Anyone using a Rutland 913 in the Carib?

[mixmaster]

Looking to fit one before we go but am curious how much juice people are getting out of them. I know they're lower output than some competition but they're lighter, cheaper, quieter and start generating earlier in low wind conditions. How many amp hours are people getting in a 24 hour period in a typical Caribbean anchorage?

Thanks.

 

[SimonJ]

I have been using a Rutland in the Caribbean. Since fitting it in UK in 2000 it has been in action constantly (apart from 6 months while boat was laid up ashore in Antigua when it was dismounted.)
As far as output goes it is at the bottom of the league. What the output is, is like saying how long is a piece of string. Ordinarily when anchoring one is looking for the calmest place, probably closeish to shore and thus fairly sheltered. So probably not a lot of wind. Here the Rutland does quite well as it starts to generate (albeit at low power) at lower wind speeds than most.
Right now I am at anchor in the Saintes and it is gusty (& rolly, bouncy but good wifi hence this input)! The output fluctuates in gusts from 1-5 amps & has done for 24 hours. What does that come to? Who knows!? In a simple boat (ie only an efficient fridge, laptop, led lights, occasional VHF & use of SSB) 1 X Rutland plus 3 X 35 amp solar panels keeps me charged most of the time. Overcast and/or little wind (which can be common in many anchorages close to high mountains) then I have to run the engine - more panels and bigger wind generator would do little to help!
To make use of any power generated you must be able to 'save it' in good batteries AND charge at a sufficiently high voltage. Batteries always degrade - you get some control over the time period but are often the cause of electrical issues.
I would recommend a combination of panels and a wind generator (or two). But remember days are very short for solar generating - perhaps as little as 8-10 hours on a good day.
Finally, with a Rutland (& probably other makes) - never stop them physically as a routine procedure. They must be able to spin to throw out moisture (and it is humid in the Caribbean) from the bearings.
Hope that helps a little!

 

[mixmaster]

It certainly does help.
Our plan seems to be the Ruland plus a 90 amp salar panel(s) with a 560Ah battery bank. At anchorage this should be just enough. I don't really mind if it does fall behind 20-30 amps on certain days. You can always make it up on the days you motor in/out of an achorage or just run the engine for 30 minutes (we have a 110A alternator).

Just wanted to see that my theoretical numbers weren't way out of whack with reality. I was planning for 35Ah out both the solar and wind each on a good day. Which in the carib should be most of the time!

 

[jonic]

I have happily used a Rutland here in the Caribbean and it varies from 1-5 amps, I also have an 80w panel but in retrospect and from what I have seen on other boats, would have at least double the solar power.

 

[Independence]

I had the smaller version on my last boat (the 503 I think) and will be potentially upgrading to a 913 on my new boat.

One of the problems I found with the 503 was that whilst sailing the unit was prone to spinning 360 degrees and therefore became quite inefficient a times. In fairness to the unit I understand it was designed more for charging whilst the boat was tied up as opposed to at sea. Some friends of mine also had the same problem which was resolved with some string and bungy cord to manually hold it in the right direction.

In your experience does the same thing happen to the 913?

 

[SimonJ]

Rutland 913. I have not had an issue with this. Some people obviously have as I have seen enlarged diy fins! I believe if there is enough wind to generate then it stays aligned.
There are incidentally many Rutlands to be seen in the Caribbean. A Canadian agent does good business in Canada where they are popular, also the French have them.
While I think it is a fine bit of kit, if I was fitting out again now I would be considering something with a little more output or 2 Rutlands! Inevitably your power requirement grows as you get more goodies and your batteries degrade.
Do not disregard the fact that surprisingly many days are overcast (and a lot even wet) in the Caribbean (this winter maybe 50% of time) and wind is never steady at anchor. Days are very short. Some solar panels have higher voltages than others (critical for good battery charging) and output reduces with temperature. My panels worked best in Canada -bright long days of sunshine but not too hot!

 

[LadyInBed]

My 913 (on mizzen) spins when I am on a run, so I put a tether onto the tail to hold direction.
I think it is because they are quite finely balanced. A larger tail fin or a longer fin arm could sort the problem.

 

[NormanS]

[ QUOTE ]
My 913 (on mizzen) spins when I am on a run, so I put a tether onto the tail to hold direction.
I think it is because they are quite finely balanced. A larger tail fin or a longer fin arm could sort the problem.

[/ QUOTE ]

Mine also on mizzen, and spins when running, but gives excellent results at anchor. But that's on the west coast of Scotland. Obviously I couldn't hazard a guess as to what it would do in the Caribbean. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif