AIR Support

Contact Technical Support:

  • U.S., Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm MST (GMT minus 7 hours): (928) 779-9463
  • U.S. after hours: Please leave a voicemail message and we will return your call within 24 hours.
  • Europe, Middle East or Africa: Monday-Friday, 0900-1500 CET (GMT plus 1 hour): +49 (0) 221 16 53 94 50 or email: emea-support@windenergy.com

Technical Questions About AIR?

Q: My AIR spins and stops repeatedly. What can I do? A:

  1. Check all wiring between turbine and batteries to ensure that all wires are connected properly.
  2. Make sure the stop switch is both wired correctly and in the correct position.
  3. Remove the turbine from the tower and bench test according to the manual (refer to manual).

Q: How do I find my serial number? A: The AIR serial number can be found in three places: AIR Serial Number

  1. On the product manual, there is a sticker with your turbine's unique serial number.
  2. On a label that can be found on the turbine on the base where it connects to the mounting system
  3. Inside the base (yaw shaft) under the padding

Q: My turbine spins slowly in adequate wind, what can I do? A: Remove turbine from tower and bench test according to manual and note results. (Refer to manual.) Also watch this video:

Q: How do I connect solar panels to my AIR?

A: Solar and the AIR can work together, but you cannot connect the solar panels in line between the turbine and battery. When installing, ensure that the wind turbine and the solar go into separate battery terminals.

Q: How does the AIR regulate my batteries? Can the output of my AIR be changed by the potentiometer?

A: The AIR senses the battery voltage and stops charging the batteries at a pre-determined set point. When the battery voltage is achieved, the turbine will begin turning slowly and the LED will blink slowly. The set point is pre-set by the factory, but can be changed by the user by adjusting the potentiometer. This does not change the output of the turbine, only the point at which it stops charging the batteries.

Q: What Is the maximum wind speed the AIR will survive, and do I need to take it down in a storm?

A: The maximum wind speed is rated at 110 mph. If you expect higher winds, you can shut the turbine down and tie off the blades or remove the hub and blades. However, you should NEVER approach the turbine in strong wind conditions.

Q: Why is there a cutout in the tail?

A: The cut out helps balance the turbine to track the wind and give the turbine stability. In a marine environment this gives it better stability in rough seas, and keeps the turbine pointed into the wind when the boat is heeled over

Q: Will it hurt my AIR to short-circuit the output?

A: No it will not hurt the AIR. It is designed to be short circuited as a normal breaking procedure.

Q: Will it short my batteries when I use a stop switch?

A: It is important to use a single-pole, double-throw stop switch rated for proper current and voltage. This allows the turbine to disconnect from the batteries before being short circuited. This is commonly referred to as “break before make switch.”

Q: How do I know the AIR is charging?

A: The best way to know if the AIR is charging is to install an amp meter in your system. You can also check the LED on the bottom of the turbine, which should be solid on when the turbine is charging.

Q: I can measure a small amount of current back-feeding to my AIR. Is this normal?

A: Yes. Tthe internal circuitry draws a maximum of 20 mA when not charging.

Q: Can I leave the AIR wires disconnected to my batteries?

A: Always make sure to push the negative and positive together (short circuiting the turbine) if you’re going to leave the AIR X disconnected to the batteries for any length of time.

Q: Where can I purchase a stop switch?

A: The 50-amp or greater single-poled double-throw stop switch can be purchased from automotive repair shops, your dealer, or Southwest Windpower directly.

Q: Can I use an external charge controller to regulate my AIR?

A: If you want to use an external charge controller, we recommend only diversion load-type charge controllers with the AIR.

Q: I just installed my AIR with an automotive style amp meter, but I don't see any current. Why?

A: It's very common to wire the amp meter backward. Try reversing the leads on the meter.

Q: Where can I locate tubing to make a tower? A: The AIR X uses 1.5-inch Schedule 40 pipe (outside diameter is 1.875 inches). Try your local fencing or plumbing supply store.

Q: What is the difference between copper and aluminum wire?

