Power Generation
From CruisersWiki
Power Generation
Introduction ...
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Engine Alternators
The theory behind an engine alternator is that a current flowing in a wire generates a magnetic field around the wire, and conversely, a wire moving inside a magnetic field has a current generated inside it.
An engine alternator works by having a rotating electromagnet (rotor) spun by a belt driven by the engine. The rotor creates a magnetic field, around which are placed some fixed outer windings made of wire (stator). The electromagnet in the rotor is powered by a small field current which creates a rotating magnetic field. This creates an alternating current in the stator by the magnetic field. A solid state rectifier mounted on the outer case of the alternator converts the AC into DC and a charge controller (or regulator) converts that DC into a current useful for charging the battery.
Generators (Gensets)
Diesel Gensets
Petrol Generators
Solar Panels
Typically when we say "solar panel" on a boat we mean a photovoltaic module (PV module). A PV module is a packaged, connected assembly of solar cells in an array which can provide an output voltage (typically in the 12 - 24 volt range).
The main types of PV modules in use on boats include:
- Polycrystalline modules packaged under glass
- Monocrystalline modules packaged under glass
- Thin film modules on a steel or flexible substrate, without a glass coating
Wind Generators
Tow Generators
There are few manufacturers of dedicated tow generators (water turbines) around, which is a pity because a properly set up tow generator can produce a lot of power on a passage -- frequently more than a wind generator.
The main ones are:
- Aquair 100 by Ampair. This is a generator that can be rigged either way -- as a wind generator or as a tow generator. The unit can have a water turbine attached on a long line in tow generator mode, or can have a tail and blades added to operate as a wind turbine. The unit is rated at 100W which means around 8A at 12V. Delatbabel -- I successfully used one of these for 5000+ miles of sailing in the South Pacific, including deep in the southern ocean where there was little or no power coming in via the solar panels. I got a steady 4-6A out of it at cruising speed.
- Ferris Waterpower 200 from the USA is sold as a tow generator but can also be converted to a wind generator. This one claims to generate 200Ah per day which means approximately 8A at 12V, also approximately 100W.
- Eclectic Energy in the UK make 2 types of tow generator, one being the DuoGen 3 which is a convertible wind/water generator and the other being the Sail-Gen which uses the same components but is a dedicated tow generator.
Charge Controllers
MPPT Controllers
See MPPT on wikipedia.
PWM Controllers
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
- Solar Panels - Which Ones? on Cruiser Log.
References
Publications, etc.
External Links
Also See
Personal Notes
- Delatbabel -- I have 4 solar panels aboard my boat:
- 2 x flat 80W panels, "Lensun" brand, on top of the doghouse roof. I purchased these via eBay. These run in parallel into a 15A MPPT controller.
- 1 x monocrystalline panel, 75W Kyocera, This runs in parallel with a wind generator and a tow generator and goes into a 15A MPPT controller.
- 1 x polycrystalline panel, 200W Solraiser. This runs into a into a "Morningstar" brand PWM controller.
- The panels generally give pretty good output. I'm impressed by the Lensun panels, I walk on these a lot because I need to get up on the doghouse roof to set and unset the main sail, and they still produce quite a lot of power. I'm less happy with the Solraiser panel, the peak output from it appears to be about 4A and it is a lower voltage panel (peak output at 12V compared to say 15V for some other panels) meaning that it's less easy to run its full output via an MPPT controller into a 12V system. 2 of these in series might have been a better option. IT seems to do much better running into a PWM controller but really only gets up to full power when the battery voltage is quite low.
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Names: Delatbabel |
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