ECLECTIC ENERGY D400 User Manual Download Page 16

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Performance and expectations

The D400 is extremely efficient by design, making it the most powerful and productive
wind generator of its rotor size currently available.

The D400 should perform in line with, or exceed, the values given in the output graph.
When verifying system performance, it is important that wind speed measurements are
taken at the same height as the turbine - do not rely on the wind speed reading of a mast
head anenometer, it can be TWICE the speed of the wind at the turbine.

Note that the batteries should be at least 40% discharged.
Note also that if a regulator is installed as part of the system, dumped output will not be
seen by shunt-sensed battery monitors.

Should outputs be well below expectations, first suspect turbulence in the wind stream.
Turbulence at a given site can be specific to a particular wind direction where it is caused
by an obstruction either up or downwind of the turbine. When the wind direction changes,
and the obstruction is no longer in line with the turbine, outputs may return to expected
levels. If the turbulent wind stream is not from the prevailing wind direction, this may not
be important. Alternatively, the D400 could be re-sited or raised in height.

If poor output cannot be attributed to site conditions, re-check the whole installation
against the wiring diagram and also look for poor or loose connections.

Check that the relevant connection from your D400 to the batteries is made to the non-
battery side of the battery monitor shunt. If the connections are made direct to the battery
terminals, bypassing the shunt, the ship’s battery monitor will not be able to read the
D400’s output.

Note, where batteries are in a good state of charge, power diverted by the regulator to
the dump resistors will not be seen by the battery monitor.

Finally, ensure that the battery bank is in good condition. Check individual battery
terminal voltages within the bank. Defective cells within a battery bank are a common
cause of poor charging performance.

Note that there is a short period of ‘running in’ with a new wind turbine. The bearings and
shaft seals of a new machine take 40 – 50 hours of operation before mechanical friction
falls to its design level. As a result, your D400 may seem a little slow to respond in light
winds until this ‘running in’ period has passed.

Before deciding that your D400 is faulty, please work through the troubleshooting
guide on page 16. In our experience the vast majority of problems reported prove to be
faults in the installation rather than a problem with the turbine itself.

Please feel free to contact your dealer or Eclectic Energy Ltd. if you require additional
advice or guidance.

Summary of Contents for D400

Page 1: ...tle Here Wind Generator D400 Serial Number _______________ Voltage _____________________ USER S MANUAL ...

Page 2: ...voltages Caution must be exercised at all times to avoid electric shocks Always observe correct polarity when connecting D400 to an electrical circuit Reverse polarity connection will result in damage to the wind generator The D400 must be appropriately fused at all times Never approach the path of the blades when the machine is operating as severe personal injury could result Always stop the mach...

Page 3: ... please contact your authorised dealer or Eclectic Energy Ltd for further clarification Contents Safety issues 1 Introduction 2 Features of the D400 3 Dimensions 4 Output 4 Checklist parts tools etc 5 Principles of wind energy 5 Installation Boats 6 Terrestrial mounting 7 Guyed towers 7 Freestanding towers 8 Roof mounting 8 Assembling the D400 9 10 Electrical connections 1 1 Regulation 1 1 Stoppin...

Page 4: ...ce The alternator and yaw shafts are precision ground from 316 grade stainless steel and the D400 s body is a robust aluminium alloy casting The bearings are high quality and generously sized and are protected by twin lipped radial shaft seals The tail is formed from aluminium sheet into a shallow S section in order to impart stiffness and prevent resonance All aluminium parts are etched alachrome...

Page 5: ...4 Dimensions output 700 mm Rated outputs 225 watts at 11 m s 400 watts at 16 5 m s All performance figures are indicative Actual outputs may vary E OE ...

Page 6: ... same process of convection also happens more locally for example differential rates of heating and cooling between land and sea producing the land and sea breezes which are most marked in the summer These streams of moving air also provide us with an inexhaustible if intermittent energy source A wind generator works by converting some of the kinetic energy in wind stream to electricity Air weighs...

Page 7: ...e firmly attached to the main tower at a point 200 300 mm below the lowest point of the blades The D400 is an inherently quiet and low vibration machine However certain applications may benefit from the introduction of anti vibration mounts under the main tower and bracing struts Note that on a yacht or boat no unsupported tower should exceed 2 5 metres in length The wind loading on the D400 s rot...

Page 8: ...r similar to a kite s tail to a pole and letting it fly at the proposed height of the turbine If the streamer flies straight the airflow is clear If the streamer flutters and spirals turbulence is present and you should consider an alternative site Mounting towers can be either guyed or free standing Free standing towers need to be very substantial and require either a screw pile or concrete found...

