Juan Sostheim's posts

Ken, as always, thank you.  The wheel has a diameter of 70 cm.  We go from the generator with 3 phases + neutral to a distribution box with a 3 way switch to switch between hydro and diesel generator (61 KWH Fiat).  I estimate my daily consumption when fully operational at 300-350 KWH.  I could add a battery bank and charge the batteries 3-4 hours/day while we use heavy loads, or use solar panels.  I don't like running diesel even if it's biodiesel.  Our consumption is almost all refrigiration, power tools by day, lighting by night.  No thrills.  From the distribution box we go to 8 different panels with the closest being 80 meters and the farthest 400 meters away from the generators.  We use 100AMP circuit breakers at each panel. At night we have 250, 13 watt bulbs turned on and what will amount to 5 walk in coolers and one walk n freezer.  Some small appliances, Coffee maker 1.8KW, computers, musikbox, etc.  Any ideas, do's and don'ts there all welcome at this point.  My concern with the current system is that we don't store the overproduction to help in peak periods and that the power is unstable when heavier loads start up.  I need a steady 110-120V or I blow chargers and compressors.  It needs to work perfectly!  Any thoughts?
Juan 

My electrician says we have one phase at 15amp, another at 13amp and the third phase at 6 amp.

If I can get 90 feet of head at a 45 degree angle or 150ft of 14 inch pipe with a nozzle of 2 1/8 inch, what would I be able to generate and what about same head with 1.5 inch nozzle.  Ken if you could provide me the formula I'd very much appreciate it.

Thanks for your reply Ken.  You are right about the generator being three phase and most of our equipment is single phase.  We do however attempt to balance the phases and often have an unbalanced load.  The generator is designed for larger water flows and at optimum it probably would generate 24 KWH.  The generator is designed to run at about 1600-1800 rpm and we are well within the range with 0 load.  Our output is between 100 and 130 volts.  Do you think an alternator generating DC would have advantages going straight to the battery banks?  Can the excess electricity be stored by converting AC to DC or is it more effective to do the opposite?  Running straight from the battery banks would certainly have the effect of stabilizing the current and avoid the phase balancing act.  We are using current regulators to keep some of our equipment from getting overloads but when a heavy piece of equipment starts up it is lowered to unacceptable levels.

I own an off-grid resort and working ranch in Costa Rica.  Currently we generate all our power using a 3 X 24amp old AEG generator hooked up to a water turbine but our water only allows us to generate what I estimate to be about 6-10KMH based on which nozzle we use.  Because of power fluctuations due to demand and the need for additional and stable power output, I am considering adding an array of PV panels, exchanging the generator for a large alternator, adding battery banks and an inverter to continue to use AC power through out.  Since my installation so far has been pretty simple and I'm a real novice, I've been able do handle it.  Now I need major advice as to whether I'm doing the right thing or if there are other approaches that make more sense.  The distances are also an issue since the complex were we are using the power at is about 10 acres of a 400+ acre ranch.  Specific questions: what is the maximum distance I could have between my PV cells and hydro system (battery bank distance?), how do I measure exactly what I'm currently generating in KWH,  how do I estimate the effectiveness of PV panels in an area were there are no maps (middle of the rainforest), is there a way to make my hydro system more effective without going to the PV system.  More water, head or larger nozzle is not an option at this time.  I am using a 14 inch pipe with 80 feet of fall at a 45 degree angle and reduced to a nozzle of 2 inches.  When water levels drop me reduce the nozzle to 1.5 inches to keep the tube full.  For further info check out www.ranchomargot.org.  Thanks in advance