Air Breeze

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dougg

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I fitted an Air Breeze last year which worked faultlesley providing some good power. However I now think its gone faulty. The symptoms are as follows.
When the rota spins up to speed, the break cuts in quite violantly, shaking the tower. It does this whatever the charge is in the batteries, and stops very shortly after. This process keeps repeating itself, sometimes within the same minute.
Initially I thought this was due to the batteries being charged and it was reaching its cut out phase. This appears not to be the case.
Ive tried turning the regulator up on the body up a bit at a time, untill ive reached maximum, but it still keeps firing up and stopping.
Ive also tried powering down the Air Breeze, reconnecting it and watching for the led to flash twice, this does not happen.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
 
Our first one did exactly that until it went into break mode permanently. We contacted the company and it was returned for investigation. A new unit was sent out to us as it was faulty. They have a three year warranty so a call to the company would be your best bet.
 
Ours has had the same fault last year and has recently done the same again. It's currently tied down until I can get up the precarious ladder to remove it from the tower!

One thing we were advised to check is for any broken connections. The weight of the wire and vibration in the tower makes the joints susceptible to coming loose which can give the same symptoms.
 
We had an AirMarine for about 10 years and loved it. When it died 4 years ago, we replaced it with an early AirX model. It never worked well and we ran into over 20 pages of communications with South West Wind Power and the UK agent, who supplied it. Very long story, which included sending it back to the UK, where it was deemed to be in good condition. Eventually we got all our money back but we were offered an AirBreeze as a replacement. We chose the money and it sounds as though we made the right choice.

It made exactly the same fire up and break noises, which you describe and the state of the batteries seemed to make no difference.

Google the American tests done independently on S W Windpower products and be depressed.

Good luck, whichever way you go.
 
Dougg,

This is an extract from the AirBreeze manual.

" No Load Operation /Open Circuit /Free Spinning: Air Breeze will
spin freely if disconnected from an electrical load. This results in a cycle
of rapid blade speed followed by rapid braking – this mode of operation
may accelerate wear of the turbine and is also non-productive. To turn Air
Breeze off for short periods of time Southwest Windpower recommends
using a properly installed switch. If your Air Breeze will be shut down for
an extended period of time Southwest Windpower recommends lowering
the turbine completely or securing the blades to prevent rotation. "

This seems to describe your symptoms and indicates a no load, open circuit, free spinning mode.

Could this be your problem ?
 
We have the same wind turbine and ours always has gone off with a bump/bang. However it is still working well with the red flashing light whilst in the rest mode and full red light whilst charging.

We are happy with it. It is now three years old and still doing what it is supposed to do. I have never serviced it and only give it a good spray with the hose pipe occasionaly to wash of and salt.

Peter
 
Forgot to add that we're now on our second unit, it has also broken in the same way but was repaired by the company. If it goes again we'll be asking for our money back. Each time it has to be returned we have to bear the costs of getting it to the company (the last time we had to send it to Germany from Greece). If we buy another wind gen it won't be an AirBreeze!
 
Sounds like the trip has opened, or something is disconnected so there is no battery voltage to sense. Had this happen when first fitted my AirX.

Incidentally, have been running the AirX since 2003, now on its second boat. Only problems have been changing bearings (they rust) and replacing blades after poking with a boat hook!. Incidentally, sourced a set of blades from Portugal ("Silent Wind" I think) and they are much much quieter. Perhaps the older AirX is more reliable.
 
Thank you for all the depressing replies!
I've contacted the suppliers who are taking it in for repair, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.
 
dougg - How did your repair go on this? I've just spoken to the suppliers regarding ours and it seems this time that the slip rings have gone.
 
Last edited:
Hi Simon.
The repair went well as far as I'm concerned. The uk supplier turned it round in a week. It's now fitted and generating, however the hub rattles a bit now. I can't fault their service or the manner in which the repair was carried out. I think we all know who they are with out naming them.
Mine had new slip rings and a couple of other things which I can't remember.
I hope these are up graded parts as I don't want it going again in six months.
 
Update re the Air X ( may not include Air Breeze ) I have a failed Air X which like most seems to be the control circuit. Last week I spoke with Barden and they advised me that Southern Energy have sold off the rights of the Air X to Primus and Barden have been unable to obtain spares since.
This gave me a number of options including put it on Ebay as spares or repair or change the internal pickups from the 3 phase and cable into the boat and connect to a separate controller - available off the shelf.
Barden advised that the replacement control board is about £120 ex fitting so the external controller option looks more attractive.

Has anybody else considered or tried this option ?
 
Just fired my air breeze up after the winter and all looks well, kicking out plenty of amps here in Crete!
 
I have had loads of problems with my Air Breeze mainly the slip rings which were rubbish.
I threaten my supplier with "unfit for purpose " and requested my money back . Bardens contacted me although they didn't supply it to Me offering me a new updated unit . Apparently the sliprings were modified and I am assured that the problem which everyone seems to suffer from has Bremen sorted . Hmmmmmm we will have to see . No more banging ......I hope !!
 
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