Wind Generator Power??

[chandles]

Hi All:

I've looked through the various threads but have not seen any information on Wind Generators for RVs, and am wondering if any of you in the airstream forums have used or now use a wind generator to re-charge your batteries.

I've noticed while camping, in my 28ft. CCD, that most afternoons are quite windy in the sites I've chosen (often near lakes).

I'd appreciate any insight any of you might have, or know where i might look for more detailed information. Thanks, in advance.

Chandles

[maxandgeorgia]

Bump. I notice that this post has received no response and is about to slide from the portal page, yet possibly some afternoon/evening posters may have some ideas to share...so, bump back to the top! ~G

[ROBERT CROSS]

A quick google (rv wind generators) resulted in some interesting finds.

Here's just one.

RV Solar Power Kits, Portable RV Wind Generator

[richinny]

costco has two on their site, do a search for "wind" at costco.

[davidz71]

Russ & Tina De Maris have a book out called RV Boondocking Basics which you can purchase through RV Bookstore - Books, Videos, DVDs and Magazines for RVers They explain their experience with a wind generator and look quite favorably on it. They use an AIR 403 wind turbine by Southwest Windpower.

[chandles]

Hi, All, again.

Thanks for your responses. i do have the book mentioned, which is what got me onto the path of the wind generator, but couldn't find the wind generators at Costco until you gave me the right term to use.

It doesn't seem many folk use wind power for a generator, so am wondering if solar is easier. But it is also surely more expensive, initially.

Again, thanks.

[mandolindave]

Get a generator.

Solar was deemed too expensive, and you needed to park in the sun.
No power at night or cloudy days.

Wind turbines wanted to see wind speeds in excess of 12 miles per hour.

Solar and or wind power supposedly are more efficient in different regions

But/And I welcome any arguements or opposing views.

[mandolindave]

It looks like you need 28 mph to get full power. Still, they are a very cool supplemental device. Maybe better for a stationary set up.

[Boondocker]

I have some airstreamer friends who rely on wind- but their major excursion is a month on Padre Island. They love it. I myself, have a generator and hope to add solar for next year.

[flyfshr]

In order to receive more input on this thread and to generate more interest, I'm changing the title of this thread from Chandles to Wind Generator Power??.

Hopefully this will help add to the discussion.

Brad
FF

[lewster]

While the initial investment in solar is high, there are many other benefits that accrue while you own the system.

Solar is SILENT and requires NO MAINTENANCE. It costs NOTHING once you have the system in place, and with proper batteries (Lifeline AGM) you should enjoy at least 5-7 years from them. No Gas, no tune-ups, NO NOISE..........NADA!!!!!!!!

And depending on the area that you camp in, wind will be a nice supplement to the solar, and can be wired right into the charge controller with a transfer switch.

In the Columbia River Gorge, it's either sunny, very windy....OR BOTH!!!

We don't need no stinkin' power post!

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by richinny

costco has two on their site, do a search for "wind" at costco.

Uhh...I did a search on "wind", and for some reason, I got search results for burrito fixin's...

[Dwight]

The one downside to using wind or solar, is you usually don't have a means to store the energy (batteries) that is created. When the wind quits or it is dark, the energy stops.

We have 4~120 panels and 8~batteries and can run the 15k AC for almost 6 hours. We wouldn't be able to do that if I didn't have the batteries to store the energy.

[Fyrzowt]

Here are a couple of related threads.
Dave

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...sun-39693.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...tor-41687.html

[azflycaster]

I found these two at the Costco site

Costco - Whisper 100 900 Watt Wind Generator

Costco - Air X 400 Watt Wind Turbine

[olddog299]

Originally Posted by Dwight

The one downside to using wind or solar, is you usually don't have a means to store the energy (batteries) that is created. When the wind quits or it is dark, the energy stops.

We have 4~120 panels and 8~batteries and can run the 15k AC for almost 6 hours. We wouldn't be able to do that if I didn't have the batteries to store the energy.

Dwight has a very telling point. When we need solar the most is in the middle of the blooming blizzards endemic to Maine winters... no (significant) solar ergs available, then! That is when wind would be valuable for me -- but I'm running a furnace and a catalytic heater at that point and sucking the batteries dry. Under those conditions, many (most?) wind generators are feathering their blades to prevent overspeed damage so you aren't getting a whole heck of a lot of value out of that excess wind. I'd be in deep trouble unless I had access to shore power. So make that a power pole for me in winter - or at least a job site somewhere south of Atlanta...

[davidz71]

It is 2:38 p.m., overcast to the point that I cannot tell where the sun is right now AND the PulseTech 5 watt solar panel for the Everlast battery I pulled out of the Sovereign 5-6 months ago shows a constant charge. I checked the charger on the Sovereign and the two 100 watt panels and one 65 watt panel show charging through the Heliotrope 22B charger as charging the Trojan battery.

Where do people get the idea that solar panels don't put out energy when the sun is behind clouds? Sure, the same amount of power is not there as when the sky is clear but energy is there, overcast or not. I know that my AMSolar SunRunner system is an advanced system with 44 cells per panel and the charger is a boost charger but don't discount solar based on old systems.
OK Lewster, carry on with the argument.

[Fyrzowt]

My first Safari had solar. I could have discharged batteries(2), and recharge fully on a cloudy day. Sure it took longer than direct sun, but still effective.
I bought the unit with solar already installed, I don't know the specs.
Dave

[lewster]

Originally Posted by davidz71

It is 2:38 p.m., overcast to the point that I cannot tell where the sun is right now AND the PulseTech 5 watt solar panel for the Everlast battery I pulled out of the Sovereign 5-6 months ago shows a constant charge. I checked the charger on the Sovereign and the two 100 watt panels and one 65 watt panel show charging through the Heliotrope 22B charger as charging the Trojan battery.

Where do people get the idea that solar panels don't put out energy when the sun is behind clouds? Sure, the same amount of power is not there as when the sky is clear but energy is there, overcast or not. I know that my AMSolar SunRunner system is an advanced system with 44 cells per panel and the charger is a boost charger but don't discount solar based on old systems.
OK Lewster, carry on with the argument.

The problem with most of the solar charging system out there are:

1: poor quality to sell at a cheap price point

2: cheaply made collector panels to sell at a cheap price point

3: relatively innefective solar charge controllers to sell at a cheap price point

(are you getting the message yet??????????????)

4: substandard wiring (smaller wire guage) to (.......fill in the blanks!!)


YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!!

In the AM Solar Sunrunner systems, we use a minimum of 10 gauge wire for connecting the panels, and 8 gauge to connect the array to the controller.

And yes!....the panels do work on cloudy, overcast days. Not up to the voltage output of sunny days, but still useable and still charging your batteries.

Comments???? QUESTIONS??????

[richinny]

Originally Posted by mandolindave

Wind turbines wanted to see wind speeds in excess of 12 miles per hour.

i guess this would do a great job of charging while towing!