|
|
Marty's note:
When you look at a wind generator for your boat there are many
considerations and what you choose depends a lot on what kind
of sailing you do - and how far off shore you go - because this
determines exactly what you are looking for in a wind generator.
Here are a couple of accurate statistics for Air compared to Rutland
for you to think about.
Over the past 10 years I have sold only around
15 individual blades for Rutland and a single blade for an Aerogen
6. All the rutland blades were sold to cruisers as spares, the
Aerogen blade was a replacement for a turbine that had an altercation
with an "object".
At the time of writing, Over the past 10 years, I have sold no
less than 950 sets of three blades for Air - that's 2850 individual
blades - that's more than 1 blade per working day. Most of these
have been sold to people who's blades had been broken or simply
failed without apparent reason.
Over the past 3 years there have been around 10 legitimate warranty
claims for Rutland.
Over that same period of time I have performed more than 150 warranties
on Air - that's one each week. That's around 12.5% of turbines
sold have come back for warranty service.
To be fair, there are some Air out there that
have been absolutely trouble free for years - but, and it's a
big but - there is a lack of consistency and I have had turbines
back two or three times, especially when they are in a windy location
such as Tasmania. There are definately less failures in the more
temperate zones. Okay for the Barrier Reef cruiser but not a lot
of good for the more adventurous offshore types - or people living
in Tassie using Air for home power.
Another thing worthy of consideration is the
regulator. If something is going to go wrong with a mechanical
devise that has electronics involved, it will be the electronics
that fail - almost every time. The regulator for Rutland is external
to the turbine. What this means is that if you have the most vulnerable
part of the set up go bung on you - the electronics - you can
fix or replace the reg but leave the turbine up in the air and
still giving power. Nice and simple. With Air, the reg is built
in, so if you have a problem with the electronics, you have to
take the whole shebang down. This is a particularly accute pain
in the rear end for people who have mast head mounted their turbine
as they need a cherry picker to get it down, or land based people
who have the turbine on a 50' tower.
A snippet for owners of the lastest Air Breeze
wind generator, if it has been in the air for more than 5 months,
Check your blades, there is a good chance
they have been significantly degraded by the sun. See pic below
Air Marine: This is a set of Air Breeze blades from a turbine
I installed on a yacht in Tasmania last February. And this is
only one example. With Rutland you can buy a single replacement
blade in the event of a problem, whereas Air will sell as a "matched"
set. I guess Rutland have more confidence in their consistency
of quality control.
"Made in the USA"
it is claimed on the Air Breeze box. I reckon it would be worth
popping the question to the manufacturer as to exactly what is
"made" in the USA and what is made elsewhere - and where.
For my money, being an offshore cruiser myself,
I would put reliability over style and "claimed" output
any day. The new boat I am building is named KISS, just in case
you don't know what that stands for, it is - Keep
It Simple Stupid.
A good motto for the offshore cruiser and remote land dweller
alike.
|
 |
The Rutland 913 is designed specifically
for marine use on coastal and ocean going yachts but is equally
at home on your home or campervan. The Rutland 913 has been a common
sight in marinas for many years, thousands are in use worldwide,
boat owners like it's no pretences look, its quiet, continuous and
very reliable operation. This latest marine model accumulates more
energy than any other comparable windcharger available, you'll always
see a Rutland spinning in the lightest of breezes! Below you will
see the performance specification and the dimensions of the Rutland
913.
Rutland
913 Spec sheet |
Price:
Call for current pricing
Regulator to suit:$160.00
Switchable regulator
for two battery banks
(plus solar panel): $ 399.00
Spare blades: $33.00 each |
· Low wind speed start up of just 5 knots
· Generates 90w @ 19 knots, 24w @ 10 knots
· Delivers up to 250w
· Weighs 10.5kg
· One way only fit fine profile efficient aerofoil blades
· Three phase Rutland "unique" generator design
· Automatic thermostat protection in prolonged gales
· Modern, durable materials for reliability at sea.
· No radiated interference - complies with EEC directive
89/336/EEC
|
 |
When you've had the rest now
want the best. Ampair Pacific 300
This turbine is undoubtedly the bees knees of the small marine
wind turbine world. And they're not cheap.
Quality in all phases of construction ensure a long and trouble
free life.
Accurate aerofoil construction of each turbine blade optimises
performance, minimises noise and vibration and improves power-to-weight
ratio.
Integral marine-grade sealing system protects internal components
from condensation and corrosion.
