Combiner box for solar and wind to charge a single battery

http://www.elperfecto.com/2009/07/30/wind-turbine/

This video shows how to make a combiner box to allow solar panels and a wind turbine to charge the same battery. This combiner box could also be used for other power sources, like combining thermoelectric generation and solar panels.

Idea for box came from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfgNkwoEtIg

Also shown: How to make an extension cord out of spare CRT cables and heat shrink.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• wind
• turbine
• solar
• panel
• charge controller
• heat shrink
• combiner box
• extension cord
• cable
• butt connectors
• thermoelectric
• power

[TheDarkeJ]

Cool job, can you rig up some 12v bulbs to light up the shop and battery area from the wind turbine? That way it gets some load, I would like to know how to make a converter, if you plan on doing that! That way you could put a battery on the wind turbine to convert to ac to use as a recharge station for cordless tools!

[field16]

@TheDarkeJ I do use 12V lighting, which works nicely with wind and solar power.

I haven't forgotten what I promised to send you. I will do that this week.

[ferdna1]

those look like transistors (TO-220) and not diodes... at least to me...

[field16]

@ferdna1 Yes, they do look like transistors. :-) They have the same package dimensions. In the video, I see only two terminals, as a diode would require, instead of three, as transistors usually have. They were diodes.  Peace to you.

[ferdna1]

@field16, wow... I learn something new everyday =)... can you list part number?

[field16]

@ferdna1 Here is a part number for a Schottky diode, but I don't remember the one I used in this project: MBR1645.

[nrodge1]

To be safe you should add a block of plastic that fills the space up to the lid or a small plastic non-conductive box that you might otherwise throw away, between the connector bars. Super glue is not the best at staying stuck if there is any flexing at all, this is outside and takes big temperature swings, expansion etc also wires twisting. If one of the bars comes loose the plastic prevents shorting. Drop by the forums at techluck.com

[kricotas]

question?

the cable conected to the wind turbine what # gauge is ? #6?

thanks

[field16]

I like the idea of being able to use low voltage from the wind turbine and have some ideas that will address that in a future video. MPPT may be a good choice for some. For me, I try to do things cheaply and MPPT controllers look pricey to me. I do like that they contain DC-DC converters, but I could make that myself.

Thanks for your comment and suggestion. I like your solar dog video. :-)