Yah, I could go to the trouble of putting yet another hole in the side of the van. I'd have to use a different orientation of the powerpole connectors to assure that you couldn't plug the wrong one in. It's far more likely that I won't have both along at the same time I only have so much roof space to carry stuff, and hence decisions need to be made as to the best energy for the given trip. I could also bring my Honda generator along (though some places don't allow generators.)

On Jun 28, 2011, at 7:34 PM, Rocket J Squirrel wrote:

> On Tue, 2011-06-28 at 18:34 -0400, David Beierl wrote:
>
>> I wouldn't be surprised if you could run the turbine
>> right into the controller and not worry about switching
>> (I also wouldn't be surprised if you could not...).
>
> Depends on the type of controller. An MPPT type controller ekes more
> current out of solar panels than a less-expensive controller because the
> MPPT controller will continually adjust the load it presents to the
> panels to maximize panel efficiency (panels are typically more efficient
> when running around 16 - 17 volts) while outputting lower voltage and
> more current to the battery than the panels are putting out. I typically
> see 4 or so amps going into the controller (at a higher voltage) and 5
> to 6 amps coming out. Watts in = watts out, but different
> voltage/current levels. It's kind of an impedance-matching device.
>
> It pauses every couple seconds to adjust itself as needed to keep the
> panels at their maximum output.
>
> This might cause a collision of worlds if a turbine is connected to this
> type of controller. Two active circuits fighting each other. The
> controller would be changing the load presented to the turbine, looking
> for maximum power, but the turbine, trying to drive a battery but seeing
> the load change, would continually adjust its output.
>
> Sounds like a fun science project, to see what would happen, but I leave
> that as an exercise for the student. Safer to put in a switch. Depending
> on how ugly this collision of two worlds might be,
>
> My guess is, that as a load, other controller types will also confuse
> the wind turbine's electronics. They expect to see a battery load.
>
> I, myself, might be tempted to mount two sets of inputs: one for the
> panels, one for the turbine, to avoid a chance that the turbine might
> accidentally be connected to the charge controller. There should be no
> problem connecting their outputs together.
>
> I mean, look: when you're camped out in the woods waiting for a zombie
> infestation to burn itself out, the last thing you need is a smoked
> charge controller or wind turbine.
>
> -- RJS