setting up wind

[stevo566]

Can someone direct me to a clear book or website that explains everything that is necessary to build and install a wind power system for my house.  With info on feeding elec. back to the power company and what is involved in doing so?  Thanks Steve

[hamitduk]

Here, look at the FAQs, and start reading, most of what you need is here some place, and if you have a question, ask somebody here will have a answer for ya.

Hami

[hiker]

                       http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_wind.html

[spinningmagnets]

Stevo566, Find a local library that has the book "sailboat electrics simplified", and read it twice. I found it recently and I am very impressed with how well-written it is.  Everything important is spelled out for a serious beginner adult. I especially liked the many well-thought out drawings and pics.

(disclaimer: I haven't built my own system yet, so keep large grain of salt handy)

It focuses in-depth on 12V DC systems, but has information on changes needed for a 24V system for larger boats. The principles taught scale up for the 48V systems common in serious off-grid houses.

It recommends a wind-turbine, a solar PV panel, and a back-up generator (typically the alternator on a small diesel maneuvering engine).

These three power supplies keep the battery pack charged up, and an inverter converts the 12V/24V battery into 120VAC to operate common appliances. A second parallel wiring system allows some devices (12V LED lights, 12V music radio/MP3, Laptop, cell phone charger, etc) to run direct off the battery to avoid voltage conversion losses.

Power from the City/County is called "the grid". A home system connected to it is called a "Grid-tied" system. If you want to sell electricity back to the grid, it is called "Net metering". This is not available in all areas, you must check first.

You cannot connect just anything that you want to the grid. You must get a permit from the City/County electrician, and you might only be able to use components from a short list of "approved" models.

You MUST match the turbine and gen to the wind you actually have. A taller installation will harvest much more wind than a shorter one, so first find out how high a tower you are allowed to have. Then erect an anemometer at that height to begin data-logging. You may need this data for your permit presentation.

This is the best site for RE, thats why I'm studying here. Start several blank documents (building a turbine, popular inverters, batteries and chargers, etc) and copy/paste any paragraph from the archives that interests you, including the link so you can find it again later.

FAQ and "Google search the board" at the top right of every page is the best tool to start your research with. You will even find some unexpected gems just trolling the archives. Best of luck, and have fun!

[stevo566]

Thanks for all of the info.  No need to leave the house!  Where could I go to gain some insite to what is needed after the set-up of the wind generator. I've noticed that most sites cover the building and setting up of wind generators don't pay to much attention to where everything goes,i.e. battery bank, transfer switch, etc.  Would you know where I could go to read up on this?  Again thanks for your help.  steve