LVM Aerogen x 2

[SimonNZ]

Hi all

I have two complete LVM Aerogen wind turbines, very slightly different - though they look the same from a distance.

I also have two charge regulators complete with the big green dissipation resistors, like this: https://eclectic-energy.co.uk/product/regulator-12v-complete-with-dump-loads-80007/

Both turbines need new yaw bearings. They were clearly very loose so I wasn't surprised when I lifted one off that the ball bearings made a run for it into the ocean, the other will do the same when I take it down from the bridge.

I could get right into it and refurb them but I don't have the time or inclination. I have no idea what they're worth!

Any tips? I can break them for parts if that's the done thing. Or are they just for the bin?

cheers!

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Go to the for sale section and offer them at a price that is worth it to you for getting rid of them. Similar models used to retail for about £700. If they have shot bearings, discount in time and bearing cost, discount a factor for second hand, discount a factor for uncertainty of condition, factor in a convenience discount for getting them off your hands because you can't be bothered, factor in a discount for old tech compared to solar panels, I would say about £75 for the assembled one and £50 for the dismantled one, or equivalent in your currency. That would be my logic. If they don't sell in a month, offer them FOC to someone near your community.

 

[Neeves]

Simon,

They are good bits of kit - your problem is:

Location, location, location.

Neither the NZ nor Oz are big markets - getting the usable parts to the UK (where they were made and I'd assume where people might be looking for spares) is simply too expensive.

LVM were bought out by ITT who transferred production to China, could not make a success and closed the operation down. Spare parts, simple things like blades - axed.

Jonathan

 

[Sumara of Weymouth]

I second Neeves. They are lovely quiet wind generators that last a long time. They also have a small blade diameter making them perfect for small boats. I have replaced the bearings on mine twice now (since 1995 continuous operation). The last time was in a little engineers shop in Iceland. He had the bearings in stock and the whole thing took an hour or so. I think it would be worth dropping them off with your local engineering shop and getting the bearings replaced. They should sell for a good price when fully working.

 

[Neeves]

LVM made 2 different versions of their 4 and 6 models. The OP mentions he has 2 units - the same but different and I wonder, on reflection, if he has both units.

The standard version was only for wind. The other version has a different casting for the unit that allows it to be converted to become a hydro generator. The Aero4aqua gen came with an impeller, a vaned prop on a heavy stainless shaft and 6 blades. The 6 unit I've actually never seen but I think it was similar.

It is a bit of a faff to convert but when in Aqua mode is absolutely brilliant. Ours is the A4A and once we get the cat upto cruising speed the Aquagen assembly provides all the power we need to run deep freeze, separate fridge, autopilot, all the lights etc etc. Its not worth changing for a short passage but if you are making 12 hour passages, or crossing oceans, its ----- magic. Once you reach the end of the passage you re-attach the fan blades and it works then in wind mode (when you are at anchor or sailing short passages).

Arguably its a better unit in Aqua mode - except that most yachts spend 90% of their time at anchor (when the Aqua mode is a waste of time).

If you are to make long passages, round NZ. then do as Sumara says - replace where necessary and use your self or sell locally - eBay etc.

We had been sufficiently impressed we wished we had bought the Aero6Aquagen and an extra Aero6 gen. We never got round to upgrading and then ITT came along and shut it all down.

In wind mode it is quiet, or the 4 unit is.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I could get right into it and refurb them but I don't have the time or inclination. I have no idea what they're worth!

It’s as clear as day that the OP does not want to refit them, otherwise why would that be stated?
Advertising them somewhere could be free and worth some beer money, or not No hassle.

 

[elenya]

Hi Simon

Pop them on Trademe. I sold my Aerogen within days there. I am Christchurch based. They have a good reputation for repairability.

cheers

 

[SimonNZ]

Great feedback from everyone, thanks!

I'm in Christchurch and as @elenya mentioned, TradeMe will help them find a new life. Both the housings could do with sandblasting and a new coat of paint. The blades will clean up OK. The bearings for the turbine itself seem OK, it's just the yaw bearings and probably the rotating contacts that need to be replaced.

The comments on the Aquagen are intriguing! I found a cable into the battery compartment labelled Aquagen and traced it to a plug on a cable off the stern. The nylon mounts on the nearby port stern rail look like they're for an outboard but could have been for the Aquagen. One of the generators - the one on the port side next to the rest of the clues - has a wingnut arrangement holding the front of the casing in place which may indicate the boat once had (and has no more) the Aquagen parts.

My lack of inclination on repair and refurb is just time. I love tinkering and saving waste normally.

I'll do a little more looking and take some pictures, this is fascinating learning. Thanks!

