Hydro-Stream Engine [RE-wrenches]

[Steve Willey, Backwoods Solar]

I hate to disagree with Bob-O, but I would not use aluminum underground to
carry DC.  We have had some where one conductor disappears after only 2 or 3
years.  Pinhole punctures would be required to do that, but it happens. It
may be worth extra to go copper (smaller gauge) or to put it in conduit.

Steve Willey   www.backwoodssolar.com
Backwoods Solar Electric Systems
From: Gary Higbee, Solutions from the Land <ghigbee at efn.org>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2000 8:16 PM
Subject: RE: Hydro-Stream Engine [RE-wrenches]


> 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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