Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator Review

5 Comments

1. J_R_S says:

   June 6, 2010 at 7:41 pm

   Review by J_R_S for Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator
   Rating:
   First of all, this wind generator’s output is preset to 14.1 volts (for charging batteries, you know. The preset can be adjusted from 13 to 17 volts, by the way). 14.1 volts divided into 400 watts is 28 amps, so the specs are correct as stated in the product description. Remember to always keep in mind the differences between 120 volt AC current and 12 to 14 volt DC current — it’s really important on this alternative energy stuff.

   Naturally, you are only going to get close to the 400-watt maximum output with a steady 28 mph wind. But the unit won’t “go up in smoke” at that point as some reviewer said — all wind turbines have built in cut-out system that prevent them from going over their rated output and being damanged. C’mon, folks… the people who make these things are not dummies.

   But it’s true that there are not many places in the world where you get 28 mph winds blowing on a regular, continuous basis. The suggestion of other reviewers to figure on getting maybe a 15 mph average wind speed with output from the wind generator of 50 to 60 watts at 2 to 3 amps is a realistic evaluation of what most people can expect out this or any other small wind turbine on a fairly regular basis. On days when you’ve got more wind, you luck out and get more power is all.

   That’s why, for most people, the first alternative power choice is amorphous solar panels (they continue to work on cloudy days and with partial shade) because you can rely on the sun on a day to day basis more than you can on having a good steady wind consistently. The manual for this product states that the blades should start turning in a 7 mph wind, which is just a good breeze. The product manual is *outstanding* by the way, the most complete I’ve ever seen for any product and indicates the integrity and honesty of the company who makes these units. They obviously want their customers to have success with their product. You can view the manual in PDF format at the Sunforceproducts.com website at:

   http://sunforceproducts.com/prodinfo/manuals/AirXManual.pdf

   Anyone considering this purchase or looking into wind power in general should thoroughly check out the manual. Wind power can be wonderful in the right location and in many other places it can be *combined* with solar so that you get power from the sun when it’s shinning and power from the wind when it’s dark (the wind often blows well at night) or when it is really cloudy/stormy (that also usually means good wind).

   In this era of everything-is-made-in-China it’s great to see a solid product that is price-competitive like this one which is actually made in the USA by Southwest Windpower Inc. of Flagstaff, Arizona. When I get around to adding some wind capability to my existing solar panel setup, this product would be a good choice because a 60-watt solar panel will run you around the same price. So you can add 60 watts of wind for about the same cost as adding 60 watts of solar — and with a hybrid system you get to take advantage of both alternative technologies. Think outside the oil barrel!
2. R. Martinez says:

   June 6, 2010 at 8:28 pm

   Review by R. Martinez for Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator
   Rating:
   I have this wind generator hooked up to
   
   8 6 volt deep cycle batteries powering my 2 bedroom
   
   off grid home. we run 2 televisions dvd players and compact
   
   flourescent lights for bedrooms and kitchen without
   
   having to turn on our generator. We dont have a microwave,
   
   and our refrigerator runs on propane. But after using our loud
   
   generator for 2 months at $15.00 for gas on a daily basis, The machine
   
   will pay for itself quickly, The noise is minimal.The sounds it makes reminds me of birds chirping. You could not use it to run vacum cleaners
   
   washer dryers and things like that but if you need a little energy for
   
   lighting and small appliances this wind generator is great.
3. Daniel Scampini says:

   June 6, 2010 at 8:59 pm

   Review by Daniel Scampini for Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator
   Rating:
   Nice generator BUT as it says, you need 28mph sustained wind at the generator to get the advertised power. I have had mine for 3 years and have yet to have it run for more than a few minutes, and I live in a very breezy area. Buy a windmeter for $30 and measure your area because there are not too many places in the country that get this sustained high wind enough to make one of these useful. The windmill only begins producing even just a little bit of power once above 20mph which is still a lot of wind. You also need a long heavy inductrial electrical cable as well as a tower and can either build your own or buy theirs. Either way, you’ll spend another several hundred dollars and lots of time. I have solar also and would recommend one of those instead, unless you live in an extremely continuously windy area.
4. Thomas W. Rutherford says:

   June 6, 2010 at 9:15 pm

   Review by Thomas W. Rutherford for Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator
   Rating:
   I have had one of these generators for a while. It did not work for me so I bought 6 blades and put them on and it works great now. I have found that by adding a battery at the base of the tower it works the best. My main battery supply is about 125 ft from the tower and by putting a battery at the base of the tower the generator will fill the battery at the base and that battery will tranfer the power to the other batteries. If one has their batteries far away from the tower,then the lost in the wire when the generator reads the battery will keep it from completely charging the far away batteries. Hsydrogen appliances sells the 6 blade kits to add to this generator, and gives advise on how to make a better tail for it. They have there blade kits on ebay under wind generator. The tail can be built from information on their web site.
   
   I have not tried hydrogen appliances wind generator yet, but will one day.

   My remote cabin uses the dc power to run lights and radio. One can even buy dc light bulbs that work great.
5. Heather Sayles says:

   June 6, 2010 at 9:28 pm

   Review by Heather Sayles for Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator
   Rating:
   Purchased My first wind generator a month or so ago,and found that the shaft was turning inside the front bearing as unit would not start up in less than a 25mph wind,rma’d back to amazon (there the best) and no thanks goes to southwest,8 days for a reply….slow to say the least…anyhow I have my replacement unit,and it does spin up easier,however the output is nowhere near the rated 27amps,I am seeing 2-3 amps barely @ 30mph winds,so to close,I’m gonna keep this one,just for the fact that its here and it looks cool up on the pole,but in the future I think I will just keep expanding my PV array,seeing 5+ amps from 7 sunforce 15watt panels in winter sun….