Installation Guide

PRIMUS WIND POWER DOCUMENT #0070 REV C
PRIMUS WIND POWER Page 6 of 26
2/4/05
Items Not Included In This Kit:
Anchors (The type of anchors used will depend on the ground makeup at your tower site. This is
explained further in the “Anchors” section of this manual.)
Tubing for Tower and Gin Pole
Ground Rod and Clamp
Lightning Arrestor *
Junction Box and Adapter *
Flex Conduit and Fitting *
Electrical Wire
Wire Connectors (preferably copper split bolts)
Pipe Insulation (to prevent wire “rattle” inside pole) *
Electrical tape
* Optional items (these are explained in detail in their relevant assembly sections)
Step 1: Site Selection
Site selection is the most important factor affecting the performance of your wind turbine!
The energy in the wind is the kinetic energy of the moving air mass. What a wind turbine does is
convert some of that kinetic energy into rotational energy that can then be converted to electricity.
The formula for the amount of power in the wind is a cube function of the wind speed. This means
basically that an increase in wind speed of 10% (say from 9 mph to 10 mph) will result in
approximately a 37% increase in the power available from the wind and a similar increase in
turbine performance. In almost all locations the wind speed increases, as you get higher off the
ground. This is why a tall tower is very important at most wind sites. As a rule, the turbine should
be mounted as high in the air and as far away from obstructions as is possible.
To find the best location to erect your tower and wind turbine, study the area available and take
note of how the prevailing (most common) winds blow through it. If there are trees, buildings, hills
or other obstructions take note of how high they are and where they are in relation to the prevailing
wind direction. The best site for your tower and turbine will be upwind and above any obstructions
which may exist. If there are houses or trees in the surrounding area a good rule of thumb is to
mount the turbine at least 15 feet any obstructions around it. If the turbine is to be mounted at the
crest of a hill or on a beach where winds come from across the water, a smaller tower may be
acceptable.
The next consideration in siting your tower and turbine is the distance from the turbine to your
batteries. The shortest distance will require the least amount of wire and reduce the amount of
power lost through the wiring. If a long distance is required between your tower and the batteries it
will be necessary to use heavy gage wire to reduce the resistance of the wire. The power consumed
buy the wires can be calculated using the formula:
Power = Current x Current x Resistance
Since the resistance of the wire is directly proportional to its length, making the run shorter will
dramatically reduce the amount of power “lost” in the wires.