Cheap Wind Generator - Anybody Tried One ?

[Hoohaa]

Finished up buying a D400, so probably bought the most expemsive one, but havn't heard anything bad about it.
I plan on mounting it using a 316 SS pole attached to my toe rail (aluminium) and then braced to my targa for want of a better word.
Cand you tell me if I need to insulate the Toe rail from the SS?
Here is a sketch of what the base will look like.

[lat 64]

Originally Posted by Hoohaa

Finished up buying a D400, so probably bought the most expemsive one, but havn't heard anything bad about it.
I plan on mounting it using a 316 SS pole attached to my toe rail (aluminium) and then braced to my targa for want of a better word.
Cand you tell me if I need to insulate the Toe rail from the SS?
Here is a sketch of what the base will look like.
Attachment 38977

It looks like you mean to cut a slot in the end of the SS tube. I would make it a bit oversize and then fold a pice of thin UHMWPE in there to both insulate and reduce chafe. If it gets built as drawn, you will catch your big toe on that bolt some morning. I'd use some kind of flush fitting bolt. That way the water will be safe to go swimming in, no blood.

Looks like Sketchup?

Cheers,
Russ

[SpringWater]

Originally Posted by Hoohaa

Just an update.
Finished up going to the other end of the spectrum and bought myself a D400 system today, should arrive in a week or so.
Thanks for all your comments.

Hoohaa - I sent one to the Sydney area not too long ago - you might have bought it from me (transmarinestore.com). Just checking up to make sure all is well with your new D400 and the mounting. I might also recommend a bit of a rubber insulator as well. Let me know how things are going. I love hearing back from our customers
-Erika

[Hoohaa]

Originally Posted by SpringWater

Hoohaa - I sent one to the Sydney area not too long ago - you might have bought it from me (transmarinestore.com). Just checking up to make sure all is well with your new D400 and the mounting. I might also recommend a bit of a rubber insulator as well. Let me know how things are going. I love hearing back from our customers
-Erika

Hi Erika
Yes I did buy it from you guys.
It's not installed yet but is scheduled to be wired up on the 11th of next month. so will be installing the pole on Saturday week. I intend posting a few pics here, so stayed tuned.
Russ
Yeh I used sketchup, need a bit more practice.
I have already bought and cut the pole to length, had the profile of the toe rail cut oversize so I do have room to insulate the rail from the pole & bolt, just need to figure out a neet way to do it?
The bolt will be shorter than that shown in the pic, it’s also in a spot that is imposable trip on. But if there is a way "it will find me".
Russ, What's UHMWPE?

[SpringWater]

Russ - I had a sneaky suspicion it was you When you go to install, make sure that the mounting is snug and there is no play allowing for any vibration. On the VERY rare occasion someone hears "noise" (yes, they're that quiet) - it's usually due to vibration and 99.9999% of the time it's because of mounting issues (yaw bushing, rubber insulators, etc.). Good luck on the install and let me know if I can help in any way! You're going to love it!

[Hoohaa]

Thanks Erika.
i found a pic on where its going, you can see the toe rail at the bottom of the photo.

[lat 64]

Erika, I'm Russ, he's not Russ
Anyway Hoohaa,
UHMWPE is ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethelene.
It's a very fancy grade of polyethelene plastic. Kinda like the food containers, but much higher density. You can get it at glass shops sometimes here in the states. It holds up very well in tough situations like this. I think just fold it over the rail like a taco(Ok chapati for you) and slip the pipe down on it.

Russ

[Hoohaa]

Russ, What's chapati?
Thanks for clearing that up.

Jeff

[SpringWater]

I had a sneaky suspicion it was you When you go to install, make sure that the mounting is snug and there is no play allowing for any vibration. On the VERY rare occasion someone hears "noise" (yes, they're that quiet) - it's usually due to vibration and 99.9999% of the time it's because of mounting issues (yaw bushing, rubber insulators, etc.). Good luck on the install and let me know if I can help in any way! You're going to love it!

[lat 64]

Chapati is Indian flatbread. Maybe you call it nan? I thought maybe it was more familiar than tacos in Oz.
O.T. We have fond memories of an indian restaurant over by the botanical gardens in Sydney. It was a street near the Conservatory I think. They served the most awesome rose petal ice cream!

I'll be baaack,.... someday!

[Hoohaa]

Thanks for all your help.
Here are some pics of our new D400 just after it was installed.
[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[SpringWater]

Looking great!!
I have no doubt that you're plenty satisfied
Good work!

[Hoohaa]

Erika
I Just have a quick question.
I will be leaving the boat for a month and wanted to know if it was OK to leave the brake on for that length of time?
Also, what would be the maxamin wind speed that it can handle safely.
Regards Jeff.

[SpringWater]

Hi Jeff,
Leave the brake on, but tie the blades in place. The brake does not stop the blades from spinning (only the energy) and if you were to have REALLY high winds (ie: tropical storm, etc.) you wouldn't want to damage the interior workings. Thanks for checking in on that - we don't want to hurt our babies!!
-Erika

[Hoohaa]

Thanks Erika
I have allready left the boat with the brake on but have not tied the blades.
I am not expecting major winds but it was more to prevent it just heating up the power dump thingo.
Do I need to get someone to tie it down or will it be OK left with the brake on?
Does having the break on wear anything out?