Towable hydro generator

[ToccataMaster]

These are sort of old fashioned, but I think it will be the solution to my supplemental power needs on long passages. Problem is the two products that were once available, the Aquair 100 and Hamilton Ferris Water Power 200 are no longer available and I haven’t been able to find a used one. My solution my be to fabricate one from an alternator, u-joint, rope, shaft and prop. But there are many problems to be solved in mating this stuff all together. If someone has already done this project it would be a big help. Anyone?

[Kalinka1]

is there any reason you couldn't use something like a Duogen or similar that mount on the transom?

[carlosproa]

Look at the Lucky Fish YouTube channel, he has a warran with a propeller alternator

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bzmHhwUI-V4

[tkeithlu]

Welcome to the forum, Toccota.

Back off a moment. One reason those impeller rigs are off the market may be that they slowed the boats using them to an unacceptable degree. That "FREE ENERGY" ain't true. You will slow your boat down by the energy created plus all the losses between water and battery, and it's happening while you are moving. With a wind generator you can at least wait until you are anchored, and with solar the loss is to the temperature of your boat, not your water speed. With a small genset, you dodge all those problems at the cost of fuel; you have the energy when you want it, not when the waves move and the wind blows and the sun shines.

This may be a worthwhile project, but the histories of threads on this forum would not suggest that it is likely. Good luck.