Shaft driven alternator

[timchapman]

I'm considering fitting an alternator to the propshaft on my yacht which is always turning under sail. I believe that there are people who supply re-wound alternators suitable for this purpose. Does anyone know any?

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[vyv_cox]

I'm not aware of this type of equipment but others may be. It seems a particularly inefficient way of generating electricity because a propeller makes a very poor turbine. I can easily stop my propeller shaft from turning during sailing with my hand, which doesn't seem to offer very large amounts of power for driving an alternator. You might only save a minute or so of engine running, so is it worth the cost and complication?

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[aztec]

you'll need about 1hp to turn a 35 amp alt.

plus you'll have to swith the exiter circuit on/off, and dont run it without the circuit on or you'll bugger up the slip rings.

best advice... don't bother... get one of those cool fan thingies all the yotties use, or a solar panel.

have fun.

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[peterbringloe]

If you have the room to fit such a thing and can put up with the noise of the prop and gearbox turning while under sail I think it is a great idea. I have to put up with my prop etc turning continuously under sail because we have a hydraulic gearbox, and it drives us mad. There is no room to install an effective brake. As for being able to stop the shaft turning by hand - not a chance. We have a 2 blade prop 21" dia. and the power is tremendous. I would really like a folding or feathering prop if we could afford it and if we could decide which one!

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[Trevor_swfyc]

Agree it would be a waste of time, nothing is free bar solar power and wind power which is really solar power, you would pay in loss of boat speed. Also the belt tension would put a side loading on the shaft this in turn would cause premature failure of the cutlass bearing. So as previously posted get a solar panel it would be cheaper and unlike a wind generator does a good job but keeps quiet about it.

Trevor



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[Alex_Blackwood]

As I have already stated in "Power without an alternator. Check out duogen.co.uk

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