Installation Guide

SOUTHWEST WINDPOWER DOCUMENT 0228 REV A

Once the tower is straight, make sure that all the cable clamps are tight. If the tower is to be

lowered, only undo the bolt side cable so that, when the tower is re-erected, only that cable will

need to be readjusted.

Step 10: Junction Box and Lightning Arrestor Installation

A junction box for the wire connections can be attached to the tower base. A lightning arrestor

can be installed on this box as well. We recommend an all weather box approved for outdoor use

and of sufficient size for the wires to be connected. This should be available from your local

electrical supply store. For the wire connections we recommend copper split bolts also available

from your local electrical supply store. One hole of the junction box should hold a short threaded

nipple attached to 1 ½ in. (nominal size) CPVC pipe adapter. This adapter will fit into the base of

the tower and can be locked in place with a set screw. The other two holes should hold the

lightning arrestor (if used) and a flexible conduit connector to route the wires into the ground.

Generally, direct burial wires are used from the batteries to the tower base. These wires should be

buried from the batteries (or shed / house) out to the tower base where they are routed into the

junction box. The wires coming out of the junction box should all be trimmed to about 5 in. The

turbine wires and the lightning arrestor should all be stripped and connected together with the

split bolts. Once connected, they should be thoroughly wrapped with electrical tape and the lid to

the junction box secured.

Grounding

To properly ground the tower to the earth a six to eight foot ground rod must be installed as close

to the tower base as possible. A 10 gauge or larger wire should be firmly attached to the tower

pipe near the bottom of the tower and clamped to the ground rod. The junction box should also

be connected to this ground.

Maintenance

Periodically check to see that the guy wire tension is set properly and that the cable clamps have

not loosened. There is no other maintenance required for this tower system.