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Re: Ross, I Deleted My Posts...
Rick D there was no need to do that. Haven't you ever gotten into a discussion about some silly subject and had a grand time defending your stance on whatever and then bought the next round?
Rick D there was no need to do that. Haven't you ever gotten into a discussion about some silly subject and had a grand time defending your stance on whatever and then bought the next round?
Oh, yea, Ross. If I had a dime for the rounds I brought, I'd be able to afford both big solar panels and wind! I will admit to a bias tho, at least as to the older wind generators if I am within 100 yards of them!
There is a type of wind machines called vertical turbines. I have seen very large ones and very small ones but I haven't seen any in the 50 to 250 watt catagory. They don't sport a propellor and tail vane, they are more along the lines of a roof ventilator. Beyond that I know nothing about them
I say go for it ,Liam
I wish that I could afford the biggest and the best. If I could, I would have it on my boat in a heart beat. I would also post pictures of it, so you all could see just how wonderful I think it looks on my boat. I see nothing wrong with what Liam says. He got what he wanted and he loves it. Thats great for him. And now he's sharing his excitement with us. He said why he chose solar over wind, and that was more than what he had to.
I wish him all the luck and can only ask that next time he finds something that he thinks we all should know about, please feel free to tell us. Even if he thinks that only a few of us would be interested in, please let us know. I know that I am always interested as to the whys and the wherefores on new ideas and how they actually work out. Please keep us updated. We really want to know how this works out for you.
I was thinking about a larger boat and you mentioned vibration of the wind vane. Was this a older model wind vane or a newer, one you experienced? I was thinking if it's mounted with dampeners correctly and such, it shouldn't really vibrate all that much. Would I notice the vibration on say, a 45 ft? How big was the boat you felt the vibration on? Was it still or under sail? I can understand the noise factor, being somewhat bothersome at times. I'd choose to lock down the blades while trying to sleep. Are they all that noisy? I've never actually heard one while under way.They have come up with varying designs of blades for the wind vanes to help solve the noise factor. Like Ross mentioned, a vertical squirrel cage like vane.
Keep it up,
Ctskip
I wish that I could afford the biggest and the best. If I could, I would have it on my boat in a heart beat. I would also post pictures of it, so you all could see just how wonderful I think it looks on my boat. I see nothing wrong with what Liam says. He got what he wanted and he loves it. Thats great for him. And now he's sharing his excitement with us. He said why he chose solar over wind, and that was more than what he had to.
I wish him all the luck and can only ask that next time he finds something that he thinks we all should know about, please feel free to tell us. Even if he thinks that only a few of us would be interested in, please let us know. I know that I am always interested as to the whys and the wherefores on new ideas and how they actually work out. Please keep us updated. We really want to know how this works out for you.
I was thinking about a larger boat and you mentioned vibration of the wind vane. Was this a older model wind vane or a newer, one you experienced? I was thinking if it's mounted with dampeners correctly and such, it shouldn't really vibrate all that much. Would I notice the vibration on say, a 45 ft? How big was the boat you felt the vibration on? Was it still or under sail? I can understand the noise factor, being somewhat bothersome at times. I'd choose to lock down the blades while trying to sleep. Are they all that noisy? I've never actually heard one while under way.They have come up with varying designs of blades for the wind vanes to help solve the noise factor. Like Ross mentioned, a vertical squirrel cage like vane.
Keep it up,
Ctskip
Liam please forgive me for jumping to conclusions about your post.
I have learned a lesson, I'm sorry it was at your expense.
I am glad that you are enjoying your new addition to your boat. I enjoy telling about my projects also, and enjoy listening to others.
I have learned a lesson, I'm sorry it was at your expense.
I am glad that you are enjoying your new addition to your boat. I enjoy telling about my projects also, and enjoy listening to others.
Hi Liam,
I'm curious about the degree of tillt and direction that the panel have in orientation to the flow lines of your boat. I have a dodger and a bunch of crap hanging on the stern pulpit that must increase drag. However my Mustang has an air spoiler like those NASCAR boys. I was even thinking of a bimini to carry 2 or 3 panels. Let me know.
All U Get
I'm curious about the degree of tillt and direction that the panel have in orientation to the flow lines of your boat. I have a dodger and a bunch of crap hanging on the stern pulpit that must increase drag. However my Mustang has an air spoiler like those NASCAR boys. I was even thinking of a bimini to carry 2 or 3 panels. Let me know.
All U Get
Thanks everyone!
You guys are all okay and if you were here I would buy you a cold & frosty.
