Massabesic Yacht Club, Auburn, NH
September 14 - 15
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Length Overall 15' 6" Length Waterline (LWL) 13' 8" Beam 4' 9" Sail Area 119 sq. ft. Draft - Board Down 4' 2" / Board Up 6" Mast Height 20' 3" Minimum Hull Weight 198 lbs Portsmouth Ratings: Level 89.7 Light air 92.3 Medium 91.4 Heavy 86.4
The Windmill Class is a National Association of Owners and Builders of the Windmill One-Design Sailboat . Clark Mills designed the Windmill to be a challenging and exciting boat for teens to sail when they graduated from his Opti design. Today the Windmill Class brings families together from across the country to enjoy the thrill of friendly rivalry on the water and camaraderie ashore.
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MarineKinetix MK4+ Marine Wind GeneratorBulk discount ratesBelow are the available bulk discount rates for each individual item when you purchase a certain amount
Product DescriptionThe marine industry’s highest rated wind generator. MarineKinetix MK4+Wind Generator, including Controller - For Lead Acid, AGM, Gel and Lithium Batteries. The marine wind generator with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and the industry's best 3-year limited warranty. Double click on the large picture above to scroll through scores of pictures of fellow bluewater cruisers worldwide relying on power from their MarineKinetix wind generator. See a recent blog from a seasoned bluewater cruiser and Salty Dawg Rally organizer who solved his large energy demands using a combination green energy, including an MK4+ wind generator here . The MarineKinetix Wind Turbine has become one of the most popular marine wind generators available due to its advanced technology, superior output, and super-quiet design. The MarineKinetix is now considered to be the benchmark among serious cruisers. With a 30% to 50% larger swept area than the most popular marine wind generators, it is simply capable of intercepting more of the available windstream, and capturing more power. Its sophisticated charge controller displays all the data, including Amps, Watts and Volts, and assures that the power makes it safely and efficiently into your battery bank through a 2-stage smart charging process. No need to buy extra meters , rectifiers, stop switches, or load diverters. These are integrated into our smart controller. Just add your mounting pole and the wiring to your batteries, and you are ready to start producing green energy. We are celebrating our 12th year of serial production, and our 8th year producing our latest design, the MK4+ Marine Wind Generator. The MK4+ replaced the popular MarineKinetix MK450. The MK4+ includes the following upgrades:
The great performance of the original MK450 remains. The above changes are incremental improvements designed to improve start-up speed, ease assembly, resist corrosion, and improve real-world output. The MK4+ is truly a world-class micro wind generator. Tired of talking to non-technical vendors that don't understand the nuts-and-bolts of what they are selling? Give our technical rep, Jeff, a call directly at (864) 275-7837 to answer any questions. Read on to see what really matters when considering wind power for your boat. Why Consider the MarineKinetix Wind System? The MarineKinetix Wind Turbine System is simply one of the best performing small wind generator system available for marine use. That is quite a boast, considering all the small turbines out there with catchy names, and bigger advertising budgets, but read on to find out why we believe you'll soon agree. The MarineKinetix MK4+ is a simple to install, hands-off, super-quiet wind-energy production system made especially for the marine environment. This high-output, low start-up-speed system utilizes the best of European wind-science in its design. In addition to its leading-edge high-output dual-bearing 3-phase permanent magnet generator, it also features world-class aerodynamic efficiency with its carbon-filled aero'coustic rotor blades, which have been optimized for high torque, low rotational inertia, and exceptionally quiet output. These features, coupled with the included "hands-off" microprocessor-based charge-controller, and its exceptionally low yaw-error, make for what we think is the best marine wind generator system on the market. See why below. The MarineKinetix MK4+ wind turbine system is a leap forward in wind turbine science. It makes the intelligent compromise between low-speed start-up and high-speed output, all at a realistic and cost-effective price.
What is included in the Wind Generator kit?
What accessories are available from Marinebeam?