A: Aluminum wire is less conductive, so it must be larger than copper for the same load. We recommend copper, but if aluminum is used, please size appropriately.

Q: How does wire sizing or voltage drop affect the regulation of my AIR?

A: Small wire size can allow the turbine to sense higher voltage and shut down early. Use the wire size listed for your system to avoid this problem

Q: What kind of batteries should I use with my AIR?

A: Only use deep-cycle type batteries. Car batteries or marine batteries are not intended for this application. Automotive batteries are intended to discharge a large amount of current in a short time. True deep-cycle batteries are intended for immoderate loading, and deeper discharge.

Q: Is lightning protection necessary?

A: It is always a good idea. The DELTA LIGHTNING ARRESTOR (model LA 301-DC) is widely used. Grounding your system is also very important in protecting against lightening.

Q: What effect does radio interference have on my AIR?

A: The AIR normally does not affect radio transmitters, but you should attempt to route power lines from the AIR away from the power and antenna lines of a radio transmitter. One trick is to twist positive and negative wires together, which will cancel out electrical noise created. This can be used on the AIR’s power lines, on the radio’s power lines and on transmission wires. Proper grounding also must be observed.

AIR Technical Support Downloads

AIR Owner's Manuals Owner's Manuals for your AIR wind turbine model in your own language, plus additional instruction guides.

AIR Towers Manuals and analyses for your specific AIR tower.

AIR Compliance

Technical support by phone

Please have your turbine serial number ready (see the front of your owner's manual or the label on the turbine at the base of the nacelle. Call (928) 779-9463, M-F 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Arizona Time. (GMT -7:00). After hours, please leave a voicemail message and we will return your call within 24 hours. In Europe, Africa and the Middle East, call +49 (0) 221 16 53 94 50, M-F 09:00-15:00 CET (GMT +1:00) or email 
technicalsupport@skystreamenergy.eu

Warranty/Service Repair

All AIR Breeze and AIR X turbines are covered under a three-year warranty. Outside of the warranty period, or for older AIR models, repair services may be available for a fee. If you think you might be experiencing performance or technical issues with your system, please contact Southwest Windpower Technical Support at (928) 779-9463, or for non-US residents, check our list of Authorized Service Dealers.

Australia Apollo Energy 63-69 Market Street South Melbourne, Victoria 3205 Australia (0)3 9697 1950 1300 855 484 windpower@apolloenergy.com.au www.apolloenergy.com.au Apollo Energy 70 Duntroon Street Hurlstone Park, NSW 2203 Australia (0)2 9558 7942 1300 855 484 windenergy@apolloenergy.com.au www.apolloenergy.com.au Windpower Energy One PO Box 75 Perth, W.A. 6000 Australia +61 89 683 2101 windpowerenergy@bigpond.com

Germany Southwest Windpower Mannesmannstr. 6 50996 Cologne Germany Tel: +49 (0) 221 16 53 94 50 info@skystreamenergy.eu

Greece Sunday Solar 46 Alimou Avenue Alimos 17455 Greece + 30 210 981 2131 info@sunday-solar.gr

Hungary Windenergy Megujulo Zenta U. 1 Budapest -1111, Hungary Tel. +36 1 279 0407 Fax: +36 1 279 0408 windenergy.h@windenergy.hu www.windenergy.hu

Korea Daily Life Korea #505 Poonglim lemon B/D, 890-54 Daechi-dong Gangnam-gu, 135-280 Korea +82-2-558-6040 +82-1588-7728 wind@dailylifekorea.com www.dailylifekorea.com

Norway Alternative Energi AS 4886 Grimstad, Norway +47 370 4944 6 s.teiste@online.no

Turkey Laterna Alternative Energy Litros Yolu TIM 1 No:85 Topkapi Istanbul, Turkey +90 212 501 86 65 +90 212 56 78 88 6 info@laek.com.tr www.laek.com.tr

United States Emarine 2821 SW 23rd Terrace Ft Lauderdale, FL 33312 US (954) 581-2505 salesinfo@emarinesystems.com www.emarinesystems.com Southwest Windpower 1801 W. Route 66 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 USA (928) 779-9463