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Post by seadream on Mar 3, 2013 15:41:45 GMT
Very happy owner of a new 379 and I'm about to fit a Rutland 914i Wind Generator. There is very little room on the port side by the transom and the configuration of the pushpit/cleat/shroud fittings. I have bought the standard fitting pole and I think the only way that I can fit it is to mount the base on the transom as close as possible to the port side which then keeps the deck completely clear. Anyone any thoughts on this?
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Post by jdl01 on Mar 3, 2013 17:32:13 GMT
I have successfully mounted a 2 inch diameter outboard motor hoist bolted through the transom step and connected to the lower pushpit rail on my 379. It supports a 110 lb engine. However, given the potential lateral pressure of a wind generator you might consider a s/s cable and turnbuckle running from the pole [just below blade level ] to the deck [outboard of the pad eye for the code 0 turning block.
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Post by Tafika II on Sept 5, 2013 17:19:14 GMT
I am contemplating adding a Rutland 914i on our SO42DS. Mounting it is not a problem as we have an arch, but I would like to know your experience with the unit and your comments on pluses and minuses you may have to offer. If you decided on another unit or other members have installed other wind generators, please feel free to comment.
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Post by Mistroma on Sept 10, 2013 21:53:42 GMT
I have a Rutland 913 on my 2009 42DS with their HRDi regulator. All wiring is to required spec. or sl. higher and also have 145W solar feeding into the same regulator.
In Scotland I averaged about 10Ah per day during 2 summer seasons and slightly less en-route to Spain (7-8Ah if I remember correctly). However, I wasn't living on the boat and she spent a fair proportion of the time on a sheltered mooring or in sheltered anchorages in Scotland.
I think that the average will be higher this year as there's been quite a lot of wind and anchorages have still had quite a bit of wind. Max. this year was 113Ah in 24 hours but even so, the average will still probably be only 15Ah/day. My solar panels will probably average around 50Ah/day from 145W panels costing about £250-£300 to install vs. around £1,000 for the wind-gen.
So I imagine that you won't get as much power as you'd expect. I still find mine useful as cloudy days often tend to be windy and even 10Ah from lighter winds helps a bit as well.
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Post by Tafika II on Sept 12, 2013 18:38:32 GMT
Thanks for the information and comments. We have plenty of sun for solar panels in Southern CA. I need to do more research on the Rutland 914i as to whether it will be worth the expense during my cruising years starting in 2015.
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Post by Tafika II on Feb 16, 2015 23:04:28 GMT
OK, I’m doing my final research of the following models: • Rutland 914i with HRDI Remote Display • AIR Breeze by SW Windpower with internal controller • Leading Edge LE-300 with 8A PV Controller • Leading Edge LE-v150 Mast Mount with 8A PV Controller • Silentwind 400+ with hybrid charge controller Anyone have these specific models and care to offer detailed comments? Anyone have a different model they might like to suggest?
I’d like to get this purchased soon, so your earliest feedback would be appreciated! Thanks!
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Post by hoppy on Feb 17, 2015 8:05:24 GMT
Look up in the sky, is it a bird? is it a plane? no it's SuperwindI was tied up at a town quay next to a Grand Soleil 43 for a 3 of days whilst the wind was blowing 20-30 knots. It was only on day 2 that I looked up and noticed that they had a wind generator spinning like crazy. It was only after seeing it that I noticed the noise from it. So much quieter than any other I've seen around marinas. Superwind are tested in wind tunnels and a few years ago they released quieter blades. They are much more expensive than Rutland's but as you tend to spend much of the day in the cockpit whether it is sailing or relaxing at anchor, the last thing you want is a noisy wind generator. So I think it is worth the money spending more on the quietest possible unit
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Post by vasko on Feb 17, 2015 9:22:01 GMT
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Post by vasko on Feb 17, 2015 9:30:33 GMT
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Post by On y va on Feb 17, 2015 9:34:29 GMT
Most people consider the Rutland 914i as they are cheap. I considered one too.....till I saw one on a 42ft yacht close to my boat. They are un-elegant, huge things and if you start looking into it all, not that efficient either, compared to others. Ok, others are generally more expensive, but just from the looks point of view, no Rutland 914i on my boat. A friend of mine has the Superwind one mentioned by hoppy. Seems ok. But I still thing there is nothing like the Airbreeze in looks and performance. I rather pay a bit more for something good and good looking. Also there spare parts are easily available. It's a shame these Forgens are so bad on performance, as they are so much nicer and less dangerous. vasko, you do realise your "favourite unit" is a land unit. Not to be used in a marine environment.
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Post by hoppy on Feb 17, 2015 9:39:35 GMT
I think the solar will win on noise in that comparisson
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Post by hoppy on Feb 17, 2015 9:46:18 GMT
As I have a solar arch, it was suggested to me (by the arch maker) that if I add wind, rather welding a pole to the top of the arch, it should be welded to the side horizontal and then a bend to make the vertical pole. This bend dampens the vibrations from the wind gen.