What is the wired Remote Stop Switch Connector option? While the controller already has an integrated stop switch --accessed with the front panel buttons-- some customers who will have limited access to the controller location may wish to mount a secondary stop switch in a more accesible locaton. So, this option includes a two-pin connector, which attaches to a port on the bottom of the controller, and allows you to run your small-gauge wiring to your on/off toggle switch. The switch and extra wiring are not included, but this is a very low voltage and low current control signal, so a light gauge wire (18-22 AWG) is sufficient. For more sophisticated systems (like off-site telemetry systems) a relay can be used to remotely actuate the brake. Details About the Unique Marine Kinetix Technology: Our solution is a systems-approach to wind-energy production on-board. The MK4+ system couples several forward-thinking ideas into one "wind-system" which is easy to install, affordable, and maximizes energy production. We did this by first starting with a low-friction, high-energy-density 3-phase rare-earth magnet rotor design, which came from concepts and materials used in leading-edge green-energy vehicle research. The Neodymium Iron Boron (Nd2Fe14B) permanent magnet rotor uses patented technology licensed from Sumitomo/Hitachi in Japan. This is the same type of PM rotor design used in the AC synchronous motors in the Chevy Volt and other electric vehicles. The rare-earth magnetic rotor is a key to its performance and low noise and vibration. We now utilize an asymmetrical pole-shifted rotor design, which is a advanced method that replaces the heavy mass and cost of older skewed rotor designs, while providing the same advantage of reducing the cogging torque, and improving low speed performance. We coupled this super-efficient machine with a biomimicry-inspired carbon-fiber-filled blade set, which makes for super-quiet performance while improving overall aerodynamic power. The results are a turbine that outperforms others in start-up speed, output, and noise. While other systems are idle, the MK4+ is generating. While other systems are disturbing the peace, the MK4+ is virtually silent. While other systems are struggling to charge, the MK4+ is topping off. What are the important factors in wind energy production? Physics dictates the basic performance of all wind generators. In fact, the power available to any wind generator is a function of the square of the diameter (swept area of the blades) and the cube of the wind speed. The ability of any specific wind generator to the capture wind efficiently depends on the length of its blades (its swept area) and its Tip Speed Ratio. Tip Speed Ratio refers to the speed of the tips relative to the speed of the wind. If the blades spin too fast relative to the wind, they begin to begin to look like a solid disk to the wind, and air piling up in front of the blades effectively blocks the wind behind it. On the other hand, if the blades spin too slowly, much of the wind passes through the gaps between the blades, and the energy is lost forever. So, swept area and blade design are the most important areas which the wind generator manufacturer can control. While the MK4+'s blades are only 8 to 9 inches longer than the typical blade, they sweep as much as 40% more area than the competition. With a nearly perfect tip speed ratio due to the computer-modeled and simulated blade design, and the impedance load-source matching of the controller, the MK4+ has a higher energy capture compared to most other designs. Because of the cube relationship of wind speed to power production, wind speed is absolutely the most important factor in wind energy . There is no getting around the physics of that. There is 27 times more power in a 15 knot wind than a 5 knot wind. The key takeaway here is that regardless of the technology, you need good wind to get good performance from a wind generator . What affects the ability to maximize output power capture shown above? Wind generator power is dependent on wind speed, battery acceptance rate, and applied load , so a variable load and a discharged battery was used to characterize the absolute capture power for the data above. As the wind increases, your wind generator will already be charging full-time, and the battery bank's acceptance-rate, in amps, will decrease as the battery charges and its voltage increases. So, it is important to understand that by the time the wind is blowing 20 knots or more it is likely your batteries will not be capable of accepting the full amount of amps that any generator can provide. This is good. It means that your batteries are reaching a full state-of-charge, and that you have the headroom in power to cover any other loads as they arrive, without further discharging your batteries. At the end of the day, it is best to think of a wind generator as a free-energy variable power source, whose output changes day-to-day depending on the available wind and the presence (or absence) of downstream electrical loads that it requires to generate power. Read the following pages to learn about the MK4+, and view the video below to see how it performs against a much more expensive wind generator at very low wind speeds. Our Integrated "Wind-System": Many popular marine wind generators are essentially sold in kit form, with the user left to decide what method of control they need to get the power into their