@@manvsland well considering that's all made of wood if I lived there I would install a smoke alarm in that cupboard at the very least, maybe an automatic fire extinguisher, Amazon sell them I believe. Just take some precautions 👍

[@winterburan]

Question, but when the batteries are charged what keeps the turbine slowed down? The turbine would find itself without an electrical load, it would spin freely at very high speed, generating high voltages and stressing the bearings unnecessarily, this thing is fine for a few minutes to make a video like the previous ones, in the long run it would break down, and it is not the correct way to work , there are two solutions or a constant electrical load derivation, perhaps using a small reliable electric heater without fans for heating, which is the best solution given that it also protects the downstream electronics or shuts off the water when the batteries are full . Ciao

[@manvsland]

Yes, everything you said makes a lot of sense and I don't have the answer. I've been trying to figure out how to install a diversion/dump load for that exact reason but the EG4 6000ex inverter has turned out to be a giant pain in the butt in regards to a dump load! I will definitely make a video once I figure it out but for now I unfortunately have no answer....

[@catalinalupak]

That inverter needs ventilation, i did not see any ventilation holes to that box where you put the batteries and inverter. The batteries are ok to be in that box during the winter. Converting the DC to AC is going to have some heat. Overall, I enjoyed all the videos. Good enough job o someone with no experience in this field

[@manvsland]

Thanks! Yes the box with the inverter got quite warm in the summer, ventilation is a good idea. I'm hoping now that it's winter, the heat put off by the inverter will be enough to keep that box (and the batteries!) warm.

[@houseofancients]

You should connect the positive and negative on opposite sides of the busbars, so your battery get an even load on charge and discharge. Hooking it up like means you individual batteries will go out of balance

[@manvsland]

I'm actually running into that issue. One battery seems to drain more and not charge as full as the other. Can you please elaborate when you say opposite sides of the busbar? You mean front and back? Thank you!

[@energiap2p]

​@@manvslandPositive and negative cables must be the same length

[@manvsland]

​@@energiap2p Thanks! Luckily they are, they're just tucked away so you can't see them...

[@pavalenta]

Did you get a com cable connected from the battery to the inverter?@@manvsland

[@manvsland]

@@pavalenta Good eye! So that's definitely something I have recently figured out. There's a certain way to not only connect everything together, but also an order to turn everything on. I was getting help from a guy over the phone but I ended up missing a whole bunch of steps and not realizing my errors until much later. But eventually I did, thank you!

[@energiap2p]

Excellent work, some things could be improved, but it works and maintenance is very time consuming to happen. I'm setting up mine too, but I'm Brazilian here fortunately I do not have the freezing winter problem.

[@manvsland]

Oh, that sounds nice! Freezing temps definitely adds to the complications...Well good luck! I hope you enjoy the process and learn lots :)

[@kletusbobby7029]

Your rectifier may get too hot even with the heat sink you have. Also, the inverter room will get warm or hot in summer, you may need a cooling fan to cool the room.

[@manvsland]

Yes, I finally have the system up and running again and it's like 35 degrees in the inverter room. I'll be installing a vent into the inside of my cabin shortly. It should blow cool air from my cabin in the summer and warm air in the winter to help keep the temp in that box more regulated. Thanks!

[@bartdepauw1156]

Calculation is easy. You have 2 bat's 5000Wh each, so about 10000Wh. 10000Wh/500W=20h to have the bat's charged from 0 to 100%. Additional, you have 1kWh each 2 hours, so about 12 kWh each day. Depending your use, a house needs about 8kWh a day. So your batteries will be most of the time between 80% and 100%. Any update video after 2 months ?

[@manvsland]

Thanks! Yes, I'm still getting footage. Not to give too much away but I've had a rough beginning of the winter and don't have power at my house so I can't use my laptop! But I'll be sure to make the videos as soon as I can :)

[@joledoe7161]

完美 perfect project

[@manvsland]

😊

[@aliyumuhammad6193]

Good job

[@manvsland]

Thank you!

[@davidlundberg7889]

Dummyload for when the batteries are full?

[@manvsland]

That's what I'm working on now! The whole point of the system was to have a small heater running when my batteries are full while I'm away during the winter to keep my pipes from freezing. Like everything, it's been harder to figure out than anticipated!

[@udos46]

@@manvsland daier-XH-M609-12V-36V-Disconnect-Protection under /over voltage programmable

[@daviddavids2884]

thoughts. large system - if compactness is desired, a large-ish turgo turbine could be used. system plumbing, throughout, should be as efficient as possible. there should be no ninety-degree bends immediately upstream of the turbine jets. at the split for the jets, the plumbing to each jet should be Sized to carry 1/2 (or whatever value) of the total flow. d

[@manvsland]

I'm not sure I have room in my little underground powerhouse not to have any 90 bends. I agree it would be ideas to have nice sweeping curves but alas...thanks for the ideas though, I'll continue to try to make improvements!

[@realbartlett8882]

I don't get it. All this for 480 watts ? that's 6 cents worth of power every hour or about $1.50 a day . Seems like a waste of resources.

[@manvsland]

Maybe, but when there's no grid to plug into what else can ya do? I do plan on adding solar eventually but there's very little sun in the winter so at least this will keep me going all year round and then I can boost it in the lighter months.

[@houseofancients]

You so realize that is 480w x 24/7 ? Every day 11,4 kWh ,no matter if it rains, snows or freezes, sounds good to me

[@manvsland]

@houseofancients Haha right! Although if I'm being honest, I'm still working on the 'if it freezes' part!

[@realbartlett8882]

OK, I tried to track down the cost of all the various components : 1. Elgin coanda intake screen $2000 2. 55 gallon tank as silt catchment 0 3. 1100 feet of 1-1/4 penstock. $1000 4. Pelton wheel and permanent magnet alternator from Langston's alternative power $1650 5. 250 feet of direct burial 10/3 wire $417 6. AC to DC rectifier $50 ? 7. Midnite classic 250v charge controller $724 8. Grid tie limiter inverter $360 9. 2x EG4 batteries $2600 10. Off Grid 6000w inverter $1200 11. 2/0 battery cables $135 12. 3 phase disconnect $100 13. Powerhouse $1000 (est.) That's almost $17,500. I'm sure there were other items not listed so call it $20,000. Full retail residential electricity costs about $.25/ kWh where I live, so at 500 watts that's $3 a day or $1100 a year if it runs 24/365, which it will not. So the system needs to run constantly for 18+ years, without maintenance or repair, just to get your investment back.'' And that is paying yourself nothing for your time and effort. To each his own but IMO this is an expensive way to get "free" electricity.

[@houseofancients]

@@realbartlett8882 0.25c/kwh is a joke... here depending on the time of day we pay a minimum of 0.55 c/kwh upto 0.95c/kwh besides "investment payback" .. being independent is invaluable, that is assuming the grid is even available

[@physiologie_saine]

@physiologie_saine @physiologie_saine il y a 0 seconde Hey man ! I'm working as a solar panel installer, and I'm amazed by the potential of hydro. That should be the first "go to" for any off grid house. You actually did something truly amazing ! Well done, thanks A LOT for showing us all the different parts, especially the "bad ones" which are part of the experience ! Greetings from Switzerland

[@manvsland]

Wow, thanks for those kind words :) Yes, it has been wuite a journey, always trying to improve little things. I'll make sure to keep you posted as I learn more and dial the system in. I think I should get a just as a solar installer just to learn more about the whole industry! Haha...