MPPT controller for wind turbine

Re: MPPT controller for wind turbine

The Midnite Classic is indeed close. We are beta testing them now. Two of the present Classic beta sites are already doing wind. You will be able to see live real time data logged sites in about 3 weeks. There are to be two different Hugh Piggot designs 1000W and 2000W (both Hugh Piggot designs), one Kestral 110VDC and the last wind beta site will be switched between a Chinook 200, a 48 volt Bergy XL1 and solar. Other classic beta sites are data logging strictly solar (boring, but they are performing well). Wind is a lot more fun. The last beta unit is slated for Australia where it will be charging a 120VDC battery bank. We do have a Clipper to go along with the Classic for wind applications. The Clipper limits voltage coming out of the turbine, or current or RPMs or all three. The Clipper also slows the turbine down when batteries are fully charged or in the case of a storm. One upcoming beta site will have two identical 2KW turbines on two identical towers. One turbine is hooked up direct to the battery bank with a regular dump load, the other has the Clipper and 250 volt Classic. It will be very interesting to see how it all works. We do not have enough Classics to parallel them at this site, so it will be interesting to see how much power we can control? The Clipper will aid in this issue when max power of the Classic is reached, but what happens if we reach the max power of the Clipper? The intent is to slow down the turbine to reduce power output in this case. If all works according to plan, you will see it on our website. If it all goes up in smoke, it will be a little longer until you see it. The project is scheduled to be installed in about two or three weeks. Every wind turbine will have different characteristics. Some will be easy to control and some may not be stoppable. boB and I have been designing and manufacturing power electronics together for over 30 years. The Classic and Clipper are for sure the most challenging and also the most fun. Designing inverters and charge controllers at Trace, Xantrex, OutBack and Magnum had its rewards for sure, but the stuff we are doing at Midnite is really over the top.
The turbine described in this thread will have similar issues regarding to power output. MPPT does really double or triple the power output. That is a problem with controllers that are only good for 3 or 4 KW. Boy this is going to be fun.
I know Niel will be disappointed, but the Classic and Clipper are not talking to each other yet. That should come with the next board design.

Re: MPPT controller for wind turbine

There will still be cables. 6 conductor phone cable.