Windtronics Honeywell Wind Turbine

Truly a thing of beauty. The Quad-Pod stand is a solid work of art rendered in aluminum with tolerances that would make NASA proud!

Too expensive, until they come up with something poor people can afford and make use of, that will be an innovation.

This is way too expensive. If this was a 1/5 of the price they would sell millions of these things. But as it stands it would take an ordinary family 10 years to make any money back on this.

It's a pity though, such a wonderful invention, that most people are never going to get a chance to use.

So, why can't they publish data? What the heck is "up to 1500Kw a year"? 1500/365/24 is 171WH, that's less than a cheap solar panel or a bicycle generator. And all that non-production for over 5 grand??? Get a cheap 10 blade PMA generator at 500W to 1600W and less weight (23 lbs) and less construction costs.....

@danlong - the question I have is how this compares to other wind power alternatives. If this marks an increase in efficiency in that segment, it's a good thing. I don't disagree with your comment, but maybe there's another side to the article? Just thinking out loud...

Who does the math for PopSci, a chimpanzee? "Up to 1500 kWh" means that's the effective maximum per year. I pay my local utility less than a dime a kWh base rate, but let's say you're hooked up to a criminally expensive source at $0.20 per kWh ... so your maximum return on investment is $300 per year. For a ten grand investment, it won't "pay for itself" for THIRTY YEARS, not the "5 to 10" PopSci states in the article. And that's only if the device operates at maximum efficiency for its entire lifespan and never requires any maintenance.

This device is a total boondoggle, and PopSci failed to actually analyze the sales claims they read in the Honeywell brochure.

Even if the turbines could produce the energy the promise, the product and the service from Windtronics are a disgrace.

On 12/5/11, we purchased 3 WT6500 Windtronics Wind Generators from Ace Hardware in Raton, NM. The wind turbines were delivered in 1/6/12, but were missing Smartboxes/DC Controllers (which serve as brakes) and there was no mention of such parts in installation instructions. The turbines were installed on 2/29 per the instructions. On 3/19 one of the wind generators had parts scattered on the ground around it. Windtronics was contacted on 3/28 and given detail including photos describing the problem. A response was received 4/13 explaining Windtronics didn’t know how they would handle or resolve the problem. For two months we tried to contact Windtronics with no response. On 6/4 Smartboxes/DC Controllers were delivered and they were installed on the remaining two wind generators 6/6. It was unclear if the damaged wind generator was going to be replaced or repaired. We continued to contact Windtronics and on 7/16 we were told a complete replacement generator was going to be sent. The new generator was installed on 7/18. It took almost 4 months from time of the problem being reported to getting a replacement. On 7/19 it was discovered that one of the Smartbox/DC Controllers on a different generator was not operational. We ordered a replacement part on 7/23. The replacement part was delivered 9/7 –another month and a half without an operational generator. On 10/22 it is discovered and reported that the bearings have gone out one of the generators. We discover our account contact is no longer with the company and we have to get a new customer service rep up to speed with our site. We supply all the required information on 11/15 and never heard from the company again – despite repeated emails and phone calls. On 12/10 we reported the issue to Altronics, now manufacturing the wind generators, and the only response was an email sent to several people at Windtronics asking them to resolve the issue.

Unfortunately no one from Windtronics or Altronics has contacted us to resolve the issue. The installer of the wind turbines has spent over $5000 in man-hours and travel to repair and troubleshoot the issues to date and there has been no reimbursement, nor has the non-operational wind generator been repaired. The product and the service from Windtronics are a disgrace.

I found out TODAY (1/21/2013) that Windronics is basically going out of business or is already out of business. (email from Greg Bakeman at Windtronics).

I have been seeking a refund for my worthless turbine for over 6 months.

Mine is installed with a roof mount on top of my VT home at around 1500' elevation where we get frequent wind and gusty conditions. The promised 1500-2000 KWH of power to be generated annually is in reality 3 KWH, as of yesterday.

History:
Unit installed Nov 2011.
Tweaked in Jan 2012, since a "wire wasn't crimped properly" to make the connection... so NOW it should be working correctly.
Within months, bearings failed... rattled the whole house. I thought a gravel truck surely must be dumping gravel on the road outside my house... and when I stepped outside, I discovered nothing out there but the turbine making all that noise and vibrations.
I contacted Windtronics and asked for a refund. This unit is supposed to have a 20-year lifespan, and has failed after only a few months. I spoke with the President of Windtronics, Reg Adams, who told me "no refunds" but they would replace my unit with a new / improved model at their expense, and would issue me a check for the savings I should have experienced all these months.
June 2012: unit replaced... which required them to ship a new unit to VT, and hire a crane to remove/replace the turbine, plus crew to assemble wings and electrically connect. Would have been cheaper to give me a refund.
Fall of 2012... still seeing no power generation.. the Inverter box is now up to 2 KWH, even during hurricane-like conditions here. No response, mostly from Windtronics, except to tell me that the unit is working fine and I just don't like the output.
Fall 2012, I filed a complaint with the Vermont State Atty General's office; they contacted Windtronics on my behalf and told them to contact me. They did not.

Now... it's Jan 2013... I just resumed my plea for a refund, and was told today:
"Unfortunately I must inform you that with the closure of Altronics, the sole source manufacturer of WindTronics' wind turbine, WindTronics must also close. Consequently, WindTronics is unable to address service, part and warranty repair requests and obligations.
Cordially,
Gregory Bakeman
CFO"

I just want to throw up.
I paid $16,000 for the unit plus installation, and still have several thousand left to pay, for a unit that will have zero customer service... forget the refund. And HOW do we remove these things when they finally become inoperable?

Class action suit anyone?

@ChefBeth: Hi, I'm based in the Netherlands and was wondering if you are as well, I was planning on driving down to Windtronics offices this week before I read this article. Do you mind emailing me the contacts of any of the windtronics staff or former staff members? My address is kgahli@gmail.com . Thanks*