Shunt Regulator

[decdeb]

Hi,
I posted something about this last week, but unfortunately I am no further on since. Perhaps if I post my problem with some more details somebody might be able to help.

There is a Rutland WG910 wind generator on the boat that I bought last year, but there is no shunt regulator. Marlec, the manufacturer do not make this regulator (SR120) anymore. I have tried a few different retailers including Esocket, Adverc, Merlin but to no avail. So essentially I have 2 different options.
(1) Find an old SR120 regulator from somewhere or
(2) Fit a different regulator that would be compatible.

Either way, the regulator needs to be a shunt type regulator that "dumps" excess power if battery(s) are being overcharged. The WG910 is a single phase generator and the regulator needs to be capable of handling 15amps continuously.

Any help or ideas greatly appreciated, as we are heading off for a year in about 3 weeks.

Thanks,
Declan.

 

[gerryl]

Try here, they certainly do 12v shunt regulators for the 913 which I presume is not too different

www.acornengineer.com

 

[decdeb]

The 913 is different as it is a 2 phase generator whereas the WG910 is single phase, thus same regulator will not work.

 

[steve_cronin]

Since it's just a heatsink into which excess energy is diverted, how does the nature of the alternating current before it is rectified to DC alter things?

Steve Cronin

 

[decdeb]

Firstly, I'm certainly not an expert when it comes to these matters, but from what I understand, is that the regulators for the "newer" type generators are different in that when they sense that the battery is being overcharged a signal is sent back to the generator which then slows the speed at which the turbine rotates.

 

[Talbot]

recommend that you talk to barden batteries as they are very knowledgeable and very helpful.

I suspect that you will need to use a regulator designed for solar power rather than wind.

 

[steve_cronin]

That may be true but since these devices use permanent magnet "alternators" it is impossible to vary the magnetic field by varying the field voltage as is the case with your car or inboard engine alternator. Also, you were talking about a shunt regulator which just sends excess energy into a big semi-conductor mounted on a massive heat sink. With these it doesn't matter how the charge was generated, once the battery gets up to a pre-determined voltage, the wind generator's output is sent to the shunt to make heat.

What I would suggest is that you look at the £9.99 regulator sold by Maplins for solar panels. These work fine for just about all charging devices of moderate output.

Steve Cronin

 

[John_Clarke]

Have you tried the following manufacturers -
LVM who sell regulators for their Aerogen turbines;
Ampair;
Superwind (Merlin sell these so you probably covered this one); or
Tristar 45 by Morning Star (USA firm)?