We've been boondocking with solar and it works swell. We wanted to take advantage of the wind that is pretty constant and strong at a few places we stay. We got a 400W unit and it has a swivel flange mount. I can get a flange to bolt it to but am not sure what everyone that has one uses for pipe. What size? 1/2" black iron to small? 1" ? How about aluminum? Once I decide on the pipe size then I can get the flange and get it bolted up. I was thinking of making three 5 foot sections of pipe that screw together with couplings. They could be disassembled and then carried in the back of the Jeep toad. To assemble, screw them together, have a hole drilled through the coupling with a big cotter key to retain it. (one end of the coupling welded permanent). But do I put it against the ladder on the back of the Southwind Storm or make it self standing with guy wires or what? So in summary, wonder about pipe size and material and where you fasten it. ThanksSparks

I would think where and how you mount the pipe would be driven by how permanent you want it standing. If you are setting up and tearing down camp often (even once every couple weeks), I would think you'd want something portable enough it would be very easy to move. If, on the other hand, you are talking more seasonal sites and not moving the camper, then a more permanent solution. The ease of set-up and tear down is your option.If looking for the easy route, I think I'd just bungie strap a pole to the rear ladder if you have one. Simple and done!And I'd use a telescoping pipe. Easy peasy!I just did a very quick Google search and stumbled into this company, for example of a telescoping pipe: Click here.

There was a wind thread a week ago. I don't think a single forum member came forward and admitted using wind while RVing. We all had a good time armchairing why it wouldn't work.400 watt is going to be a pretty big diameter propeller right?I'd think 1.5 inch schedule 80 at a minimum.As cheaply as RV are built, wouldn't want anything like that attached to mine.Sink the pole in the ground and maybe use trees or buried anchors for the temporary guy wires?

I suspect you will only get that 400 watts at 28 mph wind speed. It should be in the fine print with the turbine somewhere. I doubt you would enjoy camping anywhere the wind is blowing any where near that hard. I certainly wouldn't want it attached to my RV. The AirX 400 watt turbine I'm most familiar with is designed to mount on 2" pipe I think. The rule of thumb for turbine mounting is to be 30 feet above anything within 300 feet of the turbine. Good luck achieving that.

Here is an article I just found with a quick search on Googke.http://roadtreking.com/experiment-portable-wind-turbine/The author states it wasn't worth the time or work to set up.

This article might give you some ideas.Wind turbine use

Adding a wind generator. Need mounting info | Good Sam Community

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Feb 01, 2018
I would think where and how you mount the pipe would be driven by how permanent you want it standing. If you are setting up and tearing down camp often (even once every couple weeks), I would think you'd want something portable enough it would be very easy to move. If, on the other hand, you are talking more seasonal sites and not moving the camper, then a more permanent solution. The ease of set-up and tear down is your option.

If looking for the easy route, I think I'd just bungie strap a pole to the rear ladder if you have one. Simple and done!

And I'd use a telescoping pipe. Easy peasy!

I just did a very quick Google search and stumbled into this company, for example of a telescoping pipe: Click here.
GordonThree
Explorer
Feb 01, 2018
There was a wind thread a week ago. I don't think a single forum member came forward and admitted using wind while RVing. We all had a good time armchairing why it wouldn't work.

400 watt is going to be a pretty big diameter propeller right?

I'd think 1.5 inch schedule 80 at a minimum.

As cheaply as RV are built, wouldn't want anything like that attached to mine.

Sink the pole in the ground and maybe use trees or buried anchors for the temporary guy wires?
KD4UPL
Explorer
Feb 01, 2018
I suspect you will only get that 400 watts at 28 mph wind speed. It should be in the fine print with the turbine somewhere. I doubt you would enjoy camping anywhere the wind is blowing any where near that hard. I certainly wouldn't want it attached to my RV.
The AirX 400 watt turbine I'm most familiar with is designed to mount on 2" pipe I think. The rule of thumb for turbine mounting is to be 30 feet above anything within 300 feet of the turbine. Good luck achieving that.
WNYBob
Explorer
Feb 01, 2018
Here is an article I just found with a quick search on Googke.

http://roadtreking.com/experiment-portable-wind-turbine/

The author states it wasn't worth the time or work to set up.
MDKMDK
Explorer
Feb 01, 2018
This article might give you some ideas.
Wind turbine use
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Feb 01, 2018
Sounds like a bunch of work setting up and taking down. A lot easier with an adequate solar system...panels, controller, batteries.
ktmrfs
Explorer II
Feb 01, 2018
Unlike solar, If it is windy enough for a wind generator to do any good, I'd pack up and find another campsite. Grew up in country where it was windy and never regretted leaving.
GordonThree
Explorer
Feb 01, 2018
Ahh they're using very small propellers, 28mph why bother at that speed.

Whatever happened to the VAWT craze?
pianotuna
Nomad III
Feb 01, 2018
There used to be a company that made a pole with a hinged flat panel. The idea was to drive the RV wheel onto the plate, and after attaching the turbine, raise the mast up.

Be sure to let us know your results--and have fun with the project.
GordonThree
Explorer
Feb 02, 2018
pianotuna wrote:
There used to be a company that made a pole with a hinged flat panel. The idea was to drive the RV wheel onto the plate, and after attaching the turbine, raise the mast up.

Be sure to let us know your results--and have fun with the project.

That plate is the topic of the Roadtrek links provided above :)