GPS/Wind Generator Interferance

[Edward Thieme]

While on a long trip up the East Coast I anchored one night N of the old airport at Atlantic City, NJ. On arrival that afternoon and departure the next morning my GPS lost and regained the signal a few times.
There are 5 BIG wind generators there and their blades were slowly turning.
Does anyone know of interferance caused by large wind generators?

Ed on "Rambler"

[thataway]

The only times I have lost GPS signals were either near active military bases or near active warships. There are frequencies which will jam the GPS signal--and also Radar in close proximity can fry a GPS antenna reciever.

These wind turbines put out a large electro magnetic field. There have been some concerns about Television signals (as much from the physical presence and ghosting) as RFI, but there have been some concerns from ham radio operators and other communications experts about the RFI from the wind turbines if in close proximity.

I know that when I was fairly close to a shipyard and they ran come of the large motors, I had signifiant interference on some of my ham radio frequencies. Certainly this could happen with the wind generators--interesting thoughts....

[Aurelia]

Large electric generators/motors and power transmission creates an environment loaded with electromagnetic interference in various forms. One that I am fond of are corona discharges. Ever hear the crackle near large power transmission lines?

Definitely a problem in the proximity of a GPS receiver.

[SEA3PO]

I had never thought about wind generators causing interferance....guess I better cancel the one I had planned for the back yard...

Actually I was playing with the idea of building a small one for some romote property we have way out in the woods....using a alternator from a car and several car batteries... just enough for the tiny cabin on the property.... it is located on a year round creek and I was thinking of building a water generator too..

Joel
SEA3PO

[thataway]

Joel,
There are thousands of the small wind generators on cruising sail and power boats--with no problem that I know of. More power...to you.

[Doryman]

[thataway]

Warren Vibration and noise are both problems. The problems I was refering to was Radio or electro magnetic interference. There are slower speed wind generators, which do not make as much noise, but they have a much larger prop diameter. The Air X 400 watt is the most common boat wind generator, but it does not produce any current until 10 knots and full output is a 28 knots of wind--so it takes a fair amount of breeze to generate power. These work the best in the Caribbean or trade wind belts where there is a constant breeze and often above 20 knots. The newest versions are quieter, and there is a noise level controller, which will slow the unit as noise level increases. I don't think they would be practical on a C Dory. Mounting a 10 foot diameter blade could be quite a challange for a C Dory.

there are also vertical axis generators. I have never used one of these, but they are susposed to be much quieter, but require a substantial amount of wind.

[Cosmic C]

We have been past those wind turbines at Atlantic City several times and never had any problem with the GPS.