Page last updated Jul 27, 2023 @ 10:21am

Q01-1012, Q01-1014, Q01-1048

NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR SALE

q01-wind.jpg (22880 bytes)   q01-water.jpg (46952 bytes)   q01-windcurve.gif (12755 bytes)   q01-wetercurve.gif (11028 bytes)   a01-10wiring.gif (15744 bytes)  
click on thumbnail image above to enlarge

100W Wind/Water Generator
12Vdc, 24Vdc, 48Vdc

Towed Turbine Generator when sailing
Wind Driven Generator when at anchor

 

Aquair 100 Hybrid Wind & Water Generator

Towed turbine generator for yachts, and optional wind conversion kit

The most effective means of generating electricity to recharge 12v/24v batteries at sea.
* Generates approx. 1 amp per knot (12v) at average cruising speeds.
* Rope transmits power of spinning turbine to on-board generator.
* Gimbal mounting of generator gives fool-proof operation & long-life.
* Simple installation from stern rail - no permanent hardware. Easily rigged.
* Thousands in use worldwide. Hundreds of circumnavigations made.
* Highly suitable for use on long distance blue water cruising yachts. 
* Wind turbine conversion available for use at anchor.

The Aquair pedigree

Proven over thousands of miles of ocean cruising. Reliability is achieved by using a towed turbine on a 100' line directly coupled to the alternator shaft. Totally sealed alternator. Stainless steel gambol ring provides a simple and automatic alignment method.

Built to professional standards for long term endurance and backed by full manufacturers warranty. The Aquair 100 is constructed of marine grade materials for minimal maintenance. Only a spare turbine is recommended to cater for accidental loss. Electrical contact is direct to the battery using a simple on/off control switch.
Advantages of the hybrid system - why water drive and wind drive

An Aquair greatly reduces the frequency of engine running to recharge service batteries. The Aquair 100 generates sufficient power to run an autopilot, maintain navigation equipment or support a fridge. Produces a continuous output up to 7 Amps at 12 volts. Permanent magnet alternator, has no commutator brushes, windings cannot overheat so requires no thermal cutouts.

The Aquair 100 is a towed turbine generator when sailing and a wind driven generator when at anchor. The reason for the choice is that when sailing downwind at 6 knots, the Aquair 100 Water Drive generates approx. 5 amps continuous charge. Contrast this with the fact that to obtain 5 amps of generation from the wind driven version while underway, the wind speed required is typically 30 knots (24 knots plus 6 knots boat speed) and you can see why long distance cruisers prefer water drive for reliable continuous power. And when the boat is at anchor or in harbor just rig the generator in Wind Drive - either on the pole mount kit or using the hoist in rigging kit, and have all the advantages of a wind turbine

 

Technical Specifications

Power Rating 100W max Turbine Blades 36.5 inches diameter
Voltage Options 12Vdc, 24Vdc, 48Vdc Turbine Blades (6) glass filled polypropylene
Output Rectified DC Housing die cast aluminum (powder coated)
Startup Wind Speed 4 m/s, 7 knots, 8 mph Weight 22 lbs generator, 7 lbs turbine
Startup Water Speed 2 m/s, 3 knots, 4 mph

 

Aquair 100 generator technical description

16ft of 2-conductor cable connects the Aquair generator to the battery. This can be terminated direct to the battery, but we suggest wiring through a switch, fuse and ammeter (10 Amp for 12v, 5 Amp for 24v) and also the use of a through deck plug and socket. A second deck socket should be considered for fore-triangle hoisting of the wind version. A cable extension up to 16ft can be made using the same wire. Operating a towed generator with the switch in the open (off) position will not damage the unit but will generate a high open-circuit voltage, which must be treated with due care. The Aquair 100 generator features built-in rectifiers which convert AC to DC and block reverse current flow, while the permanent magnet alternator can even charge a totally flat battery. The special two bladed turbine is streamed behind on a high strength line which transmits the rotation of the turbine to the generator (in much the same way as a trailing log does). A safety break-link connects the rope directly to the alternator shaft which protects the generator and fixing point in the event of a fouled turbine. A combination of line length and the weight of the stainless steel turbine shaft, prevent the turbine skipping in normal sea states while limiting drag to produce only minimal speed loss (between 1/3 and 1/2 of a knot for yachts of 30ft and over).

