AmpAir 100 Wind Generator controller/regulator

[Triumphant]

I have an old AmpAir 100 12v wind generator for which I am looking for a regulator.

I am currently using the old original AmpAir regulator (which is at least 25 years old) It is a black box with heat sinks and 2 switches – Voltage Regulator and Diode. It works OK but stops charging at about 12.8 volts unless I turn the Voltage Regulator off and I am not sure if this will damage the batteries in the long term (3 x group 31’s, 110 Amp/H each)

I have just found out that AmpAir are no longer in business so I cannot approach them.

Any suggestions for an efficient regulator/controller that would regulate the AmpAir wind generator and, if possible, allow 100 watts of solar as well. I am looking for a clever PWM or MPTT type controller that would be able to charge up wet lead acid batteries.

[davbaker]

I’m facing the same problem right now. Did you ever find a solution? Thanks

[FLYSolartech-GiocoSolutions]

Originally Posted by davbaker

I’m facing the same problem right now. Did you ever find a solution? Thanks

Contact SilentWind , probably you can use one of their solar chargers also for a different brand wind generator



If you need I can ask for you, we cooperate with them.

[GILow]

There are some decent DIY designs on the web if you get desperate.

Morningstar do a regulator which supports dump loads but I didn’t like the way it would interact with my solar regulators, if you have solar as well as your wind gen you’ll face the same problem.

Building your own is not hard and there are lots of recipes online.

I went down the picaxe path because I had some spare picaxe stuff left over from other projects. Wouldn’t recommend that path unless you are happy to put in some serious learning time or have picaxe experience already.

[bletso]

I have the same Ampair. I just bought a NC25A by Flexcharge. I am installing it this coming weekend. I have Gels so never installed their monstrosity controller before. I have disassembled their sinks and have re-purposed one for the resistor for the dump load. I will post pics when finished.

[davbaker]

Thanks, all.

[Matt Johnson]

I installed a Morningstar regulator that activates two solenoids... one a Normally Closed one an Normally Open. The NC connects the wind gen to the battery bank, and when activated by high voltage, opens the circuit preventing the wind gen from sending power to the battery bank. The NO is connected from the wind gen to a dump load resistor, and when it is activated by the regulator, the circuit closes and all wind gen power goes to the dump load. It works well, but I typically leave the entire system off and just manually tie the wind gen to prevent the dump load from creating too much heat if activated for a long time.

Matt

[Triumphant]

Originally Posted by davbaker

I’m facing the same problem right now. Did you ever find a solution? Thanks

Yes, my new solution is as follows

I also have a Duogen Wind/water generator and after checking with Eclectic Energy in the UK, they suggested I connect the AmpAir to their controller as the controller has spare capacity and the AmpAir is relatively low output (4 -5 amps max)

The advantages to me are

• Not having to buy another controller,
• The AmpAir will be able to continue charging above 13.2 volts
• The charge will now be shared between both my battery bank

So I will have the Duogen, the AmpAir and a 50 watt solar panel using 1 controller, we will have to see how it works