Installation Guide

SOUTHWEST WINDPOWER DOCUMENT 0228 REV A

Electrical Wire

Wire Connectors (preferably copper split bolts)

Pipe Insulation (to prevent wire “rattle” inside pole) *

Electrical tape

Tubing for the tower (this is explained in Step 2 on page 6)

* 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 mechanical energy which 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 30% increase in the power available from the wind and a similar

difference 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

usual 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 it is best to

mount the turbine at least twice as high as any obstruction in the area. 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.

The other concern with long wires is the voltage drop through the wire. Voltage drop through the

wires can be calculated using the formula:

Voltage = Current x Resistance

The effect of the voltage drop is most apparent when the turbine has good wind and is actively

charging the batteries. The AIR turbine’s internal voltage regulator senses battery voltage, and

will measure the combined voltage drop from the batteries and from the current passing through

the resistance of the wires. This causes the turbine to sense a higher voltage than that of the

batteries and regulate its power accordingly to prevent overcharging. When this happens the

turbine may not fully charge the batteries. Adjusting the regulation set point of the turbine to

compensate for this at higher wind speeds can cause the turbine to overcharge the batteries in