Zero voltage

[offgrid22]

A question to all with experience in wind turbines. Not sure what happened with my turbine but I thought I would ask your opinion. So my experiment was with a tulip vertical 2K turbine. A 48v controller with 1.5K dump resistor. My battery bank consists of 4 (100ah) batteries, so just 20Kw. Is there anything wrong with that setup?

 

[DougfromdaUP]

I don’t have any experience with wind turbines so i will keep my response brief.

If you want replies, you’ll have to include more information. At a minimum, a schematic of your system and a description of how you tested it-duration, wind speed, height of turbine, etc. Pictures are nice, too.

 

[offgrid22]

I don’t have any experience with wind turbines so i will keep my response brief.

If you want replies, you’ll have to include more information. At a minimum, a schematic of your system and a description of how you tested it-duration, wind speed, height of turbine, etc. Pictures are nice, too.

Roger that

 

[HighDesertOffgrid]

Roger that

Too little info. Has it ever functioned? Expound on your story a bit.

 

[offgrid22]

No pics right now but I will add some soon, it was a simple connection, 3 phase leads into the controller, 2 to the battery with fuses and a disconnect on the hot line, oh and the dump resistor. When I turned everything on, I got some voltage but then the turbine started braking. Not from any strong winds just 3mph maybe. Since then it's all its done just spin a bit then brake. I sawpped out the controller to a simpler model, without a dump resistor. It did turn a bit more but started braking again. Today the unload indicator began flashing and my last checks showed no voltage coming from the turbine.

 

[offgrid22]

This is why my 1st post was simply asking if there would be a problem with such a setup. Maybe the size of the battery bank acting like a big resistor causing the turbine to brake???.

 

[HighDesertOffgrid]

This is why my 1st post was simply asking if there would be a problem with such a setup. Maybe the size of the battery bank acting like a big resistor causing the turbine to brake???.

What is the measured voltage at the battery bank when braking?

 

[Hogheavenfarm]

That could certainly be the case, are the batteries fully charged? Or could be a short on the e phase wires, which would brake it.
First step I would take, disconnect the 3 phase leads and see how it spins up unloaded, if it act s better, then go in the batterfy / wiring direction.

 

[offgrid22]

Just went through 5 days of rain so appx. 50.1v

 

[offgrid22]

That was my 1st move, got it spinning but that's when...zero voltage

 

[HighDesertOffgrid]

Just went through 5 days of rain so appx. 50.1v

That was my 1st move, got it spinning but that's when...zero voltage

You are checking for ac voltage between 1,2-1,3 and 2,3? No voltage on any?

 

[offgrid22]

Nothing man, and I can't see how that could have burned out

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Nothing man, and I can't see how that could have burned out

Have you checked BOTH DC and AC voltage when it's free-spinning?

 

[offgrid22]

No AC so no DC. I checked for AC before the controller

 

[HighDesertOffgrid]

No AC so no DC. I checked for AC before the controller

If you are getting zero volts at 6mph wind or better the only thing I can think of it that the slip ring came apart or locked up shorting all three leads.
You could check for continuity between the leads when not spinning.

 

[offgrid22]

I plan on some resistance checks tomorrow. Will post results

 

[offgrid22]

I am missing out on some nice 20mph wind right now lol

 

[HighDesertOffgrid]

that the slip ring came apart

On second thought, I don't think a vertical turbine has a slip ring...

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Link to turbine?

 

[OzSolar]

Did it ever make any voltage? Is this a new installation?