Should I Buy A Marine Wind Generator?

“The best par about a wind generator is that it’s 150% friendly to the environment”

In this article I’m going to talk a little about marine wind generators and how converting wind power into a usable energy source is a wise decision. As an avid cruiser or just starting out travelling the open seas, your station is mostly in the water, and that’s where you want to ensure your source of power is always topped and there’s no chance of running out of power while you’re out at sea.

In today’s day and age, the technology behind wind energy is ever expanding and manufacturing wind generators that are extremely efficient – much more than they were even 15 years ago is becoming the industry norm. With the technology getting better each year, as a boating enthusiast, you can’t go wrong installing one of your own.

Do you want to be eco friendly?

The best part about a wind generator is that it’s 150% friendly to the environment.

You may have heard recent news that land based wind generators can actually, at times be harmful to the environment, and the data points to this being true, but when it comes to using a wind generator while out at sea, this doesn’t apply at all – not to mention the size of a marine wind generator is hundreds of times smaller – quite effective for producing energy, but not nearly as large as land based systems.

No generators, no pollution, just the generation of energy through the power of the wind!

When is a wind generator an ideal investment?

Wind generators are mostly ideal for larger vessels like yachts and sailboats. Generally speaking, although they can be installed in an area of the boat where it doesn’t intrude upon movement, being installed on small boats usually doesn’t do the cruiser much justice because the time spent out at sea is usually minimal.

If you’re an avid cruiser and can spend days or weeks out in the open waters, this is where the marine wind generator becomes a very ideal investment. Please note that depending on the size of the unit you purchase, you’ll be able to either “trickle” charge your batter or at the other end of the spectrum, generate enough electricity to enable you to power big appliances like a stove or freezer.

These are minor considerations to keep in mind, but in the end, you know the kind of cruiser you are and can make the decision as to whether you should purchase a wind generator in the first place or not, and what size you should purchase too.

Wind blowing around 10 to 20 knots will generate about 3 to 6 amps per hour with a small wind generator and generate as much as 7 amps per hour with larger systems.

If you are looking to trickle charge your battery with a six blade wind generator, than weekend boaters are the ideal ones to do this because it extends their power abilities while they are cruising.

Larger boats that have three-blade wind generators will enable more power in the long trips they take away from the dock and with the fact that the newer wind generators can be quite small, setting up multiple wind generator units is not only feasible but may be an ideal option.

The design and performance

If you are a serious cruiser, the design and high performance of some of the new marine wind generators can make a fantastic addition to your boat. They include precision engineering and are manufactured using superior grade materials, ultimately providing flawless performance for you when you need it most.

Optimal charging capabilities means that you don’t have to worry about powering the many appliance running on your boat, and the eco-friendly aspects of going with wind energy can make you feel good knowing you are not negatively affecting the environment.

New models can be incredibly reliable and very cost-effective so with a little investment, you’ll get the performance you need and a very attractive accent to your boat’s overall look and feel.

Manufactured with strength

New and robustly manufactured marine wind generators are specifically engineered to withstand the harsh environment and high-speed winds of the fastest and most adventurous cruises. You can be assured of better performance even in extreme conditions.

They can generate huge amounts of power, particularly in winds that can be 10-20 knots. Don’t fret though. They can also handle winds that exceed 45 knots, which is certainly possible in some areas of the ocean and at different seasons.

They are built to withstand those types of strong winds without malfunctioning and without needing additional attention. You can take your boat out with the confidence that at least the wind generator can hold out and hold on!

Should you stick with your older wind generator or buy a used one?

This does depend, especially on the current quality if your marine wind generator. In other words, if it’s still functioning at 100% and gives you the power you need then of course, waiting it out is your best option. On the other hand, older models can have and continue to have burdensome issues that can be a significant pain to the serious or casual cruiser.

For example, they can lack the basic structural integrity to handle normal boat conditions. They can be susceptible to “flutter” emissions.

These are just some of the possible downsides to lesser, polycarbonate blades. Computer-designed, advanced components can help to minimize the noise, withstand the rough conditions, and produce the maximum energy output when cruising at lower wind speeds.

They are higher in efficiency because their blades are reinforced with carbon fiber. This results in greater durability and less abrasion. Additional U.V. protection can increase the long-term longevity, along with just being a cost saving feature overall.

And they can be easy! Most models come almost entirely assembled, so even those who don’t consider themselves particularly savvy when it comes to technology can easily install them. For example my brand, the Airmaax 12/24 V wind turbine system utilizes very thin cables that can transfer the power from this generator to an SMR 12/24 regulator.

That feature alone can save money, but also allows installation to be significantly easier because you don’t have issues with tracing wires like you may otherwise. Staying with my Airmaax system, you can look at the specs to see all the added features that are chock full of benefits. It only weighs 17 lbs, but it actually produces 400 watts of energy. It is considered the quietest model in the market, mostly due to its computer-designed carbon fiber blades.

What should I look for when considering a purchase?

The top performing wind generators on the market have superior-grade – type 1 hard anodized materials. They can perform in weather conditions that are very rough, being able to withstand 65+ mile per hour winds and they usually come equipped with a P.C. board-enhanced controller. The PC controller allows the A.C. that is in the generator to convert to D.C., which is possible via a rectifier that is positioned near the batteries.

The most cost effective marine wind generators come equipped with solar panels, usually a SMR-12/24 WS rectifier which boosts energy creation by up to 200 watts. This feature allows for the ability to count the energy that is being harnessed by the system each day which is important in gauging the effectiveness of your system.

On top of all of this, the better generators include neoprene gaskets around various important components, which help to eliminate the noises brought on by pole vibration. Not bad deal at all.