Installation manual

3. Renewable energy from a PowerSpout turbine

Congratulations on your choice of a PowerSpout turbine. This ingenious little device will give

you years of trouble free generation, avoiding the need for expensive generators or power

bills. Not only does the PowerSpout give you renewable energy, it is also made of

predominately recycled materials, making it one of the most eco-friendly micro-hydro

generators available on the global market.

PowerSpout turbines have been shown to achieve up to 60% efficiency and with multiple

units up to 16 kW. You can estimate your generation capacity with our online Advanced

Calculator (www.powerspout.com/calculators/). You will see that our calculations take into

account pipe and cable losses, so we will not fall into the common trap of overstating output.

Most installations exceed our power predictions as we use a conservative calculation model.

See user feedback www.powerspout.com/testimonials/

The manual is intended to guide you through PowerSpout selection, design, assembly

and

the installation process. Please note from December 2012 all PowerSpout turbines are

shipped fully assembled with only the jet holders removed (in some cases the Smart Drive

PMA may also be removed). This has been made possible due to an improved freight

arrangement with DHL. But the installer is advised to check all internal electrical

connections are tight and familiarise himself with the turbine assembly.

Videos to introduce PowerSpout turbines and demonstrate PowerSpout assembly and

bearing replacement are available via www.powerspout.com. Please note that video clips do

become outdated quickly and may not be updated. Where instructions differ, the latest

written manual (available online) will always be the correct method to follow.

A video on the history of the Smart Drive generator over the last 20 years may interest many

customers.

3.1. How much power will the PowerSpout produce?

3.1.1. Head and Flow

The generation capacity of your site is determined by the water supply, primarily by the

vertical distance the water falls (head) and how much water flows in a given time (flow rate).

Flow rate at any given time can often be measured by simply watching a bucket filling up

and measuring the time it takes, and the capacity of the bucket. Flow changes around the

year though and you will need to be realistic about how this impacts on the output. Solar PV

is a very good choice to supplement hydro power during drier months on some sites.

For the Pelton and Turgo turbines the head is measured between intake water level and the

turbine jets below. Water exits the turbine at atmospheric pressure back into the stream.

The PowerSpout has been fully assembled and tested prior to freight. What little assembly is needed will only take a few minutes.