Getting a Rutland working

[SamG340]

Hi all I've picked up a second hand Rutland 910 12v wind charger, it came on its own no electronics or anything like that ,

I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to all this DC stuff . I've put a volt meter on the cables and it makes power when you spin it...

what do I need to get it working? Like a charge controller or a dump circuit? I've got a couple of good matching batteries

All help appreciated

 

[VicS]

Hi all I've picked up a second hand Rutland 910 12v wind charger, it came on its own no electronics or anything like that ,

I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to all this DC stuff . I've put a volt meter on the cables and it makes power when you spin it...

what do I need to get it working? Like a charge controller or a dump circuit? I've got a couple of good matching batteries

All help appreciated

The manual can be downloaded from https://www.marlec.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/910-Owners-Manual.pdf if you do not have one.

Originally a dump regulator would have been used but I think a Marlec HRSi ( for a single battery) or HRDi (for dual battery bank charging) will be suitable but check with Marlec

.

 

[SamG340]

The manual can be downloaded from https://www.marlec.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/910-Owners-Manual.pdf if you do not have one.

Originally a dump regulator would have been used but I think a Marlec HRSi ( for a single battery) or HRDi (for dual battery bank charging) will be suitable but check with Marlec

.

Thank you I've wrote them an email

 

[AntarcticPilot]

As I understand it you do need the regulator; it controls the wind turbine as well as providing the usual facilities of a controller for charging batteries. The HRDi also allows a solar panel to be connected.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Incidentally, unless your boat is berthed in a windy location, you will get little benefit from it; they require a minimum wind speed of 15 knots before they start to generate. I had one (a 913) for many years, and basically, the generator more or less kept up with the self-discharge of the batteries; the surroundings of a marina meant that the wind speed was rarely high enough for any power to be generated. It did better under way, and I guess it would work better on a mooring, but solar panels are a much more reliable source of power.

 

[SamG340]

Incidentally, unless your boat is berthed in a windy location, you will get little benefit from it; they require a minimum wind speed of 15 knots before they start to generate. I had one (a 913) for many years, and basically, the generator more or less kept up with the self-discharge of the batteries; the surroundings of a marina meant that the wind speed was rarely high enough for any power to be generated. It did better under way, and I guess it would work better on a mooring, but solar panels are a much more reliable source of power.

Thanks for your help mate

 

[William_H]

Incidentally, unless your boat is berthed in a windy location, you will get little benefit from it; they require a minimum wind speed of 15 knots before they start to generate. I had one (a 913) for many years, and basically, the generator more or less kept up with the self-discharge of the batteries; the surroundings of a marina meant that the wind speed was rarely high enough for any power to be generated. It did better under way, and I guess it would work better on a mooring, but solar panels are a much more reliable source of power.

Yes the voltage generated by the generator is directly proportional to wind speed. However charge into a battery is not proportional in fact nothing goes in until voltage out of generator exceeds the inherent voltage of the battery. 12v up to 14v depending on charge state. Makes me wonder if an MPPT style solar regulator would be able to convert low voltage from Rutland up to sufficient to put current into battery. Albeit a small current.
One might take a risk on not fitting a shunt regulator. Especially with large battery bank only in the wildest of storms could Rutland over charge the batteries.
What OP should do is fit an amp meter to determine just how useful this generator is. My guess is solar is a better bet. ol'will