adelaidem
New member
I can only afford solar or wind turbine, I am thinking wind turbine. Any thoughts? Has anyone relied solely on wind?
2X100amp AGMs
1X75amp crancking lead acid
2X100amp AGMs
1X75amp crancking lead acid
Charging batteries
- Thread starter adelaidem
- Start date
markdj
Active member
First thing you need to look at is the charging capacity of your current system.
How much do you use your engine?
What is the alternator output?
What ampage of solar panel/wind generator are you looking at?
How long would the new unit take to charge batteries?
Be aware that you can only use about 1/2 of the capacity of batteries before they are discharged so you have 100amp hours max. usable on your domestic.
You would need a charger with 2 outputs or a splitter diode to charge both sets individually.
If you require 100amp hours to fully charge your battery and the alternator output is 40amps then you can charge your batteries in about 2 1/2 hours using engine.
Have a look at some wind generators and solar panels and give us an idea of what rating you are looking at.
Mark
How much do you use your engine?
What is the alternator output?
What ampage of solar panel/wind generator are you looking at?
How long would the new unit take to charge batteries?
Be aware that you can only use about 1/2 of the capacity of batteries before they are discharged so you have 100amp hours max. usable on your domestic.
You would need a charger with 2 outputs or a splitter diode to charge both sets individually.
If you require 100amp hours to fully charge your battery and the alternator output is 40amps then you can charge your batteries in about 2 1/2 hours using engine.
Have a look at some wind generators and solar panels and give us an idea of what rating you are looking at.
Mark
pvb
Well-known member
Urban myth...
[ QUOTE ]
If you require 100amp hours to fully charge your battery and the alternator output is 40amps then you can charge your batteries in about 2 1/2 hours using engine.
[/ QUOTE ]
Unfortunately, it's not as simple as that. The quoted output of an alternator is a maximum output, and its actual output will depend on other factors. The main factor affecting charging current is the state of charge of the batteries. If they're quite flat, they'll accept a high charge for a short time, but the current will gradually taper off as the batteries recharge. To get the last 20% of charge can take a long time. So-called "smart" regulators (Adverc, Sterling, etc) increase the charging voltage so as to force more current through the batteries, but the current is still relatively low (compared to the alternator's max output) for much of the charge cycle. The other factor affecting charge current is the Ah capacity of the battery bank; a 200Ah bank is quite small and would certainly not accept 40amps for very long.
[ QUOTE ]
If you require 100amp hours to fully charge your battery and the alternator output is 40amps then you can charge your batteries in about 2 1/2 hours using engine.
[/ QUOTE ]
Unfortunately, it's not as simple as that. The quoted output of an alternator is a maximum output, and its actual output will depend on other factors. The main factor affecting charging current is the state of charge of the batteries. If they're quite flat, they'll accept a high charge for a short time, but the current will gradually taper off as the batteries recharge. To get the last 20% of charge can take a long time. So-called "smart" regulators (Adverc, Sterling, etc) increase the charging voltage so as to force more current through the batteries, but the current is still relatively low (compared to the alternator's max output) for much of the charge cycle. The other factor affecting charge current is the Ah capacity of the battery bank; a 200Ah bank is quite small and would certainly not accept 40amps for very long.
adelaidem
New member
i am going to purchace the Single Engine VSR Battery Distribution Cluster, from my understanding i should be able to hook my charging systems up to this, which will then send the charge to which ever batteries that needs charging, i have a 60amp alternater. I thought AGM batteries can be brought right down under 1/2 of the capacity .
adelaidem
New member
ok how about 3X100 amp AGMs
Gordonmc
Active member
There are a lot of downsides to wind generators, not the least of which are the relatively high turning speeds to achieve a decent charge, danger from blades, noise from blades , cost, etc. etc.
Get a solar panel and buy a cheapo generator for emergencies.
Get a solar panel and buy a cheapo generator for emergencies.
adelaidem
New member
Wind turbine can charge ur batteries at night if theres wind something solar panels cant do.
The modern ones put out little noise.
Mounted high over the transom there is no danger.
High charge imputs with little wind.
chargeing could be made while sailing on cloudy days.
So whats the bad points on them? i cant seem to see any other than if there is no wind.
The modern ones put out little noise.
Mounted high over the transom there is no danger.
High charge imputs with little wind.
chargeing could be made while sailing on cloudy days.
So whats the bad points on them? i cant seem to see any other than if there is no wind.
