Rutland 913 getting poor output...

[V1701]

Morning all,

Prompted by another thread on liveaboard, it appears that I am getting very poor output from my 913. It's only about a year old, fitted by the previous owner who has had them before, etc. so I'd be surprised if he missed anything during the installation...

Now, according to Marlec data sheet for the 913 (here), at 30 knots of wind I should get 12 amps of output from the 913 (into a 12V system). Looking at the HRDX controller, last weekend during a very strong gust I saw just over 4 amps going in on mine. This was when the winds were averaging more than the 16 knots that (according to the data sheet) should yield 4 amps, with gusts around 30 knots, possibly more...

I'd be interested to hear what others' experiences with output from the 913 are and any ideas what the problem could be? Must admit I never really thought about checking the output, just that it wasn't up to much really...

Thanks in advance,
David.

 

[BrianH]

Morning all,

Prompted by another thread on liveaboard, it appears that I am getting very poor output from my 913. It's only about a year old, fitted by the previous owner who has had them before, etc. so I'd be surprised if he missed anything during the installation...

Now, according to Marlec data sheet for the 913 (here), at 30 knots of wind I should get 12 amps of output from the 913 (into a 12V system). Looking at the HRDX controller, last weekend during a very strong gust I saw just over 4 amps going in on mine. This was when the winds were averaging more than the 16 knots that (according to the data sheet) should yield 4 amps, with gusts around 30 knots, possibly more...

I'd be interested to hear what others' experiences with output from the 913 are and any ideas what the problem could be? Must admit I never really thought about checking the output, just that it wasn't up to much really...

Thanks in advance,
David.

Now with the caveat that I know nothing about Rutland systems I do know that my Air X has an integrated controller that governs output according to the battery state. For example, when I have a well-charged battery bank and winds over 10 knots I see only about what current I am drawing, in the 2-5A range. On the other hand, I have seen 51A with old, depleted batteries in 25 knots.

Could it be your batteries are fully charged and the Rutland is duly governed in its output?

 

[Pasarell]

Rutland 913

Mine was also fitted by the previous owner. Firstly I think my HRDX controller under reads. When wind is light the controller will often show no power being generated but at the same time the battery voltage will slowly increase. In gusty weather it takes the generator a few moments to get up to the output you would expect from the wind strength. Gusts need to be sustained to achieve the output quoted by Rutland. I've had mine since March when I bought the boat and have been very pleased with it. I live aboard in the UK, 200AH domestic bank, with fridge, lights and pumps the main consumers and only use mains occasionally to supplement the batteries.

 

[Pasarell]

Now with the caveat that I know nothing about Rutland systems I do know that my Air X has an integrated controller that governs output according to the battery state. For example, when I have a well-charged battery bank and winds over 10 knots I see only about what current I am drawing, in the 2-5A range. On the other hand, I have seen 51A with old, depleted batteries in 25 knots.

Could it be your batteries are fully charged and the Rutland is duly governed in its output?

The Rutland HRDX controller is factory set to stop charging when battery voltage reaches 13.9v. A red light comes on the front of the controller to indicate charging has stopped.

 

[Ubergeekian]

Now, according to Marlec data sheet for the 913 (here), at 30 knots of wind I should get 12 amps of output from the 913 (into a 12V system).

That'll be the maximum output if your system needs it. If your batteries are fully charged and the loading is light then the windcharger will supply a lot less.

 

[William_H]

Wind Gen output

So simple trick is to turn every thing on. Lights fridge electronics etc. If the current you are measuring is charge from the wind gen then it should go up if prior to turning everything on the battery was well charged.
Or turn the gen off and all loads on for half an hour or so then turn the gen on see what you get.
As said it could be regulating to reduce input cos battery voltage is up. olewill

 

[mattnj]

i spoke to Marlec recently about the same issue who said:-

1) output is often lower as there is a difference in wind speed between your top of mast reading (say 20knts) and the ground wind speed, or 913 pole wind speed, say 15knts?

2) the graph is the maximum output if optimum load/resistance is placed on the generator, obviously charged batteries will take less charge, try it with more load switched on that it can produce.

3) You can get a test procedure sheet from Marlec to check that each of the diodes in the rectifier pack and some other bits and bobs to check (i cant remember now) to make sure its not faulty somewhere. They are easy tests with a multimeter.

hope that is of some help

 

[V1701]

Thanks guys, also spoke to someone at Marlec this morning who talked me through a few things. I phoned them a while ago as well to ask if it was okay to switch the blades off nearly every night (to stop the reverberation in the aft cabin) when I go to sleep (it is) and they are quite helpful I've found. I knew about the red light on the HRDX but will experiment with loading the system heavily in a blow to see if that has any effect and get my multimeter out to see what the batteries are actually giving as well. I think I've now satisfied myself that there is nothing wrong with the unit though...

 

[Ardenfour]

Thought I'd read in the HRDX manual that the current display mode showed the output from the generator, but this not necessarily heading to the batteries, depending on state of charge some may be diverted to an internal shunt in the controller. Seems that the display does show generator output. I remember once seeing above 10A, just before the device went into hi-speed disconnected mode.

 

[robertj]

not impressed with my rutlnd at all. the output is well below what they state. a friend has one on the mast and his the same poor output. most livaboards i kow say the wouldnt have another and i would agree with that too

 

[VicS]

Thought I'd read in the HRDX manual that the current display mode showed the output from the generator, but this not necessarily heading to the batteries, depending on state of charge some may be diverted to an internal shunt in the controller. Seems that the display does show generator output. I remember once seeing above 10A, just before the device went into hi-speed disconnected mode.

The HRDX is not a shunt type regulator. It is a "pulse width modulated regulator"

The display can show the output from a solar panel, a wind charger, the net charging current or the volts of either of two batteries.

 

[clyst]

not impressed with my rutlnd at all. the output is well below what they state. a friend has one on the mast and his the same poor output. most livaboards i kow say the wouldnt have another and i would agree with that too

We have an Air breeze reputed to produce 13+ amps but have never seen it . In the marina or in sheltered anchorage it chucks out very little due to "dirty" wind but at sea its a different story . Wind gennys dont like gusty dirty winds .

 

[Ric]

Mine was also fitted by the previous owner. Firstly I think my HRDX controller under reads. When wind is light the controller will often show no power being generated but at the same time the battery voltage will slowly increase. In gusty weather it takes the generator a few moments to get up to the output you would expect from the wind strength. Gusts need to be sustained to achieve the output quoted by Rutland. I've had mine since March when I bought the boat and have been very pleased with it. I live aboard in the UK, 200AH domestic bank, with fridge, lights and pumps the main consumers and only use mains occasionally to supplement the batteries.

This is correct.

I have my 913 connected via a needle ammeter (as well as the HRDX thingy). The needle ammeter is far more responsive in gusts, and shows much higher peak output than the HRDX.