PERFORMANCE OF UNDERSHOT WATER WHEEL AS MINI HYDRO POWER PLANT FOR AGRICULTURAL ROAD

Undershot water wheels or undercurrent water wheels work when water flows against the blade wall located at the bottom of the waterwheel. This type is suitable for installation in shallow water in flat areas. Here the flow of water is opposite to the direction of the blade which rotates the wheel. This research is an applied research that will be utilized in the regions. The purpose of this study was to determine the performance of the undershot waterwheel as a mini hydro power plant. From the results of the study it can be concluded that the performance of the undershot waterwheel is strongly influenced by the water discharge and the water level in the channel. Compared to the performance of a water wheel without a bucket and using a dynamo, the maximum water power of a water wheel without a bucket and using a dynamo is the same, namely 240.71 N at a water flow rate of 0.5833 m3 /s. The maximum rotation of the waterwheel on the water wheel without a bucket is 18.70 revolutions/minute with the maximum rotation of the waterwheel using a dynamo 15.10 revolutions/minute. The maximum power of a water wheel on a water wheel without a bucket is 1232.97watt and on a water wheel using a dynamo the maximum power is 995.60 watts. For maximum efficiency obtained at the waterwheel without a bucket of 74.296%.