Wind Generator

[billangiep]

Correct me if I'm wrong, before a battery of 12.8 volts accepts a charge from a wind generator, the generator needs to be putting out 12.8 volts or greater? I wish I had done a bit more research before the purchase. I was expecting to add another 30 amps or so per day in our five to ten kts. average wind speed here in Florida. It looks like I'll need at least 17 mph. to get this thing to even make a few amps? Here's the link to the installation and specifications.

http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...&addtype=local

Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks..

Bill

[Vasco]

Bill,

What kind of wind generator is that? What's inside the housing, is it a permanent magnet generator or an alternator? Have not heard of a "Quinte" and they don't seem to have a website.

[billangiep]

Rick,
It is a small generator, has brushes etc. I contacted Road Pro http://www.roadpro.ca/wind-generator/generator.html and they hooked me up with the manufacture in Canada.
Bill

[billangiep]

The 250 watt unit.... http://www.roadpro.ca/wind-generator/

[EagleSailTwo]

Originally Posted by billangiep

Correct me if I'm wrong, before a battery of 12.8 volts accepts a charge from a wind generator, the generator needs to be putting out 12.8 volts or greater? I wish I had done a bit more research before the purchase. I was expecting to add another 30 amps or so per day in our five to ten kts. average wind speed here in Florida. It looks like I'll need at least 17 mph. to get this thing to even make a few amps? Here's the link to the installation and specifications.

http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...&addtype=local

Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks..

Bill

Try a solar panel instead! Living in Florida, you'll have plenty of strong sunlight to keep your batteries up all the time, unless it's cloudy of course..

In answer to Bill's first question, Yes! The voltage generated by the charging system has to be higher than the battery voltage to add charge to the battery!

If this design is a DC generator, then, yes the voltage available will be a function of the speed, and the minimum speed to actually drive electrons into a mostly charged battery might be higher than the minimum speed to generate measureable power in a simple resistor circuit.

If the guts of the unit is an alternator, then the voltage output will be controlled by the regulator circuit, which might or might not be smart enough to handle the situation, depending on its design.

You do indicate that your battery voltage is 12.8 volts. That high a voltage would suggest that you have other charging systems on line? It is higher than would normally be expected for voltage for even a 100% charged battery (given a few hours rest after the charge current ended).

[Jentine]

Google gave the following:
Electric Generators Or Alternators Directory from the Canadian ... Quinte Alternator & Starter Ltd. Belleville, ON Phone: 613-966-5081 ... Products: Generators or alternators: electric; wind generators ...

They don't seem to have a web page. The link goes to a business promotion site.

Jim

[Vasco]

Yes, I tried to find out a bit about about them but nothing comes up other than they're in Belleville. From the looks of it, it's not too impressive, there's no overspeed regulation or heat dissipation and the two blade prop isn't too impressive. The housing seems identical to a KISS but the shaft and hub look kind of flimsy. Sorry, Bill but it doesn't appear to be much of a unit.

[billangiep]

Thanks guy's for your input....I guess as the saying go's you get what you pay for.....@ $375.00 I thought it was a great deal....Rick, thats what I thought when I first saw it.. A baby Kiss

[CSY Man]

Well, I have look at these wind-mills lately and I like the latest version of AIR-X.

Put in a bid today on e-bay, but did not get it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

They can be had for $699.00 on the 'net vs. West Marine, or full price of $1079.00.

It seems to be a powerfull unit, and very quite with the latest models.
Also a 3 year warranty.

Looked at the other brands on the internet, but this one seems to out-perform them, and chaeper too.

Looking for first hand info however.....?

[billangiep]

Here is a graph of the output on some of the more popular wind generators.

http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...gAnch=imgAnch1

[billangiep]

CSY Man,
Best price I have seen on an Air-X....$535.00 and no shipping
http://www.wholesalesolar.com/produc...er/airx12.html

[CSY Man]

Holy Sh!t, that is a good price and less than half West....

Can't think of any reason for not buying it...?

Thanks for that link, what brand of beer do ya drink..

[EagleSailTwo]

$3 more for the Air-X here, but their 130W Kyocera solar panel is $5 less so check here too! http://store.altenergystore.com/

[CSY Man]

Aye, this is the catch:

The cheapo Air-X wind generators for $535.00 are LAND.

The Marine version is still $699.00 both places.

No free lunch, the Land version may lack some corrosion proofing, or have different bearings or wires or what not.

Not sure I will take the risk, run the thing for 6 months, then have it seize up and no warranty coverage 'cause it was used on a boat.

Oh well, it looked good for a few minuttes....