SYSTEM INSTALLATION
Mechanical Aspects
After locating a suitable site and completing the civil works, your PowerPal is ready for installation. To do this:
1.Bolt the turbine to a turbine stand or base which allows at least 300mm clearance between the turbine and the ground. This clearance is required to prevent splashback that will disrupt turbine performance. The turbine stand should be made from concrete with the four M12 foundation bolts embedded. Bolt spacing is shown in the system diagram but check this against the turbine casing.
2.Turn the handle of the spear valve until the valve is fully closed.
Always turn the handle slowly and smoothly.
3.Affix an elbow bend into the forebay wall. This should be fitted with an atmospheric vent (hollow bent pipe), which allows air to escape from the penstock. The upper opening of the atmospheric vent should be higher than the water level in the forebay. Divert water away from the forebay or else block the top of the penstock pipe during the installation procedure.
4.Affix a suitable elbow bend to the turbine to allow its connection to the penstock. A gate valve may also be installed at this point, if required.
5.Start installing the penstock. Assembly can begin from either direction but it is usually easier to begin uphill – the turbine is much easier to move around than the forebay is. The penstock should be well secured i.e. strongly supported with periodic anchors or buried at regular intervals to support its weight when full – this is particularly important at any bends and at the bottom of the penstock so that PowerPal cannot be knocked over. At least two people should handle the penstock, one uphill and one downhill, until it is fitted into both elbow bends.
Electrical Aspects
The generator is a