Phoenix of Hamble
Active member
My wind gen is quiet as a mouse... don't ever notice it..... gives a solid amp in minimal winds, and increases dramatically with extra wind..... on Saturday when it blew 25kts it was outputting enough to run a laptop, an autopilot and all the instruments, as well as the VHF and radio as well as putting a bit of charge back into the batteries... no way an ordinary sized solar panel would do that. (although I have solar panels as well /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)
Don't forget, that even with the charge splitter you'll need a dump resistor/manager for the wind gen otherwise you'll cook your batteries.....
Don't forget, that even with the charge splitter you'll need a dump resistor/manager for the wind gen otherwise you'll cook your batteries.....
mikebees
New member
Southace,
Your summing up is absolutely correct.
On my last boat, a 32 footer, I used a transom mounted Aerogen 6 mounted about 8 feet up so no safety problems. Excess current during gales was safely dumped into two massive resistors which actually kept the boat warm in the winter! Noise was negligible and I effectively forgot about my batteries (2x 105Ah domestic and 1x105Ah for engine starting). This setup was totally reliable for several years.
Don't make the mistake of buying too small a generator which requires too high wind speeds to be effective (the power generated goes up as the cube of the wind speed and as the square of the blade diameter) or the American equivalent which is very noisy and unreliable.
Solar panels are not a serious option as the main power source in the dull and windy UK but in your part of the world might merit serious cosideration.
Your summing up is absolutely correct.
On my last boat, a 32 footer, I used a transom mounted Aerogen 6 mounted about 8 feet up so no safety problems. Excess current during gales was safely dumped into two massive resistors which actually kept the boat warm in the winter! Noise was negligible and I effectively forgot about my batteries (2x 105Ah domestic and 1x105Ah for engine starting). This setup was totally reliable for several years.
Don't make the mistake of buying too small a generator which requires too high wind speeds to be effective (the power generated goes up as the cube of the wind speed and as the square of the blade diameter) or the American equivalent which is very noisy and unreliable.
Solar panels are not a serious option as the main power source in the dull and windy UK but in your part of the world might merit serious cosideration.
adelaidem
New member
Sounds promising. so if I purchase a good quality wind gen my charging needs will be satisfied and possibly in the future I could acquire solar panels if need be.
adelaidem
New member
what size generator did u have or Recommend ???
Phoenix of Hamble
Active member
Mine's an Aerogen4
mikebees
New member
Aerogen 6
A bit beefy and requires a fatter pole - suited the character of my boat which was long keel/heavy displacement. A friend had an Aerogen 4 on the same type of boat, also excellent but if, like me, you have a compressor driven fridge on board I think the 6 is a better bet.
A bit beefy and requires a fatter pole - suited the character of my boat which was long keel/heavy displacement. A friend had an Aerogen 4 on the same type of boat, also excellent but if, like me, you have a compressor driven fridge on board I think the 6 is a better bet.
jerryat
Active member
Hi southace,
We use a Rutland 913 on our cruises and are delighted with it. It's a bit heavy (circa 23lbs) but gives very good output. The other huge advantage AFAIC, is that the backup from Marlec is absolutely excellent. Even when I dropped the unit a couple of days after receiving it, I returned it to them and they checked everything, replaced the bearings 'just in case', and returned it, all free of charge!!
Their support since then on installation etc has been terrific. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Cheers Jerry
We use a Rutland 913 on our cruises and are delighted with it. It's a bit heavy (circa 23lbs) but gives very good output. The other huge advantage AFAIC, is that the backup from Marlec is absolutely excellent. Even when I dropped the unit a couple of days after receiving it, I returned it to them and they checked everything, replaced the bearings 'just in case', and returned it, all free of charge!!
Their support since then on installation etc has been terrific. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Cheers Jerry
markdj
Active member
I suppose I should say that I was simplifying greatly, but the principle was correct. The usual charge cycle consists of a high initial charge then the normal long term charging stage of absorption all explained here...
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq9.htm#stages
Regarding a wind generator, they are probably the best option as wind can almost be guaranteed 99% of the time. Be careful as to what type and go for the recommended ones here. I have heard wind generators from 1/2 mile away!!!
M
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq9.htm#stages
Regarding a wind generator, they are probably the best option as wind can almost be guaranteed 99% of the time. Be careful as to what type and go for the recommended ones here. I have heard wind generators from 1/2 mile away!!!
M