Installation manual

© 2014 EcoInnovation Ltd (NZ) Page 111
9. Operating your system efficiently
The PowerSpout is a durable machine but it runs 24/7 so regular checks and maintenance
are advised. A PowerSpout may do more revolutions in one year than a car engine during
the life of the car. A car engine has a filtered and pumped oil lubrication system, whereas a
small hydro turbine does not. You must pay special attention to the bearings. A bearing
maintenance schedule is outlined below and you are required to follow it if your 3-year
warranty is to be honoured. Should you have a bearing failure during the 3-year warranty
period we will ask to see your log book as proof you have followed the maintenance
schedule. A PowerSpout service manual will be available in 2014 for more detailed service
information than is contained in this document.
To maintain your hydro scheme in a good condition for years to come we recommend you
keep a log book and regularly (every week initially, and once you become familiar with your
system every 2 weeks) do the following:
 Check the specific gravity of your batteries with a hydrometer and reduce your power
usage if battery charge is falling.
 Check the acid level in your batteries and top up with distilled water as required.
 Check PowerSpout air vents are clean
 Check hydro output is normal and has not changed since last checked.
 Check your diversion load is working (if fitted)
 Check you have surplus water at the intake. If not, reduce your jet sizes.
 Check there are no obstructions (twigs and stones) that have got in your pipe and are
partially blocking the jets.
 Walk the pipe line each year and check for any damage to the pipe.
 Once a year check termination points on your battery, controller, inverter,
fuses and diversion load. Clean and tighten as required. If you observe
any heat damage or corrosion at terminations attend to these and repair.
Remember to turn off all generation, your inverter and remove battery
fuses before cleaning/tightening any termination points. You should pay
special attention to your diversion load and battery terminals.
We also suggest you are wary of complacency. Since these systems work and give free
power, people tend to keep adding more and more loads until they reach the limit of the
system. Hence we recommend you:
 Fit a remote power meter to your inverter that will alert you if you
exceed your peak load and advise you how many kWhrs you are
using each day.
 Tell your guests about living off the grid and that they cannot plug in
large resistive heaters, as these can knock years off your battery
life and overload your inverter system.
9.1. Power meters
It is important that you have a means of permanently displaying the power generated by your
hydro turbine. A separate meter is only needed if you purchased a PLT turbine with PWM
regulation.
Power meter