Energy Systems & Design
Water Baby
Microhydropower for
Very Low Flow High Head
Situations

The Water Baby is a smaller version of Energy System & Design's Stream Engine. This machine is a very small device that converts the energy in water under pressure into electricity. It can operate on heads of 50 feet (15m) to over 500 feet (150m)with flows as low as 3 gpm (11 l/m). At a head of 100 feet (30m) and a flow of 3 gpm (11 l/m) the output is 25 watts; at 24 gpm (90 l/m) the output is 250 watts. The standard machine can generate 12, 24 or 48 volts at most sites. A high voltage model is available for long distance transmission. The output of the Water Baby can be optimized by simply moving the upper stator (top portion) of the machine until the maximum output is achieved. As many as four nozzles can be used on one machine to allow for larger flows. Nozzles from 1/8” to 1/4” (3-6mm) can be used.

The Water Baby uses a double stator, brushless permanent magnet generator with a 2” (50mm) diameter bronze turbine runner. The junction box contains the rectifier, for producing DC output and a shunt (precision resistance) is used to measure the output using the supplied digital multimeter.

The machine should be adjusted in order for it to produce the maximum output. This can be done by rotating the upper stator to the best position. This is done by first loosening the thumbscrews and then slowly rotating the stator while observing the output current. The current can be measured using the supplied meter with the test leads plugged into the “shunt” in the junction box. Use the millivolt scale which is labeled 200m which puts the handle in the nine o’clock position. The leads should plug into the meter in the normal position for measuring voltage as we are measuring the voltage drop across a resistance. The black lead goes into the jack that says “COM” and the red lead goes above. Then these are inserted into the color coded jacks in the shunt in the junction box. This adjustment is necessary to best match the output of the turbine with that of the generator.
For more information, see the specifications of the Stream Engine and the documentation below.

Water Baby Output by Nozzle

Water Baby Output in Watts (Continuous)

Special Shipping Note:
This item usually ships directly from the manufacturer in Canada. It will normally be shipped via Canadian Post which avoids import brokerage fees being charged to you. If you specifically request UPS 2nd Day Air or any other accelerated shipping methods, please be aware that UPS, FedEx, etc. will charge you an import brokerage fee after you receive the delivery. Typically this fee is $50-$60. If you want this item to be shipped by normal Canadian Post but for the rest of your items to be shipped via a faster method, please write this information in your order's notes during checkout.