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From: Cam, Lee, Maya & Fynn (no email)
Date: Sat Jun 30 2007 - 07:58:05 EDT
Charles,
My wife and I have installed 2 Fourwinds II aboard our boat. We are a family of 4 and live full time, at anchor, aboard our boat. Subsequently, and not trying to push, we have started a business and are dealers for the Fourwinds. That being said, I would not install anything that I wasn't willing to back up!!!! Our Fourwinds II run 24/7 and have never had an issue except usual maintaince (Cleaning electrical contacts, ect.) To give you an honest performance, low wind speeds are just getting the units started, this holds true with what ever brand you choose. However in about 8-10 kn of breeze we are getting about 6-8 amps of charge out of them.(each) And in a good 12-15 I am showing about 12 amps. The air brake starts coming in to play at about 20kn and fully open at about 30kn. Like all wind gens at this wind speed the do make a little bit of noise as the air break is disrupting air flow. They are warranted for 50Kn but I have had mine still running in 80 with highe
r gust (but that's another story) At that extreme wind speed I was getting a combined 40amps of charge as the air brake would limit the blade rotation. The key to getting good out put out of them is not to skimp on the wire sizing. Here is a link that will help you determine correct wire sizing. http://trans-marine.net/cruising-consideration.asp click on the link that says What Size Wire Do I Use? and download the program, once down loaded fill in the required info, I would use 15amps and if you wish reduce the normal accepted 3% voltage drop down to 1.5 or 2%, don't for get when asked for length of circuit to use complete round trip, not just one way. Example - From WindGen to Batt. to WindGen
We are currently in Westbrook, CT anchored off Duck Island Roads and if you are in the area and want to get some idea's feel free to stop by and have a look.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Cameron
----- Original Message -----
From: cngisl
To:
Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2007 10:15 PM
Subject: [world-cruising] Wind Generators
Hi,
Anyone have any experiance with the actual output in low winds (5-15), from the
Red Baron, Fourwinds II, or Kiss wind generators? I am looking to purchase one but I
haven't been able to get any information from an actual user.
Thanks
Charles
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