Hydro-Stream Engine [RE-wrenches]

[Gary Higbee, Solutions from the Land]

Hi wrenches,

Thanks so far for the excellent hydro input! I'll likely go with Bob-O's AL
4/0-4/0-2/0 wire. This sounds like a simple and most-economical solution for
this particular installation. When I run into longer-run installations I'll
keep the transformers and converters in mind.

Bob-O, you asked what I meant about "low-head." In that case this is a
previous  4-nozzle install with about 25 feet of head and a few hundred gpm.
I'll play with both the air gap and the wiring, as you suggested.
Interesting that "backing off" on the wiring configuration may yield more
power (if I got that right).

The installation I'm starting on (my own place, at long last) is 100 feet of
head (which I'd call medium-head--it's relative, I know!)and I'll probably
"borrow" 75-100gpm, with about 1300 feet of run. My impression is that this
will likely about max out the Stream Engine anyway, so I'm hesitant to pay
for big pipe (and am considering something like 1/3 4" and 2/3 3"--any
comments?). What's the most power any of you have seen out of one of these
(I've heard 700-800 watts, and then I see 1000 + on ES&D's web site).

This does bring up another question. I see that the HP #76 "Microhydro
Learning Experience" installation uses ABS pipe. Any comments about using
the less expensive non-pressure-rated material, at least for the first part
of a run. I've got 600 or so feet of run with only a few psi before a big
drop. I'm considering using DWV pipe for this part of the run, and something
like 160-class for the rest. Most of the pipe will be burried (and I wish I
could rent a trencher locally that's wider than 4"!).

Several of you are interested in my edited Stream Engine adjustment
procedure. Well I'll throw it out there for those who are interested. I'm
sure you'll come up with some additional edits. I'll post it in a couple
days.

Thanks!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
     Gary Higbee  (ghigbee at efn.org)
             (541)607-1818
    Solutions from the Land--solar,
  wind, and hydro site analysis, design,
            and installation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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