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FAQ's

• Is a Wind Generator the answer for load shedding?
• How do wind turbines work?
• How much noise does an AWP3.7 make?
• How do I put up an AWP3.7?
• Can I install an AWP3.7 on my property in an urban area?
• Is there enough wind in my area for an AWP3.7?
• Is the AWP safe?
• Can I pump water with an AWP3.7?
• Can I charge Batteries with an AWP3.7?
• Can I connect an AWP3.7 to the Grid?
• How far does the Turbine need to be from my house/battery room?
• Can the AWP3.7 work in deserts, snow or icy conditions?
• Is the energy from an AWP3.7 cheaper than Utility power?
• Can an AWP3.7 run my home/farm?
• Can a number of AWP3.7 Turbines be combined?

 

Is a Wind Generator the answer for load shedding?

If you live in an urban area and already have grid power it will generally be cost prohibitive. It is better to install an Inverter - Charger system with good deep cycle batteries. This will provide power automatically during load shedding for TV, lights , Computers etc. There is no need to run the fridge or Deep Freezer for a 3 -4 hour power cut. When the power situation gets worse a 5KVA Generator can keep these items going by running a few hours, morning , mid day and evening. Cook with gas, heat water with roof mounted solar water heaters.

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How do Wind Turbines Work?

The wind turbine must be mounted on a tower so the wind's energy can be transferred to the rotor blades which turn the alternator. In the alternator permanent magnets are rotated around coils wound into special steel laminations in a three phase connection, producing alternating (AC) power. A cable with three conductors feeds this power to a rectifier which converts the power to direct current (DC) which is fed into a battery. When the battery is full the controller diverts the power to a "Dump Load' (a resistor bank). Other versions of the machine can run water pumps directly or can feed power to the Utility Grid through a special Inverter, some countries have promoted this and pay for the power fed into the grid..

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How much noise does an AWP3.7 make?

We claim the AWP3.7 is the quietest small wind turbine in the world. As the wind speed picks up the noise from surrounding vegetation and structures generally is louder than the AWP3.7.

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How do I put up an AWP3.7?

The AWP3.7 is purposely designed as a heavy, large diameter rotor machine, and there for needs to stand on a strong tower. We suggest a tilt up guyed tubular tower from 90mm OD heavy pipe. The higher you go the more power is available from the wind. Look in the tower section for drawings.

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Can I install an AWP3.7 on my property in an urban area?

You could put the AWP3.7 on a 6 meter self supporting tower with out too much trouble in obtaining planning permission, however to realise its true potential it needs to be 5-10 meters above the surroundings where the wind stream is less turbulent and a higher speed.

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Is there enough wind in my area for an AWP3.7?

You need to find out the average wind speed for your area. Nearby airports and Met Offices collect data. There are also published wind speed maps.

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Is the AWP safe?

There is no danger if all the instructions in the installation manual are followed and a strong safe tower is constructed.

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Can I pump water with an AWP3.7?

One can pump water using the AWP3.7 in 2 ways:

1. Utilising the High Voltage system a submersible three phase 0.37KW pump can be driven directly from the wind turbine with out batteries and an inverter. Yields are from 5000 L/day to 20 000 l/day depending on wind speeds. This is a far less costly method.

2. In the more conventional method of a low voltage turbine (24V-48V) charging batteries which power an inverter big enough to run a pump. This system is a lot more expensive as it requires a bank of deep cycle batteries and a more expensive sine wave inverter.

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Can I charge Batteries with an AWP3.7?

Yes this is the prime mode.

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Can I connect an AWP3.7 to the Grid?

Yes AWP make a high voltage turbine which through a rectifier/ conditioner, supplies a grid connect inverter that exports power back to the grid. This can only be done in countries where it has been legalised.

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How far does the Turbine need to be from my house/battery room?

Low voltage turbine up to 30 meters , high voltage machine up to 2 kilometers. The cost of the copper cables is the limiting factor normally.

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Can the AWP3.7 work in deserts, snow or icy conditions?

Yes we have machines running in Antartica and desert enviroments.

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Is the energy from an AWP3.7 cheaper than Utility power?

Not yet. Grid power is mostly still subsidised by governments and cheap long term loans. Its costs a lot to set up a wind powered system, but if its done correctly it should last 10-15 years.

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Can an AWP3.7 run my home/farm?

Yes, but not in the way you are used to from grid power. There are many people running their homes off wind and solar with diesel backup. You have to re-plan your power use. A power audit will determine your daily energy requirements - With information on the average wind speeds in your area we can calculate how much energy an AWP3.7 will deliver into the home system. It is not a cheap quick fix though - a system that will run lights , TV etc will start at USD 5000.

Change To:

• Energy saver lights
• Gas cooking
• Solar water heating
• Washing machines with out water heating

OK To Use:

• TV, VCR, Satellite Decoder, Music Systems
• Computer Ink Jet printers (Lasers need a big Inverter)
• Laptop Computers, Modems
• Sewing Machine
• Small pumps
• Alarm Systems
• Electric Fence Energisers
• Communication Radios
• Cell Phone and Camera Chargers

Limited Use:

• Microwave
• Kettle
• Electric Clothes Irons

No:

• Air cons
• Cooking on electric stoves
• Hair dryers

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Can a number of AWP3.7 Turbines be combined?

Yes, in the battery charging mode many machines can charge a common battery.

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