New Hydro Help!

Hello everyone! I've been lurking the permies forums for years and learned so much, and finally actually signed up! This forum is a wealth of knowledge and I really apreaciate the people here who have helped me, even though I was only lurking.
I need advice for an off grid power system at our place in the Klamath mountains. I really want to do micro hydro! I know that some advise is that solar is cheaper and easier these days, but I'm not so sure.  Il try to build some context first then ask questions.
   Our place is heavily forested, and mostly a west facing slope, there is solar potential and I have a small 200w setup, but the very cloudy winters often go a week or more without clear skies. Our creek is year round, and the previous owner had micro hydro with a 3 inch pipe that was broken when we arrived. I have attempted to do my homework. I have 100ft of head (drop) and around 50 gallons per minute, and then need to transmit the power about 250ft to the homesite. web calculators put this at 300-500 watts of potential electricity.
 Some sources tell me that this, with a battery bank, could get me into the desired 10kwh range that I'm hoping for. I want to run a relatively low power household.. Some laptops, lights, refrigerator, a few hundred watts for music equipment. No air conditioning or microwaves. I would like to run some shop tools, like my table saw which is 1600w.  I belive the 10kwh target will meet my needs. Also, my budget is small (of course)  I'd like to start as cheap as I can, but buy equipment that can grow in capacity.
Questions
Penstok: I hate pvc, I'd rather work with polytubing or pex. I'm thinking 2". I don't think I can bury it.
 The turbine:   They vary in price so much! Has anyone had experience with the cheap Chinese Pelton wheels from ebay?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/354453471062
200$ for 500w at 110v! There are many more in the 200$ range on eBay. This compared to the water buddy or a Harris, which are hard to find anyway, and cost much more. The US made ones are all like 2k$.
Batteries: If I have 300w or more, continuous and year round, how much storage do I really need? Like if I want to spend the day using tools, I know I need to supply the peak load,  but will a few hundred AH be enough? Perhaps I start with 2 100ah batteries at 24v and get more later? do any woodworkers care to state how many AH they need to get though a day?
Transmission: my Pelton will be downhill from the house, 250ish ft away. Some peltons are 110v..send that uphil and step it down?
Equipment : charge controller with dumpload and over/undercharge protection , batteries, Inverter in the 2-3kw range. Circuit breaker. Any brand recommendations, especially money saving options appreciated. Finding the right equipment at a good price is hard to navigate, there are so many options that my eyes glaze over.
Adding solar: a charge controller with multiple inputs that could also take a solar array would be great, but perhaps I don't need it? Some sources say 500w of hydro is plenty for an efficient house. Thoughts?

Thank you for reading and for any advice!

Net Power = 1/5 * system efficiency * Head * Flow
Net Power = 1/5 * 50% * 100ft * 50gpm
Net Power = 50% * 1000W
Net Power = 500W
Daily Production = 500W * 24hrs = 12KWHr/day

Typical micro hydro system efficiency numbers:
Penstock (pipeline) efficiency = 90%
Nozzle and runner efficiency = 80%
Permanent-magnet alternator efficiency = 90%
Wiring and control efficiency = 80%
0.90 × 0.80 × 0.85 × 0.85 = 0.52 aka 50% efficiency

By using flexible piping vs steel pipes your efficency will take a nose dive. The "cheaper" equipment from ebay might not have the best efficiency.  

Turbine = 750W
Wire = #10 for 250ft
Charge Controller =
Dumpload = 750W
Battery = Daily Production/Usuage = 12,000WHr = 24V * 500AH
Inverter = 1/4 * Battery = 3,000W

Wow that is so concise and helpful!  Thank you! It has been hard to put that much together just by searching google. I'm going to try to make a parts list and diagram and will share it here. I would still love some equipment reviews if anyone has thoughts on that. And any other insights

One thing I do when trying to visualize a setup… really any setup… is to convert my needs into mechanical hp to get an idea on how “powerful” something is.

