3 Phase Rectifier Box Complete
By watermanhfl, Section Diaries Posted on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 04:08:07 PM MST
What a Rectifier Shutdown should look like

Hi all, This forum has lots of turbine pics but few details of the full rectifier installed.  Thought I would show my third version which is much cleaner/safer than the crude setups that many of us had.  No exposed wires.  I have bonded ground to neutral in this box but have designed box so that bond can be in house at Inverter/lighting disconnect.  Only one bonding point allowed per code. This box is inside my battery shed out in yard.  See my diary.  The #6 red wires take battery to house 200' feet away thru the 30 amp fuse.  Another 30 amp fuse is in between rectifiers and battery. Otherpower rectifier design with my additions and box.  Even used their heat sink and bridge rectifiers.  Tks Dan. Last fuse is smaller, 3 amp for power to my meter in cover and shut-down relay.  I am using a 120 vac heavy 3 pole relay in box for remote shutdown. Works fine at 48 vdc. Switch is in house and relay closes if battery gets disconnected for safety. This pic is of basic components with many wires removed.  Heatsink goes thru a rectangler hole in back.  If others would use this basic format and tweek it with comments we may have a great design in a few more iterations.  I can already see a few changes to make next time.(bigger box) Finally the cover has a RC Electronics Watts Up meter in it.  Works great and inexpensive.  Much better than the old style volt and amp gauges I had in firt two versions.  I would buy the Doc Wattson version next time for larger AmpHr readings. http://www.rc-electronics-usa.com/buy-products.html  I have a switch on side of box to power it which also resets the AmpHr and WattHr log. Hope this helps. Rochester NY

3 Phase Rectifier Box Complete | 10 comments (10 topical)

Good Protection (3.00 / 0) (#1) by Drives on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 10:52:27 AM MST

I noticed the Delta Arrestor......Smart Choice!  I have installed many, similar brand units over the years.  I just recently started purchasing the Delta product.  Good Job. http://www.deltala.com/prod02.htm ---------Dean-----------

Re: Good Protection (3.00 / 0) (#3) by gotwind2 on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 12:23:13 PM MST

I Like the use of the 'Watts up meter' I'm surprised I haven't seen it used more by members on this board, the price tag I guess $50, they are the equivalent of $100 dollars here in the U.K, I might have to import one. Great rectifier box by the way. Ben. www.gotwind.org [ Parent ]

Re: 3 Phase Rectifier Box Complete (3.00 / 0) (#2) by Nil on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 12:18:07 PM MST

I took a look at the rc-electronics site. I got a laugh from the 'Summary of Features' for the Watt's Up meter... I'm sure its a typo or wrong phrasing but "1% Accuracy" catches my eye.

Re: 3 Phase Rectifier Box Complete (3.00 / 0) (#4) by SparWeb on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 12:46:44 PM MST

You posting comes at a crucial time for me.  I went hunting for lightning arresters last week and failed to find any but 1-phase types (even those were special order at some places).  Did you select a 3-phase Delta arrester, and did you have to order direct?  Was it available commercially? I'm still reading the National Electrical Code chapter 250 on bonding/grounding, but I haven't come across a reference to "one bonding point".  Could you elaborate? I live in an area with lots of electrical storms in the summer, and I want to do this part as carefully as possible.  Thanks for posting those photos. Steven Fahey

Re: 3 Phase Rectifier Box Complete (3.00 / 0) (#5) by watermanhfl on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 01:15:05 PM MST

Steve, I found a great acticule summary of the code and how it applys to PV solar systems but much is applicable to wind also.  It ref.; http://www.nmsu.edu/~tdi/Photovoltaics/Codes-Stds/codecorner.html ...It is imperative that there be no more than one ground connection to the dc grounded conductor of a PV system. Failure to limit the connections to one (1) will allow objectionable currents to flow in uninsulated equipment-grounding conductors and will create unexpected ground faults in the grounded conductor [250.6]. The ground-fault protection systems will sense these extra connections as ground faults and may not function correctly. There are exceptions to this rule when PV arrays, generators, or loads are some distance from the main loads [250.32]. The 3 phase delta is Model LA303 $40 http://store.altenergystore.com/Enclosures-Electrical-and-Safety/Lightning-Arrestors/Delta-Lightning -Arrestors-La-303-3-Phase-Lightning-Arrestor/p471/ Windy days. Anthony WatermanHFL [ Parent ]

Re: 3 Phase Rectifier Box Complete (3.00 / 0) (#8) by SparWeb on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 04:41:04 PM MST

Aha - there can be a potential between a good ground and a poor one (or simply a longer one).  Now it's clear. Thanks! Steven Fahey [ Parent ]

Re: 3 Phase Rectifier Box Complete (3.00 / 0) (#6) by mtbandy on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 03:58:53 PM MST

For people interested in the 'watts up' meter, I'm currently working on something very similar myself, that uses the very same type of display. Once I have something working I'll put in in my diary, it will hopefully display watt-hrs usage, battery voltage, charging current, and load current amongst other things. Thinking ahead a bit here, but I'll eventually release everything for anyone who wants to copy it.

Re: 3 Phase Rectifier Box Complete (3.00 / 0) (#7) by tecker on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 04:26:18 PM MST

Put nolox on all the connections and screws in your battery rm the the moister and the acidified moister invades eventually. The nolox even though you have the right devices for copper will save you from over torquing the pdbs and fuse blocks.Carbon gresse works also but it gets all over every thing. Good lookin panel .Looks servicable also .

Re: 3 Phase Rectifier Box Complete (3.00 / 0) (#9) by windstuffnow on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 04:59:42 PM MST

Pretty nice!  It looks similar to mine... although yours has a few more goodies in it... Mine is very basic in an 8" x 8" plastic water proof box in a back barn close to the tower.   Keep up the nice work! Have Fun! Windstuff Ed

Re: 3 Phase Rectifier Box Complete (3.00 / 0) (#10) by Boondocker on Sat Jul 21, 2007 at 11:41:33 AM MST

Watermanhfl, Good looking power box.   What is the 3rd fuse used for? Boondocker

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