After filling my head with endless you tube videos, talking to Chinese providers I met through AliExpress, I've come to the realization that this is going to be a big project.
The easiest part is the actual hydro unit. Apparently they are everywhere in SE Asia (does SE Asia include China?). Indonesia. Vietnam.
There is, on the surface, not too much to it. You have the hydro generator, a unit that includes a drive wheel of some sort,, a penstock, which is the line heading from point A to B, a source of water above point B, and a load, so the generator doesn't run amok and self destruct. Wind has this latter problem too.
Hydro electric is not an electrical challenge, at least not at my level of endeavor, but rather a mechanical engineering effort. You couldn't want a better electrical generation source, steady, consistent. Compare that to wind and solar.
So,, no mppt controller, just something that won't fry the batteries, and accounts for the voltage drop in the line as the current increases and decreases, as the batteries come to full charge. At some point the dummy load kicks in,, a simple relay will manage that.
I was going to use a large water heater I have, but I think that I will go with baseboard heaters instead. Cheap to buy, and this is winter after all,, I could use a little heat where I'm at.
The problem with the water heater is,, once the tank is heated, I have no more dummy load. I need something more confiable,, expecially if I'm not there. Anyone can open a valve - - - - slowly,, water hammer can be destructive.
In fact, that will be the most critical part of the design, making it Nica proof
The most aggravating part of a hydro system will be avoided, almost in its entirety. THAT is the intake. That was the biggest problem my Sierra Nevada friend had, keeping his intake clean,, and probably the biggest problem MrHydroHead had with his unit throughout the 18 videos I've watched. OK,,, he had some other issues too, like when the creek washed out his penstock. But he redesigned his intake at least three times.
Coming out of the bottom of my lake,, a screened intake about two feet above the lake bottom, I will avoid everything but a bit of waterborne silt. Nor will I have to deal with the temperature extremes of some installations.
Only wanting 1KWH helps a lot. I currently have a 6" pipe coming out of the lake, and that flow is amazing to see. I'm going to use 4" sanitario as a penstock.
Designing a steady and even fall that won't allow for an air pockets, and supporting the pipe securely, are my two challenges. Sweeps, instead of elbows, a lot of it is common sense, and due dilligence in supporting the penstock. A lot of people just put it on the ground,, and realize a lot of problems doing so.
I have a long run to get the power back to the house,, but 1 KW ?? Copper #10 THHN should do it. I'll cover it with that cheap black manghera, I've had good luck with that.
I'm a long way from a final plan.
Bookmarks