A more successful weekend! It took three attempts but finally managed to re-run the cables for the wind generator. But once I’d got it hooked up and the new alternator installed we had a boat load of power!During the week I’d bought some electricians rods and a USB endoscope camera, which let me see what was going on in the tube. I ended up pulling the old wires out and using the rods to post them back through. The basic problem was that that the hole in the bottom of the tube was only just big enough, and not properly aligned with the hole through the toerail. There’s not much I can do about this as the tube is welded to the frame, but anyway eventually managed to get all three wires back up the pole. Once they were in place it was a relatively simple matter to reconnect the wires and refit the windgen.
As soon as I untied it on Friday evening , the light wind caught it and it was producing power. Later, on Saturday when the wind picked up and the sun came out the combined output from wind and solar hit 10 amps, or 130 watts! Who needs shore power!
The first priority on Saturday was to replace the alternator. I bought a replacement from West Lancs Auto but although it was physically the right size the connections were slightly different and unmarked. Apparently there should have been a drawing enclosed with it, but that was missing. Anyway they were very helpful and emailed me a copy straight away.
Got it hooked up, started the engine, no sparks, smoke or explosions and the tacho was working, so figured the wiring was ok. So now the real test. Switched on the inverter and the microwave and put the meter on the alternator output cable. Loads of amps!
This picture has nothing to do with this blog, just a photo of a passer by on the Deben. One day I’ll manage to take photos with the horizon straight!