Turbine surfacing occurs at 7-8 knots for the standard pitch unit and 12 knots for the coarse pitch. The slower speed of the latter reduces output by over 50% below 7 knots. Less drastic adjustment can be made by increasing the tow line diameter and length or by adding sinker weights to the turbine. Frequent skipping caused when a larger yacht surfs down waves in heavy seas can lead to the turbine tangling with its own rope. A short length of hose over the rope will help prevent this. Shorter tow lines of 65ft are usable on smaller yachts which typically sail at about 6 knots maximum speed. Generally, it is necessary to slow to retrieve the turbine and line, otherwise hauling it in hand over hand is difficult, due to its spinning power. Once on board, the line must be re-streamed without the turbine to unwind the twists and kinks.

DC cable length and voltage drop must be evaluated carefully when laying out system.  Click here for our simple voltage drop calculator.

q01-windcurve.gif (12755 bytes) q01-wetercurve.gif (11028 bytes) q01-cutaway.gif (14521 bytes)
Wind Performance Water Performance Cutaway View
click thumbnail above to enlarge

 

Maintenance and Recommended Spare Parts

The Ampair 100 is designed so that users can replace those components that wear out over time or that become damaged in accidents. In remote locations or on long sailing voyages accidental damage is always a possibility. We suggest that two spare wind turbine blades be carried. Other spares to consider are: Pivot Seal, Shaft Seal, Set of Brushes and Caps.  Recommended short-term and long-term spare parts are listed below.

Short-Term Spares Long-Term Spares

Q01-SP-11 or Q01-SP-12

Towed Turbine  - standard pitch <7 knots
or coarse pitch >8 knots
Q01-SP-21 Tow Rope - 100ft
Q01-SP-13 Wind Turbine Blades - matched set of 2 Q01-SP-22 Shaft Bearing - set of 2
Q01-SP-14 Pivot Set Q01-SP-23 Rectifier Assembly
Q01-SP-15 Shaft Connector
Q01-SP-16 Shaft Seal

 

Mounting options

Aquair Stern Deck Mount

Suitable Stainless Steel fabrication to accommodate the Aquair 100 gimballed generator on yachts without a suitable push-pit e.g. those with canoe sterns, rails separated by less than 12 inches and many multi-hulls

Aquair 100 Hoist in rigging kit & Pole mount kit for wind charger option

There are two Aquair 100 kits to convert the towed turbine generator to wind charger for battery charging at anchor. Conversion consists of a 6-blade wind turbine, direction fin plus top & bottom swivel poles or pole & pole mount assembly. This enables the Aquair 100 to be hoisted in the rigging or stern mounted for use at anchor.

 

For additional details click the catalog thumbnail above or click this link for the full catalog.

May 5, 2017 UPDATE: This product was formerly made by a company called Ampair Energy Ltd. in the UK.  However, they went out of business in 2015 and this product was acquired by Seamap (UK) Ltd.  Inventory and manufacturing was then moved to Singapore.

 

 

 

Are YOU ready for the next power outage?

 1 Videos
 2 Outage Archives
 3 Utility Industry
 4 Why You Need Backup
 5 Personal Stories
 6 NoOutage Configurations
 7 Safety
 8 Sizing for Your Needs
 9 Voltage Drop Calculator
10 Test Reports
11 Placing Order
12 Equipment Leasing
13 Books & Videos  
14 Financing
15 Frequently Asked
16 Future Technologies
17 Electricity Glossary
18 Help with Plug Types
19 Who We Are
20 Why Buy Here
21 Our Customers
22 Pick a Contractor
23 Privacy Promise
24 Safe Shopping Guarantee
25 Terms & Conditions
26 What's New
27 Contacting Us
28 Parts Lookup
29 Parts & Service
30 Made in USA
31 Links

We welcome your feedback or questions.  Click here to contact us.
See our Terms & Conditions before using information or ordering from this web site.
Copyright © 1999-2023 NoOutage.com LLC.  All rights reserved.