If you had 20 gallons per minute at 20 feet of drop, the power output largely depends on the size of your turbine blade diameter and generator efficiency.

How can these things be accurate if those data points aren't there?

Also bonus question, can I just make a 20 foot diameter wheel and make more power as long as it was made light enough?

Hi I graduated with a BS in environmental engineering. I have experience with pumps, stormwater infrastructure, water treatment, etc. I’ve worked a few jobs in water resources and currently have a job more focused on geoscience/hydrography (mapping the ocean floor). In each of my jobs, I’ve found myself more interested in the mechanical systems than the other aspects. I would love to be able to shift over in working more on the mechanical systems that makeup water resources and even explore more into hydroelectric plants, working on turbines, etc.

My questions are 1) Do I need more MechE experience/schooling? And 2) should I be looking for more technician jobs if I really want to be in the field.

Please excuse my limited scope in the field of hydroelectricity and MechE.

Thanks

I've been having a lot of trouble with them... looking for others who might've tried these affordable units and made it through to a reliable system...

It seems that most of the issues are around the bearings supplied -- they have failed multiple times. One of the times it resulted in a burnt out stator.

The company says they'll warranty the stator, but if I can't get the thing to run for more than a week, then its not even worth repairing/replacing parts...

Other issues include the voltage regulator is a kind of on/off system, which seems hard on things...

Any advice? source of better bearings? Some encouragement that these things will work?

Thanks.