Wind Generator?
Does anybody use a wind generator?
Vs... solar?
Has anyone already worked out the pro's - con's?
Thanks,
Vs... solar?
Has anyone already worked out the pro's - con's?
Thanks,
Forum Discussion
free radical wrote:
Vertical axis generator is way more efficient then horizontal propellers
www.windside.com
What do you base that statement on? One manufacturer?
Most wind generators are horizontal axis designs for a reason.- For me, the noise is key. If the wind generator isn't too obnoxiously loud, I wouldn't mind having mounts put on so a tower can fit on the roof, putting the generator at least 15-20 feet in the air.
Of course, there is the issue of taking a wind turbine down when the winds are blowing on a Sunday night, and you have to be home due to work Monday. I've not seen a VAWT design that can work with a RV, although there are a number of HAWT models that are doable.
A wind turbine goes quite well with solar. I'd use solar as the main source of energy (well, next to the generator or shore power) and wind will be good for nights to help offset use of the furnace. - Vertical axis generator is way more efficient then horizontal propellers
www.windside.com
however
To make it fit permanently on RV roof,perhaps something like this,,but built way lower and wider might work
http://youtu.be/dl6m4emdeBI NightSailor wrote:
Cheap wind generators are loud and obnoxious and justifiable grounds for homicide. Good wind generators are quiet and make for happy neighbors There are only two really quiet wind generators. The D400 is heavy but well made and quiet. And the Super Wind which is the most popular model among yachties today. It would be my choice. The blade set on the Suoer Wind cost $360as these are wind tunnel perfected carbon fiber blades and worth every penny.
Finally, any yachtsman can tell you that it is important to have multiple charging sources. At least two and three or four is better.
To clarify $360 is not going to buy a wind generator especially of great quality as you espouse. I assume you are talking strictly about replacement blades. Then again I've never not heard one when the wind gets cranking. I'd rather listen to a generator than the high pitch whine of a windmill whirring at high speed (might be a personal prefrence thing)
Two sources (three if you count shorepower) is about all I'm seeing most cruising boats and the two are typically generator/alternator and solar. New wind generators just don't seem that common.
Yes, you should wash your solar panels periodically but never saw a great deal of power loss with a quick rinse and swipe of the brush every couple weeks. An RV might actually be worse for this as driving down dusty roads may get them dirty far quicker.KD4UPL wrote:
Wind isn't a good match for an RV. A typical wind turbine needs to be mounted at least 30' above anything within 500' of it. This is difficult to do on a portable basis at most campsites. Most wind turbines don't produce their rated power with less than 28 MPH wind. This is rare most places and unpleasant to camp in when it occurs.
The power available in wind is related to the cube of the wind speed. So, if you double the wind speed you get 8 times the power. This means that low speed wind really doesn't have enough power potential to bother with.
Combine all this with the noise and vibration a turbine would transmit to it's attached camper and it doesn't work out too well.
Solar is a much better solution for an RV.
They do work better high up, but can be mounted lower.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f14/d400-wind-generator-61379.html
One cruiser got 2.4 times the output mounting it on top of his mast. People are reporting that in steady 20 know trade winds they produce 200AH per day. Watch the YouTube video. The noise issue is history if you buy the right unit.- Nightsailor and Sleepy hit on some major considerations when considering charging sources. For me both results and costs are equal in choosing a workable system. Having a variety of sources is, of course, desirable. On "Imagine" our sailing yacht, we had 5.First a 200 watt alternator on the diesel, a 3500 watt gas Yamaha generator carried on the foredeck, a Windbugger wind powered generator, 2 100 watt solar powered panels, and a 125 watt shaft alternator fitted to the free wheeled propeller shaft when under sail for long passages.
At sea the solar required having the salt mist wiped of regularly in the oft spray filled conditions. We would put the Yamaha in the Zodiac rubber dingy and drift it astern with a long power cord to carry the noise aft, particularly when we were using the microwave or DVD.
The wind generator did it all in 15 knots of breeze or better. It would power an inverter, the fridge, and most of our electronics. But only with that wind power. Wiping off the solar was a nuisance by the time you noticed the mist it was only operating a half power.
We got most of our 12 volt from the shaft generator.