batteries effectively. Alternatively, some turbines have an included charging set-up, but offer what is essentially a simple automotive voltage regulator and a load diverter. This can be a real problem for those wanting to optimize charging and protect their expensive batteries. It is not enough to just generate efficient and effective power at the generator head. It is just as important to get that power effectively into our battery bank, and to regulate that power based on the battery's specific demands for voltage and current throughout its charging cycle. By use of an IU charging profile, the system not only can be more efficient, but can also significantly prolong the life of the batteries by preventing overcharging. Typical load diverter type controllers can only charge your battery to about 80% State-of-Charge (SOC). This partial cycling is particularly bad for your batteries. Combining the Low Start-Up Speed "Tortoise Approach" with the High-Power "Hare Approach": Having seen both real-world performance in various anchorages around the world, as well as published performance testing over the years, we realized that the best approach out there on the "real water" was to apply leading-edge technology to each component of the system to find an intelligent compromise between the Tortoise Approach and the Hare Approach to wind energy production. A small wind-system that is capable of making power in low wind speeds can take advantage of a long day with low wind speeds by putting small amounts of power into the battery consistently throughout the day and night (the Tortoise Approach). On the other hand, a larger system can take advantage of big gusts or heavy wind by making tons of power very quickly (the Hare Approach). The perfect solution for us cruisers would be a two-stage turbine that could be the Tortoise in low wind speeds, or protected anchorages, and could be the Hare in a high-velocity wind environment. By leveraging leading-edge technologies to make incremental efficiency improvements in each of the discrete components of the wind system, we achieved a "sum of the parts" that meets our goals for an ideal marine wind system in-board. We believe it is the best marine wind generator on the market for those sailors wanting a high-quality, hands-off, high-output, and super-quiet system. Our real world data and feedback from our customers backs up that claim. Read on to see how we did it. The Blade Set: We have found that the practical key to consistent production on-board is to start with a large 1.39 meter swept area, and then to apply leading-edge technology to the blade set to extract the maximum amount of energy. Swept area is the most critical aspect of energy capture, and the bigger the swept area, the more power, period. Blade length defines the swept area (Area= π r 2 ), and typically the longer the blades, the stronger and heavier they must be to withstand the exponential increase in torque. The MK4+ solves this issue by using a unique 20% carbon fiber molded blade that is not only long and rigid, but extremely light as well (<300g). This allows us to produce a blade that is up to 9" longer than the competition, but it weighs much less, and sweeps up to 40% more area. We also focused on the airfoils to get a super-efficient, super-quiet, Aero'coustic blade that gives exceptional power while maintaining low-speed start-up capability. This way the turbine can take advantage of all-day energy production, but also can generate more serious power when the winds pick up. It doesn't do much good to have great potential generating capacity if the blades never turn in the real world. Compare our start-up and output to the competition, and you will see the distinct advantage. Details of the Design: The blade and tail design focuses on several key strategies:
While our carbon-fiber reinforced blade set has an extremely low rotational inertia, a strong and lightweight blade is only part of the story. The starting torque on a wind turbine is generated in the blade area closest to the hub, while the power producing torque is produced in the blade area closer to the tips. By use of German-engineered computer modeling and simulation, a variable blade profile was produced that can react quickly in low wind speeds, yet produce high torque and optimal tip-speed ratios at high speeds. The blades are produced in a solid-model-patterned single-cavity injection-molding tool, so that each blade is identical in weight and profile. Using a 20% carbon-fiber filled polymer makes the blade very light, durable, and repeatable. Lightweight blades have a low rotational inertia, which is critical in wind-energy production in the real world. Low rotational inertia allows the blades to accelerate more quickly, which means they can spin faster in lower wind speeds, therefore keeping the tip-speed-ratio (the speed of the tips vs. the speed of the wind) more constant. Operating closer to the optimum tip-speed-ratio during gusts also allows the turbine to improve energy capture from these sudden gusts as well. Another way to increase aerodynamic efficiency --and to reduce noise on an airfoil blade-- is to manipulate and control the lateral airflow over the foil. Of course, some of the best engineering solutions often come from mimicking what is already found in nature. Whales and certain fish have amazing hydrodynamic efficiency and stealth through the use of tubercles , or raised and slotted sections on the