Gasoline (diesel) engines installed on many boats allow the use of generators to charge batteries. Sailboats do not have an engine, therefore alternative sources are required to provide electricity. Wind generators that work 24 hours a day, in all weather conditions, come to the rescue of the owners of the small fleet. In the open sea, it is a rare occurrence - the complete absence of wind, so installing a wind generator on a yacht is quite an actual solution!
Most of the yachts are small, therefore installation of large, powerful structures is impractical, and simply dangerous. In case of power outages, sailors may be left without light signaling of communication; will not be able to take advantage of many interesting opportunities on a modern ship.
You can prevent such situations from arising on the yacht if you install a wind generator. The device is capable of generating energy around the clock, it does not require frequent maintenance and repair, which saves owners from regular money investments. The performance of a wind generator depends on the size of the blades and the diameter of the impeller (0.9 - 1.3 m is enough). The small impeller diameter guarantees safety for the crew during operation.
The wind generator, working constantly, does not pollute the environment, as it does not generate waste. To run smoothly, it needs a steady wind with a speed of ten knots or more. When choosing a wind turbine, consider the location of the yacht, the duration and route of the sea voyage.
Currently, the market for wind turbines is expanding significantly. The actively developing industry of alternative energy contributes to an increase in demand. Every year, production of wind turbines is increasing by 30 percent. Driving factors are also: changes in the environment, an increase in oil prices, increased attention to safety in the energy sector.
Wind turbines are produced in various countries of the world. Experts 2yachts note the following models of wind turbines among the most popular:
Products of such manufacturers as Silentwind, Marlec Enginetring, Leading Edge are also popular.
When installing, 2 conditions must be met:
The higher you raise the wind generator, the more energy you can get. But the weight of the turbine with the mount, and even the cabling, is almost 30 kg. When moving, this additional weight increases the pendulum effect, which reduces the overall stability of the boat.
Place the device at the rear aft of the yacht in accordance with safety requirements. Owners of small boats mount the mini-wind turbine closer to the railing, having previously secured the post on 3 sides with ropes. On the fourth side, the device is attached to the railing. In these cases, the propeller is placed 1.5-2 meters above the cockpit.
On a yacht, it is generally recommended to place the wind turbine over the cockpit, taking into account the location of the moving elements of the sail (eg clew). There it is easier to mount, and in case of problems, it will not be difficult to manually disconnect it.
Homemade mast for a windmill about 3 meters high. It is installed in the afterpeak (rear aft compartment) and is clamped to the transom, propped up with metal stops. It is checked that none of the crew members can reach the rotor blades, even if standing at full height.
The wind generator is connected to the battery using an electronic relay regulator that stabilizes the charger. To ensure the joint operation of the wind turbine, the battery and the electric motor, the power wiring is made of wires with a cross section of 16 mm2. When connecting the power panel to the block, a two-core ship cable of the PRC 10 mm2 is used.
Whether rented in yacht rental or a vessel for your own needs, you need to service the wind generator every 6 months, you can do it right on the ship ...
Types and terms of work depend on the intensity of the load. The bearings are relubricated after 400 hours of operation. Check the quality of contacts and bolt connections on a monthly basis. The brushes, as well as the collector, should be checked after 100 hours of operation. If you find that the collector is it is necessary to grind its surface. Completely change the lubricant after continuous operation for 1000-1500 hours. The used lubricant is washed off with kerosene.
The battery is placed in a room not more than 20 meters from the mini-windmill. The temperature in this room should not drop to +5 degrees. Place the batteries in a wooden cabinet with a hood to remove gases. It is required to constantly pay attention and keep under control the condition of the cables, the mountings of the mast, the moving elements of the wind generator and various connections.