Wind Generators (Forgen)

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npf1

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Has anybody got one of these? If so, I'd be interested to know the pro and cons of the unit. What the output like in average UK conditions? Is it noisy? etc

I know it's not the most powerful wind gen out there, but the small space required makes it potentially interesting.

Anyone know of any other vertical axis wind gens?

Thanks
 
I have the 500 model and as a trickle charger is seems to do the job. It keeps the batteries topped-up nicely once fully charged by engine or mains charger. My feeling is that it needs F3 or above to do much, but I don't any hard data to support this. It is small and virtually silent...I don't really know it's there. Just don't expect it to charge discharged batteries for you (though the 1000 model might).
 
if you are looking at something to keep your batteries up so that they are good at the start of the weekend, then the Rutland 503 is a reasonable bet (especially as the blades are designed to have a ring round the outside as a safety measure.

However, if you are looking for something that is going to put some reasonable charge back into the battery, you need to go more expensive.
 
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swmbo in my ear

[/ QUOTE ] I know the feeling. They just don't seem to appreciate the importance of these forums do they.

I used to use the form of link posting that appeared as <span style="color:blue">here</span> but now that I've discovered that the forums convert a url into a clickable link I just type them in or copy and paste and let the forum software do the rest. I don't even bother with the "Instant mark up" for links.

Re Forgens I seem to remember that one of the main windmill type people marketed the Forgen for a while but they seem to have dropped it again now. The Ampair Dolphin is I think cheaper than the Forgen but did not get much said in its favour on another thread last week.

I reckon though either of these vertical axis generators would be an alternative to a small solar panel for maintaining a battery in a fully charged state while the boat is not in use. I have a 5watt panel and it does do just that in the summer, but not with the boat covered up during the winter. One of these little wind generators would do it during the winter for anyone who did not want to take the battery home as I do.
 
I've got the Rutland 503 and a 10watt solar panel both feeding into the same regulator - the one bought for the 503. It stated that a solar panel could also be fed into it. So the wind or sun or both can charge the batteries - 3 x110Ah for general use.

I leave the batteries on the boat all year round with the 503 and solar still connected. The batteries are at full capacity.
 
We have a forgen 500 on our boat, it is the only source of charging to a single 75AH leisure battery, we use the boat approx every other weekend in the summer and it seems to keep the battery well, which is basically only used for cabin lights, nav lights and radio. I estimate that it only really does any charging up when it is F3+. Lastly it realy is very quiet, esp if the bearings are in good condition.
 
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