120v Wind generator - how to add solar and reduce voltage ?

[hardworkinghippy]

I have a 2kw three phase wind generator (With 120v controller) and I'd like to add about 1kw of solar to make sure the batteries are being charged properly all year round.

I bought the turbine a few years ago but I haven't yet used it so I don't know how efficient it is but it's specifications correspond to our wind speeds and I've already two little Rutland 910 series which work well but are now almost 20 years old.

Unfortunately the controller I bought with the turbine can't accommodate the additional of solar, so I've been thinking of the best way to achieve a lower voltage battery bank (I don't feel comfortable handling 120vDC and we don't use much AC.) so I'm looking for another controller to take the battery bank down to 24v. (We use 12v for almost everything in the house apart from the AC power from a few small 24v inverters where we need them.)

What's the best way to achieve a lower voltage for the battery bank ? Should I sell the turbine and buy another ?

I've searched on the forum but I can't find any details or reviews of this "All in one charge controller" - what do you folk think of it ?

http://www.mwands.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=450

Thanks for your help.

[Mike90250]

One of the Midnight Classic high voltage controllers, could tame the high voltage wind gen, and down convert that to your chosen battery voltage

[russ]

From previous items and posts about the supplier, Missouri Wind and Solar I would be very cautious.

From other posts on the site today this does not sound so cool - Missouri Wind 12 or 24 Volt 440 Amp/10,000 Watt charge controller comes prewired for plug and play with divert load, 3-phase brake switch, charge controller, relay, heavy duty battery cables, and rectifier for 3-phase output wind turbine connection

Their site shows some different blade designs - first I suggest reading everything you can about Jacob, Sirocco, ARE and other successful wind turbine designs. Some farmer designing turbine blades and doing something very different is not where I would go.

Chances are excellent this will be one very expensive and useless ornament for your property. Most small wind turbines fall into this category.

Check www.homepower.com They have some free articles available about small wind turbines - very good information and objective. They have far more available for a small annual fee.

[hardworkinghippy]

From previous items and posts about the supplier, Missouri Wind and Solar I would be very cautious.

I'm listening Russ, thanks for that. I'll go for a better known controller.

Mike, thank you very much for the suggestion of the Midnight Classic, it's the first time I've heard of them.

In the range, there's 150, 200 and 250V operating voltages and although the units are really expensive, it's given me a few more ideas about how I can combine all my old panels together using MPPT.

[Mike90250]

... Midnight Classic, ... In the range, there's 150, 200 and 250V operating voltages and although the units are really expensive, it's given me a few more ideas about how I can combine all my old panels together using MPPT.

Ah, but it's well engineered, has MPPT curves for wind, and can take the voltage. What does a boiled over battrey bank cost, in down time and $$?

[hardworkinghippy]

I understand that.

I've spent a few winters where I could hardly get enough energy to read or surf the internet as much as I'd have like to.