3000 Watt 48, 96, 110, 120V WestWind 3KW Wind Turbine

Generators

All Westwind turbines use variable speed permanent magnet generators. A set of Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnets rotate around the fixed stator windings. Power is generated as a variable voltage, variable frequency output. The generated voltage and frequency are both directly proportional to the RPM.

Westwind generators are among the highest efficiency available. The average mechanical to electrical efficiency is 90%

The generators are wound in 'Star' and have three power leads exiting from the stator. The three phase power output can then be run over a reasonable distance, depending on conductor size, to the controller.

The blades are directly fixed to the generator drum that carries the magnets. In this way their is no need for a gearbox or high speed slip rings. Both these benefits are highly desirable for a high efficiency and low maintenance wind turbine. This style of direct drive variable speed generator is becoming the standard across the world on most small and large wind turbines.

Westwind generators are also completely sealed from corrosion and dirt. This ensures that the most vital and delicate part of the turbine is kept well protected.

Another benefit of the permanent Magnet generator is the ability of the rotor to be locked by shorting the three leads from the generator. This should only be used to stop the rotor in emergency or for servicing. Stopping the rotor in high winds by shorting will burn the generator out.

Blades

Westwind blades are made form pultruded fibreglass sections and are designed to last the rigorous 20 year long service life required of a Westwind turbine. No Westwind turbine has experienced a catastrophic blade failure. 

At present all our turbines except the 20kW, use blades of which the raw material is purchased from 'Bergey Windpower' in the United States. The raw material is placed in moulds in our Perth factory to fit blade mountings and blade tips. Using in house manufacture we can ensure the quality of our product.

The following table details the type of blades we use on each of our machines.

Blade Material

Our blades are made from hollow pultruded fibreglass sections which have a wing type cross section (As shown below). The hollow design ensures the rotor is a light as possible but very strong.

The Blade Profile

The raw pultruded material is made in America using a process very similar to extrusion that can ensure a super high quality finished product. This is highly important for wind turbine blades that must live for a long time in through many very demanding weather conditons. The strength of this material is demonstrated by the fact that no Westwind turbine has ever experienced a blade failure.

Leading Edge Tape

The 3kW, 5kW  & 10kW blades have Helicopter Blade leading edge tape attached to the outer, high speed, portion of the blade. This protects the blade from erosion by airborne particles. the leading edge tape generally needs re-applying yearly in severe weather sites but may last many years in normal sites.

ATV Blades

The 20 kW machine uses well field proven blades manufactured by ATV in France. They are foam cored blades overlayed with an epoxy, carbon and fibreglass composite. 

Charge Controller

A dump load controller is the most effective way of controlling a battery charging wind turbine. By diverting excess power to a dump load (resistive load), the turbine is kept loaded which results in lower rotational speed and less mechanical wear and noise.

• A temperature sensor is provided to monitor the batteries temperature and automatically adjust the charging voltages with regard to temperature. This results in longer service life of the batteries especially in hot climates.

• A switch is provided to enable boost charging (equalisation) for flooded lead acid batteries.

• A voltmeter and ammeter show battery voltage and DC charging current respectively.

• Automatic battery over voltage trip. Battery emergency protection.

• Three phase turbine circuit breaker.

• Current limiting inductors are supplied for the 5kW and 10kW controllers.

• Battery circuit breaker.

• Air cooled load dump.

• Solid state power electronic components.

The desired float voltage of the batteries to be used can be set manually on the controller card but if specified at the time of order can be set here in the Westwind factory prior to despatch.

The Westwind controller is powered up by the wind turbine itself. This means that their is no drain on the batteries when there is no wind.