[RE-wrenches] Converter from 230VAC to 12VDC

[Tyrone Houck]

Not sure how shipping would work but may make sense to replace the hydro
with a new 12v nominal DC hydro and dumpload combo or a rectifier circuit
of some kind..Jerry at www.APMhydro.com(based in southern Oregon) is an
excellent resource and may have a solution for you. Best of luck!

Tyrone Houck
Oregon Solarworks LLC
CCB #204937 LRT #076
541-787-1366
tyrone at oregonsolarworks.com



On Wed, Apr 23, 2025, 5:13 PM Jay via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> It doesn’t work like that.
>
> A turbine will run at what’s called wild voltage.
>
> The output of the motor say 230v 50hz would only be 230/50 if the water
> was capable of spinning the motor at the correct speed under the load
> required which is all but impossible to maintain.
>
>
> Less water pressure means less rpm means less hz and volts.
> Diameter of the runner/wheel combined with pressure determines the speed
> which determines hz/volts.
>
> More load slows down the wheel which lowers hz and volts.
>
> This is why it’s hard to run a AC direct hydro and most are converted to
> dc via bridge rectifier which has a number of different options on how to
> step it down to the battery voltage.
>
> And then depending on the voltage range of the motor, you might have to
> install dump loads vs a mppt controller for example. As the motor depending
> on lots of variables could have a huge voltage range, 2-4x voc vs normal
> operating voltage if the motor goes unloaded.
>
>
> Sometimes just with old solar stuff, it might be better to replace with a
> newer unit that’s easier to use.
>
> Hydros are way more complex than PV.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Apr 23, 2025, at 5:42 PM, Jerry Shafer <jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> 
>
> Wrenches, would a outback E inverter, they are 50 hz 230 vac get a 2512E
> Fun times
>
> On Wed, Apr 23, 2025, 2:44 PM jay via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> HI Chris,
>>
>> It highly unlikely it’s 230v 50 hz exactly as it’s going to be related to
>> head and flow and the type of turbine.
>> It also is very likely a 3 phase motor.
>> Depending on the exact motor and turbine etc, the VOC vs working range
>> can  be 2X+
>> Hz also changes with rpm which is directly related to flow, height and
>> load.
>> With Iota’s you generally have to have a dump load to keep the hydro
>> working, as again depends on the type of hydro and motor you don’t want to
>> let it go VOC as the RPM just goes through the roof which would happen if
>> the battery is full and the iota is at its charge set point.
>>
>> You are going to need more info to be able to figure out which is the
>> best way to convert it.
>> With more info I can help you get the right parts.
>>
>> Ive done a number of hydros in Ecuador.
>>
>> jay
>>
>>
>>
>> On Apr 23, 2025, at 1:55 PM, Chris Daum via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hey folks:
>>
>> I’m trying to assist a friend with a defunct hydro system in Ecuador;
>> actually, the hydro system is the only thing working.  It’s (I assume
>> unrectified) output is 230VAC 50 htz and about ~500W,  and they want to
>> step it down for charging a 12V battery bank.  I’ve tried to get them to
>> look at other voltages but a lot of their loads are 12V, and this IS a very
>> primitive system.  It’s in a rainforest so there is no solar resource to
>> speak of.  They will be running some 120VAC 60 htz loads (like computers
>> and phone chargers) but they already have a bunch of DC led lights in place.
>>   It gets dark there at 6 pm every night and the forest is so dense,
>> solar is not an option.
>>
>> Do you know of anyone that offers or can manufacture such a converter?  This
>> is for a school and clinic that gets displaced from weather, equipment
>> failures and mercenaries.
>>
>> Feel free to contact me off list.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Chris Daum
>> Oasis Montana Inc.
>> 406-777-4309 or 4321
>> 406-777-4309 fax
>> www.oasismontana.com
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