Has anyone installed a wind generator,solar panel'(s) or both on their 376? I checked the archives but didn't find anything. If not on the 376 any pros or cons on any units would be a big help. I had heard about a wind generator called an Aerogen but can't find out anything about it on the net. Thanks
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Aerogen
http://www.unlimited-power.co.uk/Aerogen_spec.html Took me about 5 seconds to find this link to Aerogen! ChuckWolfe@mail.com
http://www.unlimited-power.co.uk/Aerogen_spec.html Took me about 5 seconds to find this link to Aerogen! ChuckWolfe@mail.com
Siemens Solar Panels
Doug, We added two Siemens SP75(75 watt) solar panels on our Hunter 410. They are rated at 4.4 amps each and you can wire them in series to get 8.8 amps on a sunny day. The problem is having to continously monitor the orientation to the sun so we opted to just lock them at 45 degrees off the rail and get what we get. They do a good job keeping up with the daily refrigerator draw but they will not keep us completely powered without a little help from the genset. The web site is www.siemenssolar.com and I would by an overcharge/blocking diod control unit from West Marine and not run the amperage directly into the batteries. Good luck and fair winds. Jeff, Carol, and Boat Cat s/v Twilight
Doug, We added two Siemens SP75(75 watt) solar panels on our Hunter 410. They are rated at 4.4 amps each and you can wire them in series to get 8.8 amps on a sunny day. The problem is having to continously monitor the orientation to the sun so we opted to just lock them at 45 degrees off the rail and get what we get. They do a good job keeping up with the daily refrigerator draw but they will not keep us completely powered without a little help from the genset. The web site is www.siemenssolar.com and I would by an overcharge/blocking diod control unit from West Marine and not run the amperage directly into the batteries. Good luck and fair winds. Jeff, Carol, and Boat Cat s/v Twilight
Check Voltage at Low Wind Speed
When comparing wind generators the typical thing people seem to look for is what wind speed it starts producing power. Don't be fooled - find out the speed it starts producing 12 volts or so. Generally manufacturers start their power output curves at at zero watts and the curve goes up from there with wind speed; however, at the low wind speeds, say 4 knots, the voltage is, say 6 volts. Yes, it's producing power but nothing you can use. To get over 12 volts you'll need a wind speed probably over 7 knots. We have a 6-blade Rutland we bought An advantage of 6 blades is if one gets damaged it, and the blade opposite, can be removed, and the generator will still be balanced; with a 5- or 3-blade machine this isn't true. The generator has worked fairly well for us. When beating to weather it really puts out! We used to supplement the wind output with a Siemens M-65 or 75 but lost it overboard. This is what happens when the pannel is moved around trying to chase the sun. Solar panels are a nice source because they're quiet - don't work very well at night, though.
When comparing wind generators the typical thing people seem to look for is what wind speed it starts producing power. Don't be fooled - find out the speed it starts producing 12 volts or so. Generally manufacturers start their power output curves at at zero watts and the curve goes up from there with wind speed; however, at the low wind speeds, say 4 knots, the voltage is, say 6 volts. Yes, it's producing power but nothing you can use. To get over 12 volts you'll need a wind speed probably over 7 knots. We have a 6-blade Rutland we bought An advantage of 6 blades is if one gets damaged it, and the blade opposite, can be removed, and the generator will still be balanced; with a 5- or 3-blade machine this isn't true. The generator has worked fairly well for us. When beating to weather it really puts out! We used to supplement the wind output with a Siemens M-65 or 75 but lost it overboard. This is what happens when the pannel is moved around trying to chase the sun. Solar panels are a nice source because they're quiet - don't work very well at night, though.
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