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Power from the water
Under way, DuoGen's water mode is deployed. Due to the
physics of power generation, far more energy will be produced
in moderate wind speeds through the deployment of the
water mode than would be obtained from an air turbine
alone. The DuoGen system has been designed so that, in
most conditions, it is more than capable of carrying all
the electrical loads of the average cruising yacht on
passage. Because the unit is so readily and easily deployed
and recovered, this becomes a practical proposition whether
you're contemplating a jaunt across the bay or a trans-Atlantic
crossing.
No Resurfacing
DuoGen's water mode uses no tow rope or heavy impeller.
The water impeller on its mounting bracket is fitted to
DuoGen's
and is prevented from resurfacing by an adjustable
. Its running depth is always less than the vessel's keel
and rudder, and it is therefore virtually immune from
damage. The DuoGen water mode operates in a controlled
fashion within the top 500mm of the water. This, coupled
with the advanced design of the three-bladed impeller,
ensures that drag is minimised. Outputs in water mode
are impressive, rising rapidly with increasing speed.
At 6 knots a steady 8 amps is produced, rising to 11 amps
at 7 knots. Because DuoGen does not rely on tow ropes
and heavy impellers, the water mode begins to charge batteries
in water speeds of under 2 knots, offering the opportunity
to produce tidal power if the yacht is anchored or on
a swinging mooring in a sufficiently strong tidal stream.
No Fouling The Propeller
The adjustable diving plane ensures that the turbine
remains fully immersed at all speeds and at all but the
most extreme angles of heel. The yacht remains manoeuvrable
at all times and there is no risk of the ship's propeller
being fouled by trailing towlines.
DuoGen's water mode stays within the same wave as the
yacht and is completely silent in operation. A unique
weatherised transmission element maintains the impeller
normal to the water flow for maximum hydro-dynamic efficiency.
Up to 3 guard lines can be easily rigged to prevent the
clogging of the impeller by floating debris.
Recovered Quickly and Easily
DuoGen is mounted near its balance point, so that on
returning to harbour it is child's play to recover the
water mode to a vertical position. It is then the work
of moments to lower the yaw arm and remove the water impeller.
DuoGen is re-secured to its upper mount bracket, and the
air turbine re-installed. The yaw arm is returned to its
full height and straight away, your DuoGen is operating
in air mode.
Having persuaded you of the power and efficiency of generating
by towing an impeller, we have to admit that there is
a price to pay in terms of drag. However, amp for amp,
DuoGen causes 30% less drag than alternative towed generators
FACT: Towing a water impeller
is the most powerful and efficient way to charge your
batteries as you sail.
Note: All output figures have been obtained through
exhaustive field testing. They are representative of performance,
but due to the inherent difficulty of accurately measuring
dynamic systems, they should be regarded as approximations.
