Wind Turbine

[todonnell]

I am looking to buy a small wind turbine for keeping my battery charged on a 24ft Gib'Sea. Does anyone have any recommendations, and tips on how to mount it? Do you buy a mounting kit of some sort, or do they generally come with all you need?

Thanks
Tim

 

[Talbot]

you will need a post and appropriate mounting for that post - will need to be well strengthened as there is a lot of stress on the post in a strong wind. size of turbine is dependent on the amount of power you want from it. A trickle charghe is probably better done with a flexy solar panel,, but the small rutland charger has some merits. The rutland 913 is a middle capability system, band should be sufficient for most weekenders.


Always best to start this from a knowledge of how much power you want to be produced over what length of time.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

a 913 or aerogen 4 sized unit would maybe be a little large for a 24ft yacht.

I only get away with and aerogen 4 on my 26ft as she is a real fat cat!

The Aerogen 2 would be a better size, but like the 503 (is it?) they do not kick out much power, trickle charging really.

I have always thought there is a big gap in the market for say 10A wind gens, the jump from small to medium is quite enormous really. I wonder if solar panels would be better on a 24ft yacht.

 

[aran01]

This looks like a good comparision of what's out there,
http://www.marlec.co.uk/Newsletters/sailing_today_generators.htm

 

[Talbot]

Have seen a 916 on such a size craft, but is a bit large for it. Personally prefer the solar panels cause they dont make any noise at all!

 

[Otter]

I agree, the Rutland 913 on Muddy Paws (HT27) is oversized. I'm not complaining because it was there when we bought the boat and I am glad for the output as we sit on a swinging mooring. Try these instead web page . Much smaller footprint and easier to fix to the boat. Not nearly as powerful - but do you need more than 1amp average?

 

[tobble]

I have a D400 on my boat, as I live aboard, and tis does all my electricity. If you mean trickle charging in the purest sense (i.e. keep your batteries charged to prolong thier life), i recon the ampair dolphin would be a good bet. A lot of the weekend sailors on my marina have them, although not spoken to anyone about them. However, if you want it to actually supply power to run stuff like nav/cabin lights, go for a small rutland.

I was lucky enough to have access to the facilities to build my own frame, but I think on a smaller turbine you can get away with a lot more, especially if you take it down when on the move/in very strong winds