Catalina - Capri - 25s International Assocaition Logo(2006)  
Assn Members Area · Join
h.jpg Home.
a.jpg Association Forum
s.jpg Ships Store
c.jpg Cruising
r.jpg Racing
t.jpg Technical Tips
g.jpg Photo Gallery - New
o.jpg Boat Search - Updated
m.jpg Manuals & Brochures
3rdrpt.jpg Swap Meet
l.jpg Links
f.jpg Officer Flag Line & Staff
b.jpg Bylaws & Constitution
 
1.jpg Members Area
1.jpg Join the Association
 
Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
 
Association Forum
Association Forum
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Forum Users | Search | FAQ
Username:
 Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Wind Generators		  New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

Breezy Cat
1st Mate

Member Avatar

38 Posts
Initially Posted - 11/23/2008 :  13:34:40  Show Profile
Has anyone researched small wind generators?
Many years ago in St. Martin I saw a French boat anchor, take out a small wind generator at attach it to the bow.
The wind generators I see are way too big for our boats.
All that wind going to waste.
Anyone?
Thnx
Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 11/23/2008 :  15:06:19  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
Practical Sailor did a nice review last year:

http://airbreeze.com/files/PracticalSailor0707windgenerators.pdf
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3448 Posts
Response Posted - 11/23/2008 :  17:28:25  Show Profile  Visit OLarryR's Homepage
I gave a wind generator just a bit of thought a few years ago. But in my neck of the woods, our winds are oftentimes in the 5-10 mph range during the summer season and these wind generators need closer to 10 mph versus 5 mph to be a viable charging source for the sailing season. They are also somewhat costly, need a substantial support system that is extremely visible especially on a smallish sailboat and ...well a solar panel can be set up fairly easy and operates so many more days, though, does not produce the power that a wind generator has capability of producing. I went the solar panel route. My 20 watt panel has only a 20"X 14" footprint and located above the outboard motor. The panel does not have to be removed via the wing nuts for removing the outboard. That is because the supports I built hold the panel high enough above that so the panel does not present interference for the outboard being removed. A high quality 30 or even 40 watt panel does not have to be overly large and should be able to handle most individuals power needs....umnless you are into some heavy duty cruising and need something that can really handle high electrical loads. Well...then maybe a wind generator would work if you generally have 10mph or greater winds on a consistent basis.
Edited by - OLarryR on 11/23/2008 18:36:54
Go to Top of Page

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1771 Posts
Response Posted - 11/24/2008 :  06:00:43  Show Profile
I have seen a mini wind gen on mini TransAT's/Pac sp? boats that looks like it would do the trick. On Lysistrata we have an AirX wind gen and it does put out huge amounts of power - IF it is blowing 15 or more. I hear they have a chip that can be installed to boost low RPM's to higher output. It makes noise, vibration, but I saw a non marine version for $600 which would make it a viable option for those hanging on a mooring ball who only turn it on when they leave! Generally that's when we turn ours on! Although when running downwind, the wind gen equals the power used by the autopilot, so it is a wash and we do run it.

Solar is good, but even 3 15 watt panels on our C25 was not enough for the summer! By the end of summer our FIVE batteries were well below 50% and had to be replaced more often as a result. When I retire to my ultimate C25, a wind gen and Radar will be on the list.

Sten

DPO Zephyr - '82 C25, FK, SR
SV Lysistrata - C&C 39 - Savannah GA for a month! Didn't quite make it to Floreeda! Long story, big seas, strong winds, frigid temps.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1234 Posts
Response Posted - 11/24/2008 :  09:40:54  Show Profile


Is this a wind generator? This is a picture of John Vining's boat at the National Regatta held a few years ago in Cleveland.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Happy D
Admiral

Members Avatar

921 Posts
Response Posted - 11/24/2008 :  14:21:59  Show Profile
Yes, John has a wind generator.
Edited by - Happy D on 11/24/2008 14:22:59
Go to Top of Page

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1771 Posts
Response Posted - 11/24/2008 :  15:18:26  Show Profile
Now that just looks way cool! Something about a wind gen that just makes a sailing vessel look tough and intimidating. Look how the 25 is blowing by everyone else!

True blonde joke - my wife once upon a time so many nautical miles ago thought that a wind gen could be turned on to generate wind.

Now for a practical thought. I wonder if a 12 volt fan with some sort of diode to block current to it would work as a trickle charger or better? Could be a small and cheap solution.

BTW - the latest in cruiser envy is TWO wind gens! I have seen it a few times now. One Cat had 3!

sten
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts
Response Posted - 11/24/2008 :  19:22:39  Show Profile
By the way I have seen some ads lately for a wind gen that can also be towed behind the boat, underwater, to generate power.
Edited by - Nautiduck on 11/24/2008 19:24:13
Go to Top of Page

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5362 Posts
Response Posted - 11/25/2008 :  20:14:50  Show Profile
I've been looking for a small wind gen that produces about 3-5 A in a 10 kt breeze. For larger cruisers, this is too small, but would be perfect for a C-25 with only modest power requirements. If you could get 10 hours of wind, that would be 30-50 AH, more than enough to recharge an 80 AH battery.

Another thought would be a prop-based or turbine-based generator that uses flowing water, whether current passing a moored or docked boat (I get 4 kts regularly in the river) or while sailing.

An incompressible fluid like water would be capable of generating a LOT OF POWER even with a small blade.

I've only seen prototypes described in <i>Popular Science</i> magazine when I was a kid. Now that was ancient history!
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

britinusa
Web Editor

Members Avatar

USA
5404 Posts
Response Posted - 11/25/2008 :  20:54:30  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
[url="http://www.boost-energy.com/ampair/products_product4.asp"]Aquair 100 Hybrid Wind & Water [/url]

Paul
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Happy D
Admiral

Members Avatar

921 Posts
Response Posted - 11/26/2008 :  07:09:47  Show Profile
Voyager
This page looks like it has the info you're looking for.
http://www.allsmallwindturbines.com/
Page takes forever to load.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
Association Forum © since 1999 Catalina Capri 25s International Association Go To Top Of Page
Powered By: Snitz Forums 2000 Version 3.4.06
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.