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mandlmaunder · 24-08-2009, 12:21

I have just helped a new friend fit a new style Air Breeze wind gen, and I am saddened to say that from the moment it was turned on it made noise not too different from the original noisy 'Black bladed' version.
It was my understanding that the 'New' 'White bladed' version was much quieter than previous models, not true!.
The owner is very happy with the output and will learn to live with the noise and vibration as when it's noisy it's making power.

Me I just APOLOGISE to any and all cruisers in the pacific who will have the pleasure of meeting sailing cat Wishful Thinking and her owners, Chris and Tuula, and listening to another noisy wind gen.
Mark

Intentional Drifter · 24-08-2009, 12:30

I'm sure they're very nice people and that will help to make up for it. However, I've had a few nights where I've been tempted to throw a fishing net into some of those things. They are almost always Air Breeze's.

ID

cabo_sailor · 24-08-2009, 12:59

I have found that the people that market the Air Marine X and apparently, the Air Breeze cannot be trusted when it comes to noise claims. I lost my original Air Marine X a number of years ago during a hurricane. When I started looking at a replacement, at the boat show">Annapolis boat show, the Air Marine rep told me that the new ones were significantly quieter. He lied. It was exactly the same as before.

I have since bought a set of replacement blades that indeed are very much quieter. Of course, since they are better, the company tells us that using them would void the warranty. Since I no longer have a warranty, so not to worry. In the meantime, I don't have everyone in an anchorage ticked off over the noise. Frankly, I can barely hear the rascals.

Rich

barnakiel · 24-08-2009, 13:01

Yes, but if they did not (or did not care to) fix the issue why not buy one of the European brands. There are at least two that match AirX (the new one) in output. And they are whisper silent. And heavy. And expensivish.

I am disappointed - I hoped to get the new X, but since it makes the same old noise I will have to re-think my choices.

b.

hanschristian38 · 24-08-2009, 15:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandlmaunder

It was my understanding that the 'New' 'White bladed' version was much quieter than previous models, not true!.

I would have been suspicious if they said white was quieter. I would not think that color would have anything to do with it.

gbanker · 24-08-2009, 16:32

Barnakiel, what are the European brands of which you speak?

MarkJ · 24-08-2009, 17:31

Thanks for the apology in advance

Funny thing we note is people with loud wind generators (all wind generators) often say "we turn if off when we have friends aboard".....

then they invite us for Sundowners..........

......And the NEVER turn the bloody things off!!!!!

Either we fail the friendship test or the white noise scrambles their brains...

But sure as hell I can't hear a word anyone says when the thing is roaring 10 feet from my head.
Fortunately Nicolle can hear... and she translates the conversations for me, sprinkled liberally with "sorry, I am just translating for Mark because he can't hear you because of your wind generator above his head is sounding like a 747 taking off!"

They still don't get it....

Mark

s/v 'Faith' · 24-08-2009, 18:03

YES! The emperor has no clothes! They ARE loud!!!

Why is it that many (most?) of the owners of these boats don't think so?

I (almost) would rather a charter boat with a loud stereo come in and anchor next to me then a boat with a wind generator....

That Rutland 913 was not too bad, they make a smaller one but for 60w is is hardly worth the effort.

A Honda 1000 does not make nearly the noise the average wind generator seems to....

**s/v Jedi** · 24-08-2009, 22:51

German : Superwind

Trinidadian: Kiss

cheers,
Nick.

mesquaukee · 25-08-2009, 01:08

The Kiss is quiet, very quiet.

sailing now · 25-08-2009, 03:39

IMHO, the staff at AirX are a bunch of pompous ********! After you buy their crap, they could care less about you!

YOGAO · 25-08-2009, 09:59

Your friend should return the Air Breeze. We are contemplating covert operations against anyone with an Air-X or Air Breeze - they destroy being anchored in a beautiful, serene spot.

The new champ for quietness is the D400 by Eclectic Energy. We did our own survey of wind generators prior to purchase because we will not accept wind gen noise. Only the Rutland 913 and the D400 passed.

Fair Winds,
Mike