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Wind Turbine Power electronics question

  • 21-10-2008 10:40am
    #1
    Turbury
    Closed Accounts Posts: 144 ✭✭


    I have a 48v 1kw wind turbine that appears to be outputting a type of 3 phase supply - it came with a dump load (Air heater element) that allows the 3 wires to be connnected to it - this works fine, however I want to use a 48v water heating element instead but not sure about how to connect it - any body got any ideas?


Comments

  • #2
    DublinDilbert
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,401 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    Turbury wrote: »
    I have a 48v 1kw wind turbine that appears to be outputting a type of 3 phase supply - it came with a dump load (Air heater element) that allows the 3 wires to be connnected to it - this works fine, however I want to use a 48v water heating element instead but not sure about how to connect it - any body got any ideas?

    I would guess that the dump load is 3 resistors, connected in either a star or delta configuration internally. I guess your problem is that your heating element is a single phased unit...

    You could do a few things.... the simplest would be to construct a 3 phase full wave rectifier and run the heating element of DC current, this is exactly what the alternator in your car does... There will be a loss in the diodes in the rectifier, they'll probably need to be heat sinked ( i would guess they'll be conducting of the order of 7A each ).

    If you got an old car alternator you could possibly pull the rectifier out of it and use that.


  • #3
    Turbury
    Closed Accounts Posts: 144 ✭✭Turbury


    thanks - would the 48v cause a problem for the 12v car alternator?


  • #4
    DublinDilbert
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,401 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    Turbury wrote: »
    thanks - would the 48v cause a problem for the 12v car alternator?

    I was just suggesting using the diode bridge from the alternator... I would imagine the diodes would be capable of blocking > 100V... If i had an older alternator around i would give it a go.

    Failing that i would pick up 6 x 10A diodes and make up a 3 phase bridge rectifier...


  • #5
    fishdog
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭fishdog


    I want to use a 48v water heating element instead but not sure about how to connect it
    Why not get 3 heating elememts and connect them in delta or star? The you will have no losses changing from ac to dc?

    If your turbine is only 1kVA you have very little power to start with, no point in loosing any.


  • #6
    Turbury
    Closed Accounts Posts: 144 ✭✭Turbury


    Would this not reduce the life of the elements?


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  • #7
    fishdog
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭fishdog


    Would this not reduce the life of the elements?
    Once you dont exceed their ratings, no.


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