Wind Gen + Solar + what regulator or controller ?

[ribbony]

We have for the past years only used solar panels and a simple regulator. However, we are getting ready to do the big trip and are installing some gear we have proceured for the adventure.

We have a Aerogen LVM 412 that we want to install in the system. Obviously our regulator is not designed for such input. So, we need something that will cope with both wind, solar inputs (currently a 60w panel, might up it to 80w). The engine alternator is only occasionally used and at the moment is only connected to the crangling battery, that can be switched across tot he other house bank, but need not be.

We are looking for something economical, do not have huge poawer demands. On ebay there is this unit : Hybrid Solar Wind Charge Controller 500W+100W, wind charge controller, regulator | eBay

What do you think ?

Suggestions ?

Thanks

[Target9000]

Why don't you just run one regulator for the solar and another for the wind?

[witzgall]

That looks just like the controller that came with our Silentwind generator. The only difference I can see right off of the bat is that ours allows up to 180wp of solar power. Ours is installed, with the wind gen, but we have not wired up the extra panels we bought yet. It is a pvm controller, not MPPT.

It does allow custom set points for braking, etc. If I was looking at it for use with a different generator, I would contact the manufacturer of the wind generator to see what they say.


Chris

[ribbony]

Thanks

The seperate regulator for the wind gen, never though of that simple solution, thinking !!!

The Aerogen LVM site no longer works, looks like corporate cannabilism has swallowed them up or they could not compete with the Chinese products low prices. Xylem seems to have the brand now.

PS: had a look at the Silentwind site, that controller is the same just has a brand logo added to the upper left.

[ribbony]

The Aerogen does not require a controller if the batteries are big enough, so would we need a regulator or just a switch so we can let it charge the batteries when conditions are right and we require the charging that the solar panel can not keep up to. Then turn it off when leaving the vessel and let the solar panel maintain the batteries with it's little smart charger.

Too simplistic, or more reliable with less electronics ?

[sailinglegend]

Originally Posted by ribbony

......The seperate regulator for the wind gen, never though of that simple solution, thinking !!!...

Not a good idea!

With both solar panels and a wind generator a single regulator with a wind and a solar input should be used. If two different regulators are feeding the same battery bank one gets confused by the other and may switch off too early. Regulators all work in slightly different ways, but in principle they are programmed to reach a maximum voltage for a set time and then drop down to a float voltage. With wind generators there is not a constant source of power to allow the regulator to stabilise itself. Often there is a huge surge in available current from wind gusts, and then their charge may drop. Then the wind controller will still see the high voltage coming from the solar panel controller so it will soon switch to float. When the wind rises there may be a built- delay before the wind controller attempts to charge again and so the cycle continues. The wind generator may be the charge source that could potentially be providing the highest charging capability, but much of the time it has switched itself off so its energy is being wasted.

Wind regulators are not the same as solar regulators. They must dump the excess power to a resistive load, which will get hot, so it must be mounted in a ventilated area. Some wind generators can be stopped with a remote electrical switch. If a wind generator load is just disconnected it may spin so fast that it produces very high internal voltages that could damage the internal electronics, and could literally blow itself to pieces. Solar regulators simply disconnect the panel, so cannot be used for wind generators.

With both solar and wind generators the simplest KISS principle is not to have a regulator for the wind generator but control it manually with a safe method of tying back the blades when the batteries are known to be 100% charged. This will rarely be needed when cruising with a large service bank. But it shouldn’t be left running when leaving the boat for an extended period without the risk of overcharging.

[sy_gilana]

We ran our Aerogen 6 without reg for over 10 years no problems.
Permanent live aboard and voyaging. Do not leave connected unattended. If leaving for an extended period, disconnect the wind genny from the batteries and short out the wires, let is spin slowly. Tie it down and the bearings will fail shortly after remobilizing.
Great good and inexpensive MPPT controller available from ivt-hirschau.de

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by sailinglegend

Not a good idea!
Then the wind controller will still see the high voltage coming from the solar panel controller so it will soon switch to float.

I would recommend two separate controllers for wind and solar. Single units are available that will do both, but they are expensive and usually not the best controller for either.

Generally there are not any significant interaction problems with the two controller although the settings sometimes need some tweaking so a fully adjustable (absorption voltage and time and float voltage) is preferable.

In the sort of situation mentioned above the solar controller will be maintaing the absorption voltage for a set time say 2 hours. It only counts the time at this voltage, so if the wind generator spikes the voltage up for say 10seconds only 10 seconds is taken off the absorption time.
The batteries will still be charged normally and correctly (assuming the settings are correct)

[ribbony]

Great discussion !

If we tie off the Aerogen while not in use, why would there be an issue with the bearings after a restart ?

In the user manual it says not to leave the gen running for long periods with the electrical short circuit on. I know that you could do that on other brands, but why would it be an issue on the aerogen ?

Leaving it running all the time when we do not need the power must mean more wear. It is a secondhand unit of unknown operating hours.

I had a look at the MPPT controller available from ivt-hirschau.de - look like reasonable prices and gear.

Good point about not using a solar controller where it may disconnect the load to the wind gen. Wheeeeeeeeeee . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. ...............$%#@ Kaput !

Where as solar regulators are plentiful, there is not a lot of wind generator controllers around, especially on eBay. It would be nice to see some more competition there.

[sailorboy1]

Not the Aerogen so this is a little separate of a question

I thought a past thread that if you were using an Airbreeze wind generator that has its' own circuit board control system that it was OK to just wire it directly to the batteries. During mid day solar operation if the battery voltage got up it would just shutdown the wind generator.

Is this true and wouldn't apply to other wind generators that have internal regulation?