leading edges of their fins. Our blades likewise use biomimicry-inspired riblets along the leading edge of the blades, which help the airfoil to create more power at lower speeds, and to operate more efficiently in turbulent air streams. These Aero'coustic riblets, also prevent the air from traveling down the blade edge and "vortexing" off the blade tip contributing to tip noise. The noise you hear from most wind turbines is the sound of wasted energy. How quiet is it... really ? The MK4+ is extremely quiet, and we have never heard one quieter. In fact, it measures only 35dB at 5 meters in 10 knots of wind. At 15 knots, just a flutter, but no tip noise. As the wind builds the flutter noise will increase. Above 30 knots, everything exposed to the wind at that velocity will generate some noise, including the MK4+. To get an idea of how quiet it really is, just watch the video below. Note that the video was shot with a CMOS rolling-shutter camera, so the blades appear to be turning slowly, while in actual fact they are turning at several hundred RPM. Video compliments of customer Hayden Cochran on his Island Packet "Island Spirit": What is Yaw Error, and why is it so important? This is quite different from most of the other, and more expensive, 400W generators. The typical marine wind generator charge controller uses 50 year-old technology, which is simply a load-diverter switch, which, upon reaching a set-point, diverts 100% of the energy to a set of resistive elements (essentially heater coils). So, when the battery reaches its dumpload set-point it isn't actually fully-charged, and this type of Partial State of Charge (PSOC) cycling damages the battery by reducing its capacity, and sulfating the battery plates. They can't fully-charge the battery because they have no way to dump only the excess power produced, while continuing to top up the battery. They can only dump all of it. The best scenario would be to have a way to progressively dump power so that the batteries could be fed with only the power that they need at this final stage of the charging process. The controller is very compact (5-5/8" H x 5-7/8" W x 3-1/4" D), fanless, and is designed to be bulkhead mounted. It has the following additional features: (1) Full monitoring capability (Volts, Watts, Amps), no additional battery monitors, shunts, panels, or displays needed (2) Backlit LCD display with clear graphical readout (3) Manual Brake deployment via keypad, so no additional stop switch is required (4) Battery charge level indicator (5) External load control (for managing lighting, etc) Unlike some other popular marine wind generators which have internal controllers, there are no on-board electronics in the hot and salty elements, and there is no need for additional rectifiers, heat sinks, stop-switches, large resistive loads, or ammeters. It all happens automatically and safely within the charge controller. It even protects from over-charging and under-charging. It is truly a hands-off charging solution. Maintenance and Warranty: The MK4+ is designed to provide years of trouble-free service out in the elements, and has a 3-year warranty against defects in materials or workmanship. We specified a simple and rugged mechanical set that uses very few parts, is easy to maintain, and will stand up to the rigors of the marine environment. Unlike most single bearing automotive alternator-based designs, our dual low-friction rotor is supported by two low-friction bearings to provide long-life and easy start-up. The unit is easy to disassemble, understand, and maintain. The body is made of a lightweight magnesium and aluminum alloy, which is pre-treated with a zinc-aluminum nano-coat, and then a double marine-grade epoxy powdercoat to resist oxidation and corrosion. The MK4+ is bluewater tested by full-time cruisers, and like all of the Marinebeam products it is backed by the best technical support and warranty in the business. Be sure to look at the various customer installation picture above to see some of our installations around the globe. Interesting Links Click here for our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document. Link to download PDF copy of installation manual (V2.2) Link to download PDF copy of controller manual (V2.1) Should you have further questions, feel free to contact us by phone or email. Jeff, our resident MK4+ technician can be reached M-F 9-6PM at (864) 275-7837. Or you can reach him by email at [email protected] Product VideosCustom field, product reviews, write a review. 18 Reviews Hide Reviews Show ReviewsMarinekinetix mk4 wind generator - highly recommended. Posted by David Pollock on 28th Jan 2024 I’ve had my MarineKinetix MK4 Wind Generator for over 10 years and it has performed flawlessly! It is an exceptional product! Produces great power and is super quiet. While I also have solar, in the winter down in the Keys or further south, the daylight hours are reduced. But there is usually a 10+ knot wind. Nothing like waking up in the morning with the batteries fully charged. And quiet - I have had guests on my boat in a mooring field comment on the noise of wind generators on other boats. The MK4 is whisper-quiet, built solid with quality materials and they provide great service! Highly recommended! Posted by Bob Golembicki on 12th Jun 2023 I replaced our very old two bladed Four Wind mizzen mounted generator this past winter with an MK4+ and are very happy with the output and how quiet