Rutland 913 Windcharger Owner’s Manual
Document SM-130 Issue G 26.10.06 15 Marlec Engineering Co Ltd
TROUBLESHOOTING
In the unlikely event that your Rutland 913 should develop a defect, the turbine
should first be tied to prevent the blades from turning to perform the static tests
below. (Follow the procedure described in the Inspection and Maintenance section)
It will be necessary to let it run for the tests to check for power production.
1. Read the Electrical Connection and Up and Running sections and be satisfied
that your system complies.
2. Is there sufficient wind? The Rutland 913 needs 5 knots wind speed to start
charging. The wind speed across the turbine blades may be greatly reduced in a
marina or built-up area compared with the reading on a masthead anemometer or
weather reports.
3. Static Tests:
• Is the battery in good condition? Check the voltage and electrolyte level of
each battery.
• Check electrical continuity throughout the system, especially corrosion and
poor connections in cable joins and connector blocks.
4. Running Tests:
• Check for power output from the windcharger, following this procedure:
A. Set a digital multimeter to DC Amps, scale of between 5 and 10 if possible.
Connect the meter positive (+) probe to the wind generator output positive cable
and the meter negative (-) to the regulator input positive. Provided there is
sufficient wind there should be a current reading. This establishes that power is
being delivered.
B. Using the same multimeter setting as above measure between the regulator to
battery + and the battery +. Provided there is sufficient wind there should be a
current reading. This establishes if power is passing through the regulator.
C. If both above are unsuccessful set the multimeter to DC Volts. Disconnect the
wind generator from the regulator and connect the meter + to the wind
generator + and the meter – to the wind generator -. Provided there is sufficient
wind there should be a variable voltage reading according to the speed of the
wind seen at the wind turbine. This will establish if the wind generator is able
to deliver power or not.
D. If tests A and C are successful but test B fails to produce results connect the
wind generator directly to the battery. Set the digital multimeter to DC Amps
and measure power between the wind generator + and the battery +. If a
reading is measured, providing there is sufficient wind, then the regulator is
faulty.
E. If the wind turbine fails to deliver any current or open circuit V reading
undertake the further tests below.
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