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The hydrogenerator POD 600 is THE innovating solution for sailing boats unable to fastened an hydrogenerator on their transom for technical, mechanical and aesthetic reasons.
Tested since 2014 by a few privileged sailors, this version has been able to demonstrate those useful advantages :
- invisible
- no complicated handling up and down
- easy start-up
- electrical output is the same compared to classic models
The hydrogenerator POD 600 is delivered with a 200 mm aluminium leg; it will find its place under the hull of the boat to insure an on-board electrical output with the utmost secrecy.
- Reference : PK-POD-600
Switching on with the ON/OFF button Ideal in original equipment InvisibleOutput: 120 W from 5 knotsQuietTwo-years warranty
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Pack composition
Hydrogenerator
Nominal power 600 W
Converter
Max output power 600 W
12 Vcc or 24 Vcc autodetected
48 Vcc in option
Input for solar panel 8-50 Vcc / 14 Amps
Aluminium leg
200 mm
Propeller
240 mm
Other accessories supplied
1 ON/OFF relay with swerved connection to the navigation desk
1 dump load
1 bag with connectors
2 pre-assembled plugs and their cables
2 fastening rods
2 rubber soles
1 stainless steel back plate inside
Technical characteristics
Output at 5 knots
10 Amps in 12 Vcc (120 W) with the 240 mm propeller
Maximum using speed
15 knots with the 240 mm propeller
Compatible batteries
Lead battery
Lithium
Other : contact us
Dimensions and weight
Hydrogenerator
5 kg
Converter
Dump load
1,5 kg
2,55kg
Three-phases cable
length 5 meters
2 pre-assembled plugs with their cable
1 meter length
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Output power curves
Watt
Speed in knots
Choosing The Propeller
The propeller supplied in standard with the POD 600 pack is the 240 mm model which allows to produce 8 Amps at 5 knots. It is the more “universal” model guaranteeing the energy self-sufficiency on most boats with a negligible drag.
To produce at higher speed to minimize the drag effect, the 200 mm diameter is available as well as the 200 mm with manual variable pitch propeller.
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General Questions
Mechanical installation
Eletrical Installation
Do I need to install a fuse in my hydrogenerator electrical system?Yes. Indeed, every battery bank must be protected by a fuse or a 50 Amps thermal circuit breaker.How long will it take for the Watt&Sea hydrogenerator to charge my batteries?The hydrogenerator production curves are available in the product sheets. Our customers generally use the product for 8 to 12 hours a day, to ensure complete autonomy.My cable between the hydrogenerator and the converter will be longer than recommanded in the installation instructions. What are the consequences?If the cable is less than 10 meters long, use a minimum cross-section of 3 x 1,5 mm².
Above 10 meters, use a minimum cross-section of 3 x 2,5 mm².
The MPPT regulator will adapt to the line loss.What type of solar panel can I connect to the Watt&Sea converter?The Watt&Sea converter is compatible and will work with a solar panel having a minimum voltage of 7.5 V, a mawimum of 50 V, and a maximum current of 14 Amps.
Please note, the solar panel will only be recognized by the converter once the hydrogenerator is turned off.The cable wires coming out of the hydrogenerator are identical. How do I know the connection order?The three-phase wires have no specific order: they can be connected in any direction.Can I charge both a 12 V battery and a 24 V battery on the converter?No you can’t. Both converter outputs must be connected to battery banks of the same voltage.Is it possible to use Lithium-Ion batteries?Yes, and generally without any additional specific adjustments. Simply check the battery user manuals to ensure that the recommended voltages are not below our standard settings (14.3 V/28.6 V).
However, if there is a discrepancy between the Watt&Sea converter settings and the battery voltages, it is possible to adjust the voltages using the software available in the download section.
Lithium-Ion battery management systems often require the ability to control the shutdown of charging sources for safety reasons. To do this, you must use the ON/OFF relay associated with an adequate resistance, available in our accessories.Is it possible to charge multiple battery banks?Yes the converter is equipped with 2 outputs to charge 2 independent battery banks. However, these banks must be at the same voltage (12 V or 24 V).Can production be stopped without having to raise the hydrogenerator?Yes it can, by using the ON/OFF relay combined with a suitable resistor, available in our accessories. The hydrogenerator then runs quietly at idle.Can the hydrogenerator be used while the engine is running (simultaneous load on the engine alternator and the hydrogenerator)?No, because the hydrogenerator converter will detect that the batteries are full and will put it into freewheel mode; therefore, it’s better to lift it during engine navigation.
If this is not possible, you need to add an ON/OFF relay combined with a suitable resistor, available in our accessories to be able to disconnect the hydrogenenerator.Can the hydrogenerator be left in the water when the batteries are charged?No, except for the 600 W POD model, it is best to remove it from the water once the batteries are charged to prevent it from going into freewheel mode and making unnecessary noise.
If you wish to leave it in the water, we recommend installing an ON/OFF relay combined with a suitable resistor, available in our accessories. The hydrogenerator then runs quietly at idle.Does the hydrogenerator convert three-phase AC current into DC, to power the batteries?Yes, that’s the role of the converter/regulator: it converts the three-phase AC and lowers or raises it to a voltage sufficient to charge the batteries.Why must the converter be mounted vertically?Installing the converter vertically promotes good natural convection for cooling: hot air, moving from bottom upwards, circulates better along the fins of the aluminium casing when it is installed vertically. Internal heat dissipation is then properly ensured and the converter is well cooled.
Installed horizontally, it risks overheating and therefore being damaged.