Page 9: ... the advantage of achieving additional height There is also often a localised increase in wind speed due to the compression effect of wind flowing over the ridge of the roof This is particularly true when the prevailing wind is at 90 º to the roofline Generally speaking a mount height of 1 5 to 2 5 metres above the ridge line will place the turbine in the best air flow It is important that the bui...

Page 10: ...is can cause the air rotor to run out of true An aluminium ring is provided to locate the blade roots securely The ring is partially inserted rounded side first into the moulded annular recess on the rear of the blade roots but not pushed fully home at this stage Offer rotor blade assembly up to rotor hub spacer and slide into place Ensure that the rotor assembly is fitted the right way round The ...

Page 11: ...aw shaft and check it for fit with the proposed mounting tower It is far preferable to discover it does not fit at this juncture rather than when you are actually attempting installation The standard tower liner has an outside diameter of 41 8 mm and is designed to slide into standard aluminium or steel scaffolding tubing with a nominal outside diameter of 48 mm and inside diameter of 42 mm The to...

Page 12: ... the D400 This is in addition to the fuses in the regulator output A blade type 50 amp rated fuse and holder is supplied with 12 volt machines A blade type 30 amp rated fuse and holder is supplied with 24 volt machines Note This fuse should be installed between the turbine and the regulator and where a braking switch is fitted the fuse should be installed between the switch and the turbine Regulat...

Page 13: ...lises a purpose designed highly efficient axial field ironless alternator This configuration delivers exceptional power outputs coupled with smooth low friction running These attributes are retained to some extent when the braking switch is applied and in consequence the electro magnetic braking effect is not as marked as with other machines of more conventional alternator design In certain condit...

Page 14: ...should not be used as they represent a shock hazard if they accidentally become disconnected If in doubt refer to a competent electrical engineer or the manufacturers The D400 should always be connected to a battery when in use otherwise a dangerously high voltage can be generated at the output cable Unregulated installation For fuse sizes see note on page 11 Single battery bank installation ...

Page 15: ...connected in the negative line When wiring the D400 to a system fitted with a shunt observe polarity and connect the appropriate D400 output cable to the non battery side of the shunt Again observing polarity the other D400 output cable should be made directly to the battery terminal The D400 s output will now pass through the shunt and the battery monitor will display a reading If the shunt is by...

Page 16: ... be attributed to site conditions re check the whole installation against the wiring diagram and also look for poor or loose connections Check that the relevant connection from your D400 to the batteries is made to the non battery side of the battery monitor shunt If the connections are made direct to the battery terminals bypassing the shunt the ship s battery monitor will not be able to read the...

Page 17: ...meter lead to the red output the black meter lead to the black output and spin the unit by hand On a 12 V D400 you should be able to produce 4 5 or even 6 volts depending on how hard you spin If you see voltages in this range then the D400 is probably OK If the D400 has an internal fault such as a missing phase in its alternator then you will not be able to produce more than one or two volts Assum...

Page 18: ...k all wiring looking for poor or broken connections Also check fuses If the fault remains bypass the regulator to rule out regulator malfunction as the cause of the problem Intermittent or occasional erratic yaw action this could be due to an intermittent electrical fault If you observe turbine output abruptly dropping out and then suddenly returning this could indicate a poor connection between t...

Page 19: ...d fitting a new hub centre Correct fit of nose cone check that the nose cone is not catching on the alternator housing Blade damage check that the blades are not damaged or chipped This may put the rotor out of balance Replace blades as necessary Tail bolts check tail bolts are tight Noises from the alternator rotate the blades slowly and listen at the alternator housing Grating or scraping noises...

Page 20: ...ss of 10 years Shaft seals may benefit from replacement after five years The yaw bearing brushes should not require replacement during the life of the machine The alternator itself is hermetically sealed against moisture ingress Routine maintenance would consist of periodically examining the blades for signs of damage Blades exhibiting chips or nicks should be replaced ...

Page 21: ... period of two years from date of purchase The unit should be returned in the first instance prepaid to your supplier Eclectic Energy Ltd Unit 22 Sherwood Networkcentre Sherwood Energy Village Ollerton Nottinghamshire United Kingdom NG22 9FD Damage caused by mishandling faulty installation or accident is not covered Eclectic Energy can not be liable for damage caused by the D400 in the event of ac...

Page 22: ...se AC with rectification Outputs direct current DC Annular high energy magnet rotors Encapsulated stator windings Voltages available DC 12V 24V 48V 72V AC 240V grid connect via inverter Materials Aluminium alloy housing hermetically sealed Alocrom 1200 corrosion protection and polyester powder coat 316 stainless steel shafts and A4 stainless fasteners EMI electromagnetic emissons C E compliant MCS...

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