|
|
|
|
|||||
|
||||||
From: Carl Bostek (no email)
Date: Sun Jul 01 2007 - 23:10:31 EDT
Charles,
I installed a Fourwinds II in April/May '06 along with its tow gen. I have not found
performance to be as good as you describe in only 8 kts. I also have the air brake and
have wondered if that hampered performance. In your case, apparently not. When I return
to the boat in August I'll be doing some test charging and checking current flow into my
battery bank. But I rarely see my in-line ammeter exceed 10 amps unless wind speed is
15 kts or better. However, I am reading output into my batteries, not into any kind of
standardized dummy load. I have an ammeter in line between the voltage controller and
the battery bank and I also check with a clamp meter.
Two cautions with the FourWinds II -- don't ever use the electrical braking switch on the
control panel because you will burn out the voltage controller; second, don't simply join
the FW II with a tow gen in parallel. The tow gen tends to over rev with its current
configuration and it will exceed 30 amps when it jumps out of the water causing the
diodes mounted on the generators to blow out. My tow gen and wind gen were simply
wired in parallel. I found that I should have disconnected the wind gen before running the
tow gen. I plan to install a switch on the wind gen so this doesn't happen again.
The prop that came with the tow assembly was of poor construction and I had to replace it
(with some difficulty). Also, the weight on the rig is inadequate to hold the unit below the
surface. I had to improvise weight to add to the downrigger. A prop shaft zinc works
well, but will erode away of course.
After I got the replacement controller installed this last April the wind gen seemed to be
doing pretty well, but since I'm leaving for Tahiti in September I plan to be running several
tests on the system in August.
Cheers,
Carl Bosek
S/V Aphrodite
www.svaphrodite.bostekanesthesia.com
--- In , "Cam, Lee, Maya & Fynn" <sytranquility at dot dot dot >
wrote:
>
> 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 higher
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
|