Springtime Wind Power!
Doesn’t matter where you are — springtime means boat projects. I’m knee deep in 4 or 5 projects, simultaneously. I never was one for focusing on a single task; starting and finishing it in one day. I like to open a handful of projects, then proceed to let them linger for months. Gives me time to ponder the best solution I like to think. I enjoy the process. After all, it’s the journey, not the destination right? Typically, I’ll move into a semi-panic mode as a cruising departure deadline nears, and then it all gets done lickity-split. Dead lines… make great baggy wrinkle.
Perhaps a year of dreaming, wondering, researching and contemplating have all gone into the wind generator project. It’s nearly done. It’s mounted, spinning and making power. But I still need to properly run the wires and install the kill switch. It’s a little noisier then I had remembered based on listening to other Airbreezes on friends’ “yachts”. Oh, wait — it just started up again, and I can barely hear it over my music. Perfect! Actually, I’ve noticed it’s quieter at higher wind speeds. Interesting.
The install is easy. With the internal regulator, there is minimal work to do to get it up and running. I used 8 AWG wire for the run to the batteries. I combined the ground and the negative wires inside the pole, so I only need run duplex through the transom. The slow blow 20 amp fuse is 3″ from the batteries, and uses a 12 AWG jumper. Still looking for a solution to stick with the 8 AWG right to the battery, but for now it’s fine.
The pole kit was bought from emarineinc.com. I prefer their polished tubes to the typical white painted poles you often see with the Southwest Windpower turbines. The main aluminum tube came pre-drilled and the inside is coated with a vibration dampening substance. The smaller support tubes are 1″ SS tube. The entire mount sits on rubber for vibration reduction. Currently, I feel absolutely no vibration below. This is a good thing, cause I’ve been on some boats with wind generators, and it feels like an endless freight train is going by. Nice work emarine.
I’m looking forward to seeing how much power this turbine makes for me over time. I’d like to think, that with my 80 watt solar panel and this wind turbine I’ll be able to keep up with the fridge and the Macbook Pro. I have plans to swap out my single 80 watt panel for two smaller, but narrower 65 watt panels, one for each lifeline, port and starboard.
Ben, Thats cool. What will the wind gen. run? Does it run all your electronics? Does it end the need for shore power?
Rick
Ben,
It looks great! I like that pivot at the bottom for lowering the pole. On the solar panels, are you saying you are mounting 2 panels on the same lifeline? Are you planning to eventually mount panels on both starboard and port sides?
Dan
Hey Dan — yeah the pivot is cool — BUT, the backstay is in the way, so it only tilts a little bit in the one direction.
Yes, one solar panel on each side of the boat… figure at least one will always be in full sunlight ie, without shadows.
This is what I’m thinking…
http://emarineinc.com/products/solar_panels/Skinny _Solar_Panel_65W.html
Not 100% sure yet, though, cuz sun behind the boat will cause gallows to shade. I like your set up too, looks like you avoid most shadows as well. But I also like the slim/low profile factor of the 65 watt skinny panel.
Ben,
You’ll probably be at a dock if you’re lowering the pole, so will it work to swing it outboard to someone standing on the dock?
The emarineinc.com link didn’t work. I’ll try to get there via the home page.
Dan
Wow! 58″ long! Does that fit in the space between the gate and the boom gallows? If it does, it looks like a great idea.
Dan
Yup, it fits for me… with a few inches to spare! But the gallows shadows… Can’t have it all.