Vertical axis wind generator?

[SV__Grace]

Our Airx is toast and considering replacing with a vertical axis wind generator. I've seen a few on other boats and they seem to have some advantages but they're definitely not mainstream or carried by the large marine suppliers.

Any advice or recommendations?

[Bill O]

From my previous research, the verticals were not as efficient as the horizontal axis gens.
That said, would attempt to fit more solar than replace our wind gen for better energy return per $ spent.

[wholybee]

I have seen one vertical wind generator on a boat. When I asked about it, I was told it was useless, and he only left it there because it was a conversation starter, and other cruisers would introduce themselves to ask about it.

[Ryban]

Agree with above, my understanding is that they are definitely not nearly as efficient and the more common wind mill type. They might make sense in backyard installs where their lower noise profile is more desirable than their power output.

I'm also of the opinion of put as much solar on your boat as you can before adding wind.

[GordMay]

Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (Darius & Savonius Rotors) would be a structural* & aerodynamic nightmare on a sailboat, and are inherently less efficient**, than Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines

* Require strong support, & bearings, at both upper & lower ends.

** A VAWT puts out about about 30% of a comparable HAWT.

“Wind Energy Systems” ~ by Gary L. Johnson
Download or read it online for free ➥ https://www.rpc.com.au/information/f...y-systems.html

See Chapter 4, “WIND TURBINE POWER, ENERGY, AND TORQUE”
➥ https://www.rpc.com.au/pdf/wind4.pdf


There's several older CF discussions, of vertical axis wind turbines, all coming to the same conclusion*: HAWT aren't practical, on boats.
* With as much, or more, consensus as CF discussions ever produce.

[SV__Grace]

Thank you for the links Gord, very helpful. I was hoping VAWT have evolved in the years since previous discussions, but maybe not?

Originally Posted by GordMay

Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (Darius & Savonius Rotors) would be a structural* & aerodynamic nightmare on a sailboat, and are inherently less efficient**, than Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines

* Require strong support, & bearings, at both upper & lower ends.

** A VAWT puts out about about 30% of a comparable HAWT.

“Wind Energy Systems” ~ by Gary L. Johnson
Download or read it online for free ➥ https://www.rpc.com.au/information/f...y-systems.html

See Chapter 4, “WIND TURBINE POWER, ENERGY, AND TORQUE”
➥ https://www.rpc.com.au/pdf/wind4.pdf


There's several older CF discussions, of vertical axis wind turbines, all coming to the same conclusion*: HAWT aren't practical, on boats.
* With as much, or more, consensus as CF discussions ever produce.

[dlj]

Back when I did work in off-grid living, the Darius & Savonius Rotors were only a viable option when you had like a mountain range where there were thermals that had a fairly consistent updraft and a location for those wind generators to capture that air movement. I think in all the work we did, there ended up only one location where we seriously considered putting one in, and we didn't because of the high cost to output ratio. As far as I can tell, those systems pretty much never work out to be cost effective. Today with the current price and output of solar panels, it's even less likely they would be a serious option for power.

dj