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Forum Index : Windmills : AC to AC Grid tie inverter

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grant3
Newbie

Joined: 15/05/2010
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Posts: 2

Posted: 08:34am 15 May 2010

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Hi all, (first time poster, long time reader)

I would like to use an Ebay Grid Tie inverter with a windmill which has an AC motor which I'm currently building as a "first windmill" build.

Ebay item click here to view

Question is the output from the motor I'm using is AC not DC. Where as you see on the grid tie inverter it says DC input.

Is the solution to this a "Rectifier" to then plug it into the grid tie?
e.g. Windmill -> (AC to DC, "Rectifier?") --> (DC to Ebay Grid tie) --> House mains.

Sorry for I'm not up with all the technology. I do appreicate all the information the members provide on this forum.

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Update: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rectifier
Edited by grant3 2010-05-16

KarlJ

Guru

Joined: 19/05/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 1178

Posted: 12:37pm 15 May 2010

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I'm as friendly as they get but fair go

This has been covered about 10 dozen times
do a freakin search...

In short its no-good

Luck favours the well prepared

GWatPE

Senior Member

Joined: 01/09/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2127

Posted: 02:38pm 15 May 2010

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I think that everyone who buy these units should connect these units up as per the advertising blurb, and make a warranty claim when it blows up. This may then force the companies that sell these units to offer a more complete solution. They really are only good for solar, and in a batteryless system. The unit pictured in the link was labelled 300W, but the blurb stated as a 600W unit.

Gordon.

become more energy aware

grant3
Newbie

Joined: 15/05/2010
Location:
Posts: 2

Posted: 10:30pm 15 May 2010

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KarlJ said I'm as friendly as they get but fair go

This has been covered about 10 dozen times
do a freakin search...

In short its no-good

Well thanks for the nice feedback on my first post on this forum. Great welcome.

I spent over an hour trying to search topics on this forum and I didn't find the same type of setup. I must not know the correct terms to search. If there's an admin on this forum please delete my account as I no longer wish to be on these forums.

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If it's such a common question, I recommend making a sticky thread.Edited by grant3 2010-05-17

GreenD88

Senior Member

Joined: 19/05/2009
Location: United States
Posts: 104

Posted: 11:06pm 15 May 2010

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KarlJ that was rude. You could have politely told him to do a search and if you don't want to answer the question then don't post. As the saying goes If you don't have something nice to say then don't say anything. Grant3 welcome to the forums and don't let one guy turn you off to this great community. Edited by GreenD88 2010-05-17

Licensed Master Plumber / EPA 608 Universal License / 410a Safety Certified / Medical Gas Brazer/Installer

GWatPE

Senior Member

Joined: 01/09/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2127

Posted: 12:25am 16 May 2010

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Hi grant,

I just put inverter into the search and came back with 448 hits on this forum.

I was a newby once, and the forum can be a bit daunting first time round.

I am swayed to thinking from your tentative question that you have little experience, either electrical, or electronic. You mention a first windmill build.

You give no indication where you are from, so I will assume a western world location with some rules with grids and electicals. Grid connection requires certificated installation to the grid, with a licensed electrician, and all the utility requirements being approved.

These small grid connect inverters pop up as an option for a windmill. The biggest problem with a small grid interactive inverter is maintaining the connection when the winds are variable. A multi kW inverter/windmill usually has enough inertia to power through the lulls. Not so with a <1kW system.

You will also be very dissappointed with the power output unless you live in a windy location with >5m/s average windspeeds. This would need to be proven with a wind distribution graph. My own windmills in a 3m/s average windspeed location produce only 1/10 the average power of a similarly rated solar system.

As you are new to all of this, I would suggest starting with the smallest battery connected system, and possibly start with some alternative lighting. Going grid connect without any experience will likely result in damaged equipment due to overvoltage, the first big storm that comes through, and no one is home to shut everything down.