In your you are looking for 10,000 watts or 10 kw. At 750 watts per hp, you would need the equivalent of a 14 hp gas engine running all the time.

That is a lot because it spins at 3600 rpm, a water turbine spins at 100 to 500 rpm roughly. That means you would need considerable flow and diameter to get what you want.

You could switch to a Kaplan Turbine and up your efficiency too

I trust Missouri Wind and Solar (and Hydro). So I would give them a call/email and see what thoughts they have.

Intake Weir/Dam =
Intake Screen = Coanda
$1200 Pipe (250ft) = 3inch PVC
$1000 Stainless Steel Pelton/Turgo-Runner with 2-Nozzle = suitable for Head of 100ft and a Flow of 50gpm
$500-$1,000 Generator = Generator
$50 AC to DC Rectifier = 90A and up to 1,000V
$550 Charge Controller =Outback / Midnite charge controller
$40 Relay Switch for Dumpload = Relay Switch
$50 Dumpload = 1000W or optional 2*Water Heater Element
$500-$2,000 optional All-N-One = Midnite Classic or  PWM charge controller
$2,000 Battery = 4* AMG Batteries
$1,000 Inverter = Midnite Inverter/Charger with Solar MPPT All-N-One
$500-$1000 Wire = #4 (24V @ 250ft) or  #10 (120v @ 250ft)

These guys are well known:
https://microhydropower.com/stream-engine/
https://www.harrismicrohydro.com/pricing.html

Howdy,

I have been off grid with home built micro hydro for 40+ years. My system is about 1000' of 2" black pvc. Most of the original piping is still in place, on the ground. The only burying of the pipe is what is now covered with forest debris, needles, etc.

I have 350' of head. I run a leece-neville truck alternator, 30V@20amps. My system is 24volts, Outback charge control and inverter, lead acid batteries. I have solar also but my hydro is able to run 24/7/365.
I have freezer,refridge,arc welder, tablesaw, thickness planer, air compressor, wash machine, vaccum cleaner, etc. typical household.  

We are lucky here in southern oregon because of Jerry at Alternative Power and Machine, Grants Pass.  He has become a good friend and has even made house calls to my rural mtn. property.

https://apmhydro.com/

When it comes to building a micro hydro, for me,  I would try and get my system set-up, built etc... with equipment that can be serviced locally, from a reliable dealer/merchant, someone who will be there to help with system problems, upgrades in the future.  

I did put my system together before I met Jerry.  He has always been available to talk with me.  There are photos of some of my system here on permies.  

Having a working micro-hydro to me is "MAGIC".  All I have to do is "keep the water running" maintenance.

Good Luck

"Adding solar: a charge controller with multiple inputs that could also take a solar array would be great, but perhaps I don't need it? Some sources say 500w of hydro is plenty for an efficient house. Thoughts?"

Howdy,

Having solar allows a person some down time on the hydro unit/pipeline/dam maintenance. Once you have micro hydro elec. installed  (inverters, charge controllers, batteries, wiring), solar panels are/can be affordable.  I feel I can go away from here in spring/summer and solar lets my home just hum along.



And yes there is maintenance...

Thank you everyone! I am working on my parts list. I want to announce here that Harris Hydro is retired and no longer in business., I just spoke with him. Ive been hearing about them for a long time, its to bad for me that I missed the opportunity to work with them, because we live in the same region.

howdy,

LoPower Engineering
Harris Hydro
Hydro-Power for Home Use

About Us:

The Harris Hydroelectric Permanent Magnet Turbine was manufactured by Lo Power Engineering . The original turbine was developed by Don Harris more than 26 years ago. The permanent magnet turbine was designed and introduced in 2000. The PM turbine was born of a desire to improve efficiency and simplify maintenance.

The Harris Hydro Turbine is now owned by APM Hydro, located in Grants Pass Oregon.

We like being able to help people make their own power if they have suitable conditions. The Harris Hydro has been sold to customers throughout the USA and internationally (South America, Central America, Russia, France, UK, New Zealand, and Canada).