The boat that I was on with the Air-Breeze generator is a 40 footer. The vane was mounted on the shock mounts. It was a pretty windy day so the thing was really spinning. Honestly, I could maybe get used to the noise, but my wife said absolutely forget it. I have often been at anchorages where someone has one and they are somewhat distracting. So I am sure that having one 20 feet away might get on some peoples nerves.
My boat is a Beneteau Oceanis. It has a swim platform. I mounted the SolarStik foot on the platform as far aft as possible and to starboard of the centerline so that the panels when horizontal would not extend sideways beyond the caprail. I mounted the height so that the panels when horizontal would be just slightly higher than the Bimini.
I completed about 70% of the wiring yesterday and should finish this coming weekend. I mounted the BlueSky controller in a wall mount box rather than cutting the bulkhead.
My guess is that total installation time will actually be about 14 hours.
I will let you know how it is working out in a month or two.
Best regards, Liam in Santa Cruz, Ca.
You guys are all okay and if you were here I would buy you a cold & frosty.
The boat that I was on with the Air-Breeze generator is a 40 footer. The vane was mounted on the shock mounts. It was a pretty windy day so the thing was really spinning. Honestly, I could maybe get used to the noise, but my wife said absolutely forget it. I have often been at anchorages where someone has one and they are somewhat distracting. So I am sure that having one 20 feet away might get on some peoples nerves.
My boat is a Beneteau Oceanis. It has a swim platform. I mounted the SolarStik foot on the platform as far aft as possible and to starboard of the centerline so that the panels when horizontal would not extend sideways beyond the caprail. I mounted the height so that the panels when horizontal would be just slightly higher than the Bimini.
I completed about 70% of the wiring yesterday and should finish this coming weekend. I mounted the BlueSky controller in a wall mount box rather than cutting the bulkhead.
My guess is that total installation time will actually be about 14 hours.
I will let you know how it is working out in a month or two.
Best regards, Liam in Santa Cruz, Ca.
Re: Thanks everyone!
As for the noise a wind vane makes, whirring in a slip might be bothersome for some. I don't see where it would be anymore bothersome than say, halyards slapping the mast or waves slapping the transom on some boats. Whats with those fish that peck the bottom of the boat anyway? We won't even mention the 40 something foot boats with unmufflered big blocks, blasting 1/4 mile away make and those tires from 18 wheelers, arg!! I feel it's going to be one of those noises that will be accepted on down the line with more and more people seeking alternative sources of energy. It sure beats the noise the electric meter makes spinning at the end of my slip. Now there's a noise that not only drives me nuts, but also hurts the pocket. Visually, it's not that appealing either. Won't it be nice when the day comes when there are no more big yellow cords lying from our boats to a spinning glass box on shore that is constantly costing money? I'm counting the days.
Thanks to all who are trying to solve the energy problem, by becoming less dependant on oil.
Keep it up,
Ctskip
As for the noise a wind vane makes, whirring in a slip might be bothersome for some. I don't see where it would be anymore bothersome than say, halyards slapping the mast or waves slapping the transom on some boats. Whats with those fish that peck the bottom of the boat anyway? We won't even mention the 40 something foot boats with unmufflered big blocks, blasting 1/4 mile away make and those tires from 18 wheelers, arg!! I feel it's going to be one of those noises that will be accepted on down the line with more and more people seeking alternative sources of energy. It sure beats the noise the electric meter makes spinning at the end of my slip. Now there's a noise that not only drives me nuts, but also hurts the pocket. Visually, it's not that appealing either. Won't it be nice when the day comes when there are no more big yellow cords lying from our boats to a spinning glass box on shore that is constantly costing money? I'm counting the days.
Thanks to all who are trying to solve the energy problem, by becoming less dependant on oil.
Keep it up,
Ctskip
as for the noise a wind turbine makes...
as regards to being annoyed by your own turbine in your own cockpit: if you can hear it, your stereo system isn't up to par.
as to the sound of halyards slating, you'll NEVER hear such noise coming from one of my boats.
...if you're close enough in an anchorage (ahem!) to hear my wind turbine, think of it as the sound of my engine/generator not running. think of it as the sound of my carbon footprint shrinking rather than growing. and if that doesn't work for you, think about anchoring a bit farther away from a boat with a turbine next time you enter the anchorage. keep more than five boat-lengths away (my boat lengths, not yours) and you won't hear a thing, especially if you're downwind.
as regards to being annoyed by your own turbine in your own cockpit: if you can hear it, your stereo system isn't up to par.
as to the sound of halyards slating, you'll NEVER hear such noise coming from one of my boats.
