The Swiss company SWI-TEC has revised its generator with the Hydro Charger Light. It is now lighter, easier to operate and can charge the consumer battery from as little as three knots. Thanks to a new bracket that can be swivelled to the side, the hydrogenerator is always positioned vertically in the water. As a result, 50 watts of charging power should be possible from a speed of three to four knots through the water. Depending on the speed, up to 500 watts are possible.
The biggest change concerns the weight: the new Hydro Charger Light weighs 12 kilograms and measures 110 x 10 x 30 centimetres. The propeller has a diameter of 38 centimetres. In addition, the pitch can be adjusted to the expected average speed of the yacht. The propeller blades can be replaced individually, for example after damage caused by collision with flotsam.
This is how much the Hydro Charger Light will cost
The generator is operated together with a charge controller that feeds the on-board battery with electricity from both hydroelectric power and solar panels. The device is compatible with 12 and 24 volt on-board voltages and can charge with a maximum of 40 amps. The charge controller measures 27.8 x 13.3 x 7.5 centimetres and weighs 1.6 kilograms. The regulator always supplies the battery with the ideal voltage and switches off as soon as it is fully charged. The generator has a freewheel for this purpose. At an on-board voltage of 12 volts, batteries with a capacity of 200 ampere hours or more should be suitable. Lithium batteries can also be charged.
The scope of delivery includes the Hydro Charger Light with propeller, the ready-to-install control unit (charge controller), the bracket with rotating mechanism and plug. The price is 2,359.50 euros. By comparison, the Hydro Charger Standard costs from 3,932.50 euros.
