403/AirX/Air Breeze Test Results
(Testing done at heavy amp loads)
 
The Hornet 6 rotor on the Southwest® 403 wind turbine
All Hornet blade holes and hub shafts are compatible with AirX, Air breeze (AB) and 403 wind turbines.
12Si Shaft spacer NOT INCLUDED!
 
 
The first thing we had to do was to extend the tail since the 62" rotor was trying to fly downwind. The 403/AB/AirX 17mm shaft is the same as the Hornets shaft so everything bolted up just fine although a few shaft spacers are required to get the blades away from the PMA housing. The results were amazing! The blades would simply not stop turning! Even when there was no perceivable wind in the air the blades turned at about 100 rpm. Even in seemingly dead calm wind conditions its was puzzling to ponder why the blades kept spinning. We can deduct that it was partially due good magnetic balance, the superb bearings Southwest Wind Power uses on their turbines plus our big blades.
 
When the wind was measurable at about 1.3 MPH the blades turned at about 300 rpm! There is not a lot of wattage in 1.3 MPH winds but it was still an impressive display of potential power.
 
 
Findings:
A. At wind speeds between 2 and 14 MPH our blades produced significantly more power on the 403/X than their stock blades produced while "working" under heavy amp load conditions (The real world).
 
 
B. At wind speeds over 14 MPH the small rotor on the southwest's 403/X could rev quicker and produce much higher voltages. But when under extra heavy charging loads the stock AirX blades quickly rev'd down and could not pull the load without stalling.
 
 
C. At wind speeds over 14 MPH the Hornet 6 rotor could produce more amperage in conditions that had heavy electrical loads without the rotor slowing down as much as the southwests 403/X stock blades.
 
 
D. It was almost noise free with the big blades effectively turning the 403/X into a very neighbor friendly machine.
 
 
F. No more noise!!! The blades never again made that horrible fluttering sound that had the tendency to make neighbors take out their 12 gauge shotguns and pretend your 403 was a goose during hunting season.
 
 
 
Impressions:
The 403/AirX was transmuted into a low wind / high amperage powerhouse in charging conditions that drew high amp loads. Shorting out the output wires will not stop the big blades from turning in wind conditions that exceed 14+ MPH. They will just keep turning and making power (Careful! The wires get hot!)
The differences between the Hornet to 403X blade types are probably best compared by how the turbine behaves after the output wires are shorted together in the attempt to stall the blades. That's when you can really see the POWER differences! TORQUE = HIGH AMPS.
 
NOTE: Many people in high mountain areas at altitudes of over 5000 feet have had great successes
motivating their Aix-X or 403 to finally run properly by using these blades in the thinner mountain air!
 
Be careful! In high wind conditions DO NOT attempt to stop a modified 403/X by shorting the wires as this may burn up the wiring harness. Its better just to let it spin and use the power. We have tested the unit in the photo above to 90 MPH with our "Wind tunnel on wheels" vehicle without damage.
 
 
Sorry we don't sell the tail extensions so you will have to make your own but Blades can be ordered by clicking here.
Making a tail is very basic and easy. A 30" flat steel bar (1/4" by 1.5"), four 1/4" bolts with self locking nuts and a 12" by 12" sheet of 16 gauge aluminum at the end. It is not an exact science so just about anything you put back there that is long and flat will help keep the 403/X stay turned the right way. Just make sure its strong and secure.
 
 
Click here for Wind Turbine Mounting Brackets for PMA's
 
 
We make no recommendation or claim that our blades should be purchased and placed on any 403 or X type wind turbines or any other turbines for that matter. So to do this is at your own risk.
We do not offer any tech support for this conversion.

 

 

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12Si Shaft spacer NOT INCLUDED!

 

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THE GREAT CONE CONTROVERSY
 
Do cones help? - OR
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The making of conical myths.
 
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Letters from happy customers

 

 

Subject: EMG15
Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2003 08:45:51 -0800
From: "RNelson" <dakota-????@dakota-?????ower.com>*
 
 
I am thinking of using them for some kind of dc motored vehicle. I
enjoyed reading your article on them and the amount of weight they
can pull ect..
I like those blades you sell very much. Good price, and gave, new
life to that airX of mine..
I enjoy visiting your web-site. If those dc motors are strong. I
may even buy more. I look forward to playing and testing them!
"Thanks" Bob
 
Roger
 
*(The ???? are for customer privicy)