William West

Thanks everyone for the info!

One more question. I have a little piped spring nearby with about 6 gal/min flow would it be possible to hook up a DC turbine to this and hook right up to an extension cord? I know its probably a bit more complicated, but would that work for just lights, charging a phone?

So essentially I can hook it up to my current charge controller? I just need to make sure battery doesn't overcharge...which I haven't gotten close to even in mid summer. I don't think hydro will add much power, but I would like to start experimenting.
Does anyone have a rectifier they reccomend? Where do I add it in the system? Before inverter? I have 2 bus bars for the pos/neg with plenty of space. Is that the spot?

So I have a 4 battery, 4 panel 1800w 24 volt solar system currently. Works great in the summer, really sucks in the winter.
I have a creek, good head and flow.
Is there a simple way to connect a cheap turbine like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Motenergy-ME1511-Micro-Hydro-Generator-Turgo-Wheel-12-24-Volt-600-Watts-50-Amp-/201850992159?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

Directly into my current system? I know I need a dump load, can that just be a fan or heater constantly running in my shop?

Looking for the simplest solution possible. Want to take advantage of the micro hydro power i have without setting up a separate or complicated system if possible.

@thomas rubino

Thank you very much for the thoughtful and informative reply!

Everything makes sense too me regarding this set up. I've taken a look at Harris Hydro's site. I'm assuming you would recommend their 4 nozzle system for my situation?

What is a ballast dump? looked around online, but not exactly sure about this component.

Best,
William

Throughout the year I checked the flow of the mountain stream and doesnt lose much of the flow it has during its peak run off, even in the height of summer. The spring wells do lose about 20-30% of their flow though.

I realize this could fluctuate, but the stream does seem to be fairly constant. I wouldn't want to dam it up if not totally necessary. Something low impact would be ideal.

At the moment Ive been looking into starting with one of the power spout Pelton turbines.

As i mentioned a small water heater and lights would be the basic setup Id like to have from hydro.

Hello all!

My first post and here to talk micro hydro plans and options

I purchased some property in the PNW this year with 2 spring wells and a very heavy running creek that has been flowing steadily all year. I am up at around 1800ft. The creek has approx 50-75ft of head running from one side of my property to the other. There are also some small 3-5 ft waterfalls along the run.

Flow:
spring wells- 2-4 gpm depending on time of year, coming out of a 2 inch pipe on the highest elevation of property
creek- not sure of approx gpm. It is heavy... 10-15ft wide x 1-3 ft deep channel. Nov-Apr it is a torrential rush of water... thousands of gallons of water are rushing by on my property per minute. May-Oct this decreases by 20-30%

I set up a small solar system this year with 4 heavy duty, sealed gel, 12 Volt battery bank that I got from a solar friend via a forest service surplus. I have to dig up the name and brand, but they are apparently 10+ year lifespan, tough batteries. I am hoping I can use these batteries for my solar and eventual hydro set up simultaneously

There is power run to the property from an old cabin that is no longer there. I could possibly get it hooked up, but the cost is outrageous with the county due to issues with previous owner and foundation placement, and more than that I just want to be completely off grid for power consumption. I may set it up as a back up one day... but not anytime soon.

SO...Ive been digging around for a few months and seeing tons of conflicting opinions online about micro hydro. Hopefully you guys can help me sort through the options and help to figure out an efficient system based on my lands potential

I am a sculptor and furniture maker and have worked off generators for my saws and welders before. I would ideally like to run these off hydro, but I realize it may be too much to ask for a small system.
Here is a list of my ideal power set up from hydro

-100-200W of LED lighting -mostly at night, plenty of natural light during the day
-TV, projector, DVDs
-50W guitar amplifier -small music shows
-tankless hot water heater
-small electric heater for an 8'Wx 15'L x 7'H tiny home  -only used in extreme cold, emergency. we have a wood stove for heating as well.
-small refrigerator
-small washer/dryer
-Chop Saw, Palm Sanders, 10 Amp Table saw
-20 Amp Welder
-220V

Budget-$2000-$5000 upfront for hydro system/power efficient appliances and tools

I can do without A LOT of these items, but this is my ideal off grid list. Basics are, lighting, hot water, hand power tools for work and projects around the land.

If i can run part of this off the spring wells then it will be much closer to my homesite. If I use the creek it is 100ft-500ft away from my homesite, depending on where the turbine ends up/battery location, etc.

Lastly, I know in a hydro system there need to be an output for the extra power generated once the batteries are full, a fan, heater, etc. I was daydreaming about a water heater that I could place in a diverted pool of the stream for a poor mans hot spring...  any thoughts on the feasibility of this?

Thanks ahead of time for your thoughts and input on my situation and requirements. I hope this is enough info to get a dialogue going!

Happy New Year and to a productive and peaceful 2017!