Re: Thanks everyone!
Count your blerssings ! Our marina is about a quarter mile north of the Amtrak bridge and about a quarter mile south of US Route 40. When a train comes through about every 20 minutes during commuting hours all conversation stops. That even drowns out the big go fast boats.
Count your blerssings ! Our marina is about a quarter mile north of the Amtrak bridge and about a quarter mile south of US Route 40. When a train comes through about every 20 minutes during commuting hours all conversation stops. That even drowns out the big go fast boats.
Sailingdog,
Please let's not go there. We have peacefully co existed for a long time and can do without the bashing. Brian and Steph are friends of the forum, and friends of mine. If you have an issue with them, take it up with them personally.
Thanks,
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there are some good things supporting new panel work...
- coatings that dramatically improve efficiency.....
- newer, more efficient panels...
-- better power conversion systems coming...
But I think that mounting and reliability are are really a key piece of the puzzle.. making the whole shebang reliable is the difference between a good system and having something whack you on the head at a bad time....
This is a good product... I also would think that Brian is working on a next product - and that is a good thing too..
**********
everything on the power chain matters.. The best of products are the simplest and most reliable..
--jr
- coatings that dramatically improve efficiency.....
- newer, more efficient panels...
-- better power conversion systems coming...
But I think that mounting and reliability are are really a key piece of the puzzle.. making the whole shebang reliable is the difference between a good system and having something whack you on the head at a bad time....
This is a good product... I also would think that Brian is working on a next product - and that is a good thing too..
**********
everything on the power chain matters.. The best of products are the simplest and most reliable..
--jr
Phil,
Thanks, I came back to edit it myself. I appreciate you keeping an eye on me.
Ross in Tampa
Thanks, I came back to edit it myself. I appreciate you keeping an eye on me.
Ross in Tampa
Ross-
Personally, I don't have a problem with Brian or Steph... However, I do have a problem with one of their advocates who was banned from another forum after threatening people with physical violence. He was also technically illiterate and didn't understand that there is a difference between AMP-HOURS, and AMPS.
However, it doesn't say much for Brian and Steph, IMHO, that they let someone like that speak for them on an internet forum. IIRC, Brian did come on that forum and didn't say anything about his friend's behavior. The person who was banned claimed to know and be friends with Brian as well. Who a person associates with and let speak for them says a lot about a person.
Personally, I don't have a problem with Brian or Steph... However, I do have a problem with one of their advocates who was banned from another forum after threatening people with physical violence. He was also technically illiterate and didn't understand that there is a difference between AMP-HOURS, and AMPS.
However, it doesn't say much for Brian and Steph, IMHO, that they let someone like that speak for them on an internet forum. IIRC, Brian did come on that forum and didn't say anything about his friend's behavior. The person who was banned claimed to know and be friends with Brian as well. Who a person associates with and let speak for them says a lot about a person.
As Nice N Easy said in his .02, both have their pros and cons. Solao doesn't work well in clouds, rain and at night. Wind doesn't work well in calms and slight breezes. Both systems on the boat are ideal. However, you generally have to make a decision on which you can afford and which the admiral will tolerate.
I did see on a post a week or so ago that new photo cells are being developed that are more effective and do not need to be aimed at the sun. When these will be available, who knows and at what cost.
I did see on a post a week or so ago that new photo cells are being developed that are more effective and do not need to be aimed at the sun. When these will be available, who knows and at what cost.
Dog , The political campaigns this year should have convinced you that some people will claim to be speaking for another and make some completely outrageous claims or statements. There is never a justification on a discussion forum to offer to resort to violence. There are many ways to disagree without being disagreeable. Publishing facts is often to best way to refute exaggerated claims.
Glenn-
IIRC, it isn't a new solar cell, but a new coating for current solar cell technology, using a seven-layer nanocoating film to enhance the efficiency of the existing silicon solar cells. .
IIRC, it isn't a new solar cell, but a new coating for current solar cell technology, using a seven-layer nanocoating film to enhance the efficiency of the existing silicon solar cells. .
True, but, IIRC, the fact that Brian let those posts stand as speaking for him also says something. If the poster hadn't the right to speak for Brian, or Brian disapproved of what he was saying, he should have said so. IIRC, he didn't. What someone doesn't say can speak volumes.
Sailingdog:
Thanks for the correction. It was the coating I was refering to and not a new photo cell.
Thanks for the correction. It was the coating I was refering to and not a new photo cell.
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