Features and Benefits of Eclectics Water Generators
Eclectic approach to water generation is different to the competitors, and both Sail-Gen and DuoGen, share the same operating principle which is well proven over hundreds of thousands of sea miles.
Eclectics water generators feature a small ‘hydro foil’ we refer to as a ‘dive plane’. The dive plane prevents the water impeller from surfacing in all but the most extreme situations. This also allows the water impeller to fly through the wave action at a constant running depth largely unaffected by wave action or the movement of the yachts hull. This results in a very steady consistent electrical output.
Both DuoGen and Sail-Gen are mounted onto the yacht using the supplied alternator yoke and ‘c’ bracket assembly. Together, these form a gimballed mount and this allows both types of machine to pivot vertically and horizontally when deployed. These gimbals resolve and dissipate the bending and twisting forces produced by wave and steering action.
In the case of Sail-Gen the diving plane is active so as soon as pressure is applied to the recovery lanyard the angle of the plane moves to a positive position making recovery of the unit easy and safe regardless of boat speed. Re-deploying the unit is equally straight forward.
Eclectic configuration means that the alternator is not submerged, and is therefore less liable to failure through water ingress. The alternators are transom mounted, the DuoGen at coaming height and Sail-Gen lower down. A variety of mount options and hardware solutions are available to suit different yacht designs. The slow speed, permanent magnet alternator is robust, highly efficient and well proven. Featuring stainless steel shaft and bearings, powerful ferrite magnets and heavy copper windings, this unit is capable of sustained outputs in excess of 500 watts. The alternator outputs high quality DC and can be directly connected to a battery if required.
Both DuoGen and Sail-Gen are built using high quality, corrosion-resistant materials, including cast aluminium impellers, carbon fibre driveshafts. Products are finished in high quality polyester powder coats and hard anodised aluminium.
Drag and the resulting speed loss from water generators are often over-stated. Drag from the DuoGen / Sail-Gen is less than 15 kg at 6 knots, and typical boat speed losses at that speed are in the order of a tenth of a knot or less.