Alternative Power & Machine
E-mail: altpower@grantspass.com web: www.apmhydro.com
OUR USER FRIENDLY HYDRO PRODUCTS
Our
hydro-electric turbines are built in two parts to make jet changes and maintenance
as easy as possible. The bottom half, which bolts down permanent includes; the
water box, jets, nozzles, valves, and manifold. The power head (top half) is
the alternator and pelton wheel. The top half rests
on top of the bottom half and is sealed by a rubber sheet insulator. 4 wing
nuts hold it together. It takes about 2 minutes to change jet sizes.
Our product is unique in its ease of
maintenance and is greatly appreciated by people that have owned our competitors
products previously.
The
water box mounts over a 14 inch X 14 inch square hole (water discharge out the bottom)
and is available in one, two, three, or four nozzle versions. Standard jet
sizes range from .065 inches to .760 inches in increments of about .020 inch. The basic water
box nozzle is 3/4 inch pipe thread for people interested in doing their own penstock
connection. Many of our units are sold with 1 inch brass ball valves and 1 inch pipe
stub. Most are sold with a PVC manifold built around the unit for a single
connection to the penstock on multiple nozzle machines. Other options include
high pressure hose in several forms. We are very open to the idea of building a
machine the way you want it.
The
power head has about 100 alternator choices. Some are automotive types (budget
models) to heavy duty commercial alternators capable of up to 3300 watts. Most
units sold are of the permanent magnet type, primarily because of their higher
efficiency, ease of use, and almost no maintenance. Higher efficiency equates
to more energy produced using the same amount of water. Our permanent magnet
alternators are built in such a manner as to eliminate the need for adjustment.
The
pelton wheel is available in about 8 versions at the
present time. The standard runner is made of a structural polymer commonly
known under the trade name as Delrin which has the
characteristic of very low wear from sand and silt found in most mountain
streams. This material wears at about 1/5th the rate of bronze.
Optional runners are made of 416 stainless (5 versions) for high head and high
power applications.
We
include a sundry parts kit and jet assortment on a complete system. We also
include a spare pelton wheel runner to eliminate down
time if the standard Delrin runner breaks. Simply
return the runner for warranty repair with no questions asked. Breakage is
almost always caused by a stick going thru the jet or trapped air being purged
(two causes not found in a properly installed penstock). Warranty is 3 years
and covers most everything reasonable, keeping in mind that some of the economy
models need brush and bearing replacement every year.
We
also offer conversion alternators (our design) for retrofit to Harris turbines
and ES&D stream engine as well as a few other parts. If you would like to
get the front bearing out of the water, we have the solution.
An
abbreviated listing by group of some of the power heads available:
EDUCATIONAL & ECONOMY MODELS
Intended for good water sites or for demonstration
purposes using common automotive components at reduced cost. Wound field with rheostat control. Available
in 1 or 2 nozzles, 12 or 24 volt from 30 to 60 amps.
MODEL 1
This is a special purpose small size low rotational mass alternator intended for low heads and/or low water volumes where some power output is desired at reduced cost. Rotors and stators are specially wound. Brush and bearing replacement is recommended yearly under continuous use. Rheostat control. Available in:
12 volt 12 amp
24 volt 20 amp
48
volt 20 amp
MODELS: 90, 91, 92, etc…
Similar to the large frame Ford alternators used on
the older Harris hydro but with special brush holders to increase brush life
and better treatment of the front bearing. Mechanically air cooled. Brush and bearing replacement is recommended
every 2 years under continuous use. Rheostat control.
Available in: 12, 24, and 48 volt in many amperages
from 6 to 130
MODELS: 27, 37, 47, etc…
Large truck type alternators using larger bearings. Brush and bearing replacement is recommended every 3 years under continuous use. Output performance is good but intended for medium to higher head applications. Rheostat control. Available in:
12 volt 35
to 130 amp
24
volt 35 to 70 amp
48
volt 35 amp
MODELS: 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34 etc…
Brushless adverse environment alternators. Large bearings. Output
performance is good but intended for medium to higher head applications.
Bearing replacement is about 5 years. Rheostat control.
Available in:
12
volt 35 to 130 amp
24
volt 35 to 90 amp
48
volt 35 amp
MODELS: 26, 36, 46, 77, 78, 79, 80 etc…
Our
best performing class of wound field rheostat controlled alternators having
excellent low speed characteristics important for low to medium head
applications. Also recommended for high head and high power
applications. Brush replacement is recommended every 2.5 years and can
be done externally with a paper clip and a screw driver. Bearing replacement is
recommended every 5 years. Electrically isolated outputs.
Available in:
12
volt 15 to 160 amp
24
volt 10 to 90 amp
48
volt 6 to 60 amp
120
volt 4 to 25 amp *
180-240
volt 4 to 12 amp *
*
These higher voltage units can be supplied in AC for remote rectification as a
long distance transmission version to a 12, 24, or 48 volt system. They are
wild frequency and must be used in conjunction with a battery based power
system.
MODELS: 1032, 1038 PERMANENT MAGNET
Our most popular power head due to its performance
characteristics and ease of use.
It is built in such a manner as to eliminate the need for adjustment. Just turn
on the water. Outputs are typically 20 to 30 % greater than the wound field
units due to the higher efficiency of the permanent magnet design. Available in any voltage from 12 to 480 volts AC or DC. The
higher voltage units are usually supplied without rectifiers for long distance
transmission. The AC units are wild frequency and must be used in conjunction
with a step down transformer/rectifier for use on battery based systems only.
The 24, 48 and 120 volt DC units can be used with a MPPT controller as well,
which can increase its effective application range. The AC system is the better
design for long distance applications however. Electrically
isolated design. Electrical connection is to an outdoor PVC box mounted
on the power head for maximum safety and code compliance. We will supply
external output studs on the 12 and 24 volt models if you desire, otherwise
electrical connection is under cover.
DIVERSION LOAD UNITS AND CONTROLS
The
most common method of voltage control over your hydro electric generator is
with a voltage sensing control unit and a diversion heating element. We carry
water heating diversion loads and we build air heating units. The air heating
units are built for continuous use at 100% duty in a 50 C ambient without a
fan. They are superior to everything else we have seen on the market. We took
this approach due to the number of failed units and near fires we have seen
from other brands. That said, the air diversion load must be mounted on a fire
proof wall or other support with suitable fire proofing as needed. The unit
must be kept free of any combustible materials or falling debris.
SITE EVALUATION GUIDE
How
to figure head, volume, pipe loss, wire size and power potential from your
prospective site. Lots of other useful information.
INSTALLATION GUIDE
A
how to manual for installation of home scale hydro as it applies to our
products based on 28 years of experience.
DO-IT-YOURSELF PARTS
Pelton
runners in Delrin or stainless, hubs, nozzles, jets,
intake filters, pond liner material, alternators and control panels, etc…
ENGINE DRIVEN
Information and prices on request. Built on a custom basis as time
permits.
HUMAN POWER
Basically an exercise bike with an alternator to
charge a battery. 75 to 100 watts
is a good work out. Information and prices on request.
Built on a custom basis as time permits.
LISTED EQUIPMENT
Currently
no one manufactures listed home scale hydro electric components except the
controller. We are not an exception due to the limited market and narrow profit
margin. It is impossible for any of us to do this without raising the cost significantly.
We have taken great effort however at making our diversion loads and permanent
magnet power heads in a listable, safe and code
compliant manner.