Air X Wind Generators

[Liz_I]

Has anyone had problems with these gennys. I know a lot of you hate the things - noise - etc but this is not what the question is about.

11yrs ago we fitted, what was then just called an Air Marine - pre the 403. Had it shipped from the States, had a substantial s/s 'shoe' & post made for the top of the mizzen. After discussing it with the then 'silent power, people they though it was the best site for the unit. Clear air and all that. We had an 'off' switch which shorts the positive - on the genny side so the unit could be turned off. Everything worked so well 'Amy' was amazing, keeping us going at anchor for 9 months of the year (along with a couple of solar panels). She was our early warning system, especially in Croatia, of increasing wind. Normally she was switched off at night as being over our cabin she was noisy. Anyway last year, leaving for our summer cruise she died! Spoke to helpful agent in UK and was told there was no way to repair her. As we'd been so pleased with her we thought we'd replace with an uprated unit. Assured that the original wiring, switch etc would be okay we went ahead. Amy 2 arrived, was fitted and off we went. The noise of the new 'much improved' unit was not good. The charging less than expected and worse a progressive fault of whine thump whine thump when she was switched off made sleep impossible.

It seems that the noise is very akin to it being in 'open circuit'. The unit has been taken down from the mast, rigged up on the aft deck, temporarily, for testing so the whole system could be checked. Wiring, joins, switches the works.

Sadly our helpful agent in the UK wasn't so helpful when it came to problems suggesting we contact the maufacturers in the States.

Has anyone had similar probs and if so how were they resolved.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I bought one through Merlin in the UK several years ago, it died just inside its warranty period and they shipped it back to the States where it was repaired two years ago the coating came of almost completly and although out of waranty I got Merlin to get it repaired / replaced through the States again. I have been pleased with it's performance although build quality / reliability is questionable and I probably would not buy another. I dont think Merlin sell them any more and in truth I have probably got as much as can be reasonably expected from them so when mine packs up it will be replaced with something else. If yours is less than three years old I would say you should have a claim against the retailer, fit for purpose / sale of goods act etc. it is they not the manufacturer that has the responsibility. In dealing with the States it takes ages and unless you can do it through the seller under warranty it won't be cost effective. My original problem was just no output with the blades freewheeling so different to your problem, it may be your best bet would be to get someone that rebuilds alternators to have a look at it and try to repair it.

 

[beneteau_305_553]

It sounds like the stop switch wiring is incorrect.

The units now have a 3 position switch. On off and stop. In the off position you do get the whine thump whine but in stop it does stop. Make sure the off position is just open circuit and in the stop position the positive is grounded. The switch supplied is a bit odd as the pins are not positioned logically. I wired mine up incorrectly but it did no damage. I also trimmed 100 mm off each blade which makes it quieter and still charges very well.