WATER TURBINES steadily charge 12, 24, or 48 volt batteries, working 24 hours a day every day. Compare this with solar modules in sunshine only 6 full-power hours a day, and that just on sunny days. A hydro generator producing 10 amperes around the clock matches the usable power generated by over 50 amps of solar modules. So cost is a lot lower with hydro. The power system itself is the same as solar, except only diversion type charge controls can be used with hydro. Pelton wheel generators use a small volume of water raised to high pressure by running downhill in a penstock (pipeline). Pressurized water shoots from nozzles to strike and spin a cupped wheel on an alternator. Other types of wheels and propellers handle water sites with less pressure (head) and more flow volume.

PERFORMANCE DEPENDS ON THE SITE more than on the cost. Greater water pressure at the nozzle, produced by more head (elevation change top end of pipe to bottom), brings more power. Greater water volume (gallons per minute) onto the wheel also brings more power. Sites with higher head are most desirable because they need less water, smaller pipe, fewer nozzles, cost less to install, and fare better in low water years.

Pipe size, number and size of nozzles, and choice of alternator depend on measurements of your site. Since there are so many combinations of water volume and head, it is best to contact us and describe your creek site. Tell us specifically:

• What elevation change and across what distance of creek length?

• How many gallons per minute flows minimum and maximum seasons?

• What size, type, and length of pipe? (if it is already installed)

• Wire distance from hydro plant (lower end of creek) to the home?

COST: A complete hydropower system with hydro generator, charge control, batteries and inverter costs about $4000 - $6500 plus the pipeline and installation. 

For an interesting article on site evaluation and system installation, here's a review of Scott and Tracey's hydro system

HYDRO PLANNING AIDS

Elevation site level is a low cost device to measure the feet of head on your stream by walking it just once. Starting at the bottom, looking uphill along the trail or stream, this site shows you a spot ahead on the trail that is the height of your eye (let's say 5 feet). Go stand on that new spot and do it again to see a spot 10 feet above your starting spot. Continue through and you get the total elevation change of your stream- close enough to determine your hydro site merits.
 

W-SITE: Walk the stream once to find the elevation change: $25

Residential MICRO-HYDROPOWER with Don Harris
 Don Harris has manufactured and designed micro-hydro electric systems for over 20 years from his shop in northern California. In this tape, he discusses water powered electric generation for the individual home, how to judge the site, how to plan the pipeline and electrical equipment. He demonstrates various aspects of this process in the field and in his shop. Perhaps the best information available for the homeowner who may have hydropower capability. . Includes planning papers together with Don Harris literature..

EV-HYDRO VIDEO: 44 minute video:  $35
EV-HYDRO DVD: 44 minute DVD:  $35

MICROHYDRO: Clean Power from Water by Scott Davis
Highly illustrated and practical, Microhydro is the first complete book on the topic of hydro electricity published in a decade.  Covering both AC and DC systems, it covers the principals, design and site considerations, equipment options, and legal, environmental, and economic factors associated with hydropower.  157 pages

E-Hydro: $20

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HARRIS and LEDBETTER HYDROS

High Efficiency HPM	Pelton Wheel from below	Lower Efficiency LPM

Don Harris and Dennis Ledbetter build hydropower battery charging generators for a wide range of site conditions: minimum about 20 feet head, to over 200 feet. They install in a small shelter at the low end of a 2 to 6 inch diameter pipeline. The water intake at the upper end of the pipe requires a screen to keep leaves, rocks, or fish from entering pipeline.

High pressure water jets through 1, 2, or 4 nozzles to spin the pelton wheel using pressure built in the downhill drop of the pipe. The microhydro turbines include a cast metal housing, nozzles, wheel, and alternator; and has a meter and necessary controls. The units are available with your choice of high or low efficiency brushless permanent magnet alternators manufactured by Denis Ledbetter.