This sounds plausible to me , anyone care to break the "myth" ?
I would have to add the pole this way anyway as my solar use all of the space on top.
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Post by vasko on Feb 17, 2015 9:50:26 GMT
my solars are 250watts, but still the windgen tends to be better e.g working overnight too and the sungoldpower version is really lownoise - solars + wind + all controlers bits and bobs around totaled alot less then 1K in my setup ... e.g very good cost to performance results keeping in mind that that i'm a BIG electricity consumer btw : there is a project going on (experiment) with hi-perf sails covered with micro solar film... which when become reality and the china guys start to produce it will solve all our electricity problems
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Post by hoppy on Feb 17, 2015 10:00:37 GMT
But I still thing there is nothing like the Airbreeze in looks and performance. I rather pay a bit more for something good and good looking. Also there spare parts are easily available. According to the comparison Vasko posted, Airbreeze only does 160w @ 24 knots whilst Superwind does 350w @ 25 The Airbreeze websites I found only quote kWh/month in their output specs which makes them hard to compare and suspicious that it is under performing and over priced
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Post by On y va on Feb 17, 2015 11:35:20 GMT
I know, but it is a sexy looking machine. Who cares about the performance!!
Most of these things are so bulky and ugly. I do not want that on my boat. The Air Breeze is a nice compromise and will give enough Amps for me in combination with the solars.
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Post by Tafika II on Feb 17, 2015 18:46:23 GMT
Thanks for everyone input & reference documents. I'm still down to the AIR Breeze, Leading Edge LE-300 and the Rutland 914i...leaning away from the Rutland though. I like the idea if the carbon-fiber pole...thanks for that suggestion.
I am intrigued by the sun gold power 400w wind turbine generator with the built-in MPPT controller, but I am skeptical of the cost vs. quality. Has anyone installed this unit. It's not clear is VASCO's picture are this unit?
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Post by vasko on Feb 17, 2015 20:19:56 GMT
Thanks for everyone input & reference documents. I'm still down to the AIR Breeze, Leading Edge LE-300 and the Rutland 914i...leaning away from the Rutland though. I like the idea if the carbon-fiber pole...thanks for that suggestion. I am intrigued by the sun gold power 400w wind turbine generator with the built-in MPPT controller, but I am skeptical of the cost vs. quality. Has anyone installed this unit. It's not clear is VASCO's picture are this unit? yes the one on the picture is from sungoldpower and so far i'm happy with it - the documentation is actually airbreeze documentation - seems like a emplyee of airbreeze in china has left and run his own company. sungoldpower has been very responsive to my emails despite my initial worries that i havent heard from them the carbon composite pole that i used is 50 cm OD and was little bit tricky to fit but all worked well in the end my pole is 1.5m and the cost was around £70 and looks great btw: I landed on sungold in ebay originally when you plan a windturbine you need auto fuse minimum 30amps and off button and the cables need to be at least 10mm2 , a battery monitor or ampermeter is very useful too
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Post by vasko on Feb 17, 2015 20:44:48 GMT
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Post by vasko on Feb 17, 2015 20:51:01 GMT
BTW : I was impressed by this unit - when saw it in the Jeanneau Bargain Corner for £500 complete kit - published by MalcolmP and if I did not had already install my wind turbine most likley would go with the DuoGen ... www.duogen.co.uk/page14.html
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Post by Tafika II on Feb 17, 2015 21:12:23 GMT
Excellent! Back to thinking, then buying. I'll let you know what I decided and when installed, my comments.
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Post by hoppy on Feb 18, 2015 7:41:23 GMT
BTW : I was impressed by this unit - when saw it in the Jeanneau Bargain Corner for £500 complete kit - published by MalcolmP and if I did not had already install my wind turbine most likley would go with the DuoGen ... www.duogen.co.uk/page14.htmlAt the pricing for the DuoGen, I'd rather www.wattandsea.com/en/cruising-hydrogenerator at the same price with twice the amps at 5 knots and then pay extra for wind. So far with my 200w solar, the only time I've been short on power was during a 2 night passage,. So extra power under way is what I think I most need. Maybe that will change this spring when I go full time.
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Post by vasko on Feb 18, 2015 7:58:22 GMT
the point for duogen was that malcolm had a offer from jeanneau uk for £500 full kit ! which looks like is still valid, e.g at £500 it is not to be missed including if need shipment and taxes to us
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Post by hoppy on Feb 18, 2015 8:54:36 GMT
Whilst I'm not a locked door and box of tissues like On y ya over wind generators, the Duogen is too 10 pints and chew your arm off the next morning, butt ugly for me
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Post by Tafika II on Mar 10, 2015 19:12:36 GMT
Vasco, do you have an email contact for SunPower other than sales@sunpower.com. I've used that and no one replies.
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Post by Don Reaves on Mar 10, 2015 19:48:34 GMT
The SunPower website has lots of contact information, but curiously the only Email address seems to be related to public relations. Lots of phone numbers for the US and elsewhere, however. Don
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