Superwind · Wind generator

Superwind 350

The Superwind 350 is a 350-watt wind generator built by superwind GmbH in Brühl near Cologne and sold since 2004 for ocean sailing. Instead of braking or turning out of the wind in a blow, its hub pitches the three blades mechanically above 12.5 m/s (24 kn), so it keeps charging at full power in a gale without any electronics to keep it safe. This page covers three models: the original SW 350 (2004 to 2022, 11.5 kg, 12 or 24 V), the SW 353 (since 2016, the heavy-duty version for unattended professional sites, with hand-laminated glass and carbon blades, a triple-bearing generator shaft and a stainless mast bushing) and the SW 350-II (since 2022, 12 kg, 12, 24 or 48 V), which brings the SW 353’s technology back into the yacht model. Blade set, carbon brushes, rectifier and damping rings carry the same part numbers on the SW 350 and SW 350-II, while hub bolt and generator bearings are listed under different numbers and the SW 353 has blades of its own. The much larger SW 1250 (2.4 m rotor, 45 kg, flange-mounted, 24 or 48 V) is a different machine and not covered here.

Manuals & documents

The links go to Superwind’s own documents — some as archived copies of pages the maker has since taken down. We host no manuals or drawings.

Wear parts & part numbers

PartOEM numberAlso fitsNote
Rotor blade set0300.05.00.001,2,3—Set of three carbon-fibre blades with their six M6 × 25 TUFLOK screws, for the SW 350 and SW 350-II (the same number in the SW 350 manual of 2016 and the SW 350-II manuals). Superwind matches the blades by weight, so they are sold and fitted only as a complete set: never mix blades from different sets, not even to replace one damaged blade. Torque 4.5 Nm, or snug plus a quarter turn; the two tenons of each blade must sit in the axle’s counterbores.
Rotor blade set0400.05.00.004,5—Blade set of the SW 353: hand-laminated glass and carbon-fibre blades with M6 × 25 TUFLOK screws, tightened to 6 Nm. Not interchangeable by number with the SW 350/350-II set.
Carbon brushes (slip rings)0300.01.03.031,4,3—Set of carbon brushes with their screw caps (and O-ring seals on the SW 350-II), the same number for SW 350, SW 350-II and SW 353. The brushes carry the current from the turning head to the slip rings on the fixed yaw shaft; they are meant to last the life of the unit, but worn brushes or weak springs mean no charge. Owner-replaceable from outside: unscrew the two black caps and pull the brushes out of their guides.
Rectifier0300.01.04.011,4,3—Rectifier with capacitors, built into the generator; the same number for all three models. Reversed polarity at the battery destroys it, and that is not covered by the warranty. Quick test: with the two generator cables shorted together (battery disconnected) the rotor must become noticeably harder to turn; if it does not, the rectifier is likely faulty. Repair by an authorised service station.
Generator bearing0300.03.99.011,2—Set of generator main bearings, front and rear, for the SW 350-II. Sealed and greased for life; check them yearly for smooth running, play and leaks. Superwind wants worn bearings changed by an authorised service station.
Generator bearing0300.03.02.03 · 0300.03.02.043,4—Generator bearings sold singly: front 0300.03.02.03, rear 0300.03.02.04, listed for the original SW 350 and for the SW 353. Replacement by an authorised service station.
Damping rings (mast mount)0300.02.01.021,3—Set of elastomer damping rings with the 40 × 3 O-ring, for the SW 350 and SW 350-II. They sit on the yaw shaft inside the plastic bushing, so there is no metal contact between generator and mast and the generator’s hum does not travel into the hull. Owner-replaceable. The SW 353 has a stainless bushing bolted firmly to the tube instead.
