Small reliable output for remote places

The Forgen wind driven generator embodies long established high efficiency generator principles, combined with turbine airflow expertise. Low inertia of the carefully balanced all-aluminium rotor assembly enables the maximum advantage to be taken of average weather conditions. The two machines in the range, the Forgen 500 and the Forgen 1000, can produce in an average 15 knot wind speed either 12 or 24 amphrs in a 24 hour period (depending on battery condition). The design of the machines is such that in extreme wind conditions the turbine is self regulating. The electronic circuitry is also internally protected against overload, neither machine requires an external regulator to be fitted.

The turbine drive of the permanent magnet generator is widely acknowledged as the most efficient design, and when mounted vertically it takes advantage of wind from any direction. All electrical components are encapsulated and the unit is virtually maintenance free, especially as there are no slip rings. The outlet supply cable to the battery cannot become entangled. As there are no separate blades the unit is vibration free and silent in operation.

The Forgen 500 is designed as a trickle charger and may be permanently connected to the battery. The Forgen 1000 gives a higher charge and has been designed for larger multiple battery installations usually associated with boats over 10 m in length. The use of a Forgen ensures easy start up after overnight or week-long mooring of sailing craft. Parked caravans, electric fence units, sea bouys or other remotely situated electronic equipment are also typical uses for the Forgen.

It is well known that batteries have a much longer working life when maintained in a fully charged condition, and even a small charge current will help prevent battery deterioration. The generator circuit is designed so that the battery cannot be overcharged, and is self adjusting for 12 or 24 volt batteries.

High winds present no problems for the Forgen Generators. The aerofoil design of the rotors mean that surplus wind is 'dumped'.

In wind tunnel tests using smoke, once maximum revolutions have been reached, excess air can be seen 'pluming' out of the top of the units. The more the wind increases, the bigger the plume!

FORGEN 500NT

The FORGEN 500NT vertical axis wind driven generator embodies long established, high efficiency generator principles, combined with turbine airflow expertise. Low inertia of the carefully balanced all aluminum rotor assembly enables the maximum advantages to be taken of average weather conditions.

The Forgen 500 is the smallest vertical axis machine in the range and measures just 200mm diameter in plan dimensions and just over 300mm tall.  This small entry level unit is designed for single battery installations typically up to 150Ah of battery.

There are two models offered in the range, the normal temperature model (NT) and the low temperature model (LT).  The Forgen 500 NT is suitable for temperatures down to -20 degrees Celsius, where as the low temperature models are designed to continue operating in temperatures down to -50 degrees Celsius.  Uniquely, during high speed wind tunnel tests the Forgen 500 model was still spinning and delivering output in 100mph winds, which is often seen as a challenge for many horizontal axis machines.

Forgen 500 - Technical Data 

 Rotor Diameter: 200mm
 Vane height: 310mm
 Output voltage: Suitable for 12VDC or 24VDC
 Rated output: Approximately 20W max. at 21ms-1 (40 knots) wind speed
 Start-up wind speed: Approximately 3~4ms-1 (5.82~7.78 knots)
 Cut-in wind speed: Approximately 6~7 ms-1 (11.66~13.61 knots)
 Generator: Protected Three Phase permanent magnet
 Noise Level: less than 5dB from unit
 Coating: All exposed parts powder coated Aluminum, center shaft cold anodised
 Bearing: Fully sealed
 Temperature range: -20oc ~ 50oc
 Wire: 10 meters 2 core wire (options available)
 Mounting option: Pole mount, Wedge mount, Mast mount, Rail mount
 Weight: 7Kgs
 Installation: Easy and simple.
 Warranty: 2 years

Special Features:

 Safe and Silent in operation
 Non blade design for user safety
 In extreme wind conditions the turbine is self-regulating
 No maintenance required
 Corrosion resistant components
 Electrical circuit fully protected against overload
 Solid state rectifier

FORGEN 1000 SERIES

The Forgen 1000 is the larger scale vertical axis machine in the range and measures 300mm diameter in plan dimensions and just over 465mm tall. This unit is designed for multiple battery bank installations typically up to 450 Ah. 

