Aero4gen Advice - Have you ever seen one like this?

[Jonny_H]

I have removed the Aero4gen from our new boat to service it (the vertical bearings were quite stiff - now freed!)

I have just been on the phone to LVM to order a new rear cover, as the one fitted at the moment appears to have warped somehow and now looks like this:

Questions:

1) When the new rear cover arrives is there anything I can do to prevent it lifting in between the attachment points again?
2) There is some minor rusting inside as a result of the badly fitting cover (see pic 3 above) - will this harm the unit (I tested the unit and it appears to still be generating)?
3) Has anyone else ever seen this happen before (the unit is 10 years old)?
4) I was going to touch up the areas of flaking paint with hammerite - good idea / any better suggestions?

All help and advice much appreciated!

Jonny

 

[sarabande]

When I bought the boat last year, a similar unit had extensive corrosion in the area you describe, and the UV had affected / embrittled the root of the blades. I was not impressed by the resilience of the unit which IMHO needs an external redesign to make it fit for maritime purposes.

 

[ccscott49]

That's the aerogen off my wind generator list!

 

[2nd Wind]

For the painting I have used Plasticote on my Aero4Gen and it seems to last reasonably well. As to being fit for purpose I have found mine to be exremely tough. During the November winds up here the mounting pole [not an Aerogen part] snapped and the unit fell approx 12 feet onto the ground breaking the boss and a couple of blades. Great service from LVM and very helpful. Replaced all the bits and it is now working fine after it's rather harsh "drop test". I give them my vote for sturdiness and customer service and can vouch that they work very well keeping my heavily used batteries charged.
In respect of your rear cover plate no idea unless it may somehow have got filled with water and then frozen. Lots of these units around here and never seen or heard of this happening before.
Good luck with the repairs and you will have many happy years with your "windygen".

 

[doug748]

Must second that, I have always had a grand respose from the manufacturers on the few times I have needed advice. My Aerogen has run almost continiously for the twelve years of my ownership; though the blades do go brittle with age and must be replaced every 15 years or so! Tis quiet as well.

 

[Jonny_H]

Fully agree with the support of LVM - called them up and they transfered me to the correct department. The chap there said he would call me back when he had found the part number (here is where I expected the typical 3 day delay) - less than a minute later he rang me back with the part number and said he would dispatch straight away.

I haven't seen any others damaged like mine - and have heard good reports about performance.

If mine was filled with water to cause the damage it hasn't affected the internals as it still appears to work fine (did the recommended test of spinning the blades and touching the +ve and -ve together to see if you get sparks and slowing of the blades)

Jonny

 

[Blueboatman]

You are so right.Unfortunately.The Ampair equivalent is well proven and does not suffer failure of the blades at their root or by uv on the blade surface.