400 Watt Wind Generator uses wind to generate power and run your appliances
August 18th, 2008 - Posted in Green energy, Green living, Green products
The Sunforce 44444 400 Watt Wind Generator uses wind to generate power and run your appliances and electronics. Constructed from lightweight, weatherproof cast aluminum, this generator is also a great choice for powering pumps or charging batteries for large power demands. With a maximum power up to 400 watts or 27 amps, this device features a fully integrated regulator that automatically shuts down when the batteries are completely charged. The 44444 is virtually maintenance free with only two moving parts, and the carbon fiber composite blades ensure low wind noise while the patented high wind over speed technology guarantees a smooth, clean charge. Assembly is required, but this generator installs easily and mounts to any sturdy pole, building, or the Sunforce 44455 Wind Generator 30-Foot Tower Kit. The 44444 uses a 12-volt battery (not included) and measures 15 x 9 x 27 inches (WxHxD).
Here are some users’ testimonies:
1. 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….
2. I am writing to help people understand about voltage(V), current(I) and power(W). First off, the max voltage and the current that the wind generator is rated at is probably in the form of Voc and Isc which stands for voltage(V)open circuit and current(I)short circuit. Voc is measured in parallel but Isc or current can ONLY be measured in series or in-line with the the source, NEVER in parallel. To get an accurate Isc reading you must “short” or close the circuit with the measuring device as the load of the Generator. Unless you have an AMP clamp, current transformer(CT) or some other way to measure higher current, you can’t get an accurate measurement. Most multimeters can measure current BUT most CAN’T measure more than say 10 Amps. Anything more then that will usually result in a burnt fuse or worst, a burnt meter. This also describes how they got their figures(Watts and Amps). Under Voc and Isc the voltage can be about 21V and the current could be about 20-25 amps. Only under a load will the voltage go down to aprox. 13-14V and the amperage will also drop accordingly. The way they got their voltage, amperage, and wattage figures are in of course perfect wind conditions and typically will be much less on average. Therefore the figures are correct but they will never be seen unless you measure them in the perfect wind conditions under zero load as stated above. As for the Amperage, unless you have all the necessary charging equipment you dont want to see more then say 6-10 amps going to a wet cell battery anyway because you can overcharge or damage your battery or batteries, maybe even explode. I hope this makes scence and helps some people. I dont own this Generator but I would buy it if i had more wind where i live.
3. 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….
