Airx marine

ccscott49

ccscott49

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 Sep 2001
Messages
18,583
Visit site
Just bought an Air-X marine 24 volt wind charger, for 680 dollars (367 pounds) including shipping to Spain. I will have to pay import/vat at 16% but the cheapest I could find it in UK, was 980 pounds!! I'm getting greener by the day, now have four 75 watt panels, thats 150 watts at 24 volts, plus what the wind genny gives me, say about another 150 watts, I'm almost daily self sufficient!! Which means less noise and less diesel burning for my genny! I should be able to get away with running my genny once every three days, when I will make water as well! Great!!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Is yours one of the new ones?? They are apparently considerably quieter than the old model. with electronic governer etc. I hope so!! Mind you if it gets too noisy, I can just switch it off, it has that capability as well.
 
Good luck with it! My boat has an Air Marine at the top of the mizzen. When it runs the noise and vibration is unbearable and I often have to climb the mast to lash it as the double pole switch seems to have no effect. Anyway, whilst mooring in San Antonio, Ibiza last week we had a force 9 gust which ripped off one of the blades - I shall not be replacing it - very disappointing.
 
Be sure to take off the hub cap and inspect the roots of the blades at least once a year. Mine are now scrap as they have cracked all round the securing screws. The prospect of them coming off at high speed doesn't bear thinking about.
 
Was yours the old type, or rather how old was/is yours? The new ones you can switch off to stop them rotating.
 
the generator was purchased in 2000. I discovered the cracks when it started to vibrate in 2004.

I can't post the picture at the moment because the server is down.
 
Thanks, I'll keep an eagle eye out for that! Looks like a pre/mid-season check to me. Did you mention it to the manufacturers? Maybe thats where absit_omens vibration and noise came from!!!??? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
What better options, I want a high output wind genny, none of the brit ones come close to the airx, or so I thought, you know of any? Thanks for any help. I have stopped the order, whilst I do more research.
 
What do you expect to get out of a wind gen? They are never as effective as the manufacturers claim so, depending on your cruising area and expected usage, there may be better solutions, e.g. solar, towed or even a suitcase generator.
 
Hi,

I'm a bit puzzled by the 'anti' responses on the Air 'X' here. Three of my long-term cruising friends have fitted them (two after having a different make) and now wouldn't touch any other for the simplicity and high output they achieve. One of them had an earlier 'Air' model which was, in their and my opinion, a really noisy beast, but the latest version, while still certainly audible, IS better. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I think a lot of these problems occur from poor installation that allows vibration to be transmitted to the hull which tends to act like a huge sounding board. We use a Rutland 913, but it's output is a fraction of the 'X's'. It is, as one would expect, quieter so far as wind noise is concerned, but even with rubber mounts, still 'hums' a bit through the hull.

If you have the space for solar large solar panels it's a good way to go, but you'll need a huge number to obtain the same output 24/7 (in theory) and I believe you already have some of these.

A towed genny is a must for us. Vitrually silent (again a very slight 'hum' through the hull) and with a good, steady output. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I would go and actually listen/feel an 'X' in operation on a boat, check the installation and listen to the owners before deciding. For my money, the Duogen is expensive and totally hideous. Whilst combining the air/towed water function, it can only do one at a time, and failure means you lose both! Not my idea of sensible equipment for long term cruising. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Cheers Jerry
 
I'm not anti AirX, just said I wouldn't get one if I had to choose again.

It does provide plenty of power, there's no denying this. BUT, it creates a hell of a racket Not just mine, everyone I've met that has one says the same.
You have the option to let it run in "neutral" - it's very quiet then, but then it's not charging either.
Tend to let it run in "neutral" when sailing and only have it on at anchor at night. Also I'm a bit disappointed with it's downwind performance.

If you're after "clean" and free electricity I'm most pleased with my solars. And in future would opt for a towed or towed/wind generator (Duogen or Aquair)
 
I already have four 75watt solar panels, which on their own are good, but will not keep up with my needs at anchor, (with more than two of us aboard) the airx was to supplement these. I also have a diesel 4kw genny, but want to reduce my reliance on it. I am on a 24volt system, with 440ah main battery bank. So can easily take any amount of output from the panels and wind genny. I have seen quite a few in operation and spoke to a few folks and they are quite noisy, but they didnt complain of vibration. I'll do a little more research, bu I'm still leaning towards this unit.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have seen quite a few in operation and spoke to a few folks and they are quite noisy, but they didnt complain of vibration.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have no complaints about vibrations either.

You seem to have a similar set-up to mine.
We're usually 4 on board - I'm wondering, your lecy needs seem to be a lot higher than mine. What have you got running at anchor?

We've got a huge power-hungry fridge and radar in std-by anchor watch mode at night, yet I survive at anchor running the engine 2hrs every 2 days.
 
I have, water pump, 2 fridges, freezer on inverter, fans and Peeps who leave lights on Grrrrr. My needs are higher!! I normally run genny 2 hours a day, when I have lots of folk onboard, especially as they keep opening the fridges!! Grrrr. Women who take 10 minute showers! Grrrr, every day!!!!
But This is my first year with the solars and we are in the marina this year, next will see what happens.
I have made a few modifications to power and water arragements, like switching the pump off and buying more ice. Plus educating folk!!!!! Can you believe four people go through 150 gals of water in four days!!! Not anymore!!!
I also intend to get rid of my mains freezer and fit a boat type, with more insulation. Englander is also 57 feet, which means more lights, bigger pumps etc, etc.
Also I never allow my battery banks to drop below 50%, before recharge, if I can get say 9-10 amp/hrs over a 12 hour period, from the solars that will save me a bunch of genny run time, in fact half, more than that and it helps during the night when the wind may blow a little and the panels dont work, even 200 watts helps a great deal.
I did my sums on this and it may all work out handsomely, we'll see! Expensive but, I'm trying to go as green as poss. With this boat, with another, things will be different.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top