Towed generator/ alternator question

[Oscarpop]

We have an aquair 100 towed generator, which is essentially an alternator with a prop attached.

The question is, if you disconnect the unit from the batteries, so that it can't overcharge, but keep the unit spinning, does it wreck the unit?

I know that wih an engine alternator it wrecks the diodes.

Any thoughts?

Ta

 

[J Neeves]

I am not familiar with the Aquair 100 unit(ours is the LVM Aqua4Aerogen) but do you not have a regulator, heat sink, that ensures the batteries are not overcharged as part of the charging system?

Jonathan

 

[Talulah]

I'm pretty sure disconnecting the unit from the batteries will damage the unit if the unit is running at the time of disconnection. You might get away with it if the batteries were in a fully charged state. If the batteries were fairly depleted the alternator would have been chucking out a reasonable amount of amps and there is now no where for that energy to go.
If you did the opposite of throwing the prop overboard to run the unit and then connected the batteries no damage would occur. In the first case you would blow the diodes. In the second case the alternator has had no 'exciter' voltage.
The other thing to note is the wiring on the Aquair 100 is brown for positive, blue for negative. These mustn't be connected the wrong way aroound. (I suspect the reason for brown/blue cable is they just use domestic 2 core wire instead of fitting marine wire.)

 

[pyrojames]

I'm pretty sure disconnecting the unit from the batteries will damage the unit if the unit is running at the time of disconnection. You might get away with it if the batteries were in a fully charged state. If the batteries were fairly depleted the alternator would have been chucking out a reasonable amount of amps and there is now no where for that energy to go.
If you did the opposite of throwing the prop overboard to run the unit and then connected the batteries no damage would occur. In the first case you would blow the diodes. In the second case the alternator has had no 'exciter' voltage.
The other thing to note is the wiring on the Aquair 100 is brown for positive, blue for negative. These mustn't be connected the wrong way aroound. (I suspect the reason for brown/blue cable is they just use domestic 2 core wire instead of fitting marine wire.)

I have never had a problem with mine. As there is no reg I tended to disconnect it when the batteries were charged. I never had a problem with it not working again. It became apparent when the connection to the batteries was lost as it would spin faster, ditto for the old aerogen I had. If the circuit was open it would spin like something demented.

 

[duncan99210]

There's no mention of damage to the unit being caused by disconnection in the manual for Aquair 100. We've disconnected the unit when it was spinning with no effect other than it going faster with no load.

The instructions also make it clear that if you don't fit a regulator then you need to monitor the state of battery charge to ensure you don't over charge them. It recommends a switch fitted in the circuit to achieve this.

 

[KellysEye]

I used to turn our wind generator off when the batteries were charged with no problem.

 

[typhoonNige]

I always bring ours in when the batteries don't need further charging. Heavy gloves and a firm grip do it for me, but take care.
Depending on your speed, you may find it jumps more when disconnected due to the faster rotation which can lead to twists in the tow rope. and even more drag.

 

[Neil_Y]

I disconnected mine a few times but check in the manual or with Aquair, what you will do is wear the bearings. Mine needed replacing after 10,000nm. The regulator is useful as you can easily have 8-10Amps 24/7

One of the best bits of kit for cruising and helpful company.

 

[typhoonNige]

I disconnected mine a few times but check in the manual or with Aquair, what you will do is wear the bearings. Mine needed replacing after 10,000nm. The regulator is useful as you can easily have 8-10Amps 24/7

One of the best bits of kit for cruising and helpful company.

Tried contacting them recently? In new ownership and a bit non-commital about future support! I hope I'm wrong to worry as I agree it is an excellent piece of kit.