Hub bolt0400.04.01.10 · 0300.04.01.101,4,3—Socket cap screw that holds the hub on the generator shaft (the parallel key locates the hub disc): M8 × 90 TUFLOK, A4 stainless, DIN 912, number 0400.04.01.10 on the SW 350-II and SW 353; the original SW 350 used an M8 × 80, number 0300.04.01.10. Tighten until there is no axial play, then to 18 Nm, without pushing the shaft into the housing.
Mast fixing screws0300.02.01.10 · 0300.02.01.121,3,4—Button-head socket screws, A4 stainless, ISO 7380, that hold the yaw shaft in the mast tube: M6 × 12 (0300.02.01.10) for 60.3/60 mm tubes on the SW 350 and SW 350-II, 2 Nm with Loctite 243; M6 × 6 (0300.02.01.12) for the original SW 350 in a 48.3 mm tube. The SW 353 manual gives 0300.02.01.10 for its four M8 × 10 screws, so name the model when you order.
Wind vane mounting plate0300.01.02.021,2—Mounting plate that clamps the wind vane into the groove of the generator’s rear cover, with its two M8 × 20 TUFLOK screws (30 Nm); seen from behind, the plate sits on the right. Listed in the SW 350-II manual.
Charge controller—6,7,1—Superwind publishes no part numbers for its regulators, which come with the power resistor: SCR Marine 12 V or 24 V (40 A, two separate battery outputs isolated by Schottky diodes, PWM, resistor 0.35 Ω or 1.4 Ω) and SCR 48 V (10 A, 5.6 Ω). End-of-charge voltage at 25 °C 14.4, 28.8 or 57.6 V, compensated by −18, −36 or −72 mV/°C. Fit the regulator 30–100 cm from the battery, the resistor within 2 m of the regulator on a non-flammable surface with airflow; the resistor hums slightly while it dumps power. For LiFePO4 a 2 kΩ resistor replaces the temperature sensor, or Superwind sets the unit at the factory.
Temperature sensor0300.15.01.047,8—External temperature sensor for the SCR Marine 12 V and 24 V. It replaces the sensor on the regulator housing when the regulator cannot sit in the same space, at the same temperature, as the batteries. With LiFePO4 batteries there is no temperature compensation: a 2 kΩ resistor takes the sensor’s place.
Stop switch—6,1,9—Superwind’s own two-position switch, offered for the SW 350-II and SW 353; Superwind gives no part number. RUN connects generator and battery; STOP disconnects the battery and shorts the generator, which brakes the rotor. For indoor panel mounting (panels up to 22 mm). Superwind’s 2016 guide: terminals 2 (+) and 6 (−) to the generator, 3 and 7 to the regulator’s Gen + and Gen −, the bridge between 1 and 5 stays, 4 and 8 remain free. Keep the wires to the generator short and never fit a switch from another maker.
Fuse—1,7—Slow-blow fuses 40 A (12 V system), 20 A (24 V) or 10 A (48 V), or matching circuit breakers, with fuse holders: one in the positive line from the generator to the battery and one between battery and regulator, close to the battery but outside its compartment, since a blowing fuse can spark. The SCR Marine manual asks for a 40 A fuse in each battery cable.
Mast mounting kit—6,1—Superwind’s mast mounting set for yachts, AISI 316: adjustable mast base, two adjustable clamping bushes with screws, four strut end pieces and two cover plates with screws and nuts. The tubes come separately as a mirror-polished AISI 316 set: one 60.3 × 2 mm mast tube and two 21.3 × 2 mm struts, each 3.0 m long; a mizzen bracket is also offered. No part numbers published.

Numbers checked against the sources below on 23 October 2026. Always confirm against your serial number and exact type before ordering.

