I have a comment about the Classic.
I am off-grid in AK in a, well, very good wind spot. For the last few years we have had a SWWP Whisper 200 in service, in between multiple failures of course. Wind energy is very important but as other pressing matters make it to the top of the priority list, we have stuck with the Whisper hoping for a suitable replacement to appear. The Kestrel e300 would work fine but due to the extra expense and equpment involved with a high-voltage unit, we have been lurking in the shadows hoping for the 48 volt Bergey XL.1 to appear. Unfortunately all of our communications with Bergey has given the definite appearance that this turbine would never come to market.
Imagine our surprise to see that very announcement on the Midnitesolar website :o, an XL.1 paired with a Classic. Alas, Bergey says no, not yet. Guess it is time to reconsider that turbine from across the pond.
Rick
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Quote from: RickW on January 09, 2011, 01:09:26 AM
Imagine our surprise to see that very announcement on the Midnitesolar website :o, an XL.1 paired with a Classic. Alas, Bergey says no, not yet. Guess it is time to reconsider that turbine from across the pond.
Rick
Maybe Bergey is waiting to see how well things stand up or something like that. We've been running various higher Voltage Bergey XL.1's with the Classic for almost 2 years now and so far they work great.
Kestrel works fineK with the Classic too. At least the e110i (I think that's the model) in Hawaii, with Kestrel's diode clipper has been working with the Classic for a year and 1/2 or so just fine.
boB
I suspect it is a matter of waiting for parts. They only made so many 48 volt stators and I believe a bunch where ordered a while back. I have had great luck with my 48 volt Bergey XL1. I will ask Todd if he can give me an estimated release date to the public.
boB, what, 2 years! We have been zapping Bergey for a couple of years about the 48 volt XL.1 is in the works statement. I just wanted one to do some first hand testing with, which would also conveniently replace the SWWP Whisper 200 >:(.
We are kicking around a Kestrel. The e230 would work but the smoking high rotor rpm is too close to the Whisper 200, which doesn't look or sound pretty after weeks of 25-50 mph wind. The Kestrel e300 would require the high voltage model and I would prefer to not have to deal with a voltage limiter in addition to the charge controller if it is avoidable. The e300 would also force a gin pole mod to lift the heavier unit.
So, Halfcrazy, the 48 volt XL.1 would be a perfect compromise. Thanks for the info.
Rick
Homepage: www.power-talk.net (http://"http://www.power-talk.net")
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Quote from: RickW on January 09, 2011, 02:53:49 PM
boB, what, 2 years! We have been zapping Bergey for a couple of years about the 48 volt XL.1 is in the works statement. I just wanted one to do some first hand testing with, which would also conveniently replace the SWWP Whisper 200 >:(.
Those were prototypes and there were only a few that I know of. Not quite the same turbine we're talking about here.
boB
Here's a video of the Bergey XL.1 running with the Classic.
http://www.youtube.com/user/k7iq#p/u/1/PoYXMggo1ME (http://www.youtube.com/user/k7iq#p/u/1/PoYXMggo1ME)
Edward
Thanks for the link Edward.
We have worked with DC Power on numerous Kestrel 3000 watt machines (110VDC output). It seems that the controller that DC Power originally sent out with the turbines quit working. We got the call from Michael Miller at DC Power out of desperation to see if we could give them a solution. The Classic worked fine and continues to replace the faulty controllers previously installed. All of the Kestrel turbines installed with Classics utilize the Kestrel Clipper. We are working on a more sphisticated Clipper, but for now, the Kestrel is working very well. We also have one of our original Kestrel 1000 watt turbines with the Kestrel Clipper installed in Hawaii. It has been working flawlessly for about two years. If you are considering a Kestrel, then give DC Power a call. If you want a Bergey, give them a call. Both turbines are good matches for the Classic.
Thanks for the info Robin,
With our Whisper 200 currently broken and most likely never going to see the top of our tower again, I would like to have a replacement sooner rather than later. However the sun has re-appeared at our location and the solar is working again.
With that in mind, I can wait for a suitable wind turbine and charge controller. Steve Wilke indicates that the XL.1 may be available sometime this year, possibly, maybe. If it drags on too long into the summer we will have to spring for the Kestrel. I just didn't want to have to beef up the tower to accommodate the increased weight of the 110v Kestrel e300 and add the cost of a Clipper along with the charge controller. Unfortunately my 2 gauge cooper currently installed will not support a standard 48 volt e300.
That is why I have been waiting for the XL.1 48 volt. At least that is my reasoning, whether flawed or not.
Rick