We like to do off grid camping, haven't done any in a while since we had our son, but he is 4 now so we want to get back into it now that he is getting older. We did have a small pop up and I have a 100 watt solar panel, with that and a group 27 deep cycle battery we never had any problems camping for a week at a time, even running the furnace at night in colder weather (30-40s at night, using the furnace sparingly). We now have a 17 Ft. travel trailer so I imagine our electrical demands will be higher. Was thinking of getting another panel, but obviously they only make electricity when the sun is up, and don't produce as much on cloudy days. Was wondering if a wind generator in combination with the 100 watt solar panel would be a good combination, and this could potentially generate some electricity at night if there is wind. Looking for some suggestions, I don't need something that generates a lot, like I said we have never ran the battery down with one 100 watt panel before, we can get by pretty sparingly, camper has all LED lights etc. Also is there a charging controller that you can hook both a solar panel and wind generator up to at the same time? Thanks!

WindyNation isn’t selling wind generators right now as I understand it, so I’m not sure it’s a viable way to recharge batteries in RVs. Yes, solar produces less on cloudy days. Buying an extra panel or two beyond what an energy survey indicates is necessary will solve that issue. Plus there is no daily setup and takedown with a roof mounted solar panel.

You don't want a wind turbine. In order for most of them to make their rated power they need a wind of about 28 mph. That's pretty stiff around here anyway. They also need to be mounted at least 30 feet above anything within 500 feet. Even if you're in wide open spaces putting up a 30 foot mast and guying it off would be a lot of work. Then there's the noise and vibration a spinning turbine generates.Could you put a little one on a tiny mast and have it make a little bit of power in a light breeze? Maybe, but why? Just get another solar panel.

Before you spring for a 92 AH group 27 battery, which I'm seeing for $300+ from Interstate, consider this 125 AH AGM for $289: https://www.amazon.com/Vmaxtanks-SLR125-Solar-Emergency-VMAX/dp/B004DR3IIC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=vmax+tanks&qid=1560295430&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=vehicledwelling-20&linkId=26a2244ebe8ea426f3f51fa2ff34c4b5&language=en_USBeing designed for solar applications, it is a true deep cycle battery, unlike most batteries billed as deep cycle, which are really just thinly disguised starting batteries. The clue here is when they list CCA among the specs. Cold cranking amps are not an important data point for deep cycle batteries.

Beware of false replies. Turbines are proven technology just like solar panels. Both have their +/-Personal I like solar over turbines but they don't work in the shade.

I would fill your roof with solar before going into wind power. Aim for 300 to 500 watts.I went with a small propane generator (Ryobi 700w) for charging the battery if conditions get extreme.

Suggest a wind generator | Good Sam Community

time2roll
Nomad
Jan 02, 2020
I would fill your roof with solar before going into wind power. Aim for 300 to 500 watts.
I went with a small propane generator (Ryobi 700w) for charging the battery if conditions get extreme.
bgum
Explorer
Jan 02, 2020
Beware of false replies. Turbines are proven technology just like solar panels. Both have their +/-
Personal I like solar over turbines but they don't work in the shade.
naturist
Nomad
Jan 01, 2020
Before you spring for a 92 AH group 27 battery, which I'm seeing for $300+ from Interstate, consider this 125 AH AGM for $289: https://www.amazon.com/Vmaxtanks-SLR125-Solar-Emergency-VMAX/dp/B004DR3IIC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=vmax+tanks&qid=1560295430&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=vehicledwelling-20&linkId=26a2244ebe8ea426f3f51fa2ff34c4b5&language=en_US

Being designed for solar applications, it is a true deep cycle battery, unlike most batteries billed as deep cycle, which are really just thinly disguised starting batteries. The clue here is when they list CCA among the specs. Cold cranking amps are not an important data point for deep cycle batteries.
KD4UPL
Explorer
Jan 01, 2020
You don't want a wind turbine. In order for most of them to make their rated power they need a wind of about 28 mph. That's pretty stiff around here anyway. They also need to be mounted at least 30 feet above anything within 500 feet. Even if you're in wide open spaces putting up a 30 foot mast and guying it off would be a lot of work. Then there's the noise and vibration a spinning turbine generates.
Could you put a little one on a tiny mast and have it make a little bit of power in a light breeze? Maybe, but why? Just get another solar panel.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jan 01, 2020
WindyNation isn’t selling wind generators right now as I understand it, so I’m not sure it’s a viable way to recharge batteries in RVs. Yes, solar produces less on cloudy days. Buying an extra panel or two beyond what an energy survey indicates is necessary will solve that issue. Plus there is no daily setup and takedown with a roof mounted solar panel.

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