Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator | 
 enlarge | Brand: Sunforce
Category: Automotive Parts and Accessories
List Price: $799.99
Buy New: $466.87
as of 3/10/2010 01:41:03 EST details
You Save: $333.12 (42%)
New (5) from $466.87
Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 1758
Media: Automotive
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 17
Dimensions (in): 26.3 x 8.3 x 14.5
MPN: 44444
Model: 44444
UPC: 787769444442
EAN: 0787769444442
ASIN: B000C1Z2VE
Release Date: November 25, 2005
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | Uses wind to generate power and run your appliances and electronics | | • | Constructed from lightweight, weatherproof cast aluminum | | • | Fully integrated regulator that automatically shuts down when the batteries are completely charged | | • | Maximum power up to 400 watts or 27 Amps | | • | Measures 15 x 9 x 27 inches (WxHxD) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Use the wind to generate power and run your appliances and electronics. Great for cabins, battery charging, remote power, backup power and hobbyists. Delivers up to 400 Watts. U.S.A. Application: Appliances and electronics, Volts: 12, Watts: 400 at 28 MPH, Blade Material: Carbon fiber composit, Speed (MPH): 110, Blade Diameter (in.): 46, Material: Lightweight cast aluminum body, Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 24 x 15 x 9, Overspeed/Overcrank Shutdown: Electronic torque control
Amazon.com Product Description
The Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator harnesses the power of the wind to provide you with clean, free renewable energy. Not only can it lower your electric bill at home, but it's also a great choice for generating electricity at cabins and worksites far from existing power lines. With compatible equipment, Sunforce wind generators can even be paired with solar panels for additional, diversified power creation.
 Sunforce wind generators are easy to set up and operate. | Convenient Power That Helps You Save Money and Protect the Environment
On land and at sea, people have been harnessing the power of the wind for thousands of years. With the Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator, you can use the power of the wind to provide energy for your home, cabin, worksite or remote equipment. Wind power can help cut your energy bills by reducing your dependence on the main electrical grid at home, and is also ideal for many remote locations that are far from existing power lines. Unlike nuclear and fossil fuels, wind power systems are clean and pollution-free, and they require little maintenance to operate.
 Wind power can significantly lower your electric bill. | Flexible Power for New or Existing Systems
The Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator is an ideal addition to many new and existing renewable power systems. It provides up to 400 Watts or 27 Amps of power at maximum efficiency. The fully integrated regulator automatically shuts the unit down when the batteries are charged to minimize wear.
The Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator features a durable aluminum body and lightweight carbon fiber blades that are optimized for maximum efficiency and low noise. It is completely weatherproof, and the patented high-wind over-speed technology keeps the unit safe in high wind and stormy conditions. 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.
About Wind Power
The Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator can provide an average monthly output of 38 kilowatt hours with an average 12 mile-per-hour wind speed. It requires an 8 mile-per-hour wind speed to start generating power. As the local wind speed increases, so does the power output. Since this type of generator uses wind as "fuel", it is important to choose an appropriate site. The ideal location for a wind generator is 20 feet above any surrounding object within a 250-foot radius. Wind speed increases with height above ground, so a taller mast can provide significant gains in energy production.
Wind generators convert the mechanical energy of their spinning blades into an electric current; they do not actually store power. Sunforce Wind Generators are primarily used to recharge all types of 12-Volt batteries, including lead-acid automotive batteries, deep-cycle (traction type) batteries, gel-cell batteries, and heavy-duty (stationary type) batteries. When using this wind generator to run appliances on a regular basis, the use of deep-cycle marine batteries is recommended. This type of battery is designed to withstand the frequent charge and discharge cycles associated with wind power use. Attempting to run the wind generator on an open circuit without a battery may cause damage to the generator or connected equipment.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 19
 Needs steady wind to produce any power February 5, 2010
JK (NY)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I mounted this turbine in my back yard on the recommended schedule 40 galvanized pipe at about 20' high. My location does not get consistent wind from one direction which is the only way this turbine will spin. Even in gusty conditions of 15-20 mph the turbine rarely spins more than a few revolutions and has not produced any measurable power after a month. If you don't have a steady wind from one direction this turbine will not produce any power at all. You would be better off with a vertical turbine or one with larger blade surface area. The specs say 8 mph start up, that means a consistent 8 mph wind from a single direction. For the money you would be better off with a single 80 watt solar panel.
