A recent study listed the Automaxx 400 as one of the top 10
wind generators on the market. I liked the unit for its
price, size, and weight. I really do not have room for a larger unit.
I recently purchased one of these windmills from EcoMart and I am quite disappointed in what I received. The specifications and
marketing information, available*pre-purchase,*describe*the unit as a 400 watt unit at a certain
wind speed. However, the manual that accompanied the unit indicates that the integral MMPT controller is set to limit the windmill's output to 20 amps or 240 watts at 12.0 volts DC or 286 watts at 14.3 volts DC. This windmill can never attain its rated output with this 20 amp limit. I find this very mis-leading.
Also, the deliberate downrating of a device to 60 or 70% of its published rating also suggests a potential durability issue if the unit were to be run at its rated output.
Has anyone had experience with these generators?