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WATER TURBINES steadily charge 12,
24, or 48 volt batteries, working 24 hours a day every day. Compare this with solar modules
in sunshine for at best, 6 full-power hours a day, and that's just on sunny days. A hydro generator
producing 10 amperes around the clock matches the usable power generated by over
40 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
(from intake to the turbine) over the length of the
pipe?
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How many gallons per minute flow, minimum and maximum?
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What size, type, and length of pipe? (if it is already installed)
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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 |
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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 disc, 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 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-HYDROBK: $20 |
|
 SERIOUS
MICROHYDRO
by Scott Davis
Serious Microhydro brings you dozens of firsthand
stories of energy independence covering a complete range
of systems, from household pressure sites to higher
pressure installations capable of powering a farm,
business or small neighborhood. 336 pages.
| E-SRSHYDRO: Serious MicroHydro: $29 |
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HARRIS HYDROS
 |
 |
|
High Efficiency HPM |
Pelton Wheel from below
|
Don Harris builds hydropower battery charging
generators for a wide range of site conditions: minimum about 10 feet head, to over
300 feet. It installs 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. 1 year warranty
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 clip on meter and necessary controls.
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.
The chart below shows watts generated with many
combinations of head and flow. Output may vary. 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 Harris PM warranty only applies to systems with 300'
or less of head.
EXAMPLE: A one nozzle turbine with the Harris PM 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 Harris PM ALTERNATOR;
300' maximum
Gal/
Min |
Feet of Net Head |
| 25 |
50 |
75 |
100 |
200 |
300 |
600 |
| 3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
30 |
70 |
- |
| 6 |
- |
- |
25 |
35 |
100 |
150 |
- |
| 10 |
- |
35 |
60 |
80 |
180 |
275 |
- |
| 15 |
20 |
60 |
95 |
130 |
260 |
400 |
- |
| 20 |
30 |
80 |
130 |
200 |
400 |
550 |
- |
| 30 |
50 |
125 |
210 |
290 |
580 |
850 |
- |
| 50 |
115 |
230 |
350 |
500 |
950 |
1400 |
- |
| 100 |
200 |
425 |
625 |
850 |
1500 |
- |
- |
| 200 |
225 |
520 |
850 |
1300 |
Output in Watts |
Windings are custom selected for your site. Specify head, flow,
pipe size and length, and distance to home.
|
Item Code/Description |
Additional
Shipping |
Price |
Buy Now |
| W-Hl: One nozzle Harris Hydro |
$50 lower 48 |
$1,850 |
|
| W-H2: Two nozzle Harris Hydro |
$50 lower 48 |
$1,950 |
|
| W-H4: Four nozzle Harris
Hydro |
$50 lower 48 |
$2,200 |
|
Harris Permanent Magnet Retrofit kit for existing Motorcraft to Brushless Alternator can be installed by
Denis Ledbetter directly. Call Denis at
707-986-7771 to work out the details.
HARRIS HYDRO MOUNTING BASE AND DRAIN
Pictured below: Hydro base is black;
ES&D Base Adapter is silver.
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.
|
Item Code/Description |
Additional Shipping |
Price |
Buy Now |
| W-HYDRO BASE |
$12 |
$52 |
|
W-ES&D BASE ADAPTER: brushed aluminum adapter
bolts to ES&D Stream Engine which then fits onto the HYDRO BASE: (HYDRO
BASE NOT included with this adapter)
(shipping included with purchase of HYDRO BASE)
|
|
$75 |
|
| W-BRUSH/BEARING Kit a set of brushes and two
bearings for the Motorcraft alternator |
|
$12 |
|
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HI-POWER LOW VOLTAGE HYDROELECTRIC GENERATOR
 HI-Power
is now offering a low-voltage brushless PM (permanent
magnet) generator.
This user-friendly unit requires no adjustments and is
more efficient than car alternator types over a wider
range of head and flow.
• Head range: 40 to 400 feet
• Flow range: 5 to 100 gpm
• Maximum power: 150 0 watts with
Controller; 1000W direct
• Efficiency: 30% to 70%
• Voltage options: 12V, 24V, 48V, 120VDC
HI-Power low-voltage hydroelectric generators are
available in four voltages for direct
battery charging, including the 48V and 120V units,
which allow the use of smaller gauge
wire between the generator and the battery. An MPPT
charge controller such as the Midnite Classic can be
used to efficiently step the voltage down for charging
and regulating 12V, 24V or 48V batteries.
The sealed permanent magnet alternator is mounted on an
anodized aluminum turgo
housing with the 4-inch stainless steel Hartvigsen Turgo
Runner. The external rectifier is
water-cooled and all fasteners are stainless steel. It
comes with an induction meter and 3 feet of 1-inch
flexible hose per nozzle. Order multiple nozzles for
convenient adjustment to varying flows. Alternator has
two enclosed 6203 bearings which should be changed every
4-10 years, depending on use. Pictured with ¾-inch brass
nozzle holders. 1½-inch plastic nozzle holders also
available. Also available with Harris Pelton Runner by
request.
Base dimensions: 12” x 12”. Skirt fits in 10.25”. When
ordering, specify battery voltage,
transmission line length and size, flow, pressure, pipe
size and length. It uses ES&D housing and wheel with PM
alternator. Made in the USA.
|
Item Code/Description |
Additional Shipping |
Price |
Buy Now |
| W-LVHYDRO-1: Low
voltage hydro with one nozzle |
$50 |
$1,450 |
|
| W-LVHYDRO-2: Low
voltage hydro with two nozzles |
$50 |
$1,500 |
|
| W-LVHYDRO-3: Low
voltage hydro with three nozzles |
$50 |
$1,550 |
|
| W-LVHYDRO-4: Low
voltage hydro with four nozzles |
$50 |
$1,600 |
|
| W-LVHYDRO-NOZZLE:
Replacement Nozzles |
|
$15 |
|
ES&D
Stream Engine for 10-500 feet of head
 Energy Systems and Design's STREAM ENGINE uses a brushless alternator on Turgo wheel handles more water at lower head than
pelton type units. Backwoods uses a simple equation to determine the estimated
power production of these turbine. By multiplying the
net feet of head by the gallons per minute and dividing
by 13 we get an average wattage output (example: 10 net
feet of head x 20 gpm / 13 = 15.38 watts). One year warranty.
Charts and literature available. Made in Canada. See
www.microhydropower.com
|
Item Code/Description |
Additional Shipping |
Price |
Buy Now |
W-STREAMSTNDRD: 2 nozzle 12, 24, 48 volt Standard,
Uses TurgoWheel
usually in stock!! |
NONE |
$2,495 |
|
| Extra Plastic Stream Engine
Nozzles |
|
$35 |
|
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