There are also two models offered in the 1000 series range, the normal temperature model (NT) and the low temperature model (LT). The Forgen 500 NT is suitable for temperatures down to -20 degrees Celsius, where as the low temperature models are designed to continue operating in temperatures down to -50 degrees Celsius. Like the Forgen 500 model, during high speed wind tunnel tests the Forgen 1000 model was still spinning and delivering output in 100mph winds, which is often seen as a challenge for many horizontal axis machines.

Please also refer to the mounting options available to select the right choice for your application.

Forgen 1000 - Technical Data 

 Rotor Diameter: 300mm
 Vane height: 465mm
 Output voltage: Suitable for 12VDC or 24VDC
 Rated output: Approximately 45W max. at 21ms-1 (40 knots) wind speed
 Start-up wind speed: Approximately 2ms-1 (3.88 knots)
 Cut-in wind speed: Approximately 4-4.5 ms-1 (7.75-8.75 knots)
 Generator: Three Phase permanent magnet
 Noise Level: less than 5dB from unit
 Coating: All exposed parts powder coated Aluminum, center shaft cold anodised
 Bearing: Fully sealed
 Temperature range: -20oc ~ 50oc
 Wire: 10 meters 2 core wire (options available)
 Mounting option: Pole mount, Wedge mount, Mast mount, Rail mount
 Weight: 15Kgs
 Installation: Easy and simple.
 Warranty: 2 years

Special Features:

 Safe and Silent in operation
 Non blade design for user safety
 In extreme wind conditions the turbine is self-regulating
 No maintenance required
 Corrosion resistant components
 Electrical circuit fully protected against overload
 Solid state rectifier

The Optimal Stand‐Alone Power System

Many remote towns or sparsely populated areas are not serviced by the main power grid. Or are transportable vehicles like sea vessels, caravans, etc. Power must be generated locally using engine generators powered by conventional fuels, such as diesel. However, the transportation and storage of diesel fuel can be expensive and the supply is not always reliable. Therefore, diesel generators are best used on a short-term basis or for emergency purposes. Solar and wind resources are good alternatives to provide more consistent year-round energy power. Solar and wind are also the most available renewable energy resources on earth, and many remote areas have sufficient supply of both.

The sun is the source of all energy on earth. Wind is a form of solar energy and is caused by the uneven heating of the earth’s surface by the sun. On much of the earth, wind speeds are low in the summer, when the sun shines brightest and longest. The wind is stronger in winter, when less sunlight is available to produce electricity from solar cell technology. Wind speeds may also be lower during the morning and midday when sunlight is strong, but increase in the evening when electricity from solar cell technology is less available. Because the peaks for wind flow and sunlight often occur at different times of the day and year, wind energy and solar energy can complement each other. A hybrid solar-wind power system can balance out the ever-fluctuating solar and wind resources and is more likely to produce power when you need it.

The Best Combination of Technology

Hybrid solar-wind generators produce power from both solar and wind energy sources. Hybrid solar-wind regulators, which are also known as hybrid solar-wind charge controllers, regulate the charging current of solar panels and wind turbines, before it is stored in battery banks. Inverters are then used to convert direct current (DC) electricity stored in the battery banks to alternating current (AC). The advantages of solar systems are their reliability and low operating costs, but they are relatively expensive to manufacture.

Wind power generators use a wind turbine to convert wind energy into electricity. Similar to solar power systems, charge controllers are used to regulate the charging current before it is first stored in battery banks, and inverters are then used to convert DC back into AC. The advantages of wind power systems are their low manufacturing and operating costs, but their reliability is sometimes lower due to the fluctuation of air flow.

Non-combined solar systems or wind systems can be affected by variations in the weather and the season, resulting in inconsistent power generation. The fluctuations could lead to batteries being under-charged for a long period of time, causing the lifecycle of the batteries to be shortened. Since solar power and wind power can complement each other as energy sources, a hybrid solar/wind power system will optimize the use of these two natural energy resources for needed power supply. Manufacturing costs of hybrid systems can be reduced because the same battery bank and inverter can be used for both the solar and the wind generators.

Battery Voltage

12V

24V

48V

Rated Wind Turbine Power

500W

600W

600W

Maximum Output Power

500W

1000W

1000W

Carbon fibre blade design allows up to 40 m/s wind speeds