Wind generator (Technical)
On Just Imagine we mounted an Air X Marine wind generator on a custom made bracket on the mizzen mast. We bought the generator from West Marine for about $800.Wind generators are great, but require a lot of wind to drive them. In 10 knots of wind you get less than 1 amp, at 15 knots : 4 amps, at 20 knots: 10 amps. They really start to come into their own at 25 knots when you get about 20 amps. The generator cuts off before it gets to 35 amps in 30 knots of breeze and it automatically slows down the propeller blades to avoid damage.
Unfortunately, most often you are anchored in more sheltered waters and do not get much output from the wind generator. But it works great when it does blow.
This is the drawing that I gave to the welder.
I gave the welder a pencil sketch of the shape of the mizzen mast. I just bent a small strip of aluminum around the mast to get a template for the shape. Before he welded the mast brackets we test fitted them on the mizzen.
Once completed, the whole structure was powder coated white. In 2005, the whole thing cost me $328.60 from Suntower Marine Fabricators in Fort Lauderdale (954) 764-0751
215 SW 28th St
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
The small hatch was intended to make the connections, but, because the thick wires were so stiff, I ended up using this hole with a piece of string to pull the stiff wires down the pipe after the connections were made outside the pipe at the top.
The string then tucks inside the hole, ready for when you need to remove the generator again for service. This worked out well, and I would recommend including this hatch.
The brackets attached to the mast with twelve 1/4" countersunk bolts threaded into the mast, with lots of silicone sealer forming a gasket.
See the wiring diagram here.
Howard and Jayne [ Just Imagine ] 22-Jan-2008 ....Next:
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