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Missouri Wind and Solar Freedom - User Manual

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Last Revised 06/21/2018 Copyright © Missouri Wind and Solar, LLC 2017 pg. 1
Missouri Wind and Solar
Wind Turbine Manual
Introduction
1. Thank you for purchasing a Missouri Wind and Solar wind turbine system. Please be sure to fully read
and understand these instructions before installation.
2. Freedom turbines are available in 1600 watt and 2000 watt models in the following voltages: 12V, 24V,
48V. Ensure you have the right turbine by looking on the electrical wiring (“pigtail”) of the turbine for a
colored dot: green dot = 12V; no dot/“black” = 24V; grey dot = 48V.
3. DANGER! Turbines output lethal voltage and current levels. Exercise safety precautions.
Tower Considerations
1. An ideal tower is one that allows easy access to the turbine for inspection and periodic maintenance.
Common tower designs include a hinge plate at the bottom, which allows the tower to be laid down on
the ground. If you choose to use a steel pipe, we recommend several runs of guyed wire to secure the
tower.
2. Ensure the tower is 30 feet higher than the nearest obstruction (trees, buildings) in a 100’ radius.
Doubling the tower height increases power output by 34% or more. Lower heights may produce less
power. This is a function of naturally occurring winds, not the turbine’s performance. However, lower
towers may make more sense cost-wise.
3. For towers 60 feet in height, use a minimum of 3/16 inch guy wire cable to support the top of the pole
and 1/8 inch to support the middle and/or bottom. 7x7 cable 7 bundles, made up of 7 individual
wires each, twisted together into one rope - is recommended.
4. Wind turbulence will severely reduce power output and is usually caused by structures interrupting
and/or blocking clean wind from contacting the blades and tail assembly. This is evident by erratic left-
to-right pivoting of the turbine, sometimes with heavy vibrations.
5. Placing your turbine in a low wind area, or a bad location such as a rooftop or behind a building, may
still produce power, but at a much lower charging rate. Turbines mounted on rooftops or connected to
the end of a building will see considerably less output due to turbulent or “dirty” wind. The higher the
better!
6. It is recommended to drive a ground stake at the base of the tower and clamp a 4 gauge wire from the
stake to the tower pole. Grounding a battery system is typically done between only the battery
negative terminal and a ground stake.
Use 4 gauge wire for the ground. Try not to have sharp bends in the ground wires as lightning can jump
out of sharp bends. This is minimal information. Please refer to additional sources for further
grounding information.
Question and Answer IconNeed help?

Do you have a question about the Missouri Wind and Solar Freedom and is the answer not in the manual?

Summary

Introduction and Safety Precautions

Turbine Model and Voltage Identification

Details Freedom turbine models (1600W/2000W) and voltage identification (12V, 24V, 48V) via colored dots.

Critical Safety Warning: Lethal Voltage

Critical safety warning about lethal voltage and current levels from turbines, emphasizing safety precautions.

Tower Considerations and Installation

Ideal Tower Design and Height

Recommends tower design with hinge plates or guyed wires, emphasizing height for optimal wind access.

Wind Turbulence and Optimal Placement

Explains how structures cause turbulence, reducing output and causing erratic turbine movement. Recommends higher placement.

Grounding System Requirements

Details grounding requirements using a stake and 4-gauge wire to the tower, mentioning battery grounding.

Blade and Hub Assembly

Blade Identification and Correct Installation

Guides on identifying and correctly installing Raptor Generation 4/5 and Falcon blades, noting flat face direction.

Blade Bolt Torque Specifications

Provides specific torque values (ftlbs) for Raptor Generation 4, 5, and Falcon blades to prevent damage or loosening.

Blade Flexibility and Safety Precautions

Explains blade flexibility and self-straightening, warning about severe harm from fast-spinning blades and proximity to obstacles.

Annual Blade and Hub Inspection

Advises annual inspection of blades and hub fasteners for damage, corrosion, and tightness.

Bearing Break-in Period

States that bearings require approximately 100 hours of break-in time, during which turbine startup may be slow.

Electrical System Components and Wiring

PMG Output and Rectifier Connection

Details the PMG's 3-phase AC output and the necessity of connecting to an AC-to-DC rectifier, not household panels.

Wire Selection and Connection Quality

Emphasizes using solid wire, proper sizing for amps/distance, and making clean, tight electrical connections.

Turbine Brake Switch Operation

Explains the brake switch's role in securing blades during tower work and advises against free-spinning.

Rectifier Mounting and Fuse Placement

Mandates mounting the rectifier for heat dissipation and placing an inline fuse after the rectifier on the positive DC side.

Electrical Component Safety

Warns against installing electrical components near flammable materials and recommends space around components.

Dump Load and Divert Controller Installation

Advises mounting dump loads away from flammables on fire-proof surfaces and placing the divert controller out of weather.

DC Wiring Requirements

Stresses critical importance of proper wire size for system operation and safety, referring to a DC wire chart.

Turbine Assembly and Mounting

Tail Assembly Installation

Guides on attaching tail arms, clamp connector, and L-bracket to the PMG mount, ensuring correct orientation and clearance.

Tail Fin Attachment

Instructs to attach the tail fin, securing all bolts to a torque of 15 ftlbs for proper function.

Pole Preparation and Lock Collar Usage

Explains sliding the lock collar over the steel pipe, securing it without overtightening, and ensuring clearance for the mount.

Mount and Tail Assembly Placement on Pipe

Describes sliding the mount and tail assembly onto the pipe, resting on a washer/bearing, and using a hose clamp.