PERMANENT MAGNET BRUSHLESS ALTERNATOR is available on new turbines, or can be retrofitted to existing installations. The brushless alternator uses a permanent magnet rotor which has a  mechanically
adjustable strength of magnetism.  No brushes to wear out means lower maintenance chores. We have two PM based turbines. For maximum efficiency, choose the Harris based field adjustable HPM. Or for a bit less money and up to 30% less efficiency, select the non adjustable LPM.

The chart below shows watts generated with many combinations of head and flow. Output may vary depending on the HPM or LPM alternator chosen. To determine if your site is feasible, look for 25 watts or more. If you've got it, get our hydro planning papers and videotape. Tell us the data requested above, and/or ask for our hydro planning papers and hydro videotape.

The HPM is only warrantied to 300' of head; the LPM is warrantied to 500' of head

EXAMPLE: A one nozzle turbine with the HPM alternator on a 2 inch pipe with 75 foot head and flow of 18 gallons per minute shows on the chart to generate about 115 watts (9.5 amperes 12 volts). Likewise, 25 feet head and 50 gallons per minute would give the same power, but the increased flow would require 4 inch or larger pipe and a 4 nozzle turbine. Each nozzle passes a maximum 20 gpm.

CHART FOR  HYDRO WITH HPM ALTERNATOR; 300' maximum

Windings are custom selected for your site. Specify head, flow, pipe size and length, and distance to home.

ORDERING involves TWO choices:
1) Select the Harris Hydro with the desired number of nozzles, and
2) ADD either the HPM or LPM alternator.

W-Hl: One nozzle Harris Hydro:  $1100 Please ADD HPM or LPM alternator
W-H2: Two nozzle Harris Hydro: $1200 Please ADD HPM or LPM alternator
W-H4: Four nozzle Harris Hydro: $1450 Please ADD HPM or LPM alternator
HPM high efficiency option: Brushless Permanent Magnet Alternator add: $800
LPM low efficiency option: Brushless Permanent Magnet Alternator add: $350

SHIPPING in 48 states $50

W-FAN KIT: required for 500 watts or greater output on High Output Harris turbines only: $70
Harris Permanent Magnet Alternator and bridge rectifier only: $1000.00 + $18.00 shipping (This alternator does NOT simply attach to your housing in place of an existing Motorcraft alternator. Re-drilling of the casting is required.)

Harris Permanent Magnet Retrofit kit for existing Motorcraft to Brushless Alternator can be installed by Denis Ledbetter directly: $1100.00 Plus shipping to and from Denis.  Call Denis at 707-986-7771 to work out the details.

Pictured below: Hydro base is black;
ES&D Base Adapter is silver.

HARRIS HYDRO MOUNTING BASE AND DRAIN
Square plastic basin fits hydro for support pedestal and water capture drain. This basin is designed to set on the floor of your hydro shed. The basin has two side holes. One hole acts as a service access panel with a plug which allows reaching inside without removing your plumbing and the other hole adapts to a 6" drain pipe that you provide. The lip of this basin typically needs to be slightly grooved where your nozzle ports pass over it.

W-HYDRO BASE:   $48 (shipping $12)
W-ES&D BASE ADAPTER:  brushed aluminum adapter bolts to ES&D Stream Engine which then fits onto the HYDRO BASE: $75 (HYDRO BASE NOT  included with this adapter) (shipping included with purchase of HYDRO BASE)
W-BRUSH/BEARING Kit  a set of brushes and two bearings for the Motorcraft alternator: $12

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AQUAIR Submersible Generator  As of June 2006: we do not have a USA distributor in place; we can order direct from the Great Britain manufacturer at increased cost: see below.
Given this unique situation, an Aquair order CANNOT be cancelled once it ships from Great Britain and it CANNOT be returned to Backwoods once received.

No pipeline, no head, just fast moving water, 5 miles per hour or more. Submersible generator and 12.5 inch propeller install in 13 or more inches of free flowing water. At stream flow of 6 mph it generates about 5 amps. At 9 mile per hour flow it generates 8 amps continuous.  Charges 12 volts, 24 volts at half the amps or 48 volts at one quarter the amps.

