MarineBeam.com MarineKinetix MK450 Marine Wind Generator

I have seen several of these this year, and it seems from what I have read, that this is the new best wind machine out on the market. I know of two Island Packet Yachts that have these:
IP37 WHY KNOT
IP32 MORNING GRACE

store.marinebeam.com/wind-turbine.html

marinebeam.com/

These are quiet and they are reported to put out the power very well. They start up in 5 knots of wind and add breaks at 28 knots.

We replaced our existing KISS generator with the MK450 on our IP420, s/v Free Spirit, this spring. Very quiet and responsive to light winds. Sitting in either of the cockpit lockers you can hear a slight alternator whine noise; quiet in the aft cabin. Very pleased so far, and looking forward this wind generator that shuts down at high wind speeds.

Joe Voyt
s/v Free Spirit
IP420-55
Muskegon, MI

Progress is being made as I install the MK450 Wind Turbine. I now have the pole mounted and secured and the machine connected at the top and the controller installed below. Final wiring is next. Here are some issues I worked out. The pole was a challenge due to the bimini frame mounted so wide on our boat. There was no way to use the hinge base pole mount to hinge the pole forward to the deck for mounting. So, I had to work out the mounting onto the pole while all was off on the dock and then lift the entire rig into position and pin the down struts. For service in the future, I will have to do the same, unwire the bottom and pull the wire feed back to deck, then un pin the down struts and pull the entire pole and rig.

The other issue learned is that they call for 10/3 wire from the turbine to the controller! WOW that is large and heavy. This requires a wire restraining rig at the top to hold the weight of the wire up so it does not pull on the turbine wires. So I made a SS wire rig that is connected to the two wire tires on the 10/3 and then I ran this up and over the pole. This is then clamped to the pole with the turbine under the silicone padding. The weight of the wire will now hang on this hook.

Clamping the turbine onto the pole with the silicone padding and the bracket was a challenge, but it is well designed. These clamp bolts could be longer to make it easier, but it worked.

Here are some photos as I progress.

This is the SS wire restraint I made to hold up the 10/3


The top connections with heat shrink.


I sighted with the mast to make sure it was plum


Right now it does lean aft just a bit. I will adjust this with the forward strut.

Full PHOTO ESSAY ADDED HERE:

www.ipyoa.com/photos?view=album&aid=374

Here is my first VIDEO of the MK450 up and running in about 5 knots of wind. This unit is quiet and starts up with 4-5 knots of wind.



Hayden

I also had a bimini that was wide enough that installation of the mast pole for the wind generator in the routine fashion was not possible.

Having had to service an air breeze in the past I wanted to use the hinged base inside the stern rail so the rig could easily be lowered to the deck.

I did this by making a mast pole out of 1.5 inch schedule 40 aluminum and put a 4 inch offset (bend)in the pole. This works nicely and the unit lowers fine by loosening one of the bimini mounts.

To do this I also made a railing mount for the port support pole. This keeps the swim ladder opening free and keeps the support behind the bimini.