Wind generators not common?
I've wondered why wind setups are not that common for boondocking times. It is understandable that if one is going from place to place, taking time to set up and tear down a wind tower isn't worth ...
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IMO, unless you are parking at a permanent site and solar won't accomplish what you need for power, wind power isn't the best solution. Most of the mfgs. of small wind generators are more concerned about harvesting $$$ from uneducated customers rather than the efficiency of their generators. The ancillary problem with wind generation is that there is a finite amount of power to be harvested at any given wind speed and to increase harvest, the next logical step is to increase swept area of props (or rotor). Small wind power users soon discover that a smaller prop set (something that can be easily transported) is not going to harvest enough power to be efficient for the time or money involved.
The noise issue can be overcome by using props that are aerodynamic and engineered to spill wind off the tips. Most small wind mfg's. are using plastic pinwheels that will capture wind at slow speed but are dreadfully noisy.
FWIW, I use a three-blade aluminum airfoil prop set and the generator is connected to the prop shaft through ball bearing pillow blocks. You can't hear this setup when standing directly underneath it at a distance of 12'.
The noise issue can be overcome by using props that are aerodynamic and engineered to spill wind off the tips. Most small wind mfg's. are using plastic pinwheels that will capture wind at slow speed but are dreadfully noisy.
FWIW, I use a three-blade aluminum airfoil prop set and the generator is connected to the prop shaft through ball bearing pillow blocks. You can't hear this setup when standing directly underneath it at a distance of 12'.