From a cost to power ratio, between solar and wind for a TC solar is way better from my experience. - I'll give a sailors perspective on wind. Boondocking is much like cruising on a sailing yacht. Solar panels are preferred but you need real estate to place them which limits output. Wind works when solar does not and takes up little horizontal space. Some yachties operate two wind generators at once, along with multiple solar panels. If there is no sun then there is wind. So a combination of these two energy sources works very well. Furthermore, winter time camping requires power that solar often can't meet due to low sun angles, and that time of year is windy. The two charging methods do work well together.
Cheap wind generators are loud and obnoxious and justifiable grounds for homicide. Good wind generators are quiet and make for happy neighbors There are only two really quiet wind generators. The D400 is heavy but well made and quiet. And the Super Wind which is the most popular model among yachties today. It would be my choice. The blade set on the Suoer Wind cost $360as these are wind tunnel perfected carbon fiber blades and worth every penny.
While it is true that it takes a few minutes to set it up and take it down, and it can't be used while driving around, these wind units do produce significant power at higher wind speeds--power that should not be ignored. RV'er can choose windy sites to camp in, as well as sunny spots. Consider that if these generators can produce enough power to cool you freezer and refrigerator your energy needs are drastically reduced. Few solar arrays can power both a refrigerator and all the normal house loads.
If you boondock for extended periods, wind power supplements solar very well.
Finally, any yachtsman can tell you that it is important to have multiple charging sources. At least two and three or four is better. valhalla360 wrote:
Solar seems to be pushing wind out of the market in the boating world. They stil make them but while I hear people asking and see solar installations all the time. I don't remember the last time someone asked about wind.
Go back 20 yrs and wind could outperform solar both in cost and output. Now, solar has largely caught up and with no moving parts, it's basically an install and forget it option.
Remember while they may start producing power at 5-10mph, it will be a negligible amount until you get above 15mph and the rated power won't come until you get up in the 20-25mph range.
I like your answer!
For a permanant installation I would definately consider wind. But never for an RV. Vehicles move. When the vehicle/RV moves the wind generator is stored... it has no value... it produces nothing.
Worse that that... wind mills make noise... I wouldn't want to bother people.... like some do by setting their generators up againest your RV.... Aaaggg! That'll make for a nice campground experiece like having a insensitive fruitcakeset there remote gasoline generator or hang a wind chime outside your cabover.
My truck and camper moves every day... my PVsolar panels produce some power if there is light... a lot of power when it is bright light. They produce power on the interstate highways, when we are at the beach, on top of a mountain, or in our capitals parking lot, at a museum or art gallery, or on a boat ramp. Nothing to set up, nothing to take down, nothing to store. PVSolar just quietly continues to produce... PVsolar panels are warrenteed for 25 years or more.
A built in generator makes a nice backup... you'll find that you won't use the builtin generator often if you have the properly sized solar panels.
I have also considered the cost in dollars and effort.... very high in dollars, and constant effort to put up and take down for recreational vehicles.
I would have to say that of all the methods of self susstaining power generation the only thing that I find less useful than a wind generator with a truck camper (and most other RV's) is a personal hydropower plant.valhalla360 wrote:
Solar seems to be pushing wind out of the market in the boating world. They stil make them but while I hear people asking and see solar installations all the time. I don't remember the last time someone asked about wind.
Go back 20 yrs and wind could outperform solar both in cost and output. Now, solar has largely caught up and with no moving parts, it's basically an install and forget it option.
Remember while they may start producing power at 5-10mph, it will be a negligible amount until you get above 15mph and the rated power won't come until you get up in the 20-25mph range.
Good thoughts. For me, solar power will be my primary means for recharging my batteries, but there may be times at night and during overcast days when I need an alternate method. Wind power will help fill that void.- Solar seems to be pushing wind out of the market in the boating world. They stil make them but while I hear people asking and see solar installations all the time. I don't remember the last time someone asked about wind.
Go back 20 yrs and wind could outperform solar both in cost and output. Now, solar has largely caught up and with no moving parts, it's basically an install and forget it option.
Remember while they may start producing power at 5-10mph, it will be a negligible amount until you get above 15mph and the rated power won't come until you get up in the 20-25mph range.
