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Hydroelectric DC Charging
Use to charge a 12, 24 or 48 volt battery 24 hours a day
either alone or with solar modules, wind generator or engine generator. A 100
gallons per minute of water falling 10 feet or 5 gallons per minute falling 200
feet through a pipe can generate 80 watts. This is about 1.9 KiloWatt hours a
day and would equal about five 75 watt solar modules in a 5 peak sun hour
location.
A diversion type regulator and dump load is needed to prevent battery overcharging.
The amount of power available depends on the dynamic head, the amount of
water flow and the efficiency of the hydroelectric unit.
Most micro hydroelectric turbines operate from the pressure
at the bottom end of a pipeline. This pressure is measured in pounds per square
inch (PSI) and is directly related to the head, or vertical distance from where
the water goes into the pipe at the top of the pipeline, to the turbine located
at the bottom of the pipeline.
You should know your Total Head, Flow rate in gallons per
minute, Pipe length needed, Wiring distance from hydro unit to batteries.
Head
in Feet times Flow in GPM
divided by 10 will equal the approximate Watts available
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Harris
Hydro Pelton Turbines |
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12 - 24 - 48 volt models with 1 nozzle W512 50
lbs
$2195
with 2 nozzles W513
50 lbs
$2295
with 4 nozzles W514
50 lbs
$2395
Bronze Pelton Runner
W521 5 lbs $295
Nozzles
$9
Fan Kit for over 500 watts 6 lbs
$70 |
Head Range is 20’ to 600’,
Flow Range is 4 to 250 GPM
PM Alternator 1000 watt.
This turbine uses a cast bronze pelton wheel, aluminum housing and a
Permanent Magnet, brushless alternator for better efficiency, less
maintenance and long life. A diversion type regulator and dump load is
needed to prevent battery overcharging. |
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Low Voltage Hydroelectric
Generator
Brushless
Permanent Magnet Alternator with rectified DC output |
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1 nozzle LV
Hydro Turbine W522 50 lbs
$1450
2 nozzle LV Hydro Turbine W523
50 lbs $1500
3 nozzle LV Hydro Turbine W524
50 lbs $1550
4 nozzle LV Hydro Turbine W525
50 lbs $1600
Specify voltage 12V, 24V, 48V, or 96V
Available Nozzle Sizes: 1/8", 3/16", 1/4",
5/16", 3/8", 7/16", 1/2" Extra nozzles are
$9 each |
These units use the Don Harris Hydro bronze pelton runner or turgo runner and the Harris housing. All
hardware is stainless steel, and nozzle holders and nozzles are brass. Units
will work on pressures from 20psi to 180psi.The alternator is a brushless
permanent magnet, 12 pole, with 2 x 6203 sealed bearings. Bearings should be
changed every 4 - 10 years, depending on use. The alternating current from
the alternator goes through the water-cooled rectifier to produce DC for
your battery. The unit comes complete with an induction amp meter and 1''
flexible hose for easy hook-up. We recommend fusing the wire near the
batteries. Units have a 2 year factory warranty.
A diversion type regulator and dump load is needed to prevent battery overcharging. |
Turgo Stream Engine
The Stream Engine is designed for use in
battery-based power systems, with electricity generated at a steady rate, and
stored in batteries for use at higher rates than is generated. During times of
low demand, power is stored. An inverter is used when residential
AC power is desired.
Water from a stream is channeled into a pipeline to gain enough
head (the vertical distance the water falls) to power the system. The
Stream Engine operates at heads of about 2m (6 feet) and upward. The
water passes through a nozzle, where it accelerates, strikes the bronze turgo
wheel, and turns the generator shaft. Up to 4 universal nozzles can be installed
on one machine. The included Universal Nozzles are adaptable in sizing from 3mm(1/8 inch) to
25mm(1inch).
Typically, these systems operate at 12, 24, or 48 volts, with
reconnectable wiring which allows the user to install a standard Stream
Engine at most sites. Custom windings are also available which can
produce high voltage (120, 240) at any site.

Head range: 10’ to 400’, High flow, up to 1000 watts,
adjustable 12,2 4, 48 volts. Long life brushless permanent magnet alternator,
bronze turgo runner, cast aluminum housing.
1 nozzle W502 Shipping
to USA is $150
$2345
2 nozzle
W500 Shipping to USA is $150
$2495
4 nozzle
W501 Shipping to USA is $150
$2795

LH1000 Low
Head Propeller Turbine

The LH1000, like the Stream Engine, is
designed to operate in conjunction with battery-based power
systems, in order to store
electrical power for use at times when consumption exceeds generation. Power is
stored during periods of low demand. When AC loads are desired, an inverter is
needed to convert stored DC to residential AC power.
To gain enough head to operate the LH1000, water is
channeled into a sluiceway. The turbine is mounted in a 7” opening in the sluice
bottom, with the draft tube extending to the tailwater below.
The water turns the propeller, creating shaft power. This, in
turn, powers the generator, producing electricity.
The
LH1000
typically operates at 12, 24, 48, or 120 volts. It can be specially wound to
operate at 240 volts, when necessary. Employing the same adjustable, permanent
magnet generator as the Stream Engine, the LH1000
has reconnectable wiring for use at a wide range of sites.
LH1000
120 lbs $170 shipping
$2975

LH1000HV
High Voltage Option
$275
LH1000HA
High Current Option
$275
The
Stream Engine and LH1000 both employ a brushless,
permanent magnet alternator that is adjustable, enabling the user to match
turbine output to electrical load. It has a higher efficiency than previous
alternators, and is capable of outputs over 1 kW, while requiring virtually no
maintenance. These microhydro systems employ high efficiency, precision-cast
parts, and non-corrosive alloys for long life and durability. A digital
multimeter accompanies each turbine for measuring output amperage. These units
can be used in stand-alone, or grid-tied systems.
|
Head |
GPM Flow |
Watts |
| 2' |
500 |
100 |
| 3' |
600 |
200 |
| 6' |
800 |
550 |
| 10' |
1000 |
1000 |
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Make your own hydro turbine with these runners.
Bronze Turgo Runner
Has 4” pitch diameter ( the place where the center of the
water jet is aimed). For up to 1” nozzle. Fits Ford or Delco alternator, has
5/8” threaded hole.
W519 10 lbs
$825
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Silicon Bronze Pelton Runner
Fits GM and Ford Shaft, 5-1/2” diameter, 4” hydraulic
diameter, 85-90% efficient
W521 8 lbs
$295 |
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Polyurethane Pelton Runner
5-1/4” diameter, 1/2” mounting hole, up to 1/2”
jet. W520 3 lbs
$150
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POWER OUTPUT
& SITE ASSESSMENT
To determine the power available at a site, head and
flow measurements must be taken. Flow is the rate at which water
moves, measured in liters per second (l/s) or gallons per minute (gpm). This can
be measured by channeling the water into a pipeline, then into a container of a
known volume, noting the time it takes to do so. A weir can be used to measure
flows in larger streams. Head can be measured by using a transit, by
looking along a level, or by using a pressure gauge at the end of the
pipeline. An altimeter can also be used, so long as it is accurate, and
sufficiently sensitive.
It is important to keep
in mind that output can only be accurately determined if head and flow
measurements are made correctly, so care should be taken during this
process. Two other important factors in a site assessment are system voltage,
and transmission distance. The voltage and distance the power must travel
can affect the efficiency and cost of your transmission lines.
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