Has anyone had any experience charging remote projects? I'm looking at using a rechargeable lipo and a small wind turbine to keep it topped up.
As I'm in the UK (currently in winter) solar isn't really an option and the project will be in a windy environment. I've come across some solar charging modules but I'm wondering if they'll be suitable for use with a wind turbine?
Maybe something like this? I honestly don't know where to start so any pointers in the correct direction would be appreciated.
If this is the wrong thing to be using then please point out. I'd really like to get a handle on all this.
I would like the lipo to be able to run the project and charge when it's not being used but have over charge protection etc. I've built a few projects to be used remotely but they fortunately have had 12v supplies close by. This will be completely standalone.
The module in your link would certainly be suitable for charging a single LiPo cell. However its input voltage has a max of 6v. Can you guarantee that your wind turbine won't exceed that. If not you will need a voltage regulator between the turbine and the module.
What is the application you have in mind? Have you calculated how many watt-hours the battery will be required to supply when there is no wind? Have you any estimate of how many watt-hours the wind turbine can produce - how quickly could it recharge the battery when the wind returns?
I would be much happier charging a lead-acid battery with a wind turbine - they are better able to take abuse without bursting into flames. On the other hand a lead-acid battery should not be left in a partly discharged state for more than about 7 days.
You're in UK.... What about using water as power? It's raining a lot. Joking.
Do some search, google. This is a rather common question and surely members have done it.
Thanks for the replies. (Sorry for the slow reply)
Robin, I think you're absolutely right there. A lead acid battery would be better suited and it can be trickle charged by the wind turbine. I'm pretty sure this is the way forward. Thanks
If your wind generator produces 12V loaded and 17ish volts unloaded then you can use a solar charge controller to manage a 12V battery which can be used to power the project.
I'd use LiFePo4 12V battery
Do not use Li batteries where they will freeze. If a Li battery has frozen, please, throw it away.
The 2 types of 12V charge controllers are PWM and MPTT, PWM works well and is more reasonably priced.
Hi,
If you use a windturbine you will have to consider what to do when the battery is fully charged.
You will need to control not just charge but how to use the energy from the windturbine when it is not needed.
You cannot just unload the turbine, it must have its energy diverted to a load of some sort, if your environment is cold, then dumping the excess energy into a heater of some sort to keep the project above freezing is a good use.
If a charge controller was hooked to the wind turbine and a battery, the charge controller will do the proper thing with a fully discharged battery, a partially discharged battery and, a fully charged battery.
Use the words "wind turbine charge controller", look it up. It's a real thing.
Thanks all for your input on this. I'm spending the rest of the day reviewing the various options with the environmental considerations too, i.e freezing batteries are a real possibility right now in the UK.
Lead acid still seems to be the preferred option right now due to its ability to withstand -0'C temps. I'll check out the controller too.
Tom, good idea with regards to using up the wasted wind energy!
GaryRH:
Thanks all for your input on this. I'm spending the rest of the day reviewing the various options with the environmental considerations too, i.e freezing batteries are a real possibility right now in the UK.
Lead acid still seems to be the preferred option right now due to its ability to withstand -0'C temps. I'll check out the controller too.
Tom, good idea with regards to using up the wasted wind energy!
And you found Lifepo4's do not withstand 0 degree temps?
You should have a stage between the turbine and the charge controller IC that determines if the turbine output is sufficient to allow a front-end DCDC converter to produce a steady voltage required for the charge IC to operate. Only then would you enable the charger and charging.
If you're doing a home-brew charger make sure you have a thermister so the charger knows the battery temperature and can cut off the charging if the cell/battery temperature is outside the rated bounds.
You should also have battery protection and balancing circuitry as required by your battery topology.
