I happened to post on wind generators very recently in the Island Packet list
- here's my post there:
I have a KISS and love it, but have been involved in some discussions
elsewhere on and off the net on wind generators, including personally with
1) a Seven Seas Cruising Association member and 2) another full-time cruiser
here in Abaco.
The SSCA guy had some first-hand experience in a crowded harbor during a
strong breeze, dinking around to various boats with various generators
mounted. His Hands-Down recommendation was for the D400 in terms of quiet.
Their specs are reasonably impressive, as well. I'm sorry to say I don't
have a link handy to that unit but I found it readily in a search. Their
distributor is in the far northwest on this side of the pond. For this
discussion, the D400 is rated tops in noise (well, quiet!). I've not yet
seen (but I don't subscribe to Practical Sailor; it's possible that it's
been reviewed there) any comparative tests which include this unit.
My other contact had (and has another, now) a SuperWind, which has
feathering/pitch-adjusting blades, something which very much appeals to my
techie side. His first one went through a hurricane, and was basically
entirely trashed in the generator side. After conversation with SuperWind,
he sent it back to them, and he got it back, entirely rebuilt, free.
Eventually, that died, and he bought another, with the currently-updated
blade set, engineered for quieter operation.
My internet experience with SuperWind was from many conversations with Geoff
Schultz (www.geoffschultz.com - a great website on his travels) and others.
Geoff's experience also favors SuperWind, though he also is a KISS owner.
It's his opinion that if he had to buy a new unit, or starting from scratch,
he'd do the Superwind 350. Like my reaction, he likes the feathering blades
and that it can sustain about 30A in any wind above 12 m/s.
Downside to this one is that it's more expensive and complex than the KISS,
which limits on-site repairs. Depending on your ready availablility to
specialized repair parts from them, it might come in second due to the KISS'
standardly available parts. OTOH, my firsthand conversation (in person)
with an owner suggests super customer service with Superwind, so perhaps
that's not an issue, in the end.
While I've not had direct (as in, sitting under or right next to one)
experience with a Superwind, all reports are that the KISS and the Superwind
are very quiet, with the Superwind being the quietist of all (D400 not
included; see above), based on a rigorous test of several wind generators
seen here: http://www.naviclub.com/Test_comparatif_eoliennes_marine.pdf.
Likely, many here have had the experience of anchoring near an Air-Marine
generator, especially the ones with the older blades. I've re-anchored
after discovering that I was behind one.
Here's a link on the Superwind: http://www.superwind.de/download/manual.pdf
As to my personal experience with KISS, I just can't say enough in the way
of customer service from the US distributor, svhotwire.com - John and Libbie
Gambil. I've bought a great deal more than just the KISS from John
([email protected]), including installation services, and, in MHO, he goes
far beyond what would be what I'd consider excellent customer service in
making sure you're happy with what you've got. I recommend him unreservedly
for all the stuff he carries, and if you're in the Tarpon Springs or St.
Pete area, if you're not comfortable doing it, he'll do a professional job
installing it. You'll also see him at most of the major East Coast (and, of
course, St. Pete) boat shows.
One final note about KISS: They come with a balancing spindle mated to the
tapering threads on the hub of the blades. It's worth being entirely anal
about balancing your blades, as it makes ALL the difference in both wind
sound and transmitted sound. Typically, you'll see KISS with fluttering
tails in a strong breeze. I lay that to slight imbalance, as mine did, too,
before I had to replace my blades. When I got them (I don't have a workshop
environment which would make it a lot easier) I spent an entire day
balancing the blades, to the point that it took over a minute for the
"heavy" side to rotate from horizontal to perpendicular, from each
direction.
The result was a whisper-quiet (nothing more than a soft "whiish")
installation, and no tail flutter. Well worth my effort, I think :{))
L8R
Skip
Skip Gundlach
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
Morgan 461 #2 St. Thomas
Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
See our galleries at www.justpickone.org/skip/gallery !
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----- Original Message -----
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 4:30 PM
Subject: [Liveaboard] Wind generators
It looks like my old wind generator may finally be ready to be replaced.
It's a Rutland Model 910, Mk 2 and after I had a shop replace the bearings and
reassembled the hub halves, it drags quite badly. I don't know if the stator
is warped or if the shop somehow did something to cause it to drag, but I'm
debating replacing it rather than throw more money at it.
Anyway, ideas on the above would be appreciated, but I really wanted to hear
any recommendations or brands to stay away from. I'll have to get one with a
fairly small diameter, say 43" or less in order to avoid having to re-do my
pole.
Thanks,
JP
3/4 Time
Key West
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