Forgen wind genny.

[Rabbie]

Urgent advice please. Any pros/cons regarding the 500 model. Are they reliable.

<hr width=100% size=1>A day not spent on my boat is a day in my life wasted.

 

[Talbot]

As I understand they are very reliable at producing almost nothing! If you are going to fit a wind genny then get a decent one - Rutland 913 or aero4gen, or if you need a lot of power the new duogen. However if you really just want a trickle charge, fit a solar panel.

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[Rabbie]

Thanks Talbot. I suspected as much. I already have a solar panel, but will take your advice re Rutland 913 which was my first choice.

<hr width=100% size=1>A day not spent on my boat is a day in my life wasted.

 

[steve_cronin]

Re: Forget Forgen

wHEN WE WERE ON A SWINGING MOORING AND USED AN aEROGEN3 TO KEEP OUR FRIDGE BATTERY FULL WHILST EARNING A LIVING AWAY FROM THE BOAT, WE USED TO RIDICULE PEOPLE WHO HAD THOSE "BARBER'S SIGNS" WHIZZING AROUND ON THEIR MASTS.

aS TALBOT HAS (NEARLY) SAID THROW IT AWAY. Sorry if anyone's wife bought one as a present!

sTEVE cRONIN

OOps! sorry about the case conflict



<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[Talbot]

depends really on energy budget requirements. I have a solar panel that is adequate for the cruising around solent etc (180w) and use of my Eberspacher. For decent fridge and freezer and autopilot, plus all the other smaller bits, a single rutland 913 is not enough, plus it doesnt really work when going down wind. If that is your plan, forget the Rutland and consider either a Duogen (for lots of power), or the cheaper Aqua4gen if you dont need quite as much. But start by doing an energy budget, and then working out what you really need. I have seen one boat with twin rutland 913, but it was somewhat noisy in the wind!

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[ShipsWoofy]

Re: Forget Forgen

It pays to look up from the keyboard once in a while.

I have an aerogen 4. So far in two weeks of living on board, in foul weather (rain and other British delights) we only had to run the engine once to maintain voltage for the fridge. The wind was average UK, F9 - F0 variable.

We because of the weather spent more time on board than our usual cruises so more power was being used. We never plug into marina's. I have to say, this is the best thing I have bought this year,(thanks bendyone!.). The regulator is set up to also receive inputs from solar panels so they are my next big purchase as we should be living on board within the next 12 months.

The aerogen has a better output than the rutland, but at the cost that I have seen 913's near us starting to spin before mine will, whether they are producing anything worth writing home about in light airs is a different matter though.

If I was buying again, I would stay with the aerogen, when I got to the boat on Sunday the batteries were reading 14.5 (off load). My engines were never giving a decent charge, I truly believe that the windgen will extend my battery life too.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Woof</A>

 

[steve_cronin]

Re: Forget Forgen

"It pays to look up from the keyboard once in a while.
" - does this mean that I have offended? If soyou must have misunderstood. The Forgen is just a pathetic toy. Now Aerogens - now your talking.

In Greece we have two 55watt solar panels on a gantry which run the fridge 24/7 (lowest voltage is at dawn at 12.3v) but our Aerogen3 is hanging on the garage wall just in case we return to less "enlightened" regions. Our elder son took it to a scout camp in Iceland and ran the computer network for an international camp from it a few years back.

Steve Cronin



<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[Talbot]

Re: Forget Forgen

If the regulator is doing its job, your batteries should only have been showing about 13.6v (float charge). If they continue to show 14.5, your batteries will not last as long as before, because they will be cooked. check the regulator is set to the correct battery type

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[ShipsWoofy]

Re: Forget Forgen

They are being charged no higher than the engine alternators.

After a couple of minutes with ships power turned on the voltmeters are reading around 12.5 to 12.8v

I have been checking the battery levels frequently and all the cells are showing no loss of water.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Woof</A>

 

[Talbot]

Re: Forget Forgen

I hear what you are saying, but does seem higher than has been suggested in all the books I have read , If it is not bu**ering the battery - who cares! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[ashanta]

Rabbie,

I have both. I used the aerogen on my last boat and the forgen came with this boat. The forgen is self regulating and can be situated out of the way. Mines in the side of my mast. Some people place them on the push pit. My Aerogen was noisier and often caught me unaware with the blades.
The Aerogen (2) gave out slightly more output (about .5amp per hour more if I can remember) but as I only use the gennie when I am moored up on the swinging mooring I found it ample to keep my batteries charged.

Regards.

peter.

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[Rabbie]

Many thanks to all for valuable information. Back to the drawing-board!. Decisions,decisions.

<hr width=100% size=1>A day not spent on my boat is a day in my life wasted.