I see people are using heavy amp breakers to place 2 of the 3 ac runs on it to be able to flip it and the turbine is shorted for keeping it stopped.My question is can I run wires directly off of my rectifier on the ac side to add the breaker or could that damage the rectifier. I dont see why it would matter if its shorted further up the wire or at the rectifier contacts shouldnt matter :?: Maybe someday this forum will be active with chatter. It sucks coming here every day to see the same posts untouched.
Hi Bluejay, I see no reason why you could not put a breaker before or after the rectifier. As long as the rectifier is rated to handle the shorted amps going through it, it will be fine. If the generator is shorted before the wires get to the rectifier, the rectifier will not even "see" the current. The TLG web site has a nice diagram of how you can use a Double Pole Single Throw switch to brake the generator. http://www.tlgwindpower.com/tlg500_shunt_brake.htm
Can someone tell me if I did short out my turbine which is 3 phase Ac before the charge controller what type of switch could I buy to do this?
Or ... As Windyguru noted above, a Double Pole Single Throw switch can easily be wired to do the same and is a less expensive way to accomplish the same task. See the link that he provided on how to wire the DPST switch.
Thanks that is a lot easier set up I wonder when it is safe to shut it off? I realize you wouldn't do this in 50 MPH winds but what would be a safe wind and not hurt anything?
Hi Rake1, I'd at least wait until a lull in the wind to apply it. Depends on the stator wire size and a sudden surge at a high wind speed is not such a good idea for most alternators. In other words, I'm not sure since it depends of quite a few factors (like switch rating also) but if you just use common sense you should be fine. I'd probably not use it so much for over-speeding as I would for raising and lowering or working on the system etc. If I didn't have time to lower my turbine prior to a storm I might think about using it to brake but then again, a proper furling tail will provide protection under most circumstances. Hope this helps, Dave
Yes this helps, mine is at my camp and on a 35 ft power pole so I can't lower it, that is why I was thinking about turning it off if I wasn't going to be there for a few weeks at a time. thanks for the info.