This requires no pipeline at all, just a mount to hold it in the water. A log or rock narrows can speed up the water as it passes through the propeller. It can also be mounted inside a funnel  venturi tube about 5 feet long to increase the water speed.  User fabricates the mounting or tube. Triple sealed and oil filled, the entire unit works under water. Two year warranty.

AQUAIR SUBMERSIBLE HYDRO:  $1400   (Plus Fed Ex shipping/duties: $220) (In the "special requests" box of the shopping cart, please indicate 12, 24, or 48 volts)

  Your line item total for the Aquair is $1620.00 which includes s/h + UPS brokerage fees which may change once UPS bills us.

Given this unique situation, an Aquair order CANNOT be cancelled once it ships from Great Britain and it CANNOT be returned to Backwoods once received.

ES&D Stream Engine for 10-300 feet of head

The Energy Systems and Design's STREAM ENGINE uses a brushless alternator on Turgo wheel handles more water at lower head than pelton type units. At 10 feet head 20 gpm gives 20 watts, 40 gpm gives 50 watts, 75 gpm gives 90 watts. At 20 feet head 10 gpm gives 15 watts, 20 gpm gives 40 watts, 40 gpm gives 100 watts, 75 gpm gives 180 watts. One year warranty

Charts and literature available. Made in Canada. See www.microhydropower.com 

W-STREAM 2: 2 nozzle 12, 24, 48 volt Standard  $2395   Shipping $50   usually in stock!! Please specify voltage in special requests box of shopping cart.
Extra Plastic Stream Engine Nozzles: $35.00 each
W-STREAM 2: 2 nozzle with 240v High voltage alternator for long distance transmission can be special ordered: $2670 plus $50.00 shipping; 8+ week lead time
400 watt Transformer returns power to low voltage to charge at 12, 24, or 48 volts.........add $900   plus $50 shipping
1000 watt Transformer returns power to low voltage to charge at 12, 24, or 48 volts.........add $2450 plus $50 shipping

ES&D LH-1000 hydro generator
LOW HEAD- 2 to 10 feet with large flow

The LH1000,  from Energy Systems & Design uses the same generator as the Stream Engine above; however the water turbine is a low head propeller design. This produces power from heads of 2 feet up to 10 feet. At maximum head, the output is 1 Kw. The generator is at the top with the turbine propeller at the bottom. Water is drawn through the propeller by suction in the draft cone (entirely full of water); then back to the stream. One year warranty 
Visit www.microhydropower.com for more details.

W-LH1000: 12, 24 & 48 volts; with cone..............$2875 Shipping from Canada....$120  Lead time: 8+ weeks Please specify voltage in special requests box of shopping cart.
High voltage alternator for long distance transmission can be ordered as an option.......add $275
400 watt Transformer returns power to low voltage to charge at 12, 24, or 48 volts.........add $900   plus $50 shipping
1000 watt Transformer returns power to low voltage to charge at 12, 24, or 48 volts.........add $2450   plus $50 shipping

ES&D WATER BABY
75 feet of head and up; Minimum flow 3 gpm at highest head

The Water Baby is Energy Systems & Design's solution where the flow is very low. It uses a brushless permanent magnet generator with a 2" pitch diameter bronze turbine wheel. Field is adjustable while running. Available in 12/24 volt or high voltage 48-120 volt high voltage (add $150.00). At 100 feet of head with flow of 3 gpm, with 1/8 nozzle the output is 25 watts. At 24gpm the output is 250 watts with 2 nozzles. Charges 12, 24, or 48 volt battery sets. Max amps 250 at 100' head. Call to discuss your site capabilities. Visit www.microhydropower.com    One year warranty

W-WATERBABY: single nozzle; low voltage.......$1895 W-WATERBABY: single nozzle; high voltage.....$2045 Shipping: $85.00	2008: Redesign in Progress; call for an update
Additional nozzles for WATERBABY: up to 4..............ADD $150 each

Shipping is $85; allow 8+ weeks please. 

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