SAFETY
Safety must always be your primary concern during the assembly, installation and operation of your
Chi-
nook 200
turbine. Always be aware of the risks involved with mechanical and electrical installation work. If
in doubt about any issue regarding your turbine, please seek further assistance before proceeding.
Mechanical Safety Hazards
•
The main rotor is the most obvious and serious mechanical safety risk. When the turbine is oper-
ating at its rated speed, the blades will be very difficult to see due to the rotation speed. Never
approach the turbine while it is operating. Always shut down the turbine by activating the stop
switch.
Ensure that the turbine is installed in a suitable location where nobody can ap-
proach or interfere with the path of the rotor blades.
•
Working with tools of any kind can be dangerous. Your
Chinook 200
turbine requires some basic
mechanical assembly with rudimentary hand tools. If you are in any doubt about how to use these
tools correctly, please seek advice from an experienced person.
•
Your
Chinook 200
turbine will inevitably be installed upon a guyed tower or building mount. This
may mean working at height. Always ensure that all personnel in the immediate vicinity are aware
of any lifting / hoisting operations that will be occurring. Check there are no loose components or
tools likely to fall and cause injury during the lifting operation. Where possible, all assembly work
should be completed at ground level.
•
Ensure that the batteries are disconnected during the installation procedure.
•
Twist the turbine output wires together (to create a short circuit) during the mechanical installation
process. This will prevent the turbine from ‘spinning up’ during the installation.
•
Never install the turbine upside down or in any orientation other than that depicted on the installa-
tion instructions.
•
Install your turbine during a calm day.
•
When performing routine inspection or maintenance, always stop the turbine by activating a stop
switch or by shorting out the turbine output once disconnected from the battery.
Electrical Safety Hazards
•
The
Chinook 200
generates rectified DC voltage. Even at these low voltages there are inherent
risks. Caution should always be used when connecting the
Chinook 200
to the electrical system.
•
Ensure that you have followed the wire-sizing chart to ensure that the correct size of wire has
been selected. If wire of insufficient size is used, heat will build up in the wires causing a potential
fire hazard. A properly sized fuse or circuit breaker should be used in the wires connected to the
battery. This will stop the risk of short circuit currents.
•
Batteries used in renewable energy systems can deliver a serious amount of current. A short cir-
cuit in the battery circuit can lead to hundreds of amps flowing through the battery cables. This
will cause a heat build up and ultimately an electrical fire. Batteries are also susceptible to ex-
plode when shorted. Always use insulated electrical tools when working on the battery’s electrical
connections.
•
Batteries are very heavy. Do not attempt to move batteries by yourself. Always use manual han-
dling tools and an assistant.
•
Always keep lead-acid batteries the correct way up. Do not allow the acidic electrolyte to spill or
come into contact with your skin or face. Always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions
when handling lead-acid batteries.
Please use common sense when installing and operating your turbine!
User Manual (Chinook 200) Rev D Final Page 5
