Keep Turning - Skystream 3.7 Wind Turbine Energy Network: Recent Comments

Comment on Battery Charging with Skystreams Forum

Scott Ditter — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:35:29 GMT

Update: I now have the updated SMA inverters (SI2224 x 2) with the SMA smartload (SL6000). The smartload is basically a diversion load controller with 6kW of load dump resistors using a PWM to continuously vary the load applied to keep the battery volts at the right level. The inverter charger (SI2224) tells the smartload how much load is required by varying the frequency of the AC supply. I have solar too which is also controlled via frequency change, and have things setup so that the solar contribution is derated (cut out) first, progressively from 51 to 52 Hz and then the smartload starts sinking power if the frequency goes up beyond 52Hz. This way I dont have the smartload having to sink power from the solar as well as the wind since the solar controller can manage that. By the way, our nominal frequency of AC supply here in Australia is 50Hz, for the US add 10Hz to all figures.

This setup is so far working really well, the batteries are now performing really well and have recovered significantly in performance from where they were for the first two years of their life ! Even in sudden wind gusts (and therefore power surges from the skystream) the battery volts are being well regulated and battery equalisation works too.

regards,
Scott.

Comment on Skyview/Zigbee Remotes Forum

Scott Ditter — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:20:12 GMT

Is this to solve to lockup problems ? I think its probably in the zigbee hardware since you cant fix it by restarting the Skyview software so dont think writing your own capture software will help. OR did you ask this for another reason ?

BTW I now have a new marine turbine with the updated Zigbee box with teh small wire antenna in it, will see if that behaves differently.

rgds,
Scott.

Comment on Skystream Installation: Karen, Lindsey, Ohio

Johny English — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:36:21 GMT

Scott,

Was there a dedicated Kwhr meter installed on both units? For very short money you can but a meter socket and utility style meter to keep track of production. http://www.hialeahmeter.com/eawame.html
And yes Tom is right you can not just compare one years usage with another and expect relistic results, that just smoke and mirrors - you need a meter to track this and normally the Skystream skybview is not reliable enough especially if you have an inverter failure, all of your production info is gone.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ACTUAL PRODUCTION HISTORY THAT SHOWS 4800 KWH PER YEAR?

Comment on Deep Freeze... Skystream & Ice.

Wouter — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 03:48:53 GMT

I have a skystream 3.7 that seems to put itself in Anemometer mode. I have been able to get it out by reseting (rebooting after shutting the turbine off for > 10 minutes) in the past, but that doesn't work anymore.

Any suggestions from anyone?

Thanks,

Wouter

Comment on Skystream Installation: Karen, Lindsey, Ohio

monitor stands — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:31:47 GMT

Very useful info. Hope to see more posts soon!

Comment on Deep Freeze... Skystream & Ice.

Nova — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:23:21 GMT

was interested in finding out your actual cost on your skystream vs.. the return of electricity..we live on lake erie..which seems to always have lots of wind..as we looked into getting one last year ..however, our neighbours complained that it would be a eye sore..however,,now perhaps the situation has changed.

Nova,
http://venomancer.co.cc

Comment on Battery Charging with Skystreams Forum

Ara Kotare — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 07:26:54 GMT

Hi Scott,

I have an off-grid 48V system controlled via a Sunny Island 5048 and supplied by a Sunny Boy managing 1.6kw of PV and a Skystream. Like you we are in a windy area on the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin NZ. Both the Sunnyboy and Skystream are AC connected. Like you we had problems of over-voltage and needed close monitoring to prevent shutdowns. Like you we connected a load dump into the HWS but this was very clunky and was very harsh for battery management. We now have installed a SMA smart load and evrything is operating very smoothly. It is unfortunately the only really manageable option we cold come up with - it works beautifully trickling off every extra watt but the system is expensive. In addition you neeed to ensure you have at least six kW attached to the smart load - it will never need to use it but SMA absolutly insists that the resistanc is mandatory if they are to honour their guarantee.

Comment on Looking for answers.

Tom Gallery — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:10:50 GMT

Sure. Step it up to 480 or 960, run aluminum wire underground (just like the utility companies do), step it back down and hook to your breaker. You'd have to look at the tradeoff between the transformer cost and the wire cost. Aluminum wire needs to be 2 sizes bigger than copper (8 ga Al = 6 ga copper) for the same power loss. Even with the gage change, it costs less than half of copper. I'm guessing you'll need 1/0 or 2/0 Al.
A good windsite will pay back quickly.

Comment on JANES HOUSEHOLD SKYSTREAM kWh RECORD

Tom Gallery — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:00:36 GMT

It depends on the quality of the wind. If it's very gusty, a 30-34 mph wind will have 40-50 mph gusts. The Skystream can sense these "ramp-ups" and shuts down for 5 minutes. I've seen them run continuously in 35-40 mph steady wind with no shutdowns. If there are obstructions 500-2000 ft upwind of the turbine, you will have unstable wind and shutdowns.

Comment on Customer Support Forum

Walt — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:20:13 GMT

OOPS I meant Sept 09