Service intervals

TaskInterval
Rotor bladesEvery 12 months, and daily when people are on board near the rotor: look for cracks, broken edges or unusual discolouring; any damage means the generator stops and the complete blade set is replaced. Clean only with a sponge, soap and water1
Bolted connectionsEvery 12 months: check all reachable bolts for the right torque, above all the blade screws, hub bolt and wind vane screws and the screws holding the yaw shaft in the mast; check the mast or support as its own instructions say1
Generator bearingEvery 12 months: generator and yaw bearings run smoothly, without play or leaks. They are sealed and greased for life; defective bearings are replaced by an authorised service station1
Slip rings & carbon brushesEvery 12 months: unscrew the two black cylindrical caps, pull out the carbon brushes and check them for unusual wear or lost contact material; replace worn or damaged brushes and check the caps’ O-rings before screwing them back on1
Corrosion protectionEvery 12 months: check the powder coating on the housings and wind vane and touch up any damage with suitable paint; the stainless parts need nothing1
Electrical connectionsEvery 12 months, by a qualified person: all connections tight and free of corrosion, above all the battery terminals (clean them, then cover with battery-terminal grease); check the battery’s fluid level1

From the operation manuals of the SW 350-II (2024), the SW 353 (2026) and the original SW 350 (2016): all three get the same inspection every 12 months, and Superwind requires no other maintenance. Before any work, disconnect the battery and stop the rotor with the stop switch, on a calm day.

