Outback Power Systems 80 user manual Micro-Hydro and Fuel Cell Applications

17. Micro-Hydro and Fuel Cell Applications

The FLEXmax 80 is designed to work with solar arrays. Although it will work with micro-hydro turbines and fuel cell, OutBack Power Systems can only offer limited technical support for these applications because there is too much variance in micro-hydro and fuel cell generator specifications. When used for micro-hydro or fuel cell applications, the FLEXmax 80 warranty will be honored only if the manufacturer and turbine model have been approved by OutBack Power Systems. Please check with one of the following manufacturers or OutBack Power Systems before employing the FLEXmax 80 with these applications:

•Harris Hydroelectric

(831)425-7652 www.harrishydro.com

•Alternative Power & Machine

(541)476-8916 www.apmhydro.com

•Energy System & Design

(506)433-3151 www.microhydropower.com

The FLEXmax 80 is not compatible with wind turbine applications and OutBack cannot

warranty its use in these applications.

MICRO-HYDRO AND FUEL CELL SYSTEMS PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION

Micro-hydro and fuel cell systems are different than PV systems, whose VOC output is more subject to change due to weather and time of day. A PV system normally finds its Maximum Power Point voltage between 50-90% of its VOC. A micro-hydro or fuel cell system’s MPP voltage can be outside of this range.

The FLEXmax 80 allows a user to experiment and find more appropriate set points to best capture the MPP voltage using U-Pickmode. Otherwise, Auto Track begins tracking the VOC and works its way down until the optimum percentage of input voltage yields the MPP voltage. If U-Pick % Voc is chosen, the MPP is calculated by whatever value is found in Park Mpp, even if it’s not the optimal value for determining the MPP voltage. For this reason, OutBack normally suggests leaving the system in Auto Sweep mode.

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