Gordon.

become more energy aware

niall1

Senior Member

Joined: 20/11/2008
Location: Ireland
Posts: 331

Posted: 01:02am 16 May 2010

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Hi Gordon

i know the search engine is a great source off information but sometimes its nice to
get direct encouragement and advise from the older members of the forum

if we could just google windmills nobody would need a forum in the first place

that direct connection can often inspire newer members (newbies) and make them feel part of a group and possibly be a pivotable turning point ....but i know its a thin line

my avatar says i,m a senior member...nothing could be further than the truth in my case...i,ll always be a newbie of that i,m sure ....

maybe theres a case for an extra forum category here ? ...i,d like to live in there

but going back to the original reply ...telling a new member to do a freaking aka fu.king search on an engine doesent seem right somehow ...apologizes for the rant...

Edited by niall1 2010-05-17

niall

windlight
Guru

Joined: 03/03/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 331

Posted: 02:09am 16 May 2010

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The output from your motor will be AC single or three phase, one assumes here you are converting it with magnets on the rotor, it needs to be rectified to DC for battery charging.

I would not touch one of those inverters with a 10 foot pole, the blurb made for funny reading though, I especially liked the "how to install" Put female to the inverter first, make sure it is connected, then put male plug to the home power. I had visions of a mating ritual, Ok I will go wash my mind.

The idea of handling a potentially live male plug makes me cringe, for this reason alone they could never be used legally in OZ.

allanEdited by windlight 2010-05-17

"I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it" - (Act II, Scene IV).

GreenD88

Senior Member

Joined: 19/05/2009
Location: United States
Posts: 104

Posted: 02:48am 16 May 2010

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niall1 said Hi Gordon

i know the search engine is a great source off information but sometimes its nice to
get direct encouragement and advise from the older members of the forum

if we could just google windmills nobody would need a forum in the first place

that direct connection can often inspire newer members (newbies) and make them feel part of a group and possibly be a pivotable turning point ....but i know its a thin line

my avatar says i,m a senior member...nothing could be further than the truth in my case...i,ll always be a newbie of that i,m sure ....

Maybe Glenn could make a Newbies Section. Where questions like this could be asked without so much grief. A lot of Forum's have a section like that.

Licensed Master Plumber / EPA 608 Universal License / 410a Safety Certified / Medical Gas Brazer/Installer

VK4AYQ
Guru

Joined: 02/12/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 2539

Posted: 02:53am 16 May 2010

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Hi Grant

Welcome to the forum, it sounds like Karl fell out of bed on the wrong side of the bed this morning, he is a nice guy really but the move to Perth has given him a bit of time lag.

As Gordon mentioned in previous post it is wise to do a bit of learning before jumping into power mains situations, and yes we all had to do it, so ask questions as the only silly question is the one not asked.

A bit more info on your setup of the mill would help and a little on your aims and objectives.

Also a bit of your background will help us to understand where you are coming from in the electrical knowledge department.

Have you got the mill up and running yet if so what voltage does it produce and what amps will it do?

Then we can give you some help.

Remember there is more than one way to skin a cat / Rabbit if you are a cat lover.

So don't give up on the Forum, remember your first beer, the first taste was a bit bitter but it got better from there.

All the best

Bob

By the way I also have problems with the search engine because I don't know the exact words to put in or don't spell the properly so you arn't Robinson Crusoe there

Foolin Around

KarlJ

Guru

Joined: 19/05/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 1178

Posted: 02:23pm 16 May 2010

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OK OK
i get it, a bit blunt.
448 hits from the search is more than my guess on 10 dozen times.

GTI is a big learning curve even the "pros" get it very wrong and most are either troublesome or just dont work.

First up, spend 12 months gathering wind data.
I did this but not in exactly the location of my mill.
this was a mistake as although the results were indicative enough for me to bite the bullet, they were in now way accurate.

In my opinion you need a minimum average windspeed of 4.5m/s to be even close to viable.

In most cases you need to have a genuine interest in wind as it requires love and care as opposed to the install and forget you get with panels.

Again apoligies for being blunt

Luck favours the well prepared

windman1000
Regular Member

Joined: 21/06/2009
Location: United States
Posts: 91

Posted: 02:44am 17 May 2010

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KarlJ
You Have Chased Me Off This Site Do To Your Dumb Replys And To Do This To A NNNEEEWWW Guy

I Have read Lots Of Pretty Negetive Stuff About The Ebay Grid Ties , They Are Cheap And They Work Well With Wind Generators.

Edited by windman1000 2010-05-18

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