recommend a decent/proper dump load

Will someone please recommend where to find a decent/proper dump load/dummy load for my windmill??? What do you all use? Where did you get them?
I took down my windmill and dis-assembled the battery/charge controller wiring, as I want to make final setup 'right'. Not going to use two 12 volt battery bank as a 24 volt system, just + to + and - to - I believe this makes the two 12volt batteries in essence 1 big 12volt battery.

Not sure how to wire this to the charge controller, should the + and - from one battery go to the controller? OR should the + from one battery and the - from the second battery go to the controller?

Ghurd strongly recommended not to use my make shift dump load, and I am heeding his advise, but am at a standstill until suitable dump load is found..

What about using a dc powered nitrous bottle heater blanket?? That was my latest thought of what to use if I don't find a better alternative...

I am hoping to not have to post so many questions in the very near future, as I don't wish to overuse this fourm. Just looking for any help to get this up and running safely and effectively! Terry

[Gotwind Ben]

An old forum member Fungus used a 12v auto Ceramic heater which appear fairly robust, better than Auto bulbs i suspect.
This one will dump 120w - others are higher.
Here's a U.K example
http://www.outdoorworld.co.uk/royal-12v ... rrency=GBP

thanks for the post Mr. Ben! I just want to tell you all my windmill is up and running!!! It's about 18 feet tall and currently my batteries are at 12.5 volts and rising. The multimeter is on the windmill wires and decent winds tonight. Multimeter is right around 13 volts. I am so proud of this accomplishment! It has taken me about 8 weeks to do this to my satisfaction, a very very long project for me! My dump load for now is the 12volt dc nitrous bottle 'blanket' heater out of my drag racing 442 convertible which is in winter storage until April. So again, scrounged around until I found something that works! Thanks to all who helped me! I will post progress and if I need help again. Terry New01xkrowner

NOS 442? You bugger!
I'll trade you a BB NOS 442 for a BIG dump load. :twisted:
Or even a SB 442. LOL

I figured you were UK. Might look at the bone yard for VWs for a 12V powered battery blankets (I never saw one, but I hear they exist and may have been exclusive to motors without spark plugs shipped north). Semis some times use one too (same deal). They may bring a premium.
I have no idea what kind of power they pull, but they would be less susceptible to failure in a short time.

Why not just get some power resistors?
If the cost is crazy high, can have a look at my site.
I try to avoid 'advertising', but you could use a little help.
G-

Ghurd- You mean you can't tell by my northern accent that I'm in the US???
:) the 442 is alot of fun btw...she's a street car, but low 12's on motor, mid 11's on the bottle :)

I will look at your site, actually I have before... I don't know what power resistors are, or what they do, again my lack of electrical knowledge biting me in my a**. But I'd like to get some from you. If you could let me know what/how many/cost/and how to hookup that would be great.

My windmill is just what I wanted in it's third day of operation... I rigged up a spotlight so I can watch her turn at night.... so coool..... glad I put white elec. tape around middle of blades for reflection/contrast to the black blades! YES, the spotlight is running off the windmill power, again, soooo coooool! My guy wires really make the tower seem quite secure, glad I put them in... I have been making pretty much between 12 and 13 volts with the winds here and that's enough to charge the 2 battery 12volt 'system' I have, right? Well, look forward to a reply Mr. Ghurd I appreciate all your help through this forum and glad to report good news about my windmill.

P.S. I will be making a short video soon and will post a link for ya! Terry

We were able to get some dump loads (power resistors) at a great price by purchasing 2000 units (That is correct: 2000. I did not accidentally hit an extra 0 :))

If you are in the UK keep in mind shipping will be fairly expensive:

http://www.windynation.com/shop/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=7

yikes!

windy, your "Technical Specifications" advice will have people dumping over 1Kw thru that 300w resistor in a 24v system!

i smell smoke.

The "Technical Specifications" is correct.

The 24 volt dump load resistor is 2.9 ohms NOT 0.73 ohms. I made a mistake when typing the resistance (The 12 volt dump load is 0.73 ohms.)

Thank you for pointing that out. I am going to change it to 2.9 ohms.

cheers windy..

it's a relief to hear it was just a typo and the actual product has safe ratings. i see you have it corrected now. we had a further look around your store and it's looking better than ever..looks like all the hard work is starting to pay off, best of luck there.

kind regards, dave

...was not a real yikes,. just an oops:)

I've put four 7A at 24V diesel glowplugs into some 22mm copper piping on a domestic hot water radiator I hung in the garage for a divert load, which numnuts here forgot to add antifreeze to, so it all froze solid recently. Has unfrozen now and luckily the glowplugs still work (was afraid the ice pressure would knacker the tips) so have hastily drained and refilled with car antifreeze.

I'm intending to add a pic of it here,
http://mostlydiywindturbine.blogspot.co ... pdate.html
when I get the time.

Edited to add: Which I've now done!