 

[Neeves]

Aquagen

The difference is in the casting for the power unit. It has a couple of 'holes' on either side of the housing (a bit like big ears) and these holes took a 20mm rope strung somewhere on your transom. The holes are quite big maybe 40mm diameter. Rope was used as it offered articulation as you went over seas. The unit was suspended on the transom using the rope with another rope trailing in the sea with the impeller. As the impeller rotated it turned the shaft. There should be the impeller somewhere, a couple of spare 'prop' blades and a long rope with a fitting that matches the shaft. The impeller is not something you would miss - its maybe 0.75m long x 20mm diameter - solid stainless

The Aerogen simply fitted on a dedicated houseing using, two wing nuts. The cable for the Aerogen unit plugged into the housing, that also held the tail fin, and the cable usually was routed down the pylon for the unit.

The military looking, sort of painted army green, regulators were common to both units - but if you had 2 units you would need 4 regulators.

If I had my wits about me, and pictures would be useful, I could take a couple of pictures. Our cat is on a swing mooring, so the unit is in wind mode, but the 2 pairs of holes for the rope assembly can seen as our unit can operate in either mode.

I'm sure if you made a search you would find installation and operating instructions.

Its a seriously neat and useful bit of kit.

Jonathan

 

[SimonNZ]

That's very interesting, thanks for taking the time to write that up!

We have removed countless old parts from every nook and cranny on our Beneteau, a very pleasurable time turning up all sorts of treasures, but nothing that resembled the impeller parts.

I'll get the other turbine down though and remove the controllers and regulators; there are two, one for each of the two turbines, and take some pictures for interesting.

It's a pleasure just to handle the generators - very satisfying and weighty!

 

[SimonNZ]

Turns out I DO have one of each!

Here's the standard version on the garage floor, and the version with the Aquagen capability. I haven't found the Aquagen parts on the boat but we'll have another dig around!

 

[Neeves]

If you intend to cruise, and you have some serious locations that are off piste, then I'd seriously suggest you hang in there. The combination offers opportunity to solve most power needs (unless you have grandchildren with tablets).

But if you were in Oz I'd suggest you monetise them - as I'd be in the queue.

Jonathan

 

[SimonNZ]

Thanks Jonathan

We need more experience before we cruise far, and definitely before we cruise much off-piste!

She came to New Zealand from France via time in Tahiti and Fiji, and the sheer amount of blue-water kit including shortwave radio etc we've found tucked around reveal she's spent time doing what she was built for. She's having a more gentle time with us.

I'll see if I can find the rest of the kit.

cheers

 

[Neeves]

Don't knock the SSB. NZ has, or had, marvellous SSB coverage run by Kordia. Full emergency coverage and regular weather forecasts. You will not get this coverage on a mobile phone, internet or VHF unless you move to satellite. The SSB service is free but you do need a SSB station licence, nominal cost, and you do need an operators licence - not difficult to achieve. We have the same here, also run by Kordia. Kordia also operate an SSB service for some of the Marine Police here.

You may also find there are NZ SSB nets for both leisure sailors and local fishermen (who are working the more isolated waters). Kordia here offer a service where you can set up a schedule and provide detail of your progress, or not, to family members who will receive a brief email of progress. You need to be going 'off piste' out of mobile or VHF coverage - but that is not difficult in either NZ nor Oz - and not everyone wants to finance a sat phone.

I vaguely recall Kordia in NZ run the VHF marine net - but that might not be correct - it was a while ago.

Jonathan

 

[SimonNZ]

Agreed, wouldn't knock SSB but if we were going to embark on a remote voyage we'd get some new or known-good used kit with training before we entrusted our safety to it.

This shows how valuable these forums are though. Earlier in the year I gave away kit that was installed but hadn't been used for ages, and had been disconnected but left in place.

Vertex VX-1700 HF transceiver
Vertex FC-40 antenna impedance matching network
SCS PTC-II PACTOR controller

Similar to the turbines, I didn't know if they'd be of any use to anyone. I gave them to the local amateur radio group since I didn't have time or equipment to test them, I hope if they've been found working they can be donated to someone keen who can't afford kit, or to support the local group's finances, or at least go on show somewhere. They were really lovely boxes, I'd have spent days unpicking and testing but there are other priorities on the boat.

I also have a GPS position transducer, with a Raymarine navadata display that doesn't work; I re-wired the old GPS antenna and will test that kit when I collect a 12v bench PSU I bought recently. I've added a NMEA2000 backbone and connected up to the old SeaTalk network with a SeaTalkNg converter, so I should at least be able to see if any data is being sent.

I've also got a radar display (but no transducer) that powers up. Hoping to find someone in the marina I can test that with!