1 - Select your location

Selecting a good location to set up your turbine is important. Always follow local regulations for use of river resources.

Here are some things that make for a good location:

  • Safe & easy access to river shore
  • Swift water flow (at least 0.5 m/s)
  • Depth of 10 inches or more
  • Suitable anchor point (tree, ground anchor, etc)

Some examples are shown below:

  • Good

    This location has:

    • Easy access
    • Swift water, 1.0 m/s (2.2 mph)
    • Water depth greater than 10 inches
    • Ground that is suitable for an anchor point

  • Acceptable

    This location has:

    • Relatively easy access
    • Relatively swift water, 0.6 m/s (1.3 mph)
    • Ground on shore that is suitable for strong anchor point

    This location lacks:

    • Water depth is less than 10 inches

  • Unacceptable

    This location has:

    • Easy access
    • Depth greater than 10 inches

    This location lacks:

    • Swift water flow (this area had virtually no flow)
    • Does not have suitable ground for anchor or access to trees
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2 - Swap the Side Wings if necessary

The side wings use the flowing water to produce a force that pushes the turbine away from shore.

This allows for using an anchor point on one side of the river, so you don't have to access the opposite side of the river.

The side wings can be swapped so that you can mount to the 'river left' or 'river right' shore.

If you need to make the swap, use a 4mm allen wrench to remove the grid wings. Reinstall them so the arrows point in the correct direction away from shore.

  • This arrow must point away from shore

  • This arrow must match the direction of flow

3 - Lay out your gear and select anchor locations

Place the turbine on the shore, approximately where you will be putting it in the river.

Stretch out the primary mounting line up river and attach to a ground anchor, tree or other sturdy mounting point by tying a knot.

PULL ON THE LINE TO TEST THE STRENGTH OF THE ANCHOR POINT. The anchorage must not move or slip!

Then stretch out the secondary mounting line as shown here. Again PULL ON THE LINE TO TEST THE STRENGTH OF THE ANCHOR POINT.

The secondary mounting point serves as a 'trim line' to help guide the turbine into the desired position. It also provides a backup in case the primary anchor fails. Failure to use the secondary line could result in the loss of your turbine.

Finally attach the hose and stretch it up river, parallel to the primary mounting line. The free end of the hose should be secured in a manner that keeps it from being swept away by the water.

4 - Deploy the turbine into the river

Stand behind the turbine (ie downstream from it) and pick it up with your hands.

Pull a light tension on the primary mounting line.

Toss the turbine into the water.

Watch carefully to ensure the river current does not dislodge the anchorage!

If necessary, pull the turbine back to shore using the secondary line.