Whether you are considering how to build a wind generator or even installing a hybrid system with solar panels too, you will probably want an inverter to run your AC appliances.

This makes a lot of sense since modern produced AC appliances are much cheaper to buy, rather than exclusively DC.

Over the past 20 years inverter technology has leaped ahead resulting in many options opening up for the off grid homeowner.

Inverters convert DC power stored in your batteries into AC power commonly used in your household today. As mentioned earlier this allows you to use many AC appliances you now own, and use many of the low energy larger appliances as well.

We worried mostly about running our sensitive computer equipment on inverter power.

Additional Equipment

We also recommend a charge controller for your battery bank which keeps your system from overcharging and damaging your batteries.

You should consider a bypass switch which allows you to turn off your inverter loads and run appliances directly from the generator. We do this with the washing machine sometimes during big laundry days with low energy production (November).

You should also get a DC Safety Disconnect for Electrical Code compliance.

Wiring

Wind Generator Wiring.- Should run separately from your renewable energy system, mark the wire accordingly

AC Power Box- This is the feed from the inverter,

DC wiring- Should run directly from the battery, not through the AC power box. You can run lights etc. this way

DC outlets- just use simple 240 outlets, that have one of the plugs sideways. This can be done as long as no regular 240 volt outlets are planned.

Wire From the Solar panels or wind generator

Large gauge wire will be needed from the Renewable energy charging system to the batteries. Dealers provide charts to help with this decision. From 12 gauge to 3/0 is used, just check with your dealer recommended specs. If you are installing your own system, just send us an email and we will help you with your wire sizing. This is a very system specific choice and can not be made in general terms here.

Most of this information is very basic, to get you started. For a more in depth discussion about how to build a wind generator and more go to Wind Generator Plans to Build A Wind Generator

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