Dump Load Voltage set points

[daleh007]

I was looking at some of Hugh's material & saw that he recommends using 4 dump load circuits that switch in 4 10 amp dump loads (progressively). What are the voltage levels that you would want to switch the loads in at and how close can/should the voltage set levels be set? The reason I ask is, if 12V batteries like to float at about 14V and you set the loads to start cutting in at 14V I assume that the remaining loads must be set at progressively higher levels like maybe 14.5V 15.0 etc. Wouldn't this be too high on loads 3 & 4 for instance? Or maybe you start to switch in loads at a lower voltage like 13V or 13.5V.

Daleh

[Hank]

Daleh,

I think perhaps Hugh is referring to current rather then voltage. Switching in loads as curent increases is better for the gen as it gradually loads it up depending on winds.

Have fun,

Hank

[windstuffnow]

  When I set mine on my multiple diversion setup where it would dump 10 to 15 amps per controller I set them at fractions between each other.  The first was set at 14.6, the second at 14.7 and the third at 14.8.   If the first one didn't lower the battery voltage or at least maintain it then the second one would kick in and progressivly the third.

  I wouldn't take them to 15 volts very often although I equalize my set up at 15.5 once a month.  At 14.6 their starting to gas so if you don't want to add water all the time I'd try to keep them in that range.

Have Fun

Windstuff Ed

[daleh007]

Interesting Ed. I wondered if it was possible actually set the trip points that close. I thought that maybe when another 10 amp load was activated that maybe the voltage would drop below the set point for that dump circuit and/or possibly the proceeding one causing them to cycle in & out resulting in a chatter mode. Do you have any idea how much the voltage drops as the 10 amp loads are applied? Guess this is really dependant on how big you generator is and wind conditions though. I'm thinking mine should turn out to be about 40 amps with my 8ft rotor in a good wind.

Daleh

[windstuffnow]

   The wind generator is connected to the battery bank and the controllers are connected to the battery bank.  Basically the generator doesn't see the load of the controllers the batteries do. The generator only see's the batterys as its load so it doesn't really effect the wind genny.

   When the voltage trips one controller it will start to draw the voltage down, if it remains at the trip point it will continue to drive the load.  If, however, the voltage continues to rise then the second one trips and your driving both loads and so on until either the voltage drops below the trip point or increases to trip the next.   Somewhere along the line the idea is to control the amount of power going into the batteries after a certain voltage is reached and "dump" the excess.

    Your not controlling the genny only the batteries.  So your total dump load should be higher than the genny will produce this way you'll be assured the batteries will not overcharge.

Have Fun

Windstuff Ed