[RE-wrenches] Bergey Excel 1 wind generator issues

[All Solar, Inc.]

Ray, 
Are you referring to Midnite's wind turbine control box, which is what comes with the Bergey?
It does not include any diversion for slowing the turbine. I questioned why they did not use the clipper, but did not really get an answer. We have installed 2 of the Excel 1s in the last 6 months with no problems.  I also believe the clipper would take care of it, just have no experience with it yet.  

Jeremy Rodriguez,
President

All Solar, Inc. 
1463 M
Penrose Colorado 81240
719-372-3808 office
719-372-3804 fax
www.asolarelectric.com

Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand!

> On Feb 19, 2014, at 2:27 PM, Ray Walters <ray at solarray.com> wrote:
> 
> We've done some research on this, as we're doing an XL.1 project at 12 v right now.  
> I don't have first hand experience with the Clipper yet, but I have over a decade of XL.1 experience and many years with Midnite's electronics.  The Clipper is exactly what is needed.  It also moves the rectifier down to the ground, and offers a braking disconnect system to shut the turbine down completely if needed.  
> The Classic by itself isn't really controlling the turbine speed, and counting on the XL,1 mechanical governing design by itself is definitely full hardy.
> Unfortunately, Bergey's new staff is not really up to full speed yet on what is needed to make their turbines work long term.  At least they've abandoned the old XL.1 controller.  Hopefully the turbine itself hasn't changed too much; I've seen them survive some very high speed winds and direct lightning strikes.
> R.Ray Walters
> CTO, Solarray, Inc
> Nabcep Certified PV Installer, 
> Licensed Master Electrician
> Solar Design Engineer
> 303 505-8760
> On 2/19/2014 1:39 PM, Chris Daum wrote:
>> Hello Wrenches:
>>  
>> We have a customer who's got one of the Excel One wind gennies, and he's burnt up two Classic controllers (overvoltage....the 2nd time it got over 400V before it burnt up).  Bergey's been dragging their feet as to why this is happening; they're saying it's probably an "upslope site" where the RPM just gets too high, among other things.  Metering tests prove that the stator is OK.
>>  
>> They also said that Midnite Solar has a 'clipper' to prevent overvoltage; do any of you have any experience with this device?  It's ~$1200, and of course there is no mention of this on Bergey's web site or in their XL.1 manual.
>>  
>> I have several other XL.1s in the general area, but they are on their old 24V controller.  So I am looking for more information on anyone who's using this 'clipper'.
>>  
>> Please feel free to contact me off             list.
>>  
>> Thanks!
>>  
>> Chris Daum
>> Oasis Montana Inc.
>> 406-777-4309
>>  
>> 
>> 
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