Silent wind controller constantly applying brake. Please help.

[jasonleeau]

I have a Silent wind generator and it had been great up to now. Recently it has been applying the brake whenever I press the Toggle switch to release it. I reset it and still the brake is reapplied. Can anyone provide base settings for a 12v configuration with 3x140amp AGM Batteries and/or a solution to the problem. Thanks

[senormechanico]

Bad switch?

[jasonleeau]

I thought it was that but the Toggle switch seems to release the brake when flicked to release for about 3 seconds and then the brake is reapplied. I've never seen a switch have a delayed failure but maybe this is it?? When I hold down the reset button it seems to release the brake also. Any other thoughts peeps??

[senormechanico]

Unplug the switch after flicking it. What happens?
Either that, or use a meter to check for continuity on switch.
On/off.

[piloto]

Or, if the batteries are fully charged, the wind gen could be putting the brake on to prevent overcharging

[jasonleeau]

I will check the switch. Thanks.

[zboss]

There could also be a short between two of the wires coming from the unit down to the controller. That is what the brake does... short out two of the wires.

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by zboss

There could also be a short between two of the wires coming from the unit down to the controller. That is what the brake does... short out two of the wires.

Possible, but not likely. The OP says the generator speeds up for 3 seconds when he flicks the switch.

[eMarineSystems]

If you are connecting to the controller through their external Stop wires it is recommend not do not use this method and disconnect the connector and wires from the controller. These wires are noise sensitive and can cause problems like you are experiencing with the controller. Better to install an external switch between the controller and the wind generator to act as your start stop. A simple double pole, single throw (DPST ) switch can act as your brake switch. If your batteries are not fully charged, and you have done a reset on the controller, then chances are there is a fault in the controller and it needs to be replaced.

SEE ATTACHED CONTROLLER DEFAULT SETTINGS.

[Frugal]

The three second delay between turning the brake off and it automatically turning back on suggests the wind generator picks up speed and starts generating power. Your regulator senses that power is not required and closes the machine down. If your batteries are fully charged then this is the right action. If your batteries are not fully charged then:-
1. The regulator is programmed incorrectly.
2. There is an unacceptable resistance in the battery charging leads. Which allows the regulator to read the batteries are full when power is applied.
If you check the voltage output from the regulator as it cycles and compare it with the battery terminal voltage you may find a fault.

If you then check the voltage between the regulator and the battery down each of the positive and then the negative leads you may find the fault.
FWIW cheers.

[Mike Banks]

Maybe the battery sensor is telling the wind generator the battery is full and shutting it off.

[Locquatious]

The Kiss Extractor™ https://www.seabournesolutions.com/K...model-4.10.htm will work with the Silent Wind generator. For us it's had bulletproof performance.

Typically lead acid batteries are fully charged at a 12.8V resting state. Charging above that, the batteries will peak to higher voltages quickly, triggering the stop circuit. The extra energy mainly goes to heat. A solar panel on a partly cloudy day may easily cause voltage peaks between clouds which trigger the stop circuit. Think of it like filling a wine bottle. As the narrow neck of the bottle gets filled, the liquid rises quickly, and then overflows.

[Frugal]

Hi. A long time between posts, but!
I have managed to control my cheap unregulated wind generator by using two 12 volt relays shorting out the wind generators 3 phase A/C output.
The relays are operated from the load circuit of a cheap MPPT regulator that is programmable ( my settings are power on at 13.9 v power off at 13.7 v ).


A led wired in to the circuit gives a visual indication.



I have included a 3 way switch that allows.
1. The regulator to operate.
2. No control, permanently on.
3. Permanent off, by directly powering the relays.


The MPPT regulator is to control solar panel output and is directly linked to the vessels main bus.
Downsides are.
1. At the on/off voltages programmed the unit operates frequently with a small noise component.
2. The permanently off ( relays on ) choice uses a small amount of current.
These could be offset by using solid state relays.


The system has worked for a number of years without fault.
Cheers