For a very limited time, we are repeating our boat show special price of $1995.00 for the D-400 12 volt wind generator kit.including regulator, diversion load and braking switch.

We currently have 12 units due to arrive the first week in August. This offer is limited to only those 12 units and will not continue beyond the last day of August 2010. All orders are first come first serve and must be prepaid by fee paid wire transfer or cleared check. Because of the special pricing, credit cards can not be accepted. Shipping will remain $90.00 in the lower 48. We are having some shopping cart problems, Please order by phone,800-487-0610, Fax 503-543-6966 or e-mail, larry@semarine.com

The D400 features a powerful 3-phase alternator, and computer-designed rotor blades optimized for low speed, user-friendly operation.

This innovative machine is extremely efficient in low wind speeds, yet is capable of sustained high power outputs of up to 500 watts in higher winds.

Distinctive and elegant in design, the D400 is superbly engineered for long, trouble-free service, and is available in either 12,24,48 and 72 volt variants. Price may be increased for the higher voltage models.

Output Guide:
10 knots wind speed produces 40 watts
15 knots wind speed produces 120 watts
20 knots wind speed produces 190 watts
25 knots wind speed produces 280 watts
32 knots wind speed produces 400 watts

NOTE: These figures are representative of performance at sea level when operating in an open, turbulence-free site.

Compare D-400 output in 15 Kt. wind with some other wind generators.

Aquair,  wind mode 3 amps, D-400,10 amps. 

Ampair Pacific 100 < 2amps  D-400,10 amps

Aerogen, less than 1 amp D-400,10 amps

AirX Marine, 3.5 amps, D-400,10 amps

* From manufacturers published sources at 12 volts

A Couple of typical comments from a customer:

"We're working our way down the ICW.  The D400 has been doing well during the trip.  We've had positive comments from people on docks and at anchorages, surprised at how quiet the D400 is.  Output has been good when the breezes pick up, although they're not always as strong as we'd like.  But when things hit around 15, the ammeter and Link 2000 show very good news.  And we hear next to nothing in the boat.  The D400 is effective and quiet, which is just what we wanted." Rick Emmerson

Sitting here in Man-O-War Cay in the Bahamas, we have a variety of wind turbines around us.  Our D400 wind turbine, even at wind speeds in the 30's and gusting over 40 kts, is far quieter than the Air-X's and Breezes, and KISS' near by.

Cheers,
Rick Emmerson

A Comparison between the cost to produce power using your engine alternator and a D-400 Wind Generator.

Research of several models indicates that the he average cost of the engine typically found in a sailboat equipped with a high output alternator and regulator including maintenance amortized over 10 years is about  $1200.00 per year. 

Yanmar engines from 21-54 horsepower average cost is $9200.00. A Balmar 60-YP-100 package consisting of a 6 series 100 amp alternator, a MC 612 regulator and alternator/battery temperature sensors will add about $ 1000.00 to the installation and maintenance will be about $250.00 per year for oil, filters, belts, zincs, antifreeze etc. Not counting any labor if you do not do the work yourself. 

1.93 horsepower is required to produce 100 amps in a perfect world.

100 amps x 14.4 volts = 1440 watts. 1(440 watts/746 watts per horsepower) = 1.93 horse power. However the world is far from perfect, in reality it will take at least twice that amount of power or 3.9 horsepower to produce our desired 100 amps because of alternator/battery inefficiency and belt loss. 

A new diesel engine or one with relatively low hours in good condition will use 0.44 pounds of fuel per hour to produce 1 horsepower. (0.44lbs x 3.9 HP)  =1.7 lbs/horsepower hour. Diesel fuel averages about 7.2 pounds per gallon. (7.2 lbs per gal/1.7 lbs) = 0.24 gallons per hour an older engine or one in not such good condition, will use even more. 

Let’s assume a hypothetical battery bank of 600 amp hours at the 20 hour rate. If we use 300 amp hours, (50% being the maximum we should discharge a battery), we need to return about 350 amp hours to satisfy the first law of thermodynamics (you don’t get anything for free). When it is hot our 100 amp alternator will produce about 84 amps at 4000 alternator RPM or about 1600 engine RPM assuming a 2.5 to 1 pulley ratio.

Further assuming that all the power produced is going to charge the battery (no ships loads on) then (350 amp hrs/ 84 amps) = 4.16 hours to produce our desired recharge. (4.16 hrs x 0.24 gal) = 0.9984 or about 1 gal per recharge of 350 amp hours. A bit more research indicates that $5.00 per gallon is a conservative estimate of diesel fuel cost throughout the world. If you only use 100 amp hours per day, a low estimate, you will have to run your engine 4.16 or more hours every third day or 122 times per year at $5.00 each time and will burn $610.00 worth of diesel. In actuality the number is probably about 1.5 times that, or $915.00. If we factor in the annualized cost of the engine, alternator system and maintenance, the cost per year to produce our required recharge is increased to either $1810.00 or  $2115.00. If we average the above amounts, we get $1962.50.  

A D-400 WIND GENERATOR with regulator and diversion load costs about $2200.00 or less depending upon the choice of diversion load. In a 15 knot wind and operating ½ time or 12 hours per day will produce 100 amp hours per day. ($2500.00/ 10 years) = $ 220.00 per year or about 11% of the cost of producing the same amount of power with your engine, not to mention wear and tear. In other words you will pay for the D-400 in about 12 months compared to the other system. After that it is free with no noise and it doesn’t smell bad.

While traveling up and down the US East Coast, to the Bahamas & beyond aboard our 56' Custom Steel Bruce Roberts, we encounter some of the most extreme offshore sailing conditions. We have tried and tested numerous different wind generators and have found that the D-400 “takes the cake!!!”   For 3 days, in winds upwards of 65 knots, output was over 50 amps. Over 600 watts from a 400 watt rated unit,  with no vibration or below deck noise.   When your auto pilot and on board navigation equipment is working  hardest, you can feel confident that your batteries will stay charged.  The unique self feathering design automatically keeps blades from self destructing. In the 15-25 knot Trade Winds you can enjoy those sundowners and a conversation,  D-400 is whisper quiet.  As a renewable energy business - by cruisers for cruisers, we will not recommend anything that we would not use.
Cameron & Leighia Murray
Trans Marine, LLC. Authorized D-400 east coast dealers and installers
www.transmarinepro.com

Dear Larry and Fred @ www.semarine.com,