PMG Mounting and Torque

Details attaching the PMG to the mount using 4 bolts, with specific torque of 20 ftlbs, referencing an illustrated breakdown.

Hub and Blade Connection Procedure

Guides on placing the hub on the rotor shaft, aligning the key slot, and tightening bolts to the stabilizer with a torque of 60 ftlbs.

Operation and Troubleshooting Guide

Pre-Operation Checks and Setup

Advises setting brake switch to 'Brake' and ensuring blades are stationary before connecting battery bank to divert controller.

Monitoring System Performance

Instructs monitoring battery voltage and listening for divert controller activity during high winds or full battery.

Troubleshooting Preparation and Data

Emphasizes reading instructions, having product model numbers, and providing system pictures for efficient troubleshooting support.

Measuring DC Voltage and Current

Advises measuring DC voltage and current at the rectifier when disconnected from the charge controller, avoiding high-wind conditions.

Battery Charging and Mismatched Banks

Explains charging conditions, power calculation, and warns against mismatched battery banks leading to undercharging.

Blade Vibration and Straightening Bent Blades

Identifies unbalanced blades or backwards installation as causes of vibration and provides methods for straightening bent blades.

Connection Issues and Wire Capacity Checks

Highlights hot connection points indicating wire capacity issues and advises checking for open circuits from stator to batteries.

Common Turbine Charging Problems

Lists checks for non-charging turbines: PMG voltage match, wire size/connections, battery terminal connection, and wind speed.

Rectifier and Phase Resistance Checks

Instructs checking rectifier ohms (Ω) and PMG stator resistance to identify shorts or defective components, and warns against series rectifier wiring.

Overview

This document outlines the installation, operation, and maintenance of a Missouri Wind and Solar wind turbine system, designed to convert wind energy into electrical power for battery charging.

Function Description

The wind turbine system primarily functions as a power generator, utilizing wind to produce electricity. At its core is the Permanent Magnet Generator (PMG), which outputs 3-phase wild AC power. This AC power is then converted to DC by a bridge rectifier, making it suitable for charging batteries. The system incorporates a divert (charge) controller and a diversion (dump) load to regulate battery charging and prevent overcharging. When the battery bank reaches a preset voltage, the divert controller directs excess energy to the dump load, which dissipates it as heat. This ensures the longevity of the batteries and the safe operation of the system. An optional brake switch is included to secure the blades from turning during installation or maintenance, preventing accidental rotation and potential injury. The entire system is designed to be mounted on a tower, with specific considerations for tower height and location to optimize wind capture and minimize turbulence.

Usage Features

The turbine is designed for ease of use with several key features. Blade and hub assembly involves attaching semi-flexible blades to the hub, with specific torque requirements for the bolts to ensure secure, yet not overtightened, connections. The blades are designed to self-straighten over time if slightly bent. The system's electrical wiring is straightforward, connecting the PMG to a brake switch (if used), then to a bridge rectifier, and finally to a divert controller and battery bank. Colored dots on the turbine's electrical wiring indicate the voltage (12V, 24V, or 48V), simplifying identification.

For operation, once the tower is erected and all electrical connections are made, the brake switch is toggled to the "On" position. Users are advised to monitor the battery bank voltage via the divert controller and, if available, an ammeter to observe current flow. The divert controller's "dumping" action, audible as solenoid clicks, indicates proper regulation during high winds or when batteries are nearly full. The system is designed to operate effectively in winds of 6 MPH or greater, with power output increasing with higher tower heights.

Safety is a paramount usage feature. The manual explicitly warns against lethal voltage and current levels and emphasizes the importance of proper grounding. It advises against placing the turbine near power lines or structures that could interfere with the blades. The brake switch is crucial for safe installation and maintenance, ensuring the blades are stationary. Users are also cautioned against braking the turbine in high winds to prevent overheating and damage.

Maintenance Features

Regular maintenance is crucial for the longevity and optimal performance of the wind turbine system. Annually, users should inspect the blades and hub mounting fasteners for any signs of damage, corrosion, or looseness, particularly in humid or salty environments. The blades themselves are UV protected and do not require painting or initial surface coating.

The system includes a "break-in" period of approximately 100 hours for the bearings, during which turbine startup may be slow. This is a normal part of the system settling in.

Electrical connections require periodic checks. The manual stresses the importance of using appropriate wire sizes, clean and tight electrical connections, and proper soldering (if applicable) to prevent heat buildup and power loss. All connections on the bridge rectifier should be inspected to ensure they are not touching the conductive aluminum housing, which could cause serious issues. Inline fuses or breakers are recommended directly after the rectifier on the positive DC side for protection.

Troubleshooting guidance is provided to assist with common issues. If the turbine is not charging the battery bank, users are advised to verify PMG voltage matches battery bank voltage, check wire sizes and connections, and ensure proper polarity. If blades are not spinning or seem unbalanced, checking the ohms of the PMG's stators and inspecting for shorted phases is recommended. The manual also addresses issues like heat buildup during sustained high-wind operation, suggesting that this is a normal function of the turbine's power output. For bent blades, a method involving heat and weight is described to straighten them. The manual encourages users to refer to the provided instructions and contact support with detailed information and pictures for more complex issues.

Missouri Wind and Solar Freedom Specifications

General IconGeneral
Number of Blades3
Rated Power2000 Watts
Voltage12V/24V/48V
Rated Wind Speed28 mph
Survival Wind Speed110 mph
Blade MaterialFiberglass