Wind Generators

[Jeremy]

Hey Everybody,

I am a crewmember on a Beneteau 57 and we are looking to get a new wind generator. We are interested in the Air-Breeze (the new version of the Air-X) and the Superwind. Does anybody have any experience with these units or any others they can recommend?
We are most concerned with finding a generator that is quiet but also provides good power output.
Thank you in advance for any advice!!

[Jack & Sue (s/v Giggling Dolphins)]

Hi, We have the four winds it is VERY quite. in 10-15 knots it will replace about 120 amp hours a day. We can hear other generators in the anchorage above ours while sitting right underneath it having drinks. We have had it for about 14 months and no complaints.

[Bob Leahey]

Can I ask you how much trouble it was to install the wind generator? How did you mount it...pole off the stern? How does it "tie in" to the rest of your electrical system? What kind of battery banks are you charging?. I've been thinking about adding a wind generator, because my home port has pretty good and constant winds.

I'll have to figure out if I have adequate room, too. Pretty cluttered already of the stern; with radar, backstay, grill, swim ladder, etc, etc.

TIA,
Bob

[Jack & Sue (s/v Giggling Dolphins)]

The Four-Winds is mounted on a pole that sits on our stern, It was pretty easy to install (1 Day) and tied into our existing charging system (4 batteries @ 540 Amp Hours). It came with its own regulator and power dump when the wind is still blowing but the battery bank is fully charged....you could also add a dual voltage heater into your water heater and dump the excess power there. The Four-Winds is by far the most quiet we have seen (or heard) in fact we can hear our neighbors wind generator over ours.

[Jack & Sue (s/v Giggling Dolphins)]

Hi Michael,
it has a breaking system that works great, so if you are out and about you do not need to worry, we usually will tie it down if we will not be around or at night if it is above 35 knots.