Cheap Wind Generator - Anybody Tried One ?

[SpringWater]

Nothing will wear out, it'll just dump to the diversion load. If you're not expecting REALLY high winds, all will be well

[balimara]

Originally Posted by 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?

I have one of this kind and I am very happy with it. In the manual it says, never leave the break on without secured blades, you can damage your generator.

[Hoohaa]

Oops, Know I am worried. Probaly should have read the manual .
I think I am better off just to let it run while away from the boat, as it sounds like it can handle a fair bit of wind.
The manual seems to be saying that it will be OK providing we do not get any extreme weather. Or am I just reading something into this that I want to here.
I know it states that it will damage the generator but is it high winds forcing the generator to turn while the brake is on that will damage it, therefore it should be OK with the brake on under normal conditions ??

Its not easy for me to get someone to go to the boat and flick the switch.
What I am really after is clarification. or clear directions as to what I should do when leaving the boat. bearing in mind that she is moored in Sydney, weather is ussually OK but we do get the odd storm with rare gusts over 100km/hour (very rare). Should I be tying the blades everytime I leave the boat for 2 weeks or just let it run? Sounds like I should just let it run.

[SpringWater]

If you're thinking 100km/hr, tie back the blades. If it's normal weather, leave it on. Since you'd be leaving the boat entirely and might not have a contact to remedy any situation, just tie them back.
Since you did leave the boat already, I asked the warranter and they told me just as I told you. As long as the wind isn't honking, things should be fine.
Would you get back already??? Just kidding Enjoy your time away...

[Hoohaa]

An update on my wind generator.
Was sitting on board today, listening to the generator. We had about a steady 15 knots of wind. Its not the first time I have noticed this but it is the first time I have really thought about it.
The generator runs smoothly for about a minute and then something switches and it slows down, almost as if the break has been activated. Then its starts up and runs smoothly for another minute or so.
Does anyone have any idea what is going on here??

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Hoohaa

An update on my wind generator.
Was sitting on board today, listening to the generator. We had about a steady 15 knots of wind. Its not the first time I have noticed this but it is the first time I have really thought about it.
The generator runs smoothly for about a minute and then something switches and it slows down, almost as if the break has been activated. Then its starts up and runs smoothly for another minute or so.
Does anyone have any idea what is going on here??

is it an ac unit with a rectifier?
it may be the internal regulator putting a load on as it senses the voltage,then reducing it as the voltage rises.

[Hoohaa]

Its A Eclectic Energy D400.
Checking the manual, its a 3 Phase AC with rectification.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Hoohaa

Its A Eclectic Energy D400.
Checking the manual, its a 3 Phase AC with rectification.

i have one the same,but have yet to mount it so cant comment on mine running.

although if the black and blue wires come into contact with each other this will have a breaking effect,maybe some one else will comment.

incorrect wire size,ie voltage drop may also effect the internal regulator.

[Hoohaa]

Originally Posted by atoll

i have one the same,but have yet to mount it so cant comment on mine running.

although if the black and blue wires come into contact with each other this will have a breaking effect,maybe some one else will comment.

incorrect wire size,ie voltage drop may also effect the internal regulator.

Thanks Atoll. So I will assume that it is not running properly. It was profesionally installed, so I think I will be making some calls tomorrow.
Thanks again.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Hoohaa

Thanks Atoll. So I will assume that it is not running properly. It was profesionally installed, so I think I will be making some calls tomorrow.
Thanks again.

it sounds like a regulator issue,best check with the supplier! im just speculating! that may be helpful.......or not

[Mike OReilly]

Our older Air-X (must be at least 20 years old) just started exhibiting the same breaking action Hoohaa. I'm pretty sure the internal regulator is fried. It worked periodically over our recent 34 day trip, but mostly would just kick in, and then quickly go into a breaking action.

I'm going to give it the float-test, and then install solar and perhaps another windy. I was thinking of a D400, but perhaps I better research them further...

[xymotic]

Originally Posted by Hoohaa

An update on my wind generator.
Was sitting on board today, listening to the generator. We had about a steady 15 knots of wind. Its not the first time I have noticed this but it is the first time I have really thought about it.
The generator runs smoothly for about a minute and then something switches and it slows down, almost as if the break has been activated. Then its starts up and runs smoothly for another minute or so.
Does anyone have any idea what is going on here??

I don't know the answer, I am asking not stating a fact

Wouldn't that be 'normal' behavior for a wind gen if the batteries were full? Were the batteries capable of taking a bulk charge? Anything else going into the mix? Solar, 110 charger etc?

[atoll]

Originally Posted by xymotic

I don't know the answer, I am asking not stating a fact

Wouldn't that be 'normal' behavior for a wind gen if the batteries were full? Were the batteries capable of taking a bulk charge? Anything else going into the mix? Solar, 110 charger etc?

this is a posibility,but reading back i think his unit has a load dump coil

[SpringWater]

Hoohaa,
If the batteries are full with a small load on them then that would be normal operation. If not I'd need to know what the voltage profile during the time of the cycle is like to make a suggestion. Did you fiddle with any of the regulator settings?
Email back if you'd like a faster more direct response, sales@transmarinestore.com. I'm not always checking the forum...

[Hoohaa]

Originally Posted by atoll

this is a possibility, but reading back i think his unit has a load dump coil

Yes it does have a load dump coil.
The unit was running for 2 weeks with no one on board so the batteries where at about 12.7 when we got on board. I had been running the freezer for a few hours when I started listening to the generator. The batteries where 12.1 at that stage.
I have a volt meter, where would I connect it to test what’s coming from the wind gen?
Thanks for your help.

Spring water.
I can't fault you guys thanks for getting involved. I don't really think it’s the unit, I think it may have been going on from the start, as I have noticed it before but just assumed it was part of normal running.
I will send an email.