David Th wrote:

I think that wind generators definitely have their place and have had some experience of these. That Ham Ferris water tow generator also converted to a two blade wind generator which was hoisted up in the triangle ahead of the mast. It had a large diameter propeller and could put out some amps when the wind blew. However it was difficult to use because it could only be used at anchor, and it tended to make you want to anchor where there was wind available.

On Footprints I also had a wind generator as part of my 'charging suite', because having an outboard motor I did not have high charge output with the engine running. I purchased a Chinese copy of a Rutland 913 small diameter generator which I landed in NZ for less than $400. It was a bit noisy but it worked great and during hours of darkness or little sun it complemented the solar panels. Even at night on our ocean crossings as long as there was wind our batteries were always up over 13 volts. By the time we had done our cruise to New Caledonia I really felt that I had had my money's worth out of this unit. Interestingly a couple of years later that unit was destroyed in a mooring incident, along with much of the stern of the vessel. The wind generator was replaced as part of the insurance repairs with a genuine Rutland 914 unit costing over $2000. I always felt that the genuine Rutland unit never performed as well as the Chinese copy I previously had, although it was certainly very quiet. With my current boat, and not having an electric outboard, there is no need for a wind generator as two solar panels are more than adequate for our electrical needs which is basically a few LED lights, a couple of USB charging points, and a small very efficient electric fridge. A mobile phone, iPod and small Bluetooth speaker provide entertainment needs, and VHF Radio and GPS are both handheld charged via the USB chargers.

If I ever wanted another wind generator I would certainly go shopping for another Chinese made unit as they seem good value. For a yacht equipped with electric propulsion a wind generator would be worthwhile to aid in battery charging and to produce the power required for the electric motor.

I couldn't find any thread in recent times on this subject, so I've copied David's recent post in its entirety to a new thread here.

I've just about talked myself into going electric - but for me its a big learning curve. It seems to me that the only practical primary source of energy for an electric auxiliary battery bank is solar, but also that all other forms need to be considered too, in order to scratch up every opportunity to supplement and complement solar.

David, these are the only two Chinese horizontal axis wind generators currenty being marketed in NZ on Trademe. Do either of them look like the one you are referring to? The black, 3-blade one claims to be 500W and the white 5-blade one claims to be 400W

Just out of interest and curiosity, here are the Chinese out-of-the-box offerings on Trademe these days, in the vertical axis category. The cute little green  "lantern" type is rated as 100 watt, and the other one (a bit physically bigger, I would guess) claims to be 200 watt. Both of them are set up for 24V

 Has anyone tried any of these?  

They are all in the same order of magnitude re pricing.

I don't know how realistic these claimed ratings are, and can't compare with a Rutland because Rutland does not seem to have a "rating", but here are the "in-the-field" figures for a 6-blade Rutland. 100 watts in about 18 knots of steady wind.

Here is another Rutland, 3-blade this time

Looks like about 200 watts in 18 knots and a lower cut-in speed. I don't know what they cost in NZ but this one is over $2,000 in Australia.