Adding a wind generator. Need mounting info
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 ...
Forum Discussion
I used to have a 400 watt Sunforce wind turbine on my old camper. Have since moved it to my cabin. Have enough solar and a gas generator for the RV and needed more on my cabin.
The combo of wind and solar works great. You need to get the turbine at least 8-12 feet above the RV. I used surplus army camo support poles, they are about 40 inches long. Get the fiberglass ones, not the metal. Fiberglass deadens the vibration more.
I used 6 poles. I set the bottom pole on the ground, ran the rest along the ladder and used exhaust clamps to secure the poles to the ladder in 3 places. Make sure all the weight of the turbine is on the pole before you finish tightening the clamps so the pole is solid on the ground. I used a parachute cord (550 cord) as guy wires small diameter and strong. I used duct tape to secure the ropes to the bottom of the top pole and then staked the other end down.
I took my turbine and a pole to a exhaust shop and had them make an adapter between the pole and the turbine, I made it 8 inches long. At the bottom of the pole I took 2 PVC 90 degree fittings that fit into the bottom of the pole, put it in the pole so I could run my wires thru without the pole cutting into them. Kind of looks like a U when it is in (the wires run down through the inside of pole).
Make sure you use a heavy enough wire other wise it will not move enough amperage and charge well enough. I ran the wires straight to the battery's with a 50 amp automotive style fuse. When you look at turbines make sure you get one with an internal regulator and an auto brake. I am not endorsing any brand name, I looked at a lot of them. I chose the Sunforce because it will sense the battery voltage constantly and shut down when the battery's are charged or the wind speed gets to high. There are many brands out there, I like the automatic controlled one because I can leave it on and leave the cabin for weeks at a time and not worry about over charging. All depends on what you want to spend.
I have had this system in this configuration for 6 years now so I know it works. I even attached my TV antenna about 4 feet below the turbine for better coverage.
The kick in speed they advertise is on the low side but and it takes a HIGH wind to get 400 watts but if it only works at half the rating that is still 15 amps. If you can get 5-10 amps all day and night you will have full battery's.
You will sometimes get some wind noise, but it is not bad and to me it lets me know it is working. hours a day.
Remember the sun shines only so many hours a day but the wind can blow 24.
The combo of wind and solar works great. You need to get the turbine at least 8-12 feet above the RV. I used surplus army camo support poles, they are about 40 inches long. Get the fiberglass ones, not the metal. Fiberglass deadens the vibration more.
I used 6 poles. I set the bottom pole on the ground, ran the rest along the ladder and used exhaust clamps to secure the poles to the ladder in 3 places. Make sure all the weight of the turbine is on the pole before you finish tightening the clamps so the pole is solid on the ground. I used a parachute cord (550 cord) as guy wires small diameter and strong. I used duct tape to secure the ropes to the bottom of the top pole and then staked the other end down.
I took my turbine and a pole to a exhaust shop and had them make an adapter between the pole and the turbine, I made it 8 inches long. At the bottom of the pole I took 2 PVC 90 degree fittings that fit into the bottom of the pole, put it in the pole so I could run my wires thru without the pole cutting into them. Kind of looks like a U when it is in (the wires run down through the inside of pole).
Make sure you use a heavy enough wire other wise it will not move enough amperage and charge well enough. I ran the wires straight to the battery's with a 50 amp automotive style fuse. When you look at turbines make sure you get one with an internal regulator and an auto brake. I am not endorsing any brand name, I looked at a lot of them. I chose the Sunforce because it will sense the battery voltage constantly and shut down when the battery's are charged or the wind speed gets to high. There are many brands out there, I like the automatic controlled one because I can leave it on and leave the cabin for weeks at a time and not worry about over charging. All depends on what you want to spend.
I have had this system in this configuration for 6 years now so I know it works. I even attached my TV antenna about 4 feet below the turbine for better coverage.
The kick in speed they advertise is on the low side but and it takes a HIGH wind to get 400 watts but if it only works at half the rating that is still 15 amps. If you can get 5-10 amps all day and night you will have full battery's.
You will sometimes get some wind noise, but it is not bad and to me it lets me know it is working. hours a day.
Remember the sun shines only so many hours a day but the wind can blow 24.
