Question about Air-X Wind Generator

[andyv94]

Hello everyone,

So I just bought a boat that came equipped with an air x wind generator
but for the record I'm completely clueless about this type of equipment and electrical systems in general.......no point hiding it!! : )

So, here's the question

I just mounted the bracket with the blades back on, but the blades just won't turn over even with moderate winds of 5-10 knots?

What gives??

Thank you in advance

Andy

[Mike OReilly]

Hi Andy, I used to own an Air-X. Now have a SilentWind. Our old Air-X required about 8 knots before it would start moving, but didn't start to generate much of anything until about 12-15 knots. So yours might be OK. Get it out in 15 knots and see what happens.

BTW, I assume the blades rotate freely by hand. They're not seized in any way, are they?

[andyv94]

Thank you for the reply, yes the blades rotate freely

[Jim Cate]

Andy, another possibility is that there is a short circuit in the output somewhere. When the output is shorted, it takes much more wind to rotate the prop... this is how you shut it down via the three position switch (which may or may not have been installed by the PO).

Cheers,

Jim

[andyv94]

Ok never mind there's a little storm coming in and that thing is spinning like crazy!!!

Loud too, sounds like a propeller jet engine......damn

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by andyv94

Ok never mind there's a little storm coming in and that thing is spinning like crazy!!!

Loud too, sounds like a propeller jet engine......damn

Sounds like it's working well. Our old Air-X would scream like a Banshee when the wind piped up. Unfortunately they are known to be noisy beasts. It's a big reason why I went to our new generator ... I hated the noise of the Air-X. But at least you have power .

[FSMike]

Blades are available for them that quiet them down considerably and work at least as well. Can't remember the name, try a Google search on the generator, there has been lots of discussion.

[andyv94]

Thank you guys!!! There's tropical little afternoon storms seem to come out if nowhere here in the Caribbean!!

[Canibul]

You should still check for the three position switch, if you are re-installing this. You can get the manual online, by the way. But tje switch is to break the circuit, then short the outputs of the wind generator to act as a brake. It takes a lot to turn the rotor when you do this, but a squall will turn it even with the brake on. It makes a lot of noise. Sounds like a bad bearing. I have a little tail line on this one so I can turn it perpendicular to the wind to stop and tether it in strong winds. If you do have the three position switch, it will not be putting amps into your batteries if it is in the shorted, brake position. It's faster and quieter in the on position.

[d design]

My air x main bearing is stuffed. So it takes 20kts to spin it! there is blue blades for them that are way quieter.

[Mike OReilly]

The blue blades are made by Spreco, the same company that makes the SilentWind generator (the one I currently have).

Rotorblades spb? - Price: 246.00? | Rotorblades spb? | Silentwind - Wind Generator

And yes, if the Air-X is shorted, or in brake mode, it will still turn, but won't produce any amps. In my experience it would not turn very fast when shorted, even in high wind.

Put an amp meter on the circuit. If all you have a is a volt meter you should see the voltage rise on the batteries once the Air-X is spinning in winds over 18 knots. It should be producing significant amps at that point (I forget how much).

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by d design

My air x main bearing is stuffed. So it takes 20kts to spin it! there is blue blades for them that are way quieter.

You can buy replacement bearings at any bearing store. I got a set in Cairns, Australia (a high cost place) for six dollars apiece. Not hard to replace, either. For us, the hardest part is getting the damn thing down!

And for the OP, you can make the blades somewhat quieter by carefully sanding the surfaces down to an 800 grit finish or so.

Cheers,

Jim

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

. . . And for the OP, you can make the blades somewhat quieter by carefully sanding the surfaces down to an 800 grit finish or so.
Cheers,
Jim

Yes, If you have the black plastic blades, they are mass produced in a metal mold and have a lot of surface pits, pores and sometimes the halves are miss aligned.

Sanding the edges to restore the aerodynamic shape and then sanding the surfaces and painting them with a good UV resistant varnish that fills the little pits will significantly reduce the noise level. Sometimes this is quite a bit more economical than purchasing the alternate blade set.

But - seriously, as others have mentioned - look for the 3-position switch somewhere in the circuit between the output wires and the connection to the batteries or where ever the output wires go.

In the free-whirling switch position (center) the blades will spin up to maximum rpm very quickly and generate horrible noise as they automatically start to twist to limit rpm and blade failure. Also, some models have a built in limit sensor that will short the output automatically when maximum blade rpm is achieved - also making serious noise levels as the blades cycle between start and stop.

[d design]

The stock black blades are CFRP.

[Hkalan]

Hello,

I did a google search for replacement blades for an Air X, and found a place in the USA called "Missouri Wind & Solar" that claims to make the quietest blades on the market... The blades are called "Raptor Series Blades".

Has anyone ever tried them ?

Alan


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum