Whisper: 100 or 200?

[carlmccrosky]

I've got the body of an unused Southwest Windpower Whisper (with controller, but without blades, nose cone or tail).  I've been told it can be set up as either a "100" or a "200" depending only on the set of blades and attachment parts I buy.  I'm thinking of being conservative, as I have good winds (on the N. shore of L. Ontario) and a tall tower (100').  But I wonder if anyone can give me advice about the relative merits of the "100" and the "200".   Would it be wise to set up as a 100 to reduce the overall load & stress, especially as my tall tower will make any repairs difficult and expensive?

thanks,
      carl

[dnix71]

http://www.altestore.com/forums/index.php/topic,821.0/wap2.html

The top output is about the same, the 200 is set up to take advantage of lower wind speeds.

[Flux]

I don't have direct experience of these machines but my suspicion is that in your location survival will be the big issue, I would not consider the 200 option, that is the low wind version.

They are not known for surviving high wind conditions for long. They incorporate lots of clever ideas but seem under engineered.

The alternator reactance limits so you can't brake it in times of high winds. I don't know if there are changes to the furling for the different blades, I suspect not and from some comments I have seen I suspect they are using alternator reactance limiting to control output and they are fast machines.

Flux

[CBabcock]

I am 99% sure that the 200 used a slightly longer alternator than the 100.  I have a H900/H40 (whisper 100) here and the magnet can measures 5 1/4" long.  I'm guessing the 200's magnet can is an inch or two longer.  I believe they both used the same frame and hence the same governing geometry.  Flux is right- these machines will not stop when dynamically braked in winds much over 20 mph.  I'd stick with the 100 blades and install a tail boom of corresponding length.

Corey

[DanB]

Just to back that up...  the 200 does have a larger alternator, I expect it cuts in at lower rpm.  The 100 is known to be a more reliable machine.