FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much is the sailing speed affected?

The sailing speed reduction is roughly 0.1 knots during charging. This applies when the boat is moving at less than hull speed, and is dependent on many other factors such as boat size and speed.

Once hull speed is reached, the hydrogenerator's effect won't be noticeable. Also once the batteries are full or the generator cable has been disconnected the sailing speed reduction will be less than at full charging mode.

Q: Can the hydrogenerator be in the water while motoring?

The hydrogenerator will not be affected and can be kept in the water while motoring. The charger will detect the higher voltage from the motor's generator, assuming they are connected to the same battery, and go into idle mode while motoring. Remoran Wave 3 will resume charging once sailing continues.

Q: Why does Remoran need to know my boat's maximum speed?

We want to ensure you receive the correct variant of Remoran Wave 3 for your boat.

We are currently offering two variants

  • GS variant 3-10 knots (Max 12 knots)
  • GD variant 5-15 knots (Max 20 knots)

The difference is that the 3-10 knots variant is slightly better at producing electricity at lower speeds. However the maximum speed of 12 knots may not be exceeded or the charger can be damaged. For boats that routinely reach or exceed 12 knots, the Protection Relay PR-01 should be fitted with the GS variant, or the faster GD variant should be used.

Q: The outboard unit seems to have plastic construction, will it break?

Actually all load-bearing mechanisms are made of metal. Some plastic-looking components such as the curved angle adjustment guide contain a strong integrated metal core. The only exception is the angle adjustment teeth of the curved angle guide, which are designed to be breakable in the event of collision with an unknown floating object, to protect the boat and other components.

For more details, please see the downloadable mechanical testing paper in our Downloads section:

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Q: Will reversing while motoring harm Remoran Wave 3?

No. The sturdy metal-on-metal construction can handle the stresses of backing up.

Q: Does the hydrogenerator also work as an electric motor?

No. It is designed only for generating electricity for sailboats.

Q: Will Remoran Wave 3 overcharge my batteries?

No. The Remoran Charger 300W is a smart charger and uses algorithms optimized for Lead-Acid (incl. AGM) or Lithium batteries. The charger algorithm ensures your batteries will be optimally charged without any adverse effects. Once the battery is full, the charger will go into idle or floating mode.

Q: Can the Remoran Wave 3 be raised out from or lowered into water during sailing?

If mounted using the standard 20cm rail, The Remoran Wave 3 is intended to remain in the water during the trip, and can only be raised or lowered when the boat has stopped.

In normal day-to-day use there is no reason to lift the outboard unit from the water. For example:

  • Once batteries are full, Remoran Charger 300W will prevent overcharging by going into idle mode.
  • Any speed loss is negligible.
  • Removing seaweed (e.g. Sargasso weed) is possible by using a deck brush/broom.

We realize that many sailors nevertheless will prefer to be able to easily lift the outboard unit during sailing, and are now offering the Long Rail kit to make it possible to raise and lower the hydrogenerator while the boat is in motion. We are also developing even more helpful accessories to make this easier and safer.

Q: I have heard that Remoran Wave 3 is noisy when producing electricity?

Our test and early production models did have noise problems and we have worked hard to reduce them. We have made mechanical improvements to the product and have been succesfull in reducing the noise.

Current models are extremely quiet, something we are very proud of and worked hard to achieve. Following the installation guide will further ensure quiet operation.

Since the experience can be highly subjective, we offer customers the option to return the product for a full refund.

Q: How tight should the turbine (i.e. impeller, propeller) be tightened?

There is a certain amount of flex when tightening the turbine and it is sometimes possible to overtighten it so it will almost touch the generator cap. To avoid overtightening make sure that the gap between the turbine and the generator housing remains 2-3mm wide once tightened.

Q: Is it absolutely mandatory to place the charger horizontally (landscape) or can we also place it vertically (portrait)?

Yes, correct airflow is important so landscape mounting with 20cm free space above is essential.

Q: Is the feedthrough connector waterproof to seawater also or only raindrops? Can it be installed in a place where waves can reach it or does it requires to be above waves in all cases ?

We recommend above waves mounting but it will handle occasional immersion too.

Q: Is it safe to disconnect or connect the feedthrough connector even under motion (hydrogenerator running)?

Yes the connector may be connected or disconnected at any time without problems, as long as the metal surfaces remain dry.

Q: Is the charger protected against electric issues such as wrong wiring or shortcut ?

The battery plus/minus leads must be connected correctly or there will be damage. Otherwise it’s ok. The charger has short circuit and broken generator lead detection and will inform the user via LEDs and Remoran App.

Q: Does the charger accept to be set up in parallel as other chargers (solar MPPT…) ?

Yes there can be multiple chargers connected to the same battery and Remoran Charger will go to idle mode if another charger such as the diesel motor produces higher volts.

Q: Is the generator floating or sinking in case the user drops it in water by mistake ?

The outboard unit weighs 7.5kg so it will sink. We recommend a safety rope.

Q: How do you protect the Hydro Generator from corrosion ?

The Remoran Wave 3 outboard unit is designed with suitable materials to minimize galvanic corrosion. With careful installation and use, you can further prevent corrosion.

  • Make sure that there are no leakage currents or potential differences in the water from other devices on the boat that can accelerate corrosion.
  • Avoid installing the outboard unit in the immediate vicinity of exhaust pipes.
  • If possible, wash the unit with fresh water between uses.
  • When the boat or neighbouring boats are connected to shore power, lift the outboard unit out of the water to avoid corrosion caused by possible leakage currents.
  • Do not connect the ground wire (yellow-green) of the generator cable except in the case described below.

The grounding wire is intended to be connected to an aluminium-protective anode installed on the bottom of the boat near the transom. The connection creates a galvanic current circuit between the metal parts of the generator and the anode. This is why it is very important that the anode is of the right type. If the anode is of the wrong type, or the cable is connected, for example, to the electric ground of the boat or to the engine, the generator may be exposed to corrosion. If in doubt whether the grounding wire can be connected, we provide additional instructions by contacting info(at)remoran.fi.

Q: How can there be rust on the unit after 15 days of use ?

This is due to a a possible usage error. If the parts of the L-shaped connector of the hydrogenerator outboard unit feel loose or it has been twisted contrary to the instructions (Important Precautions) so that the wires inside are partially detached from the wire housing and encounter each other, a situation may arise that causes the outboard unit to be damaged during use. Therefore, we advise you to check the condition of the connector. If necessary, we provide additional instructions by contacting info(at)remoran.fi

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