Wind generators

macd said:
Of course. We all have those sort of realities. But I'd have thought it pretty simple to retro-fit a kill system: all it does is ground the low tension side of the ignition.
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I agree - and I've even bought a kill cord switch and kill cord. Unfortunately it doesn't fit into the available space in the cowling...

The dinghy is underpowered for use as a liveaboard tender so I am looking at upgrading the outboard power as well.

However this is seriously drifting the thread!
 
So, no-one has bought one of the cheap Ebay ones then?

I have a diesel generator on board, just thinking it would be good to have something which you don't have to think about starting up. I have room for a solar panel on the coachhouse roof, maybe I ought to think of going down that route.
 
Philiz said:
So, no-one has bought one of the cheap Ebay ones then?

I have a diesel generator on board, just thinking it would be good to have something which you don't have to think about starting up. I have room for a solar panel on the coachhouse roof, maybe I ought to think of going down that route.
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"We have one of the LVM aero4aquagens. In wind mode its 'OK' but not noisy at all - but it is much better in watergen mode (as long as you make 8 knots)"

Well thats not suitable for you then!:p

Phil.

We have only 20 watts of flexible solar. Its not quite enough to keep a fridge running all the time but it tops up our batteries enough between weekends even when we flatten them with lifting the keel a couple of times. That big flat coachroof is just right for a big panel. Depends how much you intend walking on it but I have not had any problems with trampling on these.
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/photovoltaic-solar-panels/0525697/
or chinese copy off e bay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10W-20W-4...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item51aef4989d
 
I had some solar panels on my boat when I bought it, but they had never been wired up. I bought the Rutland 914, which has been pretty good for the most part.
A few months ago, I decided to jury-rig the solar panels into the HRDi controller. Bearing in mind that the panels were probably original on the boat in 1992, and hadn't been used or looked after, they pretty much equalled the output from the wind generator. I was quite sad, having spent so much money on the wind generator (I was even thinking about getting two, to even up the pushpit)
Since then, I've bought a 250w solar panel with a cheap, ebay MPPT controller and my batteries are now completely topped up by the time I check, around 8am (using lights, NAVTEX and occasional VHF).

Having just written this, I think I might be posting a Rutland 914 in the For Sale section soon
 
TSB240 said:
"We have one of the LVM aero4aquagens. In wind mode its 'OK' but not noisy at all - but it is much better in watergen mode (as long as you make 8 knots)"

Well thats not suitable for you then!:p

Phil.

We have only 20 watts of flexible solar. Its not quite enough to keep a fridge running all the time but it tops up our batteries enough between weekends even when we flatten them with lifting the keel a couple of times. That big flat coachroof is just right for a big panel. Depends how much you intend walking on it but I have not had any problems with trampling on these.
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/photovoltaic-solar-panels/0525697/
or chinese copy off e bay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10W-20W-4...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item51aef4989d
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You're right, we've only seen 8 knts twice since we had her! Solar panels are looking more and more interesting.
 
Phil,
Given that you are effectively moored in canyon under trees, I suspect that neither solar nor wind gen will offer much value for the cost, but they will certainly keep the batteries fresh for the weekend if there is no great load on them.
 
TradewindSailor said:
You are absolutely right. I think I get better charging if the sun light is dispersed through light cloud than if the panel was not correctly targeted on a clear day.
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That's what I find with the panels on the house roof. Once the sun has gone round off the panels, a clear blue sky gives zilch, but a light cloudy sky works reasonably well.

I have a Rutland 913 on the boat, and I'm quite happy with it. (On the West Coast of Scotland). I'm sure that in the summer, solar would be better, but at other times, when there is less daylight, and sun, the windmill does very well.
 
TSB240 said:
"We have one of the LVM aero4aquagens. In wind mode its 'OK' but not noisy at all - but it is much better in watergen mode (as long as you make 8 knots)"

Well thats not suitable for you then!:p

Phil.

We fairly regularly average 8-10 knots over 100nm passages, but it is a cat and we do choose our weather windows. Sadly to make an average of 10 knots you need to regularly hit 14 knots and at that speed, in fact much above 10 knots, the towed impellor leaps out of water. We have reduced this as a problem by building smaller blades, from stainless, than the ones supplied. I guess the leaping impellor problem is the reason the Duogen and Hydrogenerators (WattnSea?) are better for generating power - though rather expensive.

Jonathan
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Searush said:
Phil,
Given that you are effectively moored in canyon under trees, I suspect that neither solar nor wind gen will offer much value for the cost, but they will certainly keep the batteries fresh for the weekend if there is no great load on them.
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There is a very Attractive one above a sign on the Nantwich bypass! ( just saying, not suggesting anything!)
 
clyst said:
An air breeze ?? poor you . Give it a few months and it will be back to Bardens . I'm on my third one !! There are 4 air breezes in my marina which are now or have been returned with slip rings problems. Sorry to be negative but a pile of cack IMHO
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We shall see, but its potentially worse than that - Airbreeze have gone bust so what about spares?

The machine does work well though. And unlike solar it works at night. Sure someone may get 30 amps from solar at noon in the med into discharged batteriesbut how many amps in 24 hours. Really the only way you can judge is the duration ie time between engine runs on average.
 
Bosun Higgs said:
We shall see, but its potentially worse than that - Airbreeze have gone bust so what about spares?

The machine does work well though. And unlike solar it works at night. Sure someone may get 30 amps from solar at noon in the med into discharged batteriesbut how many amps in 24 hours. Really the only way you can judge is the duration ie time between engine runs on average.
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Airbreeze gone bust ?? Where did you get that info from ?? I don't doubt it though for the **** they turn out !
 
If buying from new I would go the solar way, but wind is a good back up to compliment the solar on a boat.
I have the 913, its quiet and never gives a problem at all, i would never remove it, but my 60w Chinese panel of 6yrs still out performs my Rutland geny.
This is summer sailing only, so i can't comment on if in winter the wind geny would come into its own.
 
clyst said:
Airbreeze gone bust ?? Where did you get that info from ?? I don't doubt it though for the **** they turn out !
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From the Southwest Windpower website

Below are some important announcements regarding our AIR and Whisper product lines.

AIR:
Southwest Windpower is pleased to announce that Primus Wind Power of Lakewood, CO, USA, has purchased our entire AIR turbine product line as of January 18, 2013. Primus Wind Energy is a newly established division of the Primus Group, which is a leading provider of high complexity assemblies and components for the energy, aerospace, defense, and medical industries. Effective immediately, this transaction has transferred all AIR turbine business activities to Primus Wind Power and they will continue producing the AIR Breeze, AIR 30 and AIR 40 turbines, tower kits, replacement parts and attend to warranty issues for all our global customers. All current, future and unfulfilled orders will be shipped by Primus Wind Power. Please contact Primus directly for any AIR turbine requirements. They may be contacted at (303) 242-5820 or www.primuswindpower.com

Southwest Windpower GmbH will continue to be the primary wholesaler and warehouse partner for all European, Middle East and African region distributors and dealers. Southwest Windpower GmbH will continue to support the AIR turbine product lines as historically performed. Please contact Southwest Windpower GmbH directly for any AIR turbine requirements if you are a customer in these regions.

Whisper:
Our Whisper turbines will no longer be available for sale, but Southwest Windpower will continue to support valid warranty claims.

These exciting developments will allow Southwest Windpower to focus our efforts on our key product, Skystream 3.7, and continue developing this product for current and future applications.
Click to expand...
 
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