I have an Eclectic Energy D400
Wind Generator setup together with an Morningstar TS-45. I used the load that came with the
generator, only changed out the
regulator unit.
I am changing to
Lifepo4 and want to have more control over the chargers on the
boat, and the Morningstar can be setup with custom settings just the way i want to. I also have an Morningstar
MPPT 60 for my 654W of
solar panels. (The MPPT`s do NOT have dump mode, so stick to TS-45 or TS-60 for
wind use.)
You connect the DC from the wind generator directly to your
battery bank.
Then the TS-45 goes between the
battery and your dump load.
When the battery reaches the desired voltage the Morningstar starts to dump the excess
power in to the dump load.
So you are right, if you buy the display you can only see the
power going in to the dump load after the battery is full. But i still recommend having the display so you can see what is going on. Even better, get the
remote display.
You can setup an simple ampere or battery
monitor between the generator and the battery so you also can see how much the wind generator is producing.
You can also add an switch between the wind generator and battery to shorten the wind generator to ground to stop it from spinning. Some generators can use this as an "parking" setting.. and some (like the D400) recommend only to use this temporary if you need to stop it, in order to easily to tie it down. Some generators may not take this at all, so check what is recommended for your generator.
For
Lifepo4 setup this actually has some benefits as it will dump exess power in to the dump load.. even if the generator or any of the other chargers are trying to overcharge your battery.
I also have an BMS that will cut of the power all together if the voltage keeps increasing.