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Old 29-08-2010, 08:27   #1
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Air-X Marine Wind Generator

I am looking for a Wind generator and the Air-x seems to be completely redone. Has anyone had any experience with the new updated ones. I am leaning toward the Air Breeze but I am impressed with the updates. I understand the Air-X has been a nightmare for some with loud noise and breakdowns.. Please give me your thoughts so I can make the correct decision.


If the wind speed in your area averages 9 mph or greater, wind can be the most cost-effective way to generate electricity. Wind turbines can produce power day and night even in inclement weather. With equal value amounts invested, wind turbines can generate up to four times more electricity than solar. A hybrid system with a wind turbine combined with solar panels is the most efficient and reliable method to generate your own electricity.

Features:

Unprecedented 3 YEAR WARRANTY
Carbon Fiber Composite Blades
Aircraft quality aluminum alloy castings
Exclusive Brush-less neodymium cubic curve alternator
Sophisticated internal battery charge regulator
Maintenance-free - Only two moving parts
Full Marine Tower Kit available for easy boat mounting.
Exclusive Auto-brake-feature that slows the AIR to a silent spin when the batteries are charged thus extending bearing life and reducing noise.
Marine powdercoating and stainless steel fittings for corrosion protection in a marine environment
High Wind Safe Mode - Automatically slows turbine in potentially damaging winds. Reduces noise when on or off your boat.
Neighbor Friendly.
The AIR-X is the latest evolution of the AIR series of wind turbines from Southwest Windpower. From the outside, the AIR-X looks almost identical to the AIR 303 and AIR 403. The improvements are almost all inside the turbine.

AIR-X New Features Information:

New Electronics: The AIR-X incorporates an entirely new rectifier and controller.
The microprocessor based controller provides voltage regulation, peak power tracking, and quiet, stall control in high winds.
The AIR-X uses a synchronous rectifier bridge which results in cooler, more efficient operation.
The AIR-X also incorporates a voltage boosting function which allows the turbine to reach charging voltage at a much lower RPM.
New Alternator: A more efficient alternator has been built into the AIR-X.
The alternator was designed to complement the peak power tracking ability of the control electronics.
The alternator uses a larger wire size than that of the AIR 403, and thus has lower internal resistance.
The result is cooler operating temperatures for improved reliability.
The strong permanent magnet rotor can be felt in rotating the rotor shaft; a slight “catch” can be felt when spinning the shaft with your fingers.
This is normal, and is quickly overcome when the blades begin spinning.
New Blades: The rotor blades use a highly efficient, true airfoil.
They are manufactured using a precision injection molding process that produces blades of exceptional consistency.
The result is quieter performance and minimal vibration.
The AIR-X blades differ from the AIR 403 blades in their tip angles.
The AIR-X blades have an increased tip angle which improves their ability to start rotating, and moves “flutter” to higher wind speeds.
Unlike the AIR 403 and earlier 303, the AIR-X does not rely on blade flutter for over-speed protection.
The control electronics will slow the blades before the turbine reaches the point of flutter.
Increasing the tip angle helps to ensure that the flutter noise is not heard.
New Yaw Shaft: The yaw shaft is the part of the turbine that mounts to the tower and allows the turbine to rotate into the wind.
The AIR-X features a new yaw shaft that allows for stronger clamping forces to the tower, and more rigidity in the turbine.
The AIR-X also Retains these Features of the AIR 403:
Hysteresis Braking:
The regulation control circuitry incorporates hysteresis.
This will lock the turbine in a silent regulation mode once the batteries are fully charged.
The turbine begins producing power again when the battery voltage drops slightly below fully charged.
This means, for a factory set 12V turbine, the turbine will regulate (shut down) when the batteries have reached 14.1V, and will resume charging when the voltage drops to 12.75V.
Minimal output is wasted, as non-charging battery voltages above 12.75V represent mostly a “surface charge” with very little energy.
This feature prevents the turbine from fluctuating in and out of regulation mode, resulting in a quieter, betterbehaved machine.
New Body, New Hub:
The AIR-X body is made from a precision casting process that not only enhances fit and finish, but also leads to a stiffer, more durable body.
The aluminum casting also acts as a heat sink and transfers heat from the stator and the electronics into the wind flowing past the turbine.
The die cast aluminum hub design has been engineered to be the strongest, stiffest hub we have ever produced.
Much Lower Noise:
Previous AIR wind generators relied on their aero-elastic blade design for protection in high winds, causing loud flutter noise in winds above 35 mph (16 m/s). AIR-X’s circuit monitors the wind speed and electronically slows the blades as it reaches rated output, preventing it from going into flutter.
This results in a much quieter wind turbine.
In high winds, the AIR-X will continue to produce power at a reduced level until the wind decreases, then maximum output will resume.
Improved battery charging:
Previous designs required 300-400 amp hour battery banks so the trickle charge of the wind turbine could be adequately absorbed.
The charge controller periodically stops charging, reads the battery voltage, compares it to the voltage setting and if the battery is charged, it completely shuts off all current going to the battery.
This function is performed within a few milliseconds.
The closer the battery is to its full state of charge, the more often the circuit repeats this action.
This means any size battery bank from 25 to 25,000 amp hours or higher can be charged safely.
When the battery has reached full charge, the blades will slow to an almost complete stop.
Only when the battery drops below its voltage set point will it resume charging.
Lower stress design:
Power is limited on the input side of the electronics by controlling the torque from the blades.
The excess energy no longer has to be dissipated by the electronics resulting in lower stress on the circuit, bearings and other materials.
Stress occurs primarily in high winds, but under these conditions, the electronic stall design reduces the blade speed to 600 rpm, significantly reducing mechanical loading while producing power.
Note: A manual stop switch control is an available option.
Applications:
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Old 29-08-2010, 08:58   #2
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The thing switches off at 14.1v, what happens if you have solar operating at the same time? would the solar make it stay permanently off.

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Old 29-08-2010, 09:31   #3
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when sun is out, we kept the air-x type wind genny off--kept brake on...when sun set--turn on the wind....worked great. when both are on, then we had a competition, but when we kept the wind genny braked in sun, was good..
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