bobfal
regular
Reged: 13/05/2007
Posts: 79
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what the forums opinion on the best value for money wind generator, had a look at the 913 and the aerogen, seems to be loads of rutland 913's down here.
bob
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PhilipH
regular
Reged: 30/03/2005
Posts: 559
Loc: Northern Ireland
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Aero6gen is great and you can add an electrical limiter for the times when it blows up stink and you're not there to tie it off and stop it whirling away.
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Spars
regular
Reged: 12/11/2004
Posts: 332
Loc: Hants
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I've had a 913 for about 4yrs now, seems pretty good to me, I've never had to tie it off and it's been buzzing away non stop since I installed it.
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jerryat
regular
Reged: 20/03/2004
Posts: 3186
Loc: Nr Plymouth
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The 913 is excellent. We've had ours for about ten years now, a lot of that while full time cruising, and not a thing has gone wrong. The other great thing is the company that make them, Martec. Never come across a more helpful and supportive company, marine or otherwise.
Not saying there's anything wrong with the Aerogen, but we know the reliability and quality of the 913.
It would be our choice again.
(No connection etc)
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boatbuilder
regular
Reged: 05/04/2005
Posts: 1663
Loc: Millbrook, Cornwall
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You should never tie down the rotor for more than a few hours as it causes the bearings and the shaft to wear in the same place as it vibrates.
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LadyInBed
regular
Reged: 02/09/2001
Posts: 3839
Loc: Zumerzet
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I've had a 24v 913 up and spinning for 7 years now. I had 2 initial problems after about 6 & 9 months and Marlec sorted both FoC.
The regulator packed up after about 5 years and they replaced that with the newer model at cost price.
The new reg copes with V high winds by open circuiting the generator and allowing it to free spin, so no need to lock off blades. Why would anyone want to? Surely, one of the reasons for having it is to keep the batteries up when you are not there.
As I have a 24 and 12v system, my two 12v banks are charged via a relay and a 24/12v converter/charger, all from the 913.
I am very happy with it.
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Beating is sailing for twice the distance at half the speed and three times the discomfort.
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Freestyle
regular
Reged: 13/06/2004
Posts: 1090
Loc: Anglesey
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I've just had a 913 fitted, and at the suggestion of the man who fitted it, I have added a switched shortcircuit across the output, in case the moaning gets on my nerves. (Because the advice included a warning not to use this switch in a gale, I chose a switch with a sprung cover that prevents me making the shortcircuit by accident.)
I am a little surprised only to have observed charging currents of 1-2 amps (during gusts of perhaps 15 knots or more) as judged by my Mastervolt battery display, but maybe I have overestimated the wind.
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jerryat
regular
Reged: 20/03/2004
Posts: 3186
Loc: Nr Plymouth
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Quote:
............. I am a little surprised only to have observed charging currents of 1-2 amps (during gusts of perhaps 15 knots or more) as judged by my Mastervolt battery display, but maybe I have overestimated the wind.
Or, more likely, your batteries are fully charged. I had a similar reaction when I first installed my 913, and rang Marlec for a mini-moan. 'Check your voltage etc' they said - ooops, no problem, 13.2 volts!
The generator really shows it's merits when our batteries have been discahrged for a day or two when cruising. The wind arrives, the 913 snaps into action, and we watch our ammeter showing loads of fat, juicy amps flowing into the batteries.
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Jonny_H
regular
Reged: 15/08/2006
Posts: 1511
Loc: Liveaboard - following the sun...
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We have a 913 and can only echo the comments above.
I regularly see low amp readings (1 or 2 amps) in say 15 knots of breeze, but then with the 913 and 85W of solar our batteries have never dipped below 12.8volts in the last 5 months! With lower battery voltage you do notice the amps cranking up quite quickly. Normally we hover around 13volts (330amp hr domestic bank) with the fridge running, and after a day with everything turned off we get 14.3 volts from the 913.
Superb bit of kit.
Not too noisy - we have mounted ours on some neoprene which seems to make quite a difference.
Jonny
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www.freewebs.com/jksailing
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CAPTAIN_FANTASTIC
regular
Reged: 04/03/2007
Posts: 166
Loc: Wales
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I have installed a 913 recently, charging 4 x 100 amps batteries, one bank. Keeps the batteries toped up; i also like the sound when the blades go round, without looking i know how much is blowing by the sound it makes.
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Captain Fantastic
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chrisgee
regular
Reged: 15/02/2005
Posts: 362
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nothing touches the 913 for performance and value formoney --- one of the best bits of kit I have ever fitted
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bobfal
regular
Reged: 13/05/2007
Posts: 79
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thanks all looks like the rutland 913 after all. Are there any other regulators worth considering?
bob
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Jonny_H
regular
Reged: 15/08/2006
Posts: 1511
Loc: Liveaboard - following the sun...
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Grrr ... just typed a reply when the forum crashed - I'll try again ....
We use the HRDX from Marlec - takes the 913 and 100W of solar and split charges over 2 battery banks. This means in practice once the engine battery is full you get lots of power into the domestic bank. It has a good display showing voltage of each battery bank plus amp input from 913, solar and combined.
Works very well in our experience.
I believe Marlec have just released a new regulator (HRSI?) which takes more solar input - but I'm not sure if it charges two battery banks?
Jonny
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www.freewebs.com/jksailing
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jonic
regular
Reged: 12/03/2002
Posts: 912
Loc: Balearics
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Another vote for a 913. We have had ours for 8 years and it has survived two Hurricanes. Still going strong.
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www.JRyachts.com
specialising in Dufour yachts and long distance cruisers
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