Installation manual

© 2014 EcoInnovation Ltd (NZ) Page 102
Purging the pipe
 Allow pipe to run and purge of any air bubbles (this can take a few hours). Keep
checking the pressure gauge until it reaches a steady reading. It may help to close the
turbine valves and allow air to escape upwards to the intake for a few hours while you
check the pipe for high spots and adjust its gradient to remove airlocks.
 While it is purging, walk the pipe and lift sections (it
will feel light) to locate any air locks and fit riser vents
as required. You can often hear airlocks if you put
your ear to the pipe. Small stainless screws (as
shown) and marked with red tape can be drilled into
the pipe (at air locks) and left to weep, in this way air
can get out but very little water will be lost.
 While it is purging check the pipe line and turbine
fittings for leaks, and remedy as required. If outside
small water drips will often stop by themselves after a few days.
Operating checks (with pipe purged)
 Check that the intake has surplus overflow water. If not then you may need to close
some valve(s) or fit smaller jets before you can operate continuously.
 If your system has no MPPT regulator then make sure that the battery is connected and
the fuses are in place, ready for the turbine to connect. Then close the turbine breaker.
 If using an MPPT controller, check that the Voc is less than its maximum voltage rating.
If it is then close the breaker. If not then you will need to adjust the alternator voltage -
see 8.4.3 for the description of how to pack the rotor.
 Check for current flow to the load.
 Check that the MPPT controller locates the correct maximum power point. It will not do
so if the batteries are full, so ensure there is a load on the system. The MPPT display
should read “Bulk”, if it reads “Float” then the turbine is not running at full power.
 Once the full output has been obtained, check that the circuit breakers ratings are 25%
over the working current(s) in their circuits.
 If no MPPT controller is fitted you may need to manually optimise the turbine to locate
the maximum power point (see section 8.4.3).
 When the battery is sufficiently charged, check that the PWM diversion controllers are
working. Or if applicable check that any diversion loads fitted to the MPPT auxiliary
relays are working.
 PLT turbines: Check that the drain hole in the rear turbine case is at the lowest point.
Condensing water from the bulkhead will pool onto the floor of the turbine case, drill a
small (20mm) hole at this low point to allow this water to drain out.
 PLT turbines: Check there is no water leaking from the drain hole in the rear bearing
block. You can use a small mirror and light to see this. If you see a leak make sure you
have installed the top cap seal correctly.
 Do not forget to grease the bearings as described in section 9.3