Would a small DIY turbine benefit from MPPT?

JoshK

I am building a small wind turbine for fun.  It's 36" on this first try.  I want it to work in low winds.  The motor I chose to use as a generator is rated at 120VDC, 60W.  I highly doubt I will be getting up to the rated RPM in the low winds though.

What I am wondering tonight is should I consider a MPPT charge controller?  Or would the extra load imposed just reduce my RPM to the degree where it's the same as not using MPPT?
I may be building more turbines and feeding the same charge controller.  Maybe.

BB.

There is no "energy" in low speed wind (less than ~10 MPH or so). There is no way to harvest substantially more power in poor (or turbulent) wind conditions with an MPPT controller.

But, yes, a properly designed wind turbine system may see a 2-3x increase in harvested energy vs a standard Alternator->Rectifier->Battery Bank connection. That was Midnite's test results (as I recall reading here a few years ago) when they brought out their integrated wind controller-system.

-Bill

JoshK

My idea of low wind is around 12mph, which is about half the MPH they usually rate tubines at.  And 1/2 the wind equates to 1/8th the power I think.  So I should get what I need from 36".  I will know soon.  
Any suggestions on a good MPPT controller for this  low wattage system?

BB.

I don't know enough about the MPPT systems to say much.

Hopefully somebody else can help.

-bill

JoshK

Alright, thanks for the info Bill.

JoshK

We had a 12mph wind last night to test it with, it was a full success!  
If anyone knows a cheap MPPT controller, let me know.

westbranch

please define "Cheap" ???

JoshK

The least expensive MPPT option that can handle 120v/60W.  I don't know what that price point is.

westbranch

well I will let you decide if these are in your price range all from our sponsor, some examples... 

Midnite Kid
http://www.solar-electric.com/midnite-solar-kid-mppt-solar-charge-controller-black.html 

Morning Star, several models  starting at $225
 http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters-controllers-accessories/chco/mochco/admpchco.html

the 120 V DC (?) is a problem... did you mean 12V, I assumed you did

JoshK

The first link gives error 404, the second one is good.  Still more power handling than I need.  And a little skimpy on the volts.  I really did mean up to 120VDC.  I chose to high voltage as a way to efficiently transport power over a decent distance with inexpensive wire.  It would take a heck of a wind to get full voltage though.  I hope it never reaches those speeds.  75VDC open circuit is probably the most RPMs I will allow.