Tel: +44 (0) 1981 241668
Skyrrid Farm, Pontrilas, Hereford. HR2 0BW. UK
www.leadingedgepower.com
Rev K
Page 16 of 30
Turbine Operation
The
LE-v50
turbine is based on a simple design for ease of installation and reliable operation. You
may notice the following behaviour during normal operation:
•
Cut-in -
The turbine will not begin to charge the batteries until the rotor is spinning at
approximately 120 RPM. Whilst operating below this speed, the turbin
e will be ‘off
-
load’
and freewheeling. Once the turbine output voltage becomes equal to the nominal battery
voltage (at around 120
RPM), the turbine will come ‘on
-
load’ and begin to
deliver current
to the batteries. During the off-load stages of rotation, the rotor blades rotate very freely.
This allows the rotor to build up speed and allows aerodynamic lift to be generated by the
blades.
•
Normal Operation -
Once the rotor is spinning at 120 RPM, current will be delivered to the
batteries. As the rotor speed increases, so too will the current and voltage.
•
Shut Down (If Run / Stop switch is fitted)
–
A run / stop switch is not required with the LE-
v50 turbine but one can be installed if desired (see appendix 2). By activating the stop
switch, the output c
ables of the turbine are ‘shorted’ together. This effectively puts an
infinite load on the generator causing the turbine to stall. When the stop switch is
activated the turbine may still rotate slowly during high winds, but the rotor blades will not
be able to build up any significant speed. It is not recommended that the stop switch is
activated whilst the rotor is spinning at high speed. This sudden braking action will stress
the blades and other components. Only a
ctivate the stop switch during a ‘lull’ when the
rotor is not spinning excessively fast.
•
High Winds -
Every effort has been taken to ensure that the
LE-v50
will withstand the
forces exerted by strong winds. The turbine will continue to generate power whilst
surviving the immense forces that are exerted by high winds. The
LE-v50 Extreme
is
designed for locations where winds regularly gust to over 27m/s (60mph).
