Micro-Hydro – Magutz

Fallow the process of building the Micro-Hydro system and water supply to the house, taking advantage of what Mother-Nature offers us.

Micro Hydro Penstock – Getting Started

Here we begin by running the long 3000 foot water line run down to the log-house. Making progress on setting up the micro-hydro generator. Here we have a year’s worth of work on installing the penstock. With the help of a few friends, Kubota mini-excavator KX040-4 and Kubota tractor LX2610.

Micro Hydro Penstock – Setting the Water Line

Part 2 on setting up the micro-hydro generator. Laying down the 3,000 foot water line down to the house. Using a Kubota mini-excavator KX040-4 and a Kubota tractor LX2610.

Micro-hydro Penstock – Pressure and flow

Part 3 on setting up the micro-hydro generator. Testing water pressure and flow.

Micro Hydro – Discharge Line

Part 4 – Returning the water used by the hydro generator back to the source. Installing a 4″ PVC drain pipe 200 feet from the hydro location back to the creek, taking advantage of this trench to also run power and network connections to the property entrance.

Micro Hydro – Digging the Pit

Part 5 – Digging a basement underneath the old log house to create a room that will contain the micro-hydro generator and all related items. I’ll also be making a sift to screen out garbage and any hidden treasures that may arise from digging the “Hydro-Pit”. In addition, I will be winterizing the water line until I’m able to properly cover the entire 3,189 feet of it.

Micro Hydro – Discharge Basin

Part 6 – Making the discharge basin where we will be testing multiple micro hydro generators, hydro wheels and various ideas. Testing theories in real life scenarios. The water source is 3,000 feet away (which is not ideal) with a head height of 160 feet, running through a 2″ I.D. pipe.

Micro Hydro – Generator Setup

Part 7 – Finally preparing our first prototype Hydro Turbine and getting it ready for the first test run. These are experimental setups working on finding the cheapest and most effective ways of getting power out a small stream.

Micro Hydro – Generator 1st Run

Part 8 – In this final chapter we’ll be finally testing our first prototype Micro Hydro housing and jet combinations. But we’re not done yet. This ends the chapter series and we’ll begin countless testing and improvement episodes.

Micro Hydro – Water Intake

Part 9 – Going over my water intake, standpipe and valve setup. Along with a couple of graphical representation showing this install. We will also be taking a ride to the water collection area, abandoned campsite and the future sawmill site, while displaying the current location on a mini-map.

Micro Hydro – Turgo Runner

Episode 1 – I will testing the Turgo Runner and new adjustable 0.63″ nozzles. This is the ME2006 hydro kit, ME2104 Spear Nozzles with the ME1016 generator. At the end of the video, I perform a free spin test of the PMA/PMG.

Micro Hydro – Cheap Charge Controller

Episode 2 – I will testing on this square prototype housing the Pelton runner with adjustable 0.63″ nozzles. I also will be trying to use a cheap solar controller on the generator.

Micro Hydro – Epever Charge Controller

Episode 3 – Second attempt on using a MPPT solar charge controller on a hydro system. This is the Epever Tracer 5420AN – 50 amp, 200 volt version. I will testing it on the square prototype housing with the Pelton runner used on the previous episode with the adjustable blue 0.63″ nozzles.

Micro Hydro – Battery Voltage

Episode 4 – Testing the generator with different battery configurations to see the differences in output power at different voltages. Also making a comparison between the standard Silicon diode rectifier and a Schottky type automotive rectifier (Delco 30SI/TR Series). The tests are being done with a Pelton runner and an adjustable nozzle.

Micro Hydro – 32 Spoon Turgo

Episode 5 – Testing a 32 spoon Turgo from https://h-hydro.com/ specially calculated for my water line. I will be testing it on two different arrangements, 10 and 20 degree angles to the runner and at different battery configurations. The tests will be done using the supplied 0.281″ fixed nozzle and the blue adjustable nozzle.

Micro Hydro – MidNite Classic 250

Episode 6 – I will be finally trying out the MidNite Classic 250 (63 amp, 250 volt). 1st test will be done with the 8″, 12 Spoon, 6.25″ pitch diameter Pelton runner. Using my old prototype #2 housing and the blue 0.63″ adjustable nozzle.

Micro Hydro – 32 spoon Turgo on Classic 250

Episode 7 – I will test the MidNite Classic 250 (63 amp, 250 volt) with the 32 Spoon Turgo and blue 0.63″ adjustable nozzles. Making a power generation comparison between charging with the charge controller and directly connected to the batteries.

Episode 8 – Line Fittings

Episode 8 – Testing the power loss when using “Ts” and Elbows when hooking up the nozzles of a hydro generator. I will perform these test on three different hydro system configurations. Also showing the noise level of the 32 spoon Turgo runner.

Micro Hydro – MPPT Settings

Episode 9 – An overview and comparison on running the MidNite Classic 250 on “Auto MPPT” mode (Maximum Power Point Tracking) versus fixed “Manual MPP Voltage” mode. The advantages are clear. The housing being used is the ME2006 hydro kit, ME2104 Spear Nozzles with the ME1016 generator from Motenergy.

Micro Hydro – DIY Electronics V1

Episode 10 – Making version 1 of my custom Hydro controller electronics. Trying a few approaches at monitoring and controlling my hydro generator. Also doing a comparison between 3/4″ and 1.5″ water line feeds.

Micro Hydro – DIY Electronics V2

Episode 11 – Version 2 of my custom Hydro control electronics. Trying a few approaches at monitoring and controlling my hydro generator. Stepping up to a 1.5″ water valve.