Blade pitch control system
Three phase AC output from turbine minimises voltage drop and
permits use of smaller cables; external DC rectifier is integrated
with the regulator.
|
|
Ampair Pacific 300
Marine turbine
SPECIAL
Our Price
With standard regulator - just $3500.00
|
Table of Ampair 300 Technical Specifications
Power rating 300 watts at 12.5 metres per second (25 knots) wind
speed.
Available in 12 or 24 volt DC
Electrical output three phase AC from turbine to DC rectifier.
Start-up windspeed 3 metres per second (6 knots) wind speed.
Over speed protection PowerFurl blade pitch control system reduces
turbine speed in high winds whilst maintaining power output.
Blades manufactured from glass reinforced polypropylene
Housing Die cast aluminium with Alacrom 1200 and powder coating
Integral marine-grade sealing system protects internal components
from condensation and corrosion.
Operates with no thermal cut-outs, commutator brushes, or complex
electronics.
Colour - White
|
|
|
Ampair Configureable regulator
Standard regulator - 12v Standard regulator - 24v
Regulator 12/24v, User Configureable, Dual Voltage, Dual Input (wind+solar)
or Dual Output (twin battery)
A configureable regulator which can be set up for either 12v
or 24v operation. It can also be selected for either two input
channels and one output channel; or one input channel and two
output channels. Input channels can be any combination of wind
or solar. Besides PWM charge control the regulator has LED status
indicators indicating battery status (discharged/charging/charged)
and generator status (charging). To be used in conjunction with
separate rectifier (supplied). Size 230 x 170 x 55mm. Weight 1kg.
|
|
|
Air
Breeze Marine Wind Generator.
The Air Marine wind generator has been around for 13 years now.
Unfortunately, despite all their previous bad experiences and many
hassles with the Air range, the lastest turbines are a long way
from being hassle free.
If you are the type of yachtie who sits in a marina and does the
odd coastal passage, always in striking distance of a service point,
and want a turbine that looks "pretty" on your boat, then
Air Breeze may be for you. Certainly the best looking wind generator
currrently on the market. However, if you are a more serious cruiser
who is looking for a wind generator you can put up and forget about
for a few years, then, in our opinion, you will be better off to
forego the "good looks" aspect of your wind turbine and
go for something like a Rutland 913 or Ampair Pacific 300.
Too many problems with these units so
we no longer sell or recommend them. |
|
Blade Diameter... 46"
(1170 mm)
Weight:..................5.90 kg
Mount size............48mm OD
Start up windspeed 6 knots
Voltage.................12, 24.
Rated output..........200 watts*
* @ 28 knots wind speed.
Replacement regulator when it packs up. About
$250.00
Set spare blades when they fall to pieces, our price - $110.00
|
|
|
Something to think about!
Air Breeze blades after only a few months in the
air
|
|
And
more to think about!
This slip ring came off
an Air Breeze turbine after being installed only six weeks. |
|
Even
more to think about!
This completely burnt
out Air Breeze was a result of some heavy winds, nothing real serious,
50 knots in the gusts. The coating and insulators have completely
burnt off the stator so you can rattle the windings. And this is
not an isolated case. |
|
 |
See below for mounting kits for
Rutland or Air Wind Chargers.
While stocks last
|
|
Clearance Special
Guyed Tower kit 27' (8M) suit Ampair, Rutland or Air turbine.
Normal retail $400.00. Two only to clear. $220.00 each including
GST.
|
|

Targa mount kit
|
This is how it works
|
The Targa mount kit has been
specifically designed for mounting a wind generator on the Targa
bar of catamarans or, as shown here, on the Targa frame of a mono
hull. This will almost completely isolate your boat from vibration
transmission.
Made from polished stainless steel, comes complete with rubber mounts
and washers. Bolts are not supplied.
|
 |
Rutland 913 blades.
Genuine, rugged, Rutland 913 blades.
Sold individually with fixing screws.
Six in a set.
Just $33.00 each or $192.00 per set.
|
 |
Air 403 blades or Air X blades or current Air Breeze Wind
Turbine Blades
Manufacturer supplied, blades, if that means anything.
Come in sets of 3.
Just $220.00 per set
Limited stock remaining.
Once they're gone, they're gone.
|
 |
Air Breeze Wind Turbine Blades
Just $55.00 per set
Genuine, manufacturer supplied, blades.
Come in sets of 3.
Marine - White
These are the original Air Breeze blades that are suseptible to
UV degradatio. However, if you were to properly paint them with
a two pack paint from new, they should fine. Black would be the
best colour. A chaeap set of blades for your Air Breeze.
|
Updated 09-02-2010
|