and well balanced the new generator is as we’ve been sailing around the Chesapeake Bay this year. We’re running the engine to charge only on very calm days and maybe half as much as we had to with our old generator. Posted by George Cline on 17th Feb 2023 Love my new wind gen. It’s quiet. Build quality is top notch. Installation is simple. Much happier with it than my previous wind gen from another brand. Awesome productPosted by Bob Osborn SV Pandora on 9th Dec 2022 After spending time with fellow Cruisers that had this unit on their boats, I had one installed this year. I had a wind generator years ago that we noisy and didn't put out much power. This one is as good as advertised. Quiet and powerful. I wrote a blog post about our power generating efforts aboard Pandora. Check it out. http://www.sailpandora.com/?p=12803 Recommendedsku: WR-10-3GRound profile 10/3 marine tinned cable. sku: CB-50A-4250 amp manual reset circuit breaker. sku: MK4-MOUNTMarine wind generator mounting pole hardware kit. sku: BL-MK-4+Replacement blade for marinekinetix mk450 or mk4+ wind generator. My Cruiser Life Magazine Choosing a Wind Generator for a Sailboat – Complete GUIDENothing denotes a salty off-the-grid ready yacht more than the sight of a wind generator mounted on the stern. Once, these were the main component of a sailor’s renewable energy arsenal. But today, as is the case with wind generators for RVs , the technology has fallen behind the fantastic strides that solar panels have made. Today’s solar panels are less expensive and more efficient than ever before, while wind generator technology hasn’t progressed much in the last 50 years. Still, there are limited times when wind generators make the most sense on sailboats. Here’s a look at who could benefit from one and five of the best options on the market. Table of ContentsIs a wind generator right for me, how much power do i need, alternatives to wind power, things to look for in a marine wind generator, 5 great marine wind generators. Before you dive into the whirlwind of information out there about marine wind generators, take a step back for a reality check. Wind generators were the standard-bearer for years onboard sailboats, but in the 21st century, their usefulness has all but been replaced by solar panels. Solar is efficient, silent, and completely maintenance-free. As a result, the usefulness of a wind generator is now much more limited. There are many pros for wind generators—but most of them can be negated by one simple fact–the amount of usable power they produce is significantly less and more expensive than solar. Furthermore, the two times when a wind generator does make sense are not conditions typically encountered by most cruisers. Wind generators are only effective for significant power when the apparent wind speed on deck is more than 15 knots. That’s apparent wind speed on deck—meaning most downwind sailing in winds less than 22 knots true or so would be out. And then there are anchorages, where sailors hope that a wind generator will help them live off-the-grid to avoid a generator or engine recharge. How many anchorages have you recently sat in that had a constant 15 to 20 knots of undisturbed wind blowing through them? Most of the time, we’re trying to get out of conditions like that, not anchor in them. There are some parts of the world where these conditions are the norm. Caribbean trade winds and high latitude winds make wind generators more attractive. Those sailors stuck in the “horse latitudes” in between will find their wind generators silent and motionless most of the year. The other time that adding a wind generator makes sense is when there is simply no other renewable energy option available. A wind generator can mount in many ways on nearly any type of sailboat. It has a tiny footprint, unlike a large solar array. The bottom line is this—only add wind power when you have absolutely no space left for solar. If you’re maxed out on solar, a wind generator can give you a little boost. But another solar panel will consistently outperform a wind generator—unless you’re that rare sailor whose anchorages of choice feature steady and uninterrupted 20-25 knot winds. Pros and Cons of Wind Power for Boats
When calculating your requirements for off-the-grid living, the math does not lie. The problem is not lying when you do the math. You can find many calculators and spreadsheets online to help you make the basic calculations. First, you need to know precisely how much power every electrical consumer on the boat will use and how long it will run each day. These items are often variable—refrigerators will have to run longer in hot climates and the summer, and lights will burn longer during the dark winter months. For everything that uses electricity, calculate the watts used per day (24-hour period). Next, you’ll want to take into account how much power is being generated. It’s impossible to get accurate numbers for your setup until you’re out there doing it. In general, solar can be counted on for its maximum output for three or four hours a day. How many sunny days a year depends on your location. Again, there are many calculators online. The wind is good for 24 hours a day, of course, but the wind is seldom that constant. So when calculating the math for a wind generator , it’s very easy to feel good about the choice. But practice has routinely shown that even a small solar array will outperform it in nearly every