Paradise Yachting®     The Ampair 100 Windgenerator

WIND POWERED GENERATION The Ampair 100 designed to survive the severe marine environment in permanent installations on yachts as a 'fit and forget' unit. It is, however, found in many other applications such as weekend chalets, radio repeaters, navigation equipment or anywhere that requires 12v or 24v battery charging.

PERFORMANCE Up to 100 watts of power is developed by the permanent magnet alternator. The design allows the charging of totally flat batteries and prevents reverse current flow due to internal rectifiers. The machine has no commutator brushes to ware out and cannot overheat. It requires no thermal cut-outs, chokes or other forms of control to safeguard generator protect windings from burnout. Slip rings and brush gear allow generator to seek the wind and feed two wires connecting directly to the battery. MATERIALS Excellent corrosion resistance is achieved by the exclusive use of aluminium alloy, stainless steel and plastic materials for all external parts, backed up by the comprehensive use of rubber seals. Stoved (white) paint finish. RELIABILITY Especially important for unattended and remote installations. Achieved by extreme simplicity of direct drive alternator and total sealing of internal electrical and mechanical parts. Built to professional standards. Easily outlasts cheap and lightweight alternatives. Offers superior value for money. In ten years of coastal operation, an Ampair wind generator does as many revolutions as the engine of a car on a one million mile journey. SIZE Optimised for use on yachts, where space is limited and larger units would be unsafe.

SPECIAL FEATURES Smooth running and quiet Balanced six-bladed wind turbine with blades replaceable as matched pairs. Fully enclosed and sealed pivot and slip ring assembly allows unlimited weather cocking. Compact tail fin minimises turning radius. Shaft seal protects front bearing of generator. All other parts fitted with seals. Pivot axis aligned with centre of gravity of unit to minimise effects of yacht motion.

Charging levels do not appreciably diminish as battery voltage increases

AMPAIR 100 PERFORMANCE IMPORTANT NOTE ON PERFORMANCE The Ampair 100 output is continuously available. Maximum current automatically flattens out at a safe value, due to self-inductance of the heavy duty windings. Similar sized machines, with low inductance and light duty windings, have to be protected against burnout by the use of temperature activated cut-out switches which interrupt charging. CHECK performance figures of alternative machines which only give 'best case' figures while concealing reduced 'average' output when machine is in 'cut-out' mode. Drag = 50 lbs at 50 knots (24 kg at 25 m/sec)

RECOMMENDED SPARES To cater for the possibility of accidental damage, it is suggested that two spare wind turbine blades be carried. Other spares to consider are: Pivot Seal, Shaft Seal, Set of Brushes and Caps, Shaft Fastener inc. Pin MOUNTING SUGGESTIONS For on board safety, wind turbine must be raised to a minimum of 8ft 6ins (2.6m) above base level so that blade tips clear head height. NOTE * The standard generator is supplied with a single mounting tube 31 .5ins (800mm) long. Mizzen Bracket: this is bolted or riveted to the mast and is constructed of 4in (102mm) x 2in (51mm) aluminium alloy box section to withstand torsional loading from any wind direction. Finish is stoved white paint. This bracket can be fitted to masts of differing dimensions by bending the fixing plates to suit or packing with spacers.
	Stern Mounting Kit (see photograph): this consists of two white stoved aluminium extension tubes and joiners, strut to backstay, two stainless steel wire side stays, all necessary fasteners and 2 base mounting brackets. * Mounting Note The thrust loading of the wind turbine far exceeds the gravitational load of the generator. This factor must therefore be taken into consideration when selecting and designing an installation. The mounting should be substantial and braced by at least 2 solid stays or 3 wire stays. For Hoist Windcharger, see 'Aquair' page.
SHARED SYSTEMS An AMPAIR generator can charge a battery simultaneously with other sources such as Solar Panels and Engine Alternators. REGULATORS An Automatic Charge Control Regulator is available to prevent battery overcharging. This controls up to 10 Amps of output. There is a choice of units for single or multiple battery systems, the latter has built-in isolating diodes to charge up to 3 independent batteries. A Voltage regulator is generally not required in 'live aboard' situations where a simple on / off switch can be used to control output. AMPAIR 100 MARINEAMPAIR 100 MARINE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Why do some wind generators spin freely in light airs? A. They spin, but are not charging. Q. Does blade diameter matter? A. The laws of physics dictate that the output of aim dia. turbine in 10 knots of wind does not exceed 1 Amp (at 12"). Q. How do I check performance? A. Use an ammeter, but sample the wind speed with an anemometer, at same height as wind turbine. Q. Wind generators are noisy and vibrate? A. Ampair's finely balanced turbine, supported by a good mounting structure, gives minimal noise and vibration. Q. Where are the brakes? A. By design, the Ampair is ungoverned both mechanically and electrically. Q. What will it drive? A. Compare charge accumulated with daily consumption. Likely loads are autopilot 72 AH, nav. lights 24 AH, domestic 36 AH, fridge 50-100 AH. Q. How important is corrosion resistance and sealing? A. Very important for long life offshore in a salt laden atmosphere. Thermal cycling would otherwise draw damp air through poor sealing, causing internal corrosion.