 Wind Power Peace of Mind December 19, 2009
Jon M. Bolognani (Vermont)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I hate windy days. But now i can capture some of energy blowing about so its a good trade off. As for the the wind mill its self it is all that it claims to be.
Don't depend on it keeping up with demand on an off grid system unless you live in a vary windy zone or on top of a mountain. Keep in mind the tower kit can be made from standard supply's found at the local building supply or lumber yard it will save you a bunch of cash. I have added a solar panel to the battery bank just to keep the energy flowing.OK its not much bigger than those lawn ornament wind mills but at least its doing some good, so in my mind I'm doing good things in the battle of energy needs --DJJON
 Buy a Solar Panel instead! October 15, 2009
Hershey Handyman (pennsylvania)
10 out of 12 found this review helpful
I installed this unit to reduce the use of my generator for my off-grid RV. The power output is so insignificant that it will never pay for itself. Unless you live in an area with non-stop 20/25 mph wind, it will never do the job. Think of how long it takes a 2-amp trickle charger to bring a battery up to full charge. This puts out less than 2 amps on a windy day. I purchased a Kyocera Solar KC130TM - 12 Volt, 130 Watt Solar Panel With Junction Box. The solar panel had an immediate impact on my bank of batteries. I watched my battery bank go from 12.1 volts to 12.9 volts in less than an hour. The cost of the solar panel and charge controller was less than half of the wind generator/tower combination with a much higher life expectency.
 Wind Generator September 29, 2009
Goin Green (Twin Cites)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Well I bought this for my fish house and it works great. I bought the stop switch and AMP meter as a extra purchase, but it was a great add on. The product directions are quite detailed and explain everything excellent.
People who buy are test subjects September 26, 2009
Devon (South Pacific)
21 out of 31 found this review helpful
We have been involved with this product from the mid 90's. Initially the manufacturer (Southwest Windpower) had potted regulators inside the nifty cast aluminum housing on their 303 wind-machines. After installation the machine ran great (except for the unbelievable noise from the blades) for about 2 weeks until the uncooled regulator overheated and self destructed. We were living off the grid in a very remote part of Samoa at the time and literally depended on the output from our wind turbines and solar panels. We had a lot of experience with older types of permanent magnet wind generators and spruce (wood) blades. Our older Redwing generators never gave us any trouble except for the necessity to periodically replace the brushes. Southwest Windpower was contacted after our early debacle and this was the beginning of many overseas phone calls and 99 email correspondence over 4 years, fighting with them to stand behind their product and do some actual real world testing of their product. These people had a great idea but the bugs were not worked out and we were their unwitting test subjects. Jay Yaeger, Dave Snowberg, Sean Hickey: all Southwest Windpower muckety mucks get a big thumbs down for their lack of followup and support.
Initially Southwest Windpower was coerced into sending us replacement parts. Later after much wrangling we did mange to have the company send us updated versions/replacement machines. Many, many hours of troubleshooting for them, pulling wires, dismantling our installation, re-installation...etc. We installed these and guess what : more overheating and failures. In one long distance telephone conversation with Jay Yaeger at Southwest Windpower I asked him if they did any wind tunnel testing to be certain these machines would stand up to hours and hours of use. I asked if they did wind tunnel testing to check for vibration and blade noise. The response was NO!!! He told me they were not set up to do this. My interpretation over the years: this company, as well intentioned as they may be, are using us (the consumer) to test their product for them. Whilst they are using their consumers to this end, they offer very poor support and excuses.
This is all, of course, historical review of the product. It could very well be that this company has evolved (thanks to its early failures) and is now acting more responsibly.
My advise to anyone purchasing this product is to be certain you have the warranty parameters with your vendor clearly delineated.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 19
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