location. As already mentioned, the number one choice for most sailboats for renewable power is solar. Solar panels are inexpensive and last for decades with zero maintenance. The downside is that they require a lot of shade-free space to work best. For boats looking to make power during offshore passages, hydrogenerators are another solution. As long as the boat is cruising at six knots or more, the water passing by has enough potential energy to run electronics and charge batteries. The Watt & Sea Hydro generator is one of the best options out there, but there are also towable generators that do not require permanent installation. Some boats even have the option to use the free-spinning propulsion propeller to create electricity. Of course, these options only help charge the batteries when the boat is moving under sail, and only then at fast speeds. Power OutputThe first thing to realize is that you must take manufacturer’s ratings for their units with a grain of salt. The numbers are engineering calculations for ideal conditions. That is to say, conditions that a marine wind generator will likely never get to experience. Of all of the performance numbers worth considering, perhaps the most interesting numbers are those at the low end on the scale – when does the unit start producing power, and how much. Most of us boat in places with 15 knots of wind or less most of the time, so this is the range your wind generator will sit in for most of its serviceable life. Noise LevelFirst and foremost – do not be fooled by online reviews. Every wind generator on the market produces noise. Since the noise is generated from multiple sources, it can be hard to compare apples to apples when shopping for a generator. Blade design has a significant effect on noise – some blades are simply noisier than others. Not only does the blade’s aerodynamics make noise, but they can also cause vibrations. All wind generators will require occasional rebalancing and adjustment to minimize vibrations from the blades. The moving parts inside the generator can also cause noise. Most are mounted with standard ball bearings that can and do go bad. Many manufacturers advertise these as maintenance-free, but that’s simply unrealistic in the marine environment. Finally, the mount on the boat is a significant source of noise because it transmits the blade’s vibrations, no matter how minor, into the boat’s structure. Proper mounts have rubber dampening pads built-in, but even still, some noise will get through. This can sound like a buzz, hum, or even a thumping noise. Quality of construction plays a huge part in how much noise a wind generator makes. As a result, you get what you pay for with wind generators. Unfortunately, the inexpensive hardware store models built for residential use are typically the noisiest. You can compare the noise output of various wind generators by taking a stroll around the marina docks or a dinghy ride around the anchorage. Bad or poorly-maintained wind generators can be heard from many boat lengths distance. On the other hand, a high-quality unit will be difficult to hear when you’re standing under it, much less on another vessel. Correct VoltageWind generators should be matched to your primary battery bank—the one that you’ll be charging. Most boats will be 12 volts, and a few will be 24. 48-volt systems are becoming more popular on electric yachts and those using the battery bank for big consumers like air conditioning. These are the exceptions to the rule, however. Charge Controller FunctionsUnlike solar, wind generators are typically matched to the charge controller that the manufacturer packages with the unit. There are simply a lot more factors that go into regulating a wind generator, including the generation technology it uses and how it brakes or diverts its load. Charge controllers are either PWM (pulse width modulation) or MPPT (maximum power point tracking). PWM is a less expensive technology, while MPPT controllers are more expensive. In the world of wind generators, which one a controller features is a bit of a toss-up. Some manufacturers swear by MPPT, while others say there is no benefit to the added cost. Most solar chargers accept a solar input, usually only about 100 watts, though. It’s probably more efficient to run your solar array on its own MPPT charge controller. But if you’re only planning on installing a small array and don’t want the hassle of programming separate charge controllers, having the option with your wind controller is a very nice feature. Finally, the programmability of the charge controller is a significant factor. Very few of the older PWM charge controllers allow you to input charging profiles. Again, this is less of a problem with wind power than with solar. But if you’re planning to use less forgiving battery chemistries like lithium, you’ll want as much control as you can get from your controller. Brake and Automatic Cut-OffBeing able to cut a wind generator off in an over-power or over-speed scenario is extremely important. All wind generators come with some form of braking system. The brake needs to be used when the system reaches a full charge, or the wind speed goes beyond the wind generator’s limits. Remember that the generator’s not simply limited by what the blades and bearings can handle. There is also the strength of its mounts to consider. For example, a 60-knot gust on a free-spinning generator will impose an unbelievable force on its