Specifications

TypeHorizontal-axis wind generator: three blades upwind of the generator, damped wind vane; three-phase permanent-magnet generator (neodymium magnets) with built-in rectifier; the DC goes down the mast through slip rings and carbon brushes1,10
VersionsSW 350 (2004–2022): carbon-fibre blades, 11.5 kg, 12 or 24 V, separate plastic bushing for 60.3/60 mm tubes or straight into a 48.3 mm tube. SW 353 (since 2016): hand-laminated glass/carbon blades, triple-bearing generator shaft, stainless bushing held by four M8 screws, 12.5 kg, 12, 24 or 48 V. SW 350-II (since 2022): carbon-fibre blades, 12 kg, 12, 24 or 48 V, plastic bushing with built-in sound decoupling for 60.3/60 mm tubes. Rated data the same for all: 350 W at 12.5 m/s3,4,11,1
Years builtSW 350 from 2004 (development began in 2000); SW 353 from 2016; SW 350-II from 2022, the current yacht model12
Power350 W rated at 12.5 m/s (24 kn). Above that the blades pitch and hold the output at 350 W; there is no cut-out wind speed1,3,13
Wind speedsStart-up 3.5 m/s (7 kn), a little higher while bearings and seals run in; charging begins at about 4.5–5.5 m/s (9–11 kn) depending on the battery’s state of charge; rated 12.5 m/s (24 kn); operating range 3.5–35 m/s (68 kn); survival 50 m/s (97 kn) when shut down1
OutputPower curve (Superwind, 2025): about 40 W at 12 kn, 110 W at 16 kn, 200 W at 20 kn and 350 W from 24 kn up to 40 kn. Annual yield about 145 kWh at an 8 kn annual mean wind, 320 kWh at 10 kn, 550 kWh at 12 kn and 790 kWh at 14 kn13,14
RotorØ 1.20 m (1220 mm on the dimension drawing; dealers often quote 1.22 m), three blades, 500–1300 rpm. Carbon-fibre ‘Silent Power’ blades on the SW 350 and SW 350-II, hand-laminated glass/carbon on the SW 353. Above rated wind the blades turn to leeward in the synchronised ‘Star Hub’, purely mechanically and sealed inside the hub1,15,10,4,16
Voltage12, 24 or 48 V DC, fixed for each unit and printed on the type label at the back of the generator (the SW 350 manuals list 12 or 24 V). Without a load the open-circuit voltage reaches 52 V (12 V version), 105 V (24 V) or 210 V (48 V) at around 35 m/s1,3
Charge currentUp to 30 A (12 V version), 15 A (24 V) or 7.5 A (48 V); cables, connectors and every component in the circuit must be rated for 40 A, 20 A or 10 A1
ControlSpeed and power by blade pitch: a mechanical controller in the hub, moved by aerodynamic and centrifugal forces, with no electrical or hydraulic parts. Overspeed protection also works without a load: the rotor then settles at a raised, almost constant idle speed. Brake: generator short circuit through the stop switch; in a strong wind the rotor still turns slowly1
Breaker / fuseSlow-blow fuses or matching circuit breakers in the positive lines generator–battery and battery–regulator, close to the battery but not in its compartment: 40 A (12 V), 20 A (24 V), 10 A (48 V). No fuse or breaker between the generator and the stop switch1,9
Power cable sizeCopper, per conductor, from mast top to battery, for a 5 % voltage drop. 12 V: 6 mm² up to 5.2 m, 10 mm² up to 8.7 m, 16 mm² up to 14 m, 25 mm² up to 21.8 m, 35 mm² up to 30.6 m, 50 mm² up to 43.7 m. 24 V: 2.5 mm² up to 8.7 m, 4 mm² up to 14 m, 6 mm² up to 21 m, 10 mm² up to 34.9 m, 16 mm² up to 55.9 m. 48 V: 2.5 mm² up to 19.8 m, 4 mm² up to 31.7 m, 6 mm² up to 47.6 m. On board use tinned, UV-resistant cable, and fit a strain relief in the mast top once the hanging cable weighs more than 5 kg1
MountingThe yaw shaft goes into the top of the mast tube: stainless 60.3 × 2.0 mm, steel 60.3 × 2.3 mm or aluminium 60 × 2.5 mm (for a 55.0 mm bore take the two adjusting rings off the bushing); other tubes up to 70 mm outside diameter. SW 350 and SW 350-II: two Ø 7 mm holes 35 mm below the top and two M6 × 12 button-head screws (on the SW 350-II 2 Nm with Loctite 243) that reach into the shaft’s groove without touching it, so the damping rings keep the generator off the metal. SW 353: four Ø 9 mm holes and four M8 × 10 screws at 18 Nm, best in a stainless 60.3 × 2.0 mm tube at least 300 mm long. Original SW 350 only: also a 48.3 × 2.0 mm tube with at least 44 mm bore (two tapped M6 holes 40 mm down, M6 × 6 screws, no bushing). Keep the top 650 mm of the mast clear of fittings and lines: the blades come closer to the mast as they pitch1,4,3
ThrustRotor thrust about 70 N in operation and up to 220 N in an extreme gust (49 m/s); mast and supports must take that, on top of the generator’s weight and its inertia as the boat moves1
Tightening torquesBlade screws M6 × 25 TUFLOK 4.5 Nm, or snug plus a quarter turn (SW 353: 6 Nm); hub bolt M8 × 90 (SW 350: M8 × 80) 18 Nm; wind vane screws M8 × 20 30 Nm; mast fixing M6 × 12 2 Nm (SW 353: M8 × 10, 18 Nm)1,4,3
WeightSW 350: 11.5 kg · SW 350-II: 12.0 kg · SW 353: 12.5 kg3,1,4
DimensionsRotor plane 177 mm ahead of the mast axis, end of the vane 553 mm behind it (about 730 mm overall); top of the vane 530 mm above the rotor axis, rotor axis 136 mm above the top of the mast tube; swing circle Ø 1263 mm around the mast; yaw spigot Ø 54.5–55.7 mm, 71 mm long15,1
Operating temperature−20 to +55 °C; SW 353 also −45 to +20 °C on order1,4
MaterialHousings and wind vane of sea-water-resistant aluminium alloy, powder-coated; ball bearings, shafts, axles and bolts of stainless steel1
Waterproof ratingSuperwind gives no IP rating for the generator; its bearings are sealed and greased for life, and the brush caps are sealed with O-rings. The SCR power resistor is rated IP 54, yet Superwind wants regulator and resistor mounted indoors, out of the weather1,7
Warranty3 years from purchase, with the warranty card and the original invoice; not covered: wear, unsuitable masts or supports, lightning, and any repair to the hub not done by Superwind or an authorised partner1

