Ampair Pacific or Rutland 913

[chasroberts]

Dear Forumites

I have been trying to decide between the above two wind generators. Done lots of research, read up test reports etc and before committing the money would appreciate any thoughts or comments on the merits or otherwise of these two. They both seem to have pluses and minuses. HELP......please.

Many thanks in advance.

Chas Roberts

<hr width=100% size=1>Semper in excretum sum. Sole profundum variat!

 

[Sunnyseeker]

We found the Ampair blades of our Auquair 100 were quieter than any other generator. I guess they're using the same blade design.
They also had very good backup when I blew up the regulator!
Great product great service and quiet!

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[charles_reed]

My Ampair is about 8 years old and in comparison to the the Rutland is heavier, takes more wind to get it spinning, but produces more amps when it does get going.

I've found the after-sales service from Ampair outstandingly good, spares are not expensive, replacements are swiftly despatched (for even outside the UK) and the equipment is robust and almost agricultural.

There's very little difference in noise levels, both are amongst the quietest of the wind generators.

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[iangrant]

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.gosolar.u-net.com/AIR_403_windgenerator.htm>http://www.gosolar.u-net.com/AIR_403_windgenerator.htm</A>
Is a really powerful unit.. but noisy

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[Talbot]

you really need to look at the power being supplied by both, and then do an energy budget to look at power needed, finally check the standard weather for the area you intend to operate in. This may provide the answer, or it may show that you are short on power (normal position) some people solve this by fitting two of the cheaper units (and thus have some redundancy) others fit solar panels, LED nav lights, or a generator. Personnally, for my plan I hope to be travelling downwind as much as possible (fairly vital requirement for a catalac /forums/images/icons/smile.gif) and thus a wind generator is not very effective. My choice has therefore gone for a Duogen and a solar panel.

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[sjohn_gibson]

The Air - 403 has been superceded by the Air-X which has addressed the noise issue. See my post on 26 Jun or check out www. windenergy.com
http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/s...=531681&page=4&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=93&part=

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[JerryHawkins]

Have a look at a DuoGen

I've had a DuoGen more or less since it first became available. It has seen quite a few detail design changes over the last couple of years and it is now a serious competitor to all the main-stream units.

You have the best of both worlds - water and air depending on what you're doing. In air-mode its very quiet and easy to handle. Installation is a doddle, the weight is all down low. In water mode there's nothing to get tangled. Switching between modes is simple and takes a minute or so (including packing the bits away!).

If you're in the Plymouth area you're welcome to view mine, if not, contact Pete at DuoGen and I'm sure he'll be able to find an owner near you.

Cheers, Jerry

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[LadyInBed]

What Charles says for Ampair after-sales service I have found equally applies to Rutland.
Rutland have now redesigned and produced a new regulator. They say that in high winds it now pulses a short circuit to the wind gen to load it and slow it down.


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[jerryat]

Hi Chas,

I've used a 913 for the last 5 years and am still delighted with it. I'm even more delighted with the company which is IMHO, one of the very best in the marine industry. After sales service and customer care is quite outstanding and they didn't even charge for repairs caused as result of my mistakes! Amazing!

I did a pond circuit on a friend's boat a few years ago with the ampair equivalent and was also impressed. In my view there's very little to choose between the two so yer pays yer money etc ......

My only slight concern with the 913 is it's weight which, at 23lbs, is a hefty lump to have hanging on the stern of our little boat. When we shove off again next year after the refit, I may well change it for the Air X (weight circa 13lbs and monstrous output) which a friend of mine is totally ecstatic about. On the other hand, you can buy the Air X in St Maarten for a fraction of the UK cost, so might wait till we get there!

Good sailing!

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[Born_Free]

Rather depends on what you want them for. If you want to charge up when sailing then a wind generator is just the job, but if you're wanting to keep the batteries topped up while the boats lying in a sheltered marina, then a solar panel will do a much better job. After all look at what they use on all the bouy nav' lights now.
Only my opinion, Oh and that of one of those nice engineers from one of the two companies you mentioned, whose products I use incidently.
Food for a rethink perhaps?

<hr width=100% size=1>Born Free!
Now I'm expensive

 

[jerryat]

Hi Born Free!

Yep, agree with you. In addition to the 913, we carry two 55 watt solar panels for when we're at anchor or (VERY rarely) in a marina. We also have an Aqua4gen for the long passages, all backed up by the superb Adverc for when the engine's pressed into use. If all that fails, we have a Kawasaki generator, though this has hardly ever been used.

We never have a problem with power shortage, but then we are a small boat and do manage the battery system very carefully via a Pulstronic monitor that keeps track of the 'in' and 'out' of amperage, voltage and total amps consumed.

Our system has evolved over the last seven years of cruising full time and we think now meets all our likely requirements, though as I mentioned earlier, we are considering the Air X.

Good sailing!

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[chasroberts]

Many thanks for all your thoughts guys!
Chas Roberts

<hr width=100% size=1>Semper in excretum sum. Sole profundum variat!