Wind Generator Mounting Location

[Microship]

Here's a photo of the rather unusual wind-generator mounting I spotted in La Conner the other day. It spins merrily away, though I am troubled by the thought of the weight aloft, I-squared-R losses, and interaction with the masthead instruments.

Steve

[Zach]

I like it... Multipurpose wind indicator...

[harryrezz]

From what I've observed, the majority of ketches mount their w/g's on the mizzen roughly half way up - tho I've seen one or two all the way at the top. I've never had a discussion with anyone about this, but assume it must work well or so many people wouldn't do it.
On the other hand, most of us with single masts mount the w/g on a pole at the stern. Key point for that location is make it high enough so that no one can mistakenly reach up and put their hand into the rotating blades! We get plenty of wind for our KISS unit which is about 15 feet or so above water level.

[donradcliffe]

A big consideration on wind generator mounting is --how are you going to service it? The wind generators are not light, and getting one on and off the top of a mast is going to be tricky.

[Celestialsailor]

Just finished wiring and installing the actual unit. Strangely enough, it was blowing 20 kts at the time making it a fun job. It is now gusting to 30 here in Ca. where the boat is and needless to say the batteries are nicely topped off. As you can see I mounted the radar reflector into the Windgen bracket protecting sails and lines from snagging. No regrets buying this unit and installing it on the mizzen.

[fastcat435]

In All FastCats we mount the Air Breeze wind generator in the top of the mast , minimizing noise and vibration maximizing amps per hour , we now have used this for over 30.000 NM and all I can say it works wonders.
Greetings
Gideon

[Beausoleil]

Originally Posted by fastcat435

In All FastCats we mount the Air Breeze wind generator in the top of the mast , minimizing noise and vibration maximizing amps per hour , we now have used this for over 30.000 NM and all I can say it works wonders.
Greetings
Gideon

Gideon,

Have you developed your own custom mount, or do you have a supplier? I'm under a time crunch, and I'm trying to prevent the local boatyard from fabricating one at $US90.00/hour if I can find a suitable pre-fabricated mast-head mount. All I can find so far is a mast-front mount from Hamilton-Ferris for $399.

[fastcat435]

Originally Posted by Beausoleil

Gideon,

Have you developed your own custom mount, or do you have a supplier? I'm under a time crunch, and I'm trying to prevent the local boatyard from fabricating one at $US90.00/hour if I can find a suitable pre-fabricated mast-head mount. All I can find so far is a mast-front mount from Hamilton-Ferris for $399.

In our solution we get a 48 mm stainless pipe run into the mast connected with 2 rows of 5 bolts screwed in at an angle of 45 degrees and a nylon flange to protect against corrosion and on top of this is the wind generator mounted

Greetings

[Howard Just]

We had a mizzen bracket custom made for our Air X Marine wind generator on Just Imagine and mounted it near the spreaders to reduce weight aloft, reduce the size (and weight) of the cable needed, and allow reasonably easy servicing.

I have put the bracket drawing that I gave to the welder along with some wiring details on World Cruising Guide.net at the following link Sailing: Wind generator, Electrical-12/24V: Service and Support, Mizzen Bracket, Wind Gen Wiring, On Just Imagine we mounted an Air X Marine wind generator on a custom made bracket on the mizzen mast. We bought the unit from West Marine for about $1000

[marno]

I had a bracket made up for my wind generator to mount it on the mizzen mast. The fabricators mounted it too low, it got caught up in some reefing lines on my mainsail and pulled the generator off. The boat was new to me, the guys who were making the mount had a supposedly great reputation and sounded like they knew what they were talking about. I should have gotten involved more with the design phase rather than trusting these "experienced rigging people". I hope somebody can learn from my mistake.

[imagine2frolic]

2 different angles

[Agility]

Originally Posted by fastcat435

In our solution we get a 48 mm stainless pipe run into the mast connected with 2 rows of 5 bolts screwed in at an angle of 45 degrees and a nylon flange to protect against corrosion and on top of this is the wind generator mounted

Greetings

I really like this idea.

Any estimate on additional average power generation in a typical tropics location? (Same as two on the back of the boat?)

What are the failure modes?

Are there situations that would require climbing the mast at sea? I really hate the idea of doing that...

Is there a foolproof way to shut down the wind generator if it get's too windy (hurricane) or if the unit mechanically fails?

Does the added weight on top of the mast effect hobby-horsing?

[sctpc]

Originally Posted by BlueRhapCity

I really like this idea.

Any estimate on additional average power generation in a typical tropics location? (Same as two on the back of the boat?)

What are the failure modes?

Are there situations that would require climbing the mast at sea? I really hate the idea of doing that...

Is there a foolproof way to shut down the wind generator if it get's too windy (hurricane) or if the unit mechanically fails?

Does the added weight on top of the mast effect hobby-horsing?

I would also add How would you service it?

[Unicorn Dreams]

We have our KISS mounted at the top of the mizzen and prefer it there over anywhere else. Always out of the way and never have to worry about it. Sorry, don't have any photo's available.

[Christian Van H]

Bringing back an older post... All of the mizzen mountings described let the wind gen rotate to face the wind. Is it taboo to mount the gen fixed facing forward on the mizzen? Stress loads too high as the boat sails back 'n forth while anchored? Whats your opinion? Thanks, Chris