Rutland FM910-4 Furlmatic Windcharger

Marlec Engineering Company Ltd.

The FM910-4 Furlmatic is a micro wind turbine for battery charging at off-grid locations.

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Product description Brand name and product description

The Rutland FM910- 4 Furlmatic Windcharger designed by Marlec Renewable Energy, is a land-based micro wind turbine designed for battery charging at off-grid locations.

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

Off-grid locations worldwide.

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

This product can be acquired directly from Marlec‘s website.

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

Marlec advertises the unit for £719.59 (931 USD^{Converted on July 28, 2020})

UK-based RS retailer sells it for £580.0 (750 USD^{Converted on July 28, 2020})

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

Primary competitors of this product are Ampair, Airdolphin from ephyr Co., LE-v20 Vertical Axis, and LE-600 Wind Turbine.

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

People living in low energy isolated sites, but it can also be used for street lighting and in static caravans.

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

This product is mass-produced in the United Kingdom by Marlec; it also has been licensed to be manufactured in developing countries, but there is no specification of where. Tens of thousands of the original 910 Rutland series have been sold worldwide.

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

IP Protected

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

Users can acquire this product directly through Marlec’s website and many other resellers such as RS Components and Allied Electronics.

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

Exact number unknown. However, Marlec has installed more than 100,000 of its Rutland Windcharger turbines worldwide.

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Description of system

Is it a turbine, kite, etc?

Turbine

Start up windspeed (m/s)

2.5 m/s

Power output, min (W at m/s)

5m/s 10knots - 19W (1.4A) / 19W (0.7A)

Power output, max (W at m/s)

15m/s 29knots - 155W (11.2A) / 155W (5.6A)

Height of system (m)

How tall is this system and/or how high above ground does it operate?

6.4 m (maximum height)

Radius of movement (m)

The radius of the system as it is turned by the wind

0.794 m

Description of control system

What type of controls are used, remote diagnostics, etc.

Rutland Furlmatic 910-4 Windcharger. Marlec designed HRSi or HRDi Charge Regulator

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

Features:

Automatic “furling” tail fin directs the turbine out wind above 15m/s for gale protection.
Low wind speed start-up maximizes power generation in low winds.
High-grade construction materials for durability in the harshest environments.
Provides a D.C. power supply to charge 12 or 24 V battery banks.
Designed for use on permanent land-based applications where low power is needed for professional and domestic devices.
Ideally mounted on the Rutland Land Tower and Rigging Kit – see the product catalog.

The wind turbines are constructed using robust, light-weight high-density nylon and glass-reinforced, UV stable materials. Other materials used are marine-grade aluminum, stainless steel, and sealed for life bearings.

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

Technical support Technical support provided by

Technical representatives available via Marlec’s support online. Owners manual and troubleshooting document also available.

Replacement components Availability of replacement components (in-country, by order,...)

Users can shop for spare parts directly from the manufacturers.

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

Not specified. Free replacement for all defects for 24 months from manufacturer.

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

Designer specified performance targets include:

Startup Windspeed: 2.6 m/s (5.8 mph)
Produces 22W at 5 m/s wind speed
Produces 138W at 15 m/s wind speed
Furling tail turns turbine out of winds above 16 m/s (35 mph) to protect the system in gales
Maximum Wind Speed 35mph
Low wind speed start-up of just 2.5 m/s
Low friction 3 phase alternators give a smooth and silent output

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

Tested by RS Components – includes a Statement of conformity:
“This certificate confirms that the product detailed below complies with the specifications currently published by RS Components and has been subject to the quality conditions of our registration to the BS EN ISO9001:2008 management standard. Furthermore, where applicable, it provides assurance that all electrostatic discharge sensitive devices have been handled and packed under conditions that meet the administrative and technical requirements of the ANSI/ESD S20.20:2007 and the BS EN 61340-5-1:2007 electrostatic control standards.”

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

Tests done in the UK by Marlec and RS Components. Both based in Corby, Northants, UK.

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

Users should be aware of never allowing the turbine to rotate unless it is electrically connected to a regulator or batteries. Connecting open-circuited running turbines to the electrical system can cause overvoltage and damage to the system.

It is recommended to handle the system with caution at all times to avoid electric shock.

Avoid maintenance or repairing actions when the turbine is rotating.

Users should check carefully the polarity before connecting the Windcharger.

Complementary technical systems Performance of this product is improved with another technology (eg. Cookstoves and Wind-blocking skirts)

Complementary technical systems include solar photovoltaics that can be mounted on the same pole.

Academic research Academic research related to the product (e.g. published papers in peer-reviewed journals)

Ishfaq, S. M., & Chaudhry, H. N., 2018, Numerical investigation of the optimum wind turbine sitting for domestic flat roofs, Sustainable Buildings, 3, 2.

Compliance with regulations Product certifications and standards referenced by designer/manufacturer

This product complies with the following standards and regulations:

EEC Directive BS EN 89/336/EEC
ANSI/ESD S20.20:2007
BS EN 61340-5-1:2007 electrostatic control standards

Evaluation methods Evaluation methods/protocols/guidelines referenced by designer or manufacturer.

The Rutland 910-4 has been field-tested to power telecommunications in isolated locations, remote broadband connections, roadside safety signs, environmental monitoring, and land-based navigation lighting and radio equipment.

Other information

Marlec also manufactures other renewable energy products like wind charge controllers, solar panels, and solar regulators.

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