Good to know

  • Treat the blades as one balanced set. Superwind matches them by weight at the factory, so a single cracked or chipped blade means a new set of three: 0300.05.00.00 for the SW 350 and SW 350-II, 0400.05.00.00 for the SW 353. On board, look the blades over every day, since a line or a falling batten can hit the rotor unnoticed, and clean them only with a sponge, soap and water.1,4
  • Never let it run without a load. Use a shunt regulator that keeps the generator loaded when the batteries are full (Superwind’s SCR dumps the surplus into its power resistor), never a series solar regulator, which opens the circuit and lets the rotor run free. Any other regulator must take at least 30 A (12 V), 15 A (24 V) or 7.5 A (48 V). With lithium batteries check the end-of-charge voltage and switch off temperature compensation; on the SCR Marine a 2 kΩ resistor replaces the sensor.1,7
  • Fit Superwind’s own stop switch close to the generator, with no fuse between switch and generator. In STOP it disconnects the battery and shorts the generator; a switch from another maker might short the battery instead. Superwind strongly recommends it on yachts so you can shut the generator down in heavy weather, but in a strong wind the braked rotor still turns slowly: never grab it.1,9
  • Replacing an old SW 350 with a SW 350-II: the original fitted straight into a 48.3 mm tube (at least 44 mm bore), but the SW 350-II manual only covers 60.3 and 60 mm tubes, plus other tubes up to 70 mm outside diameter whose bore suits the yaw shaft, so check the mast before you order. Whatever the tube, the top 650 mm must stay clear of fittings and lines, because the blades come closer to the mast as they pitch.3,1
  • No charge? Check fuse, stop switch and wiring first, then the carbon brushes and their springs. To test the rectifier, short the two generator cables (battery disconnected): the rotor should become noticeably harder to turn. To test the generator, take the blades off, connect a voltmeter and turn the hub by hand; voltage against rpm must match the diagram in the manual. Reversed polarity at the battery destroys the rectifier and voids the warranty: red is plus, black is minus.1
  • Buying used: the type label at the back of the generator gives model, nominal voltage and serial number, and the voltage must match your battery bank. Ask whether the SCR regulator with its power resistor and the stop switch come with it, look over the blade edges and the coating, and turn the shaft by hand with the cables apart: it should turn without binding, and the head should follow the wind freely. Only Superwind or an authorised service partner may open the hub with its pitch mechanism.1

Videos & how-tos

Links to YouTube, nothing embedded. The maker’s own channel comes first; the rest are channels we found clear and correct for this model.

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Sources

  1. superwind.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/350/SW350-II_Operation_Manual.pdf
  2. superwind.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/350/SW350-II_Benutzerhandbuch.pdf
  3. web.archive.org/web/20210805175304/https://www.superwind.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/S…
  4. superwind.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/353/SW353_Operation_Manual.pdf
  5. superwind.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/353/SW353_Benutzerhandbuch.pdf
  6. superwind.com/en/products/accessories
  7. web.archive.org/web/20221208161912/https://www.superwind.com/wp-content/uploads/SCR-Marin…
  8. web.archive.org/web/20221208151640/https://www.superwind.com/wp-content/uploads/SCR-Marin…
  9. web.archive.org/web/20160910115141/http://www.superwind.com/download/stop-switch.pdf
  10. superwind.com/en/applications/sailing
  11. superwind.com/en/applications/industry/sw-353
  12. superwind.com/en/about-us/history
  13. superwind.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/350/Power_curve_SW_350-II.pdf
  14. superwind.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/350/Annual_energy_yield_SW_350-II.pdf
  15. superwind.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/350/Dimensioned_drawing_SW_350-II.pdf
  16. toplicht.de/elektrik-motor/windgeneratoren-solarmodule-brennstoffzellen/windgeneratoren/s…

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