Question about Micro-Hydro Setups

Hello, I've grown an interest in hydroelectric lately. I've been reading a lot, looking at wiring diagrams, and looking at the different tech available today for hydro. One thing is confusing me about some systems with a dump/diversion load setup like this one. http://www.rockyhydro.com/images/microhydrosystem.jpg
I think I understand the concept of it, but what exactly is stopping the batteries from being over drained from the inverter load?

I've been struggle to find the answer, so I thought I'd see if anyone on here knows the answer. Any help is appreciated.

Hi Colin; Welcome to permies!

The inverter has a low voltage shut off, on most units it is user adjustable.

The inverter is user controlled. Most of us shut it off at night. We also monitor our battery state of charge.  

The inverter itself.  Most are designed to shut down when the battery voltage drops below a given level.  The better inverters have a programmable voltage cutoff.

Peter VanDerWal wrote:The inverter itself.  Most are designed to shut down when the battery voltage drops below a given level.  The better inverters have a programmable voltage cutoff.

Oh I did not know that. Thank you both very much for the info.

The inverter load draining your battery isn't just a micro-hydro question. Solar Panels/Wind/Hydro and any type of 'off-grid' solutions have the same problem.
And in truth they will drain your battery, your battery will go from 100% full to 50% and then down to 0% and it might even kill your battery.

If you are onsite this is when you would turn on your generator, or tell everyone to stop using the microwave, electronics, unplug devices. You meat in your fridge might go bad, etc.

SO the real solution is to size your system properly. So that your don't have to watch your meat in your fridge go bad.