Hydro generators

[duncan99210]

An update on our experience with the Aquair 100. When sailing we get roughly one amp per knot of speed, which for us keeps pace with demand from domestic requirements and autopilot. That's in combination with the solar panels.

We rarely bother converting it to wind power as its a bit of a performance. However, when we know there's a significant blow coming through we'll put it together. We've had up to seven amps out of it on occassions but most of the time it purely used as a towed generator.

I wouldn't have bought a new one as I would have spent the money on a gantry and more solar but the second hand price was too good to turn down and its proved to be money reasonably well spent.

 

[J Neeves]

We have found our Aero4Aquagen well worth its purchase. It is undoubtedly a bit of a faff to convert from wind to water (and back again). In water mode, as everyone says it produces enough power to run everything. Wind mode is less effective but power usage is lower (if at anchor), as the autopilot and instruments are obviously not on. Equally obviously the water gen mode is not much use if you are at anchor! Sadly we tend to anchor in places with as little wind as possible - so you do not get all the benefit. If we are only making short passages we would leave it in wind mode, even though apparants might be low. The biggest issue we have is that we can often well exceed 10 knots, infact can average 10knots over 100nm - the trailing impeller then skips. We made 2, even, smaller blades from stainless which helps - but we can still get skip, especially at speed and with bigger swells.

We would not be without the combined unit.

Because of the benefits we had a look at the WattnSea unit, as it will work at any speed and cuts out the faff of converting to water from wind mode. However compared to the price we paid for the LVM unit the WattnSea unit is extortionate and we have never steeled ourself for that level of expense (simply to remove the faff of conversion).

I believe the Aqua part of the LVM unit has been discontinued (last I heard it was owned by ITT). I assume this was because sales did not merit the effort. If anyone is in the market and finds a combined unit, or the water version by itself - it would be well worth a look.

Jonathan

 

[laika]

Update to the update. Just had a mail from cristec (previous info was not from them) essentially saying that the cost of producing and distributing their hydrogenerators was more than the market would support but that they will review their position next year.

At this price point it's surely only worthwhile for people crossing oceans. The average med/caribbean liveaboard isn't going to be moving around enough to justify one. We still haven't heard from anyone here who owns a Watt&Sea/Cristec/SWI-tec type.

 

[Otter]

If you're interested I'm about to sell an aquair wind and towed generator, including an extra towed turbine for 6 knots plus sailing. It needs one replacement blade for the wind turbine which was broken when it was removed from the last boat, full working condition otherwise. £300 plus courier should do it. Let me know.

Best combo for long distance is towed and solar - wind genny will do nothing useful sailing in the trades. Then wind and solar at anchor.

 

[lumphammer]

I've got one of Rutland's 913 windmills. At sea it spends a lot of time spinning horizontally as the unit is quite heavy and has no damper to keep it under control and keep it pointing into the wind.

I've heard nothing but praise for the Duogen unit, at sea, besides being rather expensive.

Take all the manufacturer's data with a pinch of salt.

+1

Wind gennies are great for anchorages but as soon as you start rolling they spend all their time spinning round the pole I got very little useful amps from my 913 on my last Biscay crossing,

 

[laika]

Let me know.

Thanks but it's specifically the new generation which appear to cover all my power needs including AP and occasional radar when under way without getting tangled up in the tailing log that I'm interested in. Would I be right in thinking that you get something like 2-3amps at 6 knots and half that at 5 out of the aquair?

 

[J Neeves]

Update to the update. Just had a mail from cristec (previous info was not from them) essentially saying that the cost of producing and distributing their hydrogenerators was more than the market would support but that they will review their position next year.

At this price point it's surely only worthwhile for people crossing oceans. The average med/caribbean liveaboard isn't going to be moving around enough to justify one. We still haven't heard from anyone here who owns a Watt&Sea/Cristec/SWI-tec type.

The comment from cristec supports your second paragraph. The only time I have seen Watt&Sea mentioned has been in the Vendee Globe. I have seen their cruising model at boat shows but have never heard of one being used for cruising. They are simply too expensive (and there are other options).

For roughly the same sort of money for the W&S you could buy 2 water/wind gens (though you might need outriggers) but you would also have 2 wind gens when at anchor (and cruise boats spend most of their time at anchor).

Jonathan

 

[Oscarpop]

If you're interested I'm about to sell an aquair wind and towed generator, including an extra towed turbine for 6 knots plus sailing. It needs one replacement blade for the wind turbine which was broken when it was removed from the last boat, full working condition otherwise. £300 plus courier should do it. Let me know.

Best combo for long distance is towed and solar - wind genny will do nothing useful sailing in the trades. Then wind and solar at anchor.

Pm sent

 

[JerryHawkins]

Have you looked at the Sail-Gen from the makers of DuoGen? Fair bit cheaper but you do lose out on the air option.

 

[geem]

We have a Duogen. The makers outputs are completely accurate in water mode and wind mode, we have an ammeter installed so we know exactly how much amps we make. We crossed the Atlantic this winter and the seaweed had to be seen to be believed. We had a Duogen up and down like a yo yo as the weed fouled the prop. It's vert easy to do on the Duogen. I wouldn't like to do it on a generator towed on a bit of rope. I suspect you would end up stowing a rope towed generator under these conditions.
The Duogen has not been without problems but the back up from Them is exceptional. We had a seal fail and got seawater in. All parts sent to Grenada to fix it for free.