The Best Features:
- Uses wind to generate power and run your appliances and electronics
- Constructed from lightweight, weatherproof cast aluminum
- Fully integrated regulator that automatically shuts down when the batteries are completely charged
- Maximum power up to 400 watts or 27 Amps
- Measures 15 x 9 x 27 inches (WxHxD)
Great for the right site - made in USA - about the output... By J_R_S
First of all, this wind generator's output is preset to 14.1 volts (for charging batteries, you know. The preset can be adjusted from 13 to 17 volts, by the way). 14.1 volts divided into 400 watts is 28 amps, so the specs are correct as stated in the product description. Remember to always keep in mind the differences between 120 volt AC current and 12 to 14 volt DC current -- it's really important on this alternative energy stuff.
Naturally, you are only going to get close to the 400-watt maximum output with a steady 28 mph wind. But the unit won't "go up in smoke" at that point as some reviewer said -- all wind turbines have built in cut-out system that prevent them from going over their rated output and being damanged. C'mon, folks... the people who make these things are not dummies.
But it's true that there are not many places in the world where you get 28 mph winds blowing on a regular, continuous basis. The suggestion of other reviewers to figure on getting maybe a 15 mph average wind speed with output from the wind generator of 50 to 60 watts at 2 to 3 amps is a realistic evaluation of what most people can expect out this or any other small wind turbine on a fairly regular basis. On days when you've got more wind, you luck out and get more power is all.
That's why, for most people, the first alternative power choice is amorphous solar panels (they continue to work on cloudy days and with partial shade) because you can rely on the sun on a day to day basis more than you can on having a good steady wind consistently. The manual for this product states that the blades should start turning in a 7 mph wind, which is just a good breeze. The product manual is *outstanding* by the way, the most complete I've ever seen for any product and indicates the integrity and honesty of the company who makes these units. They obviously want their customers to have success with their product. You can view the manual in PDF format at the Sunforceproducts.com website at:
http://sunforceproducts.com/prodinfo/manuals/AirXManual.pdf
Anyone considering this purchase or looking into wind power in general should thoroughly check out the manual. Wind power can be wonderful in the right location and in many other places it can be *combined* with solar so that you get power from the sun when it's shinning and power from the wind when it's dark (the wind often blows well at night) or when it is really cloudy/stormy (that also usually means good wind).
In this era of everything-is-made-in-China it's great to see a solid product that is price-competitive like this one which is actually made in the USA by Southwest Windpower Inc. of Flagstaff, Arizona. When I get around to adding some wind capability to my existing solar panel setup, this product would be a good choice because a 60-watt solar panel will run you around the same price. So you can add 60 watts of wind for about the same cost as adding 60 watts of solar -- and with a hybrid system you get to take advantage of both alternative technologies. Think outside the oil barrel!Great Product Better Than I Expected By R. Martinez
I have this wind generator hooked up to
8 6 volt deep cycle batteries powering my 2 bedroom
off grid home. we run 2 televisions dvd players and compact
flourescent lights for bedrooms and kitchen without
having to turn on our generator. We dont have a microwave,
and our refrigerator runs on propane. But after using our loud
generator for 2 months at $15.00 for gas on a daily basis, The machine
will pay for itself quickly, The noise is minimal.The sounds it makes reminds me of birds chirping. You could not use it to run vacum cleaners
washer dryers and things like that but if you need a little energy for
lighting and small appliances this wind generator is great.These things are JUNK By m Koskenmaki
6 years ago, I bought my first Air-X ( that's the model with the Southwest Windpower brand on it, this is their product) which ran for 2 years, then had a minor failure, fixed under warranty. It then lasted about a year, and the circuit board failed yet again. Again, it was warranted. The next failure, however, was not. So, I bought a kit from SWWP to "update" the turbine to the new "Air Breeze". That lasted 2 months, and it utterly melted down inside. It was a toxic swamp of caustic material from the insulation and other materials inside, which had gotten hot.
That was fixed under warranty and lasted ... a month. Then, I bought one of these. It was installed temporarily for about 4 months, and then moved to replace the dead Air Breeze (failed yet again, 3rd time). It lasted a month, and it too, melted down inside. Yes, the same location, the same load, the same everything the original one made 3 years without major issue, has now been through 4 rebuilds in a year and a half. In fact, I have had no significant use ANY of the generators since the original Air Breeze conversion. They have either sent me parts, or replacement generators (takes up to 2 months to get warranty fixes) and every one of them has failed the first time any significant weather system has come through. The Sunforce branded model worked through 4 months in a semi-sheltered area, and weathered ONE storm. It was taken down, stored for 2 months, and reinstalled in the original location for my first Air-x, and it died when the first rainstorm came through, as it melted down and the insulation or whatever it is, is literally dripping out the bottom of the unit, which is still on the tower. I'm not taking it down until I figure out what to do with it.
Basically, the maker started out with a decent product, somewhere along the lines, they have 're-engineered" it, and now it's garbage. Sad to say. The original was excellent and would still be in place if several years of running hadn't just simply worn out the front casting where the bearings ride. Each of my conversations with tech support has been a matter of just flat out insult, as they continue to claim they have no idea what's wrong, or that it's "my location". The original Air-X not only survived, but continued to work through a once-a-century windstorm that made national news. Nothing since it has been able to survive a single storm with 30-40 mph gusting. The Best-Selling Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator then to sell out very fast, if this is a must have product, be sure to order now to avoid disappointment.
