Anyone using micro hydro power?

[MountainDon]

Here's an interesting head/flow power calculator

http://www.nooutage.com/hydroele.htm

[glenn kangiser]

Good points, Don.  A lot of the success/failure of this project can be determined by numbers-- With head and available flow info you can calculate the possible available power.

Here is a simple weir that can be made from plywood to calculate gallons flow per minute.  I used one when drilling wells to estimate water flow.

http://www.lmnoeng.com/Weirs/vweir.htm

[BiggKidd]

Glenn, Don,

  First I understand about needing ACCURATE flow #s. I can only estimate until I can get out there With some decent tools and spend some time watching / testing. I know from what I have seen recently that we are also going to have to watch out and build with storm flow in mind. I learn a little more each time we go up. I have tried using my Garmin GPS to get elevations but for some reason it just isn't working right there. Works fine here and everywhere I have tried it. Almost like a giant Iron plate is under our property. So I have to do it the old way & clear lines of sight and use a transit to get the #s. I'm sorry to say I just haven't had the time. Going off the cuff with a life time of working evevations I would estimate at least 50 feet of rise and a flow during normal times of at least 5 gal. a min. A lot more I expect but I have not been able to test it yet. I don't have any experiance with water flow or flow rates so I can't make an educated guess about this. This was one of the primary reasons I built the dam. I needed it for water storage also but once I can measure the flow coming over the top I will know a lot more.

Dont forget I also have a Big creek no head to speak of but huge amounts of water. So I realy have two chances at this. A high head low flow and a low head high flow.

I do appreciate being able to bounce my silly ideas around with you guys. When I talk with the people I know most of them just look confused. Don't get me wrong they are not dumb, just don't have any idea about this type thing. Thats not saying I know any more.

Thanks
Larry 

[MountainDon]

Hmmm.

Entering 50 ft head and 5 gpm flow into that calculator at
http://www.nooutage.com/hydroele.htm
comes up with a potential 18 watts power output. Unless that was generated right beside the point of use (the electrical use) it wouldn't do you much good.

[glenn kangiser]

Larry, I think with the low head situation at least on the big creek, you would be better off to go with a water wheel.

Efficiency won't matter so much if you have enough brute force.

http://ipc6.permaculturewest.org/ch08/shannon/index.html

If you do one of these don't forget safety screens etc, to prevent animals and children from running through them and ending the fun.

[BiggKidd]

Don, Glenn,

Thanks for the input and links. I was planning to work on it this weekend but it looks like other things are going to grab my time. I would like to atleast fix the dam but there is only so much time.

Larry

[NM_Shooter]

Larry,

I have to guess that you have more than 5gpm flow, as that is pretty wimpy.  That is about the equivalent of a garden hose output at roughly 23psi.

Build your dam / diverter into a small pipe and measure the flow.....

18W could be easily had with a fairly cheap solar panel.  I bought a 53W panel a few years ago for $275.

-f-

[glenn kangiser]

A useful page on PM motor as generators.  http://www.reuk.co.uk/Ametek-PM-Motors.htm

[glenn kangiser]

Useful info from Backwoods Solar - Using DC and AC

I went the AC 2 inverters on all the time route -- others may want to use less.

http://www.backwoodssolar.com/newsletter/articles.htm

[BiggKidd]

Hey Glenn

Thanks for the links its been a while since I have been over to backwoods. Bunch of good info.

Larry

[glenn kangiser]

I need to keep refreshing too - brain leaks.

[MountainDon]

I find useful info there at backwoods, and a few products I haven't seen before, BUT they pretty much always seem to charge more than the place across the river from me.

[Redoverfarm]

They are a good place of reference but a little too steep for me.  I then go looking for the dealers and price breaks on their products.

[glenn kangiser]

I don't think I ever bought from them - I nearly always shop.

[MountainDon]

My favorite is still Affordable Solar but I also have a good look around as well.

[glenn kangiser]

Check this out.  Note counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=CSvH7OjygYs&feature=related

other links

http://www.kansaswindpower.net/hydro%20electric.htm

http://h-hydro.com/