offered by Busse-Yachtshop.com
AIR 403 Land Manual Document #0049 REV D
SOUTHWEST WINDPOWER 8/20/2001 40
wire connections are very solid, have no gaps, have no corrosion, and no crimp
terminals are used. If your turbines are at various distances from the batteries, make
sure turbines with longer wire runs have bigger wires.
There will be some variation at what voltage turbines will enter into regulation based
on the relative wind to which each turbine is exposed. Small differences in line loss
can be significant in strong winds.
Accessories
#18 Where can I locate a stop switch?
If you want to install a stop switch it must be a 50-amp or greater DC Single-Pole
Double-Throw toggle switch (see Section 3.1.5 on page 12). This can be purchased
from some automotive electrical repair shops, your dealer, or from Southwest
Windpower direct.
#19 Can I use household AC fuses or breakers to fuse my AIR?
You should only use DC rated devices with your AIR 403, as AC components are
typically sized differently. Because DC breakers and fuses in the required sizes may
be hard to find in your area, Southwest Windpower carries a 50A and 100A breaker.
You may purchase these from some local dealers and distributors or from Southwest
Windpower direct.
#20 Can I use an external charge controller to regulate my AIR?
We recommend using only diversion load type charge regulators with the AIR 403.
These regulators divert excess power to a heating element or power resistor when
the batteries are full. This excess power can be used to assist in hot water or room
heating. PV type regulators should never be used. Series type regulators that
disconnect the power source when batteries are full will often give undesirable results
such as causing the Autobrake to fluctuate on and off when the batteries become full.
#21 I just installed my AIR with an automotive style amp meter, but I don’t see any
current. How can this be?
Given that all wiring has been done correctly, and other precautions have been
heeded, chances are that the amp meter is wired backwards and the needle is
attempting to move in the negative direction. If “zero” is on the left-hand side of the
meter, then the needle cannot move and looks as if the unit is not producing. Simply
reverse the leads on the meter and see if current will register.
#22 Where can I locate tubing to make a tower?
The AIR uses 1 1/2” schedule 40 steel pipe. (Actual outside diameter (O.D.) of the
pipe is 1.875 inches, 48 mm) Steel pipe is available at any hardware or plumbing store.
Wiring
#23 The recommended wire sizes on your chart seem small for 400 Watts output.
Why is that?
Because the output of the AIR follows the cubic power in the wind, the output
increases rapidly with increasing wind speed until flutter occurs and the output power
