DIY wind generator
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What about a simple solar panel. You do not need to worry about over charging the batteries and it should keep them charged up. No noise, no maintenance and it is a proven technology. It will provide some power regardless of the weather conditions.
The wind generator may not work for several days at a time. I don't think you will find this issue with a solar panel.
The wind generator may not work for several days at a time. I don't think you will find this issue with a solar panel.
I agree, even with the low sun angles and short days this time of year our .....
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/outside-33.html
....solar panels have provided most of our power and we have been out over 3 weeks now. We have a 63 quart Edge Star frig on them, plus I've been running the computer/router/wifi about 4-6 hours a day either for internet or as a chart plotter and we have also been running the Cuda 350 gps/depth finder a lot on them and a CPAP machine at night.
We just spent 4 days ashore and the panels kept the frig down at 39 degrees and the battery topped off by themselves even with considerable clouds/rain here in FL.
I have had to also run the ...
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/outside-13.html
...gen-set about 4 times, 1 to 1 1/2 hours total, during this time to help the panels out a couple times. If I would stay off the internet that wouldn't of happened.
I would think the main obstacle to the DIY wind generator would be coming up with an efficient blade and then controlling it in high winds if you weren't there.
If the main goal is to keep the batteries up and not provide power on long trips then a....
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/outside-22.html
...... 40 watt panel and charge controller for about $150 that would do that,
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I also prefer the solar option as it works quietly.
Wind generators are often noisy, no one wants to
be moored near one in anchorage, and they can be
hazardous.
That being said, I am interested in a DIY wind generator
as a means of recharging the 48V bank for my electric
propulsion system. It would likely have a greater output
than solar panels,but would certainly require sophisticated
voltage regulation. I would also want the set up to be
demountable so it could be stored below in a small
space and only put in place in optimal conditions.
I could test the concept with model airplane gear.
Wind generators are often noisy, no one wants to
be moored near one in anchorage, and they can be
hazardous.
That being said, I am interested in a DIY wind generator
as a means of recharging the 48V bank for my electric
propulsion system. It would likely have a greater output
than solar panels,but would certainly require sophisticated
voltage regulation. I would also want the set up to be
demountable so it could be stored below in a small
space and only put in place in optimal conditions.
I could test the concept with model airplane gear.
in winter the solar panels donot put out . i know btdt. i have solar on both my boats. wind is always around during the afternoon from 1100-1900 here. at 1100, is around 5-10 kts, after 1300 is up to 12 and around 1400 is at 15 KTS,is plenty to make a wind genny work very nicely, i dont know of many places donot get any wind in daytime, except inland. here in a storm, we dont get sun or a few days at a time... wind we got plenty of--at over 30 kts , often over 40 kts and occasionally 90 kts in winter. also wind works allnight whereas sun only shines in daylight..LOL....noise??? LOL we used one last year-- what is nise??/ the idiot with the briggs-stratton genny is noise. wind gennie arent noise. they are music of charging batteries. danger?? where-- ye gonna stick yer head in the blades to see if they work?? havent seen any danger yet while using. other folks's wind gennies are barley discernable at nght. play your music louder and go back to sleep is alll goood, dear-- we are charging our batteries. btdt--i sleep light-- doesnt keep me awake nor does it awaken me. if you are so close to someone in an anchorage, is realllly too close to them. jmho
It's on my list of things to try. If you do it, document it. I'd love to learn from your experience. In the middle of a home generator project at the moment. Hoping to wrap it up before hurricane season. http://www.acephalous.net/genset.htm
I have been near them on other people's boats. I always found the hum they make to be soothing. Maybe I have never been around the really noisy ones. I will definitely need to find a way to regulate it. There are plans for controllers online that I have looked at. I could buy a ready made one for $150 that provides a dummy load when the batteries are fully charged. I will cross that bridge when I get there. This may prove to be a waste of time but there is so much information on building one, I think I will do it just to do it. I will film all my blunders and share.
The rotational resistance for an alternator is primarily from electrical loading. The size of the propeller will limit the total output. There isn't much horse power in twenty knots with a four foot diameter propeller.
Since you are DIY minded
something to think about.
http://www.duogen.co.uk/
I thought that putting the generator at the end as a counterbalance was a cool idea which would lend itself to the DIY type generator.
something to think about.
http://www.duogen.co.uk/
I thought that putting the generator at the end as a counterbalance was a cool idea which would lend itself to the DIY type generator.
You can buy the blades for and AIX-X and at 115 dollars i think you would be hard pressed to come up with that part of it for less
Wouldn't this be simpler?
http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-4444...Z2VE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292082913&sr=8-1
BTW, the DuoGen is not intended for extended operation especially with the "in-water" mode.
http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-4444...Z2VE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292082913&sr=8-1
BTW, the DuoGen is not intended for extended operation especially with the "in-water" mode.
Re: Wouldn't this be simpler?
Many years ago (early 1970's)General Electric company built a series of electric lawn tractors. The mowers were equiped with three motors wired together and each connected to a cutting blade. If you rotated one blade the other two would turn in syncrony with the driven blade. I wonder if one of those old mower decks could be found in a farm machine junk yard.
Many years ago (early 1970's)General Electric company built a series of electric lawn tractors. The mowers were equiped with three motors wired together and each connected to a cutting blade. If you rotated one blade the other two would turn in syncrony with the driven blade. I wonder if one of those old mower decks could be found in a farm machine junk yard.
Along those lines, maybe the DC motor from a rechargeable lawnmower would be suitable. Also, electric bikes are becoming more popular; a bike electric motor might also work.
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