Combined solar and turbine controller

[SimonNZ]

Hi there

We're in the process of buying a Beneteau with solar panel and twin wind turbines.

Is there a common or recommended charge controller that can handle both, with battery state monitoring and the ability to dump load from the turbines when charge is reached?

I can find plenty of solutions, but none that can do both! I think I'm probably using the wrong search terms or in the wrong place.

cheers

 

[dlochner]

I doubt they exist as the systems are significantly different. A solar controller only needs to protect the battery, the wind controller needs to protect the battery and the wind turbine. While it may be possible to build one, I suspect the market is too small to invest R&D money into developing a good one.

This article may help:

Can I Use a Solar Charge Controller for a Wind Turbine? – Alternative Energy

altenergyoptions.com

 

[Bob J.]

Midnight Kid solar controller has an input for a turbine. Believe they refer to as a "clipper".

 

[SimonNZ]

Thanks.

It's interesting that there are few controllers like this given multiple sources often exist together. I've seen one controller with two types of input, and both charge and dump outputs, but that was an unknown from AliExpress - not something I'd put in a boat without testing somewhere first.

MidNite Kid comes in a marine version - MidNite Solar Inc. Renewable Energy System Electrical Components and E-Panels
They're also available where I am (NZ) so I might check that out.

The only real reason I want a single controller is for monitoring; the tidiness is a benefit but then it's a single point of failure too so there are pros and cons. It would be good to track the inputs from both, so we can figure out the best way to set things up once we know our permanent marina berth.

Once I know how the turbines are electrically connected it'll be easier. The output from the turbine controller might connect direct to the batteries but I don't know how this affects the charge level detection at the solar controller. I can monitor the current from turbine to battery and add that to my solution, but sometimes it's better to find the right kit rather than re-engineer it all!

 

[Bob J.]

The Midnight Kid has all the features you're looking for including the dump zone. Just be sure the version you purchase has the clipper software, mine did not.

 

[SimonNZ]

Good tip, thanks.

 

[rgranger]

Can I Use a Solar Charge Controller for a Wind Turbine? – Alternative Energy

altenergyoptions.com

Interesting read @dlochner!

Any idea what the purpose (reason) of the second half of this sentence from the artical is about?

The wind’s kinetic energy is captured by a wind turbine’s blades, and a wind turbine will always have three blades.

It seems very random and is placed in the article without explanation.

 

[SimonNZ]

Source: Why do wind turbines have three blades?

Having fewer blades reduces drag. But two-bladed turbines will wobble when they turn to face the wind. This is because their angular momentum in the vertical axis changes depending on whether the blades are vertical or horizontal. With three blades, the angular momentum stays constant because when one blade is up, the other two are pointing at an angle. So the turbine can rotate into the wind smoothly.

 

[rgranger]

Source: Why do wind turbines have three blades?

Having fewer blades reduces drag. But two-bladed turbines will wobble when they turn to face the wind. This is because their angular momentum in the vertical axis changes depending on whether the blades are vertical or horizontal. With three blades, the angular momentum stays constant because when one blade is up, the other two are pointing at an angle. So the turbine can rotate into the wind smoothly.

Thnx

That actually makes a lot of sense.