Wind generators

[Gazza]

I'm looking at Rutland 913 wind generator, which came out well in the sailing mag. test last year, but someone who has one mentioned a problem with bearing wear. He thought that tying the blades when he left the boat may have caused wear due to condensation. I've also read somewhere that under certain circumstances a vibration can be set up with the blades tied that can cause flat spotting on the bearings.
I've got a decent size solar panel, so the wind generator won't be left running when I'm away from the boat, but I'm a bit concerned at the possible implications of tying the blades.
Or should I spend more money on the Rutland furling wind generator.
Any experiences/thoughts welcomed.

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[stamfordian]

Normaly have a drink at weekend with the guy who makes them,will try to remember to ask him.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/stamfordian>http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/stamfordian</A>

 

[LadyInBed]

I have had a 24v 913 for 2 years now, I never tie it off and it's quiet as a mouse - well, it does make a satisfing woosh in high winds!

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[upstream]

There is a beliefe that tying up the blades will cause the bearings to develope flat spots. I had a aerogen 2 for years and tied it up only when the weather was forecasting very high winds. I never had a problem with vibration. Someone nicked it the other month so I shall never realy know.

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[jonjo]

The first executive order I made on my new old boat was to remove a Rutland wind generator from the mizzen mast. I exchanged it for a long taxi ride in Holland.

The contraption was a curse, a continual source of vibration and/or noise. The surveyor reckoned the vibrations would reduce once in the water but this was not so. If you do buy one research options for reducing vibration.

Given the existing solar panel and I assume an alternator, I do not see why the wind generator is needed unless you are a long distance live aboard.

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[upstream]

The trouble with solar panels are, you need sun, and lots of it. Not to much of that here in the UK, OK for those down in the med. Running the engine is a pain as I want to sail not motor. Wind generators will not suit everybody but at least I have the peace of mind that there will be enough power to start the engine ( hopefully) without having to run the noisy, vibrating diesel engine for an hour to put back what the engine start took out.

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[beneteau_305_553]

I've got the Aerogen 4 which is almost unnoticable in both vibration and noise. I was quite carefull to align the blades equally on assembly and I think this makes a big difference.
It's very reassuring to know that you have a second means of charging batteries when offshore just in case the engine doesn't start or the charging circuit fails.
Sailing at night with the nav lights, radar, autohelm and cabin lights on is quite a load. I've sailed for days without starting the engine.

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[Close hauled]

I agree with Benateau - i've got an Aerogen4 and it makes little noise and there is no vibration. Although I also have solar panles I think that the wind generator is a preferable option in th UK where the hours of sunlight are restricted and unreliable.

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[andyball]

My pal's boat has an Aerogen 6 ....& it's B.noisy. No chance of sleeping aft while the wind blows.


Have to take it down soon to shorten/replace a very flimsy support pole (not an lvm one....a "just as good but much cheaper" mounting kit from the supplying chandlers), so will check alignment when it's on the bench.

Also bearings may be damaged after fitting "experts" failed to tighten the propeller bolt, leaving it so loose that the plastic cover was split as they forced it over the protruding bolt.....much vibration & noise over some months,which was reduced considerably when this was tightened,'tho by then the threads were damaged & studlock needed to stop it backing off again.

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[Pete_k]

I had a Rutland 913 on my last boat, sold last year, it performed faultlessly and very quietly, much quieter than most other models I have ever seen on other boats which can usually be heard from one side of the harbour to the other.
Never noticed any bearing problems after it being tied off, but seem to remember that the manual mentioned something about setting it up correctly to avoid bearing wear, its a few years ago now so the memory may be playing tricks.

Given an option I would choose the Rutland again, But thats my own personal choice.



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[jonjo]

There some faults in your pro wind generator argument.

> The trouble with solar panels are, you need sun

Peak power requirements for a fridge coincide with peak sunshine.

An average daily power consumption figure for a yacht might be around 75 amps hours so yes a solar panel is only a top-up mechanism, lets say 15 amp hours on peak fridge usage days.

Your wind generator can do much better on a windy day but anchorages are meant to be sheltered by definition = problem!

> Running the engine is a pain as I want to sail not motor.

Assessment of long-term yacht cruising shows that hours under motor constitute at least 20% of passage making, when in coast hopping mode. There should be enough engine alternator hours to match daily consumption.

> vibrating diesel engine for an hour to put back what the engine start took out

Your maths is way out, I just did a quick calculation 5 minutes is sufficient.

> I have the peace of mind that there will be enough power to start the engine

If you want that peace of mind two battery banks is the only option.

There is no silver bullet to keeping batteries charged up, a cruising yacht has to take advantage of what is on offer. Typically and in descending order of usefulness:

Shore power via an onboard mains charger.
Engine.
Solar.

And finally the joker of pack, a wind generator that will fail to spin just when you need it most i.e. to keep beers chilled on those mid-summer marina-free days in an idyllic anchorage under a static high pressure weather system.


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[ccscott49]

I agree with your arguments, especially in the med, wind power is a no go, solar better, but damn expensive for a decent sized array. For me a decent array, is 120 watts at 24volts, thats about 800 quid. Buys a lot of diesel for my genny!! and being a motor sailor, solar and wind are pointless, unless I find some very cheap solar panels.

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[JerryHawkins]

Look at DuoGen...

Unless you're on a really tight budget, have a look at DuoGen
http://www.duogen.co.uk
I have one and am really pleased with it (you can see my Fisher 25 on their site). It runs much slower than other machines and is therefore very quiet running. You can use the more efficient water mode when sailing.

I have no links with the company, I'm just a satisfied customer!

Cheers,

Jerry

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