Airx marine wind generator

[chrisr]

Hi all

we have an airx marine n been very happy with it...till we recently lost a blade. Quite surprised as only blowing 35 gusting 45, and rating is 95kts. Unit is only 10 yo so perhaps blade/s were not installed with sufficient tef-gel ??

lucky we were onboard at the time, as the whole unit (and likely the targa bar) was going to shake itself to pieces very quickly !

does anybody have similar experience ?

any hints for tricks to assemble new blade/s or similar advice ?

(btw i feel erecting a ladder / scaffold to reach to hub is going to be the hardest part !)

cheers,

[Sailormantx]

Most recommend that the blades get replaced every five years, they are probably just weakened from years of sun exposure. Mine are six years old and still going, but looking a little rough. Take a little time to get them exactly the same distance out on the hub for a smooth spin as there's a little bit of free play in the mounts. And don't over tighten them. They are pretty much maintenance free, although I polish them every year or two with 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper.

[d design]

upgrade to the silent blue blades. last longer

[chrisr]

thanks for the hint. looking for an aussie supplier but so far cannot find. anyway, they will have to be a lot better...original blades A$229...blue blades US$650 + postage

apart from which i have a spare original blade anyway...

cheers,

[thereefgeek]

The Aussie couple on the YouTube Channel Free Range Sailing changed out their AirX blades to the Silent Blue blades a year or so ago and they're cruising all around Australia. I remember watching the conversion and he mentioned they were definitely NOT cheap, but the difference in background noise on the video before & after was pretty amazing. The Blue Blades are laid up by hand and each set is balanced perfectly. Maybe send Troy a message on their channel and ask him where they got their blades. I know that they're cruising on a very limited budget, but they tend to spend their money where it counts.

[thereefgeek]

Found the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3oZcHvWcFk

[newhaul]

To help silence the standard blades use some 250 or so grit sand paper to break the sharp corners on the edges of the blades. Doesnt take much but will break up the turbulence at the back on the edges of the blades . That turbulence is the main source of the noise that people complain about.

I am running an airx 400 with my own custom made blades. ( the unit didnt have blades when i bought it ) used)

[chrisr]

Originally Posted by newhaul

To help silence the standard blades use some 250 or so grit sand paper to break the sharp corners on the edges of the blades. Doesnt take much but will break up the turbulence at the back on the edges of the blades . That turbulence is the main source of the noise that people complain about.

I am running an airx 400 with my own custom made blades. ( the unit didnt have blades when i bought it ) used)

thanks...i'll try that

btw : home made blades is hardcore...well done

cheers,

[chrisr]

Originally Posted by thereefgeek

Found the video:

thanks...i'll get on to them

cheers,

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by chrisr

thanks...i'll try that

btw : home made blades is hardcore...well done

cheers,

Here is a shot of the genny before I install it on the boat.
Cut the blades out of a 2 ft length of 6 inch pvc pipe.

[klaaskootsra]

The silent air blades are a relieve in terms of noise generated... altough the price is indeed a bit steep.

Following guy is nice, honest and knowledgeable.
They ship worldwide..

Friesland windgenerator techniek

[Tin Tin]

One of our blades disintegrated, got hit by a seagull. Easy to put new blades per instruction manual. We had difficulty sourcing the nose cone which was busted too. Agree the noise is awful, and very intrusive to neighbors (as are air cooled generators). When we got our next boat we had more solar panels that easily made up for wind generator.