Product Manual A

31 AIR Owner’s Manual
System Voltage Voltage Regulation
Set-Point
Adjustment Range*
Voltage Change due to
1/8 Turn of
Potentiometer**
12 Volt 13.6 – 17.0 Volts 0.56 Volts
24 Volt 27.2 – 34.0 Volts 1.12 Volts
48 Volt 54.4 – 68.0 Volts 2.24 Volts
* Adjustment ranges are approximate; actual ranges may be greater.
** Turn clockwise to increase voltage, counter-clockwise to decrease voltage.
Using an Alternate Charge Controller
There are some conditions under which the AIR wind turbine’s internal regu-
lator is not appropriate as the primary regulator. These conditions include:
• Systems where battery temperature varies widely: Battery charge eciency
varies in extreme temperatures. If these conditions exist, use an external
regulator with a temperature compensation sensor to optimize the charge
rate.
• Batteries that are extremely sensitive to charge voltage: Follow the recom-
mendations of the battery manufacturer. For most batteries the turbine’s
internal voltage regulator is adequat
• Multiple turbines with a bus syste Multiple turbine installations will typically
function best using a single voltage regulator close to the battery bank. This
is particularly true if the wire lengths connecting each turbine to the bus vary
by distance or wire gauge.
CAUTION: Increasing the voltage regulation set point above the initial factory
setting will NOT increase the power output of the AIR wind turbine. This adjust-
ment changes the point at which the turbine stops charging the batteries. By set-
ting the voltage too high you may increase the probability of overcharging and
damaging the batteries.
Braking Mode: AIR may be placed in braking mode by directly shorting
the turbine positive and negative wires together or by using a stop switch.
The stop switch first disconnects the turbine from the battery and then
shorts the positive and negative wires. In very strong winds the blades may
rotate slowly even with the switch activated.
No Load Operation /Open Circuit /Free Spinning: AIR spins freely if discon-
nected from an electrical load. This results in a cycle of rapid blade speed
increases followed by rapid braking. This accelerates turbine wear and is
non-productive. Primus Wind Power recommends:
• Using a properly installed switch to turn AIR o for short periods of time
• Lowering the turbine completely or securing the blades to prevent rotation if
the turbine will be shut down for an extended period of time
Voltage Regulation
AIR continually monitors battery voltage and compares it to the voltage
regulation set point. The voltage regulation set points are factory set to the
values listed on the AIR Technical Specifications page. These values are
adjustable for individual applications.
AIR enters regulation mode when the voltage set point is reached and
remains there until the battery voltage drops to the cut-in voltage; which is
slightly lower than voltage set point. The difference between the two values
is “hysteresis” and is purposely done to prevent the turbine from bouncing
in and out of a single regulation set point.
Adjusting Regulation Voltage
The voltage regulation set point is adjustable using the potentiometer on
the side of the AIR turbine body.
To accurately set the regulation voltage, disconnect the turbine from the
batteries and use an adjustable voltage source and multi-meter to apply
the desired voltage across the positive and negative turbine leads. With
the target voltage applied, turn the potentiometer fully clockwise, then
slowly turn it counter-clockwise until the LED just illuminates. The regula-
tion set point is now fixed to the voltage applied across the turbine leads.
Alternatively, the regulation set point voltage may be adjusted using a trial
and error method. Use the accompanying chart as a guide to increase or
decrease the voltage regulation set point. Monitor the battery voltage over
a period of time and make small adjustments until the regulation set point
voltage is at the desired level.