Big wind generator for a 30' boat?

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by GTom

It seems I'll be joining the 30' club in the near future and have to think about power generation. I'll be in the windy N-Atlantic (very North...), an obvious first choice would be a wind generator. (I am also thinking on hydro, but that's useless in anchorages, I'd add it later)

What is the maximum sensible size a 30'-er with 3m/12' beam could carry? 600W, 2x600W, 1kW... (Aware of the approximate dimensions, how people fit big turbines on a boat)

I am thinking something more conservative than this one, but still as big as boat stability and sailability is not compromised:

Maybe this post should be in "How to make money while cruising?" You could light up, and charge up, a whole anchorage full of solar powered boats on a cloudy day... and power the beach party too...

[GTom]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Maybe this post should be in "How to make money while cruising?" You could light up, and charge up, a whole anchorage full of solar powered boats on a cloudy day... and power the beach party too...

^^

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Actually, there is a shed load of solar available to you given the latitude you are sailing in, we are also N of 50 btw.

Our solar really starts charging with a few amps at 7am and runs until about 9pm during the height of the summer. Okay its not much and the greatest charging is in the middle of the day, but it all helps and the charge early in the morning goes into empty batteries rather than be wasted. Amps generated in the evening are used to power stuff rather than take power from the house bank helping out again. The cooler air temperatures compared to say the med or caribbean also help with efficiency.

Bang for buck solar wins and the only reason we don't have a windy thing is I don't want the blades hitting me as there isn't a huge amount of space on a 31ft yacht. However, if you can arrange a mix at sensible costs then you have the best of both worlds.

Pete

Pete graphically explained why I said, "NOOOoooo !"

[newhaul]

I have airx 400 48inch diameter blades so need to mount about 8ft off deck on transom. Wind blows in winter and sun shines in summer. 200 Watts rigid panels mounted on rails and 200 in flex when needed to throw out on aft deck.

[GTom]

Originally Posted by newhaul

I have airx 400 48inch diameter blades so need to mount about 8ft off deck on transom. Wind blows in winter and sun shines in summer. 200 Watts rigid panels mounted on rails and 200 in flex when needed to throw out on aft deck.

Wow, that's a serious setup for a 24'^^ Some pics?

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by GTom

Wow, that's a serious setup for a 24'^^ Some pics?

Tom not on my 24 that just had 200 Watts solar .
The wind Genny will be on my Columbia defender. 29.5

[GILow]

I like choices. I'd go small, QUIET wind generator plus solar for electricity, with separate diesel for heating. And remember, when calculating fuel consumption for the diesel heater, the consumption rate of the 5KW Webasto is only when it is running full tilt. On a 30 foot boat the duty cycle will be a small fraction of that.

[catman]

it may be his method of propulsion, tied to electric motors.
Catman

[CaptBob84]

I would look at the new Rutland 1200, it is light weight and can put out almost 500 watts. Also comes with a controller that can charge two battery banks along with temp and voltage sensor inputs

[GTom]

Indeed, the Rutland is an interesting peace, AFAIK marine tested.