AERO6GEN charging

[gwoiler]

Hello. The used sailboat I bought came with the Aero6gen. Everything seems to work. The meter shows the correct amperage for the wind. I am concerned that the batteries are not getting the charge they should be getting. Why? Because when the charging is at 13.4 volts, the heating elements are getting hot. I want all that amperage going to the batteries, not the heating element. Is there an adjustment? I don't want power dumped until 14.5v or higher. Thank you!

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by gwoiler

Hello. The used sailboat I bought came with the Aero6gen. Everything seems to work. The meter shows the correct amperage for the wind. I am concerned that the batteries are not getting the charge they should be getting. Why? Because when the charging is at 13.4 volts, the heating elements are getting hot. I want all that amperage going to the batteries, not the heating element. Is there an adjustment? I don't want power dumped until 14.5v or higher. Thank you!

What "heating elements" ?

[El Pinguino]

I take it you have a bulkhead mounted regulator together with a big dump resistor.
https://www.islandwaterworld.com/lvm...0a-12v-do80001
on the back of the regulator there is a small adjustment screw. You will need to take it off the bulkhead.
Turn bit by bit clockwise until you get the voltage to the batts that you want.

http://www.fujiyachts.net/manuals/Aq...s%20Manual.pdf

[gwoiler]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

I take it you have a bulkhead mounted regulator together with a big dump resistor.
https://www.islandwaterworld.com/lvm...0a-12v-do80001
on the back of the regulator there is a small adjustment screw. You will need to take it off the bulkhead.
Turn bit by bit clockwise until you get the voltage to the batts that you want.

http://www.fujiyachts.net/manuals/Aq...s%20Manual.pdf

Yes, that is what it seems to be. I guess I should have said resistors instead of heating elements... but they are the same thing. I will look for this adjustment. Question... Is there any reason I could not connect the power to the resisters to the onboard hot water heater element? That way, I might make a little hot water.


This is the writing on the bulkhead unit:



Aerogen TWIN Battery Voltage Regulator
6TB 12 volt

40 amp dump current

[El Pinguino]

Found this for you. https://www.absak.com/pdf/manuals/LVM/6TBman.pdf
Seems the screw adjustment on yours ( mine is a 4 ) is on the underside and may be anticlockwise to increase.

Heating water with the dump? Outside my skill set but other dump regs allow it happen so should be doable.

[gwoiler]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Found this for you. https://www.absak.com/pdf/manuals/LVM/6TBman.pdf
Seems the screw adjustment on yours ( mine is a 4 ) is on the underside and may be anticlockwise to increase.

Heating water with the dump? Outside my skill set but other dump regs allow it happen so should be doable.

thank you for this! I had read the "4" completely through but this "6" says right up front about the adjustment I need to make. I could hear the resister elements starting to buzz before 14 volts. Maybe I should clean all connections first to make sure it was seeing the batteries as they are. Thanks for giving me this information.


Are there any replacement parts available for this? I lost the black plastic hub that covers the shaft clip and bolt.

[gwoiler]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Found this for you. https://www.absak.com/pdf/manuals/LVM/6TBman.pdf
Seems the screw adjustment on yours ( mine is a 4 ) is on the underside and may be anticlockwise to increase.

Heating water with the dump? Outside my skill set but other dump regs allow it happen so should be doable.

I removed the regulator from the bulkhead and it was as you said and also the manual. There was an adjustment saying 11.5 volts in one direction and 17.5 volts in the other direction. Funny thing was, I turned it all the way to 17.5 volts and the clicking sound continued. I put it back towards the middle. I started checking wires and the 2 positive fuses were good for the starting battery and house batteries. I started to follow the negative wire and what do you know... it went no where. Evidently, when all the batteries were replaced for my sea trial before I bought this sailboat, all the batteries were replaced. This negative wire from the wind mill was not hooked back up so all this time as I see amps on the gauge I was just making heat. No wonder it is always hot in the engine room! Thanks for helping me find the conclusion.

[El Pinguino]

Pleased to have been of help

[hpeer]

Re spare parts.

This was a English brand bought out and resold. I have found a French outfit that has them in there web site and have been told they are supporting the units. Nkt sure about that.

The D400 wind generator uses the EXACT same regulator, so that is available.

That said these units are very reliable. Mine is a 2006 vintage. The bearings started to make some noise so when I had an opportunity I took the unit to a alternator shop and had the bearings replaced.

Outside the blades I think everything on the unit can be repaired or replaced with common parts.

Great simple and quiet units.

[gwoiler]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Re spare parts.

This was a English brand bought out and resold. I have found a French outfit that has them in there web site and have been told they are supporting the units. Nkt sure about that.

The D400 wind generator uses the EXACT same regulator, so that is available.

That said these units are very reliable. Mine is a 2006 vintage. The bearings started to make some noise so when I had an opportunity I took the unit to a alternator shop and had the bearings replaced.

Outside the blades I think everything on the unit can be repaired or replaced with common parts.

Great simple and quiet units.

I agree with you. these are quieter than many new wind mills. Do you have a link to where parts are sold? I need the black plastic hub that covers the center.

[hpeer]

I have not ordered from here but they have an active web site.

https://www.atmbmarine.com/en/4925-s...nerator?page=2

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by hpeer

I have not ordered from here but they have an active web site.

https://www.atmbmarine.com/en/4925-s...nerator?page=2

Wow, good resource if a bit pricey.

The only thing missing is the case.

They are pretty easy to service with over the counter parts from any bearing shop, just two bearings, a couple of circlips, and a seal.

Mine stopped charging - turned out to be corrosion on the end of wires between the rectifier and the plug.