Specifications

WPOperatingManual Page - 22 - Revised: August 12, 2009
4. Battery System
There are two house batteries and one engine starter battery. The starter battery is isolated from the
house batteries so that it can never be run down by excessive use of electrical devices. It is important
that the batteries not be drained below about 50% of their capacity. Every time lights, water, fans and
other appliances are used they are drawing power from the batteries. It is important to conserve
electricity as much as possible. Do not leave lights, fans, etc. on when they are not needed. To keep the
batteries charged it is necessary to run the engine at least two hours per day, more if there is high
electricity usage.
There are three main battery switches and one main windlass switch in the aft port cabin. They should
be left on (handles pointing up and down) at all times unless there is an emergency such as an
electrical fire. NEVER TOUCH THESE SWITCHES WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING as this
will destroy several diodes in the alternator and you will not be able to charge the batteries until they
are repaired.
5. Wind Generator
A Four Winds generator is located on the stern port transom. To activate the generator remove the
strap that is restraining the propeller from turning. The unit should turn into the wind and the blades
should begin turning once the wind speed at the unit exceeds about 4 knots. The unit begins to generate
electricity at a wind speed of about 5 knots. At wind speeds greater than 20 knots the unit will generate
too high a voltage for the batteries to absorb and a governor on the unit will slow its spinning. This
governor is effective up to wind speeds of about 35 knots. At speeds greater than 35 knots there is
danger that the unit will fly apart and it must be stopped when the wind speed exceeds 35 knots.
The generator propeller turns at a tip speed exceeding 200 mph in winds of 15 knots and can inflict
serious damage to any body part getting in its path. Great care must be taken when operating near the
blade to ensure that you not be struck by the spinning blade. To stop the unit carefully use the line that
is attached to the back of the unit and turn the unit until the back of the unit is facing into the wind.
Hold the tail of the unit into the wind until the propeller has come to a stop. When it stops, quickly
grab the blade and attach the strap to restrain the blade from rotating. If the unit is kept with the tail
pointing into the wind, the propeller will eventually begin to turn in the reverse direction if the
restraining strap is not secured around the blade.
Output from the unit goes to a dual voltage controller that is located on the side panel below the small
seat in the aft port cabin. A green light indicates that the unit is generating electricity. When the
batteries are completely charged, this controller will divert excess amperage to a resistor in the water
heater and the energy will be used to heat the water. A red light on the controller will indicate that the
diverter is active. It is better to stop the generator than to let it operate for long periods in the divert
mode.
6. Tow Behind Ferris Generator
The tow-behind generator consists of a generator that is mounted below the helmsperson seat, a towing
line (either 75 ft. or 100 ft. long) and a towed propeller. When the propeller and line are deployed and
the boat is moving through the water the propeller will spin and the generator will begin to generate
electricity to charge the batteries. At 5 knots of boat speed the generator will produce about 4 amps of
electricity and at 7 knots it produces about 12 amps. At 8.5 knots it will produce nearly 20 amps of