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AIR 403 Land Manual Document #0049 REV D
SOUTHWEST WINDPOWER 8/20/2001 32
It is important to keep in mind that battery charge efficiency varies in extreme temperatures.
If these conditions exist, an external regulator with a temperature compensation sensor
should be used to optimize the charge rate. There are several regulators available that
adjust the charge rate based on ambient battery temperature.
There are some conditions in which the AIR 403’s internal regulator is not appropriate as the
primary regulator. These conditions include:
- Systems where battery temperature varies widely
- If batteries are extremely sensitive to charge voltage
- Multiple turbines used with a bus system, where turbine to bus wire lengths or types vary
- Systems with a very small battery bank, contact Southwest Windpower for “low power”
wiring information
The AIR 403 offers you three basic regulation choices:
1. Use the AIR 403 at its factory settings.
AIR 403 Adjustable Voltage Range
12v 13.8v 17.8v preset to 14.1v
24v 27.6v 35.6v preset to 28.2v
36v 41.4v 53.4v preset to 42.3v
48v 55.2v 71.2v preset to 56.4v
2. Adjust the regulator to your systems requirements. The voltage adjustment is external as
indicated in Figure 7 on page 17. This allows you to adjust AIR 403’s internal regulator to the
exact voltage specified by the battery manufacturer. Refer to Section 4.4 on page 22 for
regulator adjustment instructions.
NOTE: Refer to the battery manufacturers’ specifications for exact regulation set points.
3. Use an external regulator. A standard diversion load regulator like that used with solar
panels will work fine. If you choose to use this option you must turn “off” the internal
regulator by gently turning the adjustment screw all the way clockwise.
Types Of Regulators
The three types of regulators available are shunt, Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) and
diversion style regulators. The first two types charge the battery at full turbine output and
reduce the output as the battery becomes full.
A diversion style regulator charges the battery and as the batteries become charged the
excess power is diverted to a resistive load. This allows you to capture full output of the
turbine even when the battery is full. The most common use for this excess power is heating
water.
NOTE: If you elect to use an external regulator, do not use one that will open circuit the
turbine as a means of regulation. The Air 403 turbine was not meant to operate “open-
circuit” for extended periods of time. Most solar controllers will open the solar panel when the
batteries are full and this is perfectly acceptable for solar panels. However, this type of
regulation may damage your AIR 403 by causing it to “freewheel” when the batteries are full.
If you choose to use an external regulator, be sure to use a diversion style regulator.
