Wind Generator Recommendations ?

[mbianka]

Originally Posted by YOGAO

Thanks for that datapoint. I have been one of those who has routinely moved away from the SWPower (Air-X type) boats and strongly recommended these aftermarket blades, but I didn't know how they affected the power output.

I've had a 48 volt Marine Air X since 2008 and I don't find it very noisy. Maybe earlier models were or maybe it's my factory vibration mounts and pole that make it quieter. But, if means that boats will be anchoring further away because I have it on board I view that as a plus.

[colemj]

Since Bash seems to be bashing, I will step up and admit that I'm another cruiser who despises the Air-x units. I don't find Mark Johnson's description an exaggeration at all, let alone a gross exaggeration. Maybe some of you have become deaf enough living under them to consider them quiet, but they are obnoxious. No different than firing up an open frame generator on deck. And like Mark Johnson said, they are the ONLY windgen that anyone ever complains about the noise. That says a lot.

Good mounting of these units only makes them more pleasant to the occupants below. It does nothing to quiet the banshee screaming inherent in the design that those anchored around the units suffer with.

And if you read these types of threads, you will run into statements from owners saying things like "I find it comforting that they wake me up at night when the wind pipes up", or "I consider it a safety feature that warns me when a storms blows up at night". WTF?

However, the blue aftermarket blades are magic. Really. We have friends with an Air-X who installed these and the unit is now completely quiet. The quietest unit out there. We have had the pleasure now of being anchored next to several boats with these blades and they are dead quiet. Hardly even a soft whooshing sound, and not audible at all from even a close anchoring distance.

Mark

[colemj]

Originally Posted by kismet424

I'll second the d400. I bought mine through trans marine and they did a great job. I would highly recommend them. I have 2 on my stern and they are silent. In fact people come up pretty often and remark on how quiet they are, and how nervous they were at first when I pulled up to the mooring!!!!

Nice units. They are really quiet and we are always happy to see boats with these when they anchor near us. Two questions - we have met two boats with dual D400's on their stern and they both complained that the units set up a beat frequency when powered up that disturbed them down below. Have you experienced that? They also claimed that they have had a difficult time regulating them because one is always shutting the other down. In fact, I have heard this problem from other non-D400 dual setups. Do you experience this?

Mark

[Rod Headlee]

Originally Posted by Mark Johnson

I recommend the KISS brand, if the small "totally silent" models do not produce enough power for your needs. The KISS produces plenty of power, and it's noise is a soft fan like whirr that can only be heard about 50'.

I Measured when anchored close by... The Air X can be heard for 1/4 of a mile, and the new Air Breeze about 300', and both produce an annoying weed whacker like noise, that is higher pitched and fluctuates wildly by comparison. The aftermarket aluminum blades mentioned above, may well solve this problem???

The KISS is a much less antisocial choice.

"Conducted noise" of any brand, is the noise down below from pole and strut vibration. It is totally dependent on the location of the mounting, the cabin layout, and extent of rubber isolation.

"IF" you have room... we have found solar to be a more reliable source of power, and it last much longer.
M.

I thought the KISS had a problem dealing with big wind? I anchor in places where it blows 25kts frequently, also I need it to work in the tradewinds. Has KISS fixed the heating up problem? I sat out cyclone Wilma with my Air X, it worked fine during and after.

I've sold that boat and I am in the market for a new wind generator for the new boat.. Has anybody used the Air MAAX?

[rpjn59]

Hi all, it was quite interesting reading thru this thread. I bought and older air-marine, new- old stock. Reason for purchase, well I got a real good deal and plan on buying the ' silent blades', which seem to have gotten great reviews. Question, has anyone hook up their air-x wind generator on multiple battery banks? The reason is the PO had installed a electronic battery isolator so my 2 house battery are not in parrallel but treated as separate banks. Southwest says to hook their unit driectly to the battery or battery bank. But again my set up is a 2 bank arrangement. One problem the south west tech's say will cause a problem is that the unit needs to 'see' the battery voltage to self regulate and that the diodes in the isolator will prevent this. Then later in the conversation he says, 'well try it and see if it works, if it does fine. If not then....' How can this tech say they don't recommend that and then say well try it, it might work? Does anyone have any input on this???

Ray
'66 B-39