woof,
I should have mentioned that I do have a dump load controller connected to the system as well. I certainly understand the need for this with a wind turbine.
crashk6,
I have only sent the support request today, Xantrex typically takes a week or two to respond.
I stand corrected, the XW inverter does have battery charging capabilities, and it is not a charge controller.
Xantrex does have an MPPT Solar Charge Controller that they recommend for use with solar applications on the XW systems, it is not necessary with wind turbine.
I think that I have a pretty good understanding now about the circuits and connections that are required, and know about a lot of the implications that go along with them (one can not know all).
Perhaps my question was mis-understood and will try to rephrase it:
Here is a quick proposed system diagram. Grounds and neutrals on the AC and DC distribution are not shown, as well as auxillary power panel:
I have a grid-tied system, which incorporates a Xantrex XW inverter as well as a dump controller in the system.
Since a battery bank tied to the turbine output caps the voltage at the battery banks float voltage, it would seem ideal if a fully charged battery bank can be disconnected from the turbine output so that the voltage is not capped, and more power/efficiency could be extracted from the turbine output.
One could use 2 devices: both a charge controller and a load controller to selectively switch the battery bank in and out. The charge controller is used when the battery bank needs to be charged, and the load controller is used to sense when the inverter wants to draw from the battery bank.
There is Always a dump controller connected to the turbine output, which can keep the turbine loaded in case the grid utility was down.
Wouldn't this scenario provide the maximum extraction of power from the wind turbine?
Dan