Wind Generator Installation

We're getting ready to install a wind generator on a pole mounted on the "sugar scoop" transom of our 420. We don't have any of the gear yet but I've been trying to visualize how the bracing will go. I know it's supposed to be 90 degrees apart but the seats on the stern rail and the gate in the center look to me like they could make things challenging. I looked through IP photos that have been posted but can't really get a good idea of how others have done this. I'd appreciate any suggestions and if you have photos of your installation I'd really like to see them too.

Tom Ward
IP420-35
La Vida Dulce

OK, so I didn't get any input here but managed to come up with what I hope will be a good solution. The design of the 420 has made this a real challenge. The mast location for the wind generator requires that you take into account height, for good clearance of the blades and to get it up away from the Bimini to get at undisturbed wind. The two supports for the mast need to be at approx. 90 degrees from each other and approx. 45 degrees to the deck. There's plenty of leeway here to get things to support properly but it all comes into play when choosing the best location. I looked at mounting the mast on the sugar scoop but my 9' mast wasn't tall enough and would have brought the tips of the blades within 6" of the Bimini. I think a 10' mast would have worked fine but I didn't have the time to get another. The Bimini frame and the pushpit rails with the extended seats are the biggest problem. I plan to have davits some day and also need to consider our engine hoist and the bracket where we store the engine. Yikes! I'm going into overload here!

I ended up building a bracket from 1/2" aluminum that is mounted under the aft port-side cleat and extends about 9" over the transom just outside the corner seat. This location gives clearance for the supports and everything else. It gets the generator up above (and actually behind) the Bimini with room to spare. It also uses the bolts holding down the cleat so there's no need to drill any new holes in the boat.

Next week we head out for two weeks on the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay. I'll have plenty of time to experience this beast and by then should have a feel for it's value in providing power and how well my installation worked out. When we get back I'll post pictures and give an update.

-Tom

Hayden,

We bought "Turbo w/Deluxe Kit" from eMarine that included the Air X 400, SS mast kit, almost enough #8 two conductor wire and the E10 digital control. I also bought a set of Spreco "silent blades" that you had mentioned in another string.

The E10 control is a nice set-up and makes installation a snap (well, it's a snap if you consider pulling #8 wire under the cabin sole down half the length of the boat a simple job). The panel is nicely assembled with good heavy lugs for wire connections, controls for the generator and a digital readout. The display can provide voltage, current and historical data for energy produced over days or weeks, pretty handy. Aside from pulling wire, cutting holes in my boat and tearing my hair out over where to put the mast, the installation was a breeze. So to speak.

Hayden,

We're on the last leg of our trip, been having a wonderful time. Wind has been minimal for most of the time, usually 0 to 8 knots, mostly 0. Grrrr. The wind generator controller is currently set up for storing info over 24 hour periods and displays for the 4 most recent days. Highest reading at this time is 9.4 a/hrs, pretty pitiful. We did have one day with 30 knot winds but I didn't get the info from that day. Probably would have been impressive, fer sure.

The Spreco blades are very nice. The generator runs in light winds, which the stock blades won't do, I was told. Noise is minimal. Most times we had to look to see if it was running. At higher speeds you only hear a quiet "whoosh". I wouldn't be concerned about annoying my neighbors with this set-up.

Over-all, I'd have to say that a wind generator is a waste of money on the Chesapeake Bay. You really need higher, more consistent winds, over 15 knots, to make useful power. Our two 85w solar panels were way more productive during this vacation. In fact I think I'll add a third one.

Since we're planning to head out from the Bay in about 3 years I don't consider this installation to be a waste of money. I suspect being in the trade winds will be the ideal situation for this thing. For now, sailing on the Bay, this won't keep the batteries charged or even extend the periods between charging by very much. We spent three days at anchor on Mill Creek off the Great Wicomico and the batteries were down to about 65%. If I can't plug in my coffee maker in the morning then the day is lost.

One more note. After spending three days straight with no wind and temperatures in the high 90's I'm now convinced we need a diesel generator. Good fodder for another string.

-Tom

Here's how we put a wind generator on our 380 with scoop stern.
The big challenge was finding a stainless steel pole 11ft high. All the ones normally offered for sale are 9ft. I bought a unpolished 20ft pole for $180 and cut off the 11 ft pole (I still have the 9ft of unpolished pipe if anyone is interested). I polished the pole myself which I do not recommend. Took 40manhours of work doing it by hand/grinder.

The mount has worked fine. I'm sure it is not hurricane proof and hope to never find out - but it does fine in thunderstorms with 60kts and 20ft waves in ocean.
I got the mounting brackets/hardware from Garhauer. Call them and tell them exactly what you need and they will make it for you at a very reasonable price. They prob would have made me a pole at reasonable price.

You must have the back rail support straps, even if you dont have davits. I got mine from Kato. They work fine. I got their davits the next year.

I forgot to add. I am also ordering the Spreco blades. They are essential. Not sure why Southwest doesnt add them as standard. You absolutely need the lower wind starting speed and reduced noise.
You also still need solar panels as there are many days the wind doesnt blow but the sun shines brightly. I am adding 2 130 Kyocera panels and BlueSky controller.
Mark

Nice install. Looks very strong and I like the way you tied it into the railing. You mentioned making your own mast. eMarine.com offers an 11' but says right on their website that the shipping might be outa sight. Sounds like you went the right way doing it yourself. And of course ya had to polish it. Just wouldn't have been worth putting up if it wasn't shiny.

Thanks for all the good info on your installation and the great pictures too. That'll be helpful to anyone perusing here in the future.

Those Spreco blades are sweet. My neighbor at the marina is a live-aboard and he's got us on one side and another Air-X 400 with the stock blades two boats down on the other side. I came home from work the other day and he made a point of telling me that ours is practically silent, even in high wind, and the other just howls. I did notice that it starts running in light winds, around 5 kts. Just doesn't make much power until it gets up around 15 kts.

Tom
La Vida Dulce
IP420-35

Can you show a picture of the final set up with the wind generator and the solar panels? Am concerned that the wind generator will create shadows on the solar panel.

Here's a picture of my setup with wind gen and solar panels. There is a significant impact on the solar panel output from the wind gen pole shadow (and also from radar/boom/mast depending on sun angle). You should try to achieve a setup that minimizes shadows on the panels as even the small pole shadow will dramatically drop solar panel output.
That being said, it is useful to have both solar and wind generators to handle various weather conditions. My two Kyocera 135 panels can handle the boat elect loads by themselves as long as the sun is shining without much overcast (even with pole shadows). Wind gen handles most cloudy, windy days typical of Bahamas. In two months in Bahamas I only charged batteries with generator on 1 day.




Mark Lawrence IP380-132 Tides Inn