Question: How does the PowerSpout compare?

We compared the PowerSpout (the latest in a decade-long line of Hydro Generators with hundreds of units currently in use all around the world) with the other permanent-magnet, dual-jet micro hydro generators available on the market today. We assumed an average site, input the same values for every turbine, and we found that PowerSpout produced about the same output as the best of our competitors, but PowerSpout does it at about half the RPM. This is because the PowerSpout’s pelton rotor and the Smart Drive generator are twice the diameter of the competition.  Ask any mechanic what that means and they will tell you: PowerSpout will certainly outlast the others. That is just the beginning of the benefits of using a PowerSpout.

Most of our competitors use 6203 bearings (40x17x12mm) front and back. We all know the front bearing will fail first as it ‘sees’ more load. PowerSpout has a larger 6205 (52x25x15mm) front bearing and 6005 (47x25x12) rear bearing, resulting in upto 65% more bearing load capacity.

Answer: PowerSpout is the smart choice.

68% of our parts and packaging are from recycled materials.  PowerSpout is manufactured at a facility that is completely powered by renewable means. That means that PowerSpout is the environmentally positive choice, not only for generating clean power, but for being manufactured in a ecologically responsible way. You can now read the full Eco Report, which is an independent study of PowerSpout manufacturing. We understand how we impact on the planet, and how we can do even better in the future. How do our competitors compare?

At the heart of the PowerSpout is a Smart Drive: a direct-drive permanent magnet generator. As the world leader of Smart Drive innovation, with over a decade of experience generating power from these units, we have developed sophisticated simulation software for determining the most efficient configuration for your PowerSpout. PowerSpout achieves a similar performance to the best of its competitors at less than half the RPMs. In addition to the PowerSpout BE we also manufacture the PowerSpout GE, ME and HE versions. We guarantee our PowerSpout and Smart Drive generator for 3 years, but we rarely see them need replacing in that time The bearing assembly is larger than the competition, easily replaced, inexpensive, and available directly from PowerSpout.com.

Attached to the Smart Drive generator, via a 1 inch (25mm) stainless steel shaft, is a durable Pelton Rotor with 20 Pelton spoons. These rotors have been injection molded out of glass-filled nylon. The inexpensive and easily-replaced Pelton spoons are very efficient at harnessing power from water jets. The jets are aimed at the centre of the Pelton spoon, where its unique shape splits the water jet and sends it back the way it came.  In this process almost all the energy from the water jet is extracted, converting it into rotational shaft energy that drives the Smart Drive generator.

Our weatherproof casing means that a PowerSpout is a real outdoorsman: it needs no shelter. Rotationally molded out of strong ¼ inch thick (6mm), long lasting UV resistant plastic, this is made to take all weather conditions without letting you down when you need power the most. The color-coded cap makes your PowerSpout BE, GE, ME, or HE stand out from the others in your system.

Twin opposing jets means that the load on the Pelton rotor is distributed evenly, resulting in a pure couple with no shaft side thrust, this helps the bearings last even longer. The pressure gauge makes it easy to see what is really happening in the pipe so that it is easy to set up and you can give us more accurate feedback about the performance of your system. We may be able to diagnose issues with the installation by comparing the pressure, jet sizes and output Watts against our calculations. We can often diagnose a problem with some good data and a photograph of the installation.

Our "How Much Power" calculator factors in 10% pipe and 10% cable losses. Pipe and cable selection can have a dramatic impact on the actual output of a system. Most competitors’s sites assume zero losses, so be careful when making comparisons. Please use the Advanced Calculator  to get a better picture of your actual results. It is critical that the pipe length and pipe inner diameter are accurately measured, or your results may vary significantly from calculations of installed results, which can have a dramatic impact on the actual output of a system.