mounts. Then there are wiring considerations. The wind generator is only designed to output so much power, and during your installation, you must use wire sized for the maximum output. What happens if more than that amount of current goes through wires due to a brake failure? Heat and possible battery damage will result, but hopefully, the circuit breaker or fuse will cut it off before then. Some have aerodynamic brakes that turn the generator as wind speed increases. This theoretically means that it can never go over its designed limits. Others feature a brake that is automatically or manually activated. It’s designed to come on when the current reaches a maximum, such as during powerful wind gusts. It also breaks the unit to a stop when the batteries are fully charged. An alternative plan is to have a diversionary load. Some wind generators will come with dump loads, which are nothing more than ceramic heating elements. When the wind generator produces too much power, power is redirected from the batteries into these heating elements. They’re also used when the generator produces too much power for the system during storms. Mounting and Unit WeightThe mounting mast used to secure the wind generator is sometimes more complicated than the wind generator itself. It must be strong and stayed from all angles. Stainless tubes with two supports are commonly used to mount them to the back of yachts. The construction and position of the wind generator are essential to reduce vibrations and noise within the boat. Don’t mount a wind generator over someone’s bunk! All proper mounts have sound-deadening materials like rubber grommets built in to make them as quiet as possible. The blades of a wind generator must be positioned so that they can’t catch any lines, canvas, or flags from other parts of the boat. This makes stern-rail mounting almost impossible on ketches and yawls. On these boats, mizzen mast mounts are often the best alternative. Keep in mind as well that the spinning blades of a wind turbine are like spinning knives. Sailors have lost fingers trying to secure wind generators during storms. Therefore, they should be mounted high enough that it is impossible to accidentally come in contact with the blades during normal operations. As mentioned before, another critical component of the mounting is calculating the correct wire size. This is calculated from the unit’s maximum output, the round-trip length of the wire run, and the unit’s charge voltage. Finally, the positioning of the wind generator should supply it with uninterrupted airflow. If the wind is blocked, even slightly, but a mast, sail pack, or hardtop, the wind generator’s efficiency will be negatively affected. These items could also induce turbulence into the air being supplied to the turbine, which could result in vibrations and noisy operation. When shopping around for wind generators , notice that power output is not one of our main criteria. This might seem odd, but all of the wind generators on this list produce more or less the same amount of power in a given wind. Some start producing at lower speeds, and some keep producing at high speeds, but in general, these occurrences are so minor and so rare that they don’t calculate into the shopping process. Eclectic Energy D400The D400 has a legendary reputation among cruising sailors as the wind generator of choice. It is nearly silent to the point of being very difficult to hear. It is built by Eclectic Energy in the UK, and you can spot its distinctive shape and five-blade design on yachts worldwide. For all the pluses, there are some detractors from the D400. For one, it is pretty much the most expensive option. It is also the heaviest—it requires a much beefier mount than other options do. SilentWind ProThe SilentWind has a few advantages over many other wind generators. For one thing, the included MPPT charge controller features Bluetooth programming via a smartphone or tablet. In addition, you can set many parameters for the charge profile—meaning that it is one of the few wind generators that are at least somewhat compatible with the next generation of lithium marine battery systems. Compared to the D400, the SilentWind has a more lightweight and compact body. It’s a three-blade design that features blue composite fiber blades. The SilentWind is made in Portugal. Rutland 1200Rutland is the wind power branch of the Marlec renewable power company from the UK. Rutland makes a wind range of wind generators for yachts of all sizes. The 1200 is a three-blade generator that features an MPPT controller with a solar input. At 10 knots of wind, it produces about 40 watts of power. Primus Air Silent XPrimus makes a variety of wind generators from their facility in Colorado. The “top-of-the-line,” so to speak, is the Air Silent X. It’s an upgraded version of their Air X that comes supplied with quieter blades made of distinctive blue carbon fiber. Superwind 350The German-made Superwind has a unique overspeed and overcharge protection system—the units feature feathering blades. This is undeniably more complex than many other options on the market. These generators are designed to be installed in grueling conditions where a damaged generator cannot be repaired quickly. Their primary market is aimed at remote telecommunication equipment stations and offshore sailors. Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay. |
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