Wind Power

SheffieldSteel · Jul 23, 2020

hi everyone,
just wondering if anyone has used a wind generator to top up the batteries in the Cali. We are planning on a long trip which includes plenty freedom camping for several days a time and wondering if this would be a good option. I read that wind is more efficient than solar power if the conditions are right. Reading the forum, it seems solar is favored.

We are planning to tow a camping trailer behind which would be used to fix the wind generator and loosely attach/detach the power feed cable as required to the batteries.

Be good if anyone can share any experiences in this area.

thanks
Shane

Loz · Jul 23, 2020

I have read that the mounting, hazard and noise are the overriding issues with these.

sidepod · Jul 23, 2020

If you’re taking a trailer then just chuck in a spare battery, about the same space as a wind turbine?

Nick Stubbs · Jul 23, 2020

Unless your on top of a hill and away from hedges and trees you would need to get fairly high to get a constant breeze.

Wesel · Jul 23, 2020

Particularly useful on German highways :bananadance2

kurienp · Jul 23, 2020

I have seen small wind turbines on the narrow boats on the Kennet and Avon canal. Don't have to be in top of a mountain to get a good breeze. These small ones are always spinning, even with a light breeze. It may work as a secondary option including a solar setup as I think the output from the small turbine will be pretty low.

Also, with twin battery + solar, you may need additional power only in an emergency. Chuck a small petrol.powered Honda eu10i in the trailer and then you are safe. It is light and very portable and silent. Don't overthink your power requirements. People on the road manage with much less.

Nick Stubbs · Jul 23, 2020

There is a reason micro generation wind turbines never caught on, no saying they are not any good but they need to be in the right place speaking as someone who has used one on a boat.

Bellcrew · Jul 23, 2020

kurienp said:
I have seen small wind turbines on the narrow boats on the Kennet and Avon canal. Don't have to be in top of a mountain to get a good breeze. These small ones are always spinning, even with a light breeze. It may work as a secondary option including a solar setup as I think the output from the small turbine will be pretty low.

Also, with twin battery + solar, you may need additional power only in an emergency. Chuck a small petrol.powered Honda eu10i in the trailer and then you are safe. It is light and very portable and silent. Don't overthink your power requirements. People on the road manage with much less.

Small safe generators normally generate insignificant amounts, large powerful types are often antisocial, noisy and potentially dangerous, fine on a blue-water yacht on a circumnavigation otherwise nah. Now a decent solar panel is just the thing for summer touring if campsite hookups are not used.

SheffieldSteel · Jul 24, 2020

sidepod said:
If you’re taking a trailer then just chuck in a spare battery, about the same space as a wind turbine?

do you mean to link into the auxiliary setup?

SheffieldSteel · Jul 24, 2020

Nick Stubbs said:
Unless your on top of a hill and away from hedges and trees you would need to get fairly high to get a constant breeze.

Not necessarily true. We always have a breeze in NZ and I'm surprised there are no wind turbines, or that I've seen. We don't always get the sun for solar so this was my thinking.

kurienp · Jul 24, 2020

shane said:
Not necessarily true. We always have a breeze in NZ and I'm surprised there are no wind turbines, or that I've seen. We don't always get the sun for solar so this was my thinking.

Shane, you will be surprised as to how much power the newer panels can generate in low light conditions.

On the generator, no need to wire it in. Just let it be there as a backup.

SheffieldSteel · Jul 24, 2020

maybe easier and cheaper just to start the engine for an hour

SheffieldSteel · Jul 24, 2020

kurienp said:
Shane, you will be surprised as to how much power the newer panels can generate in low light conditions.

On the generator, no need to wire it in. Just let it be there as a backup.

can you recommend which are the latest panels to go for?

Erbster · Jul 24, 2020

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kurienp · Jul 24, 2020

shane said:
can you recommend which are the latest panels to go for?

Not an expert on this but what I am aware of is that of the two types, PV panels are cheaper but do not last long when compared to Crystalline Panels.

Crytalline panels are of two further types - mono-and poly-crystalline. Mono are the most expensive but efficient. Poly is less efficient, but again, we are not talking about a lot of power generation on top of a campervan.

When you check with providers in NZ, these could be some of the aspects you keep in mind on panels.

Then you have the MPPT controller. Victron seems to be the best on performance and most importantly after sales support.

Madhutter · Jul 25, 2020

shane said:
hi everyone,
just wondering if anyone has used a wind generator to top up the batteries in the Cali. We are planning on a long trip which includes plenty freedom camping for several days a time and wondering if this would be a good option. I read that wind is more efficient than solar power if the conditions are right. Reading the forum, it seems solar is favored.

We are planning to tow a camping trailer behind which would be used to fix the wind generator and loosely attach/detach the power feed cable as required to the batteries.

Be good if anyone can share any experiences in this area.

thanks
Shane
[/QUOTE

shane said:
hi everyone,
just wondering if anyone has used a wind generator to top up the batteries in the Cali. We are planning on a long trip which includes plenty freedom camping for several days a time and wondering if this would be a good option. I read that wind is more efficient than solar power if the conditions are right. Reading the forum, it seems solar is favored.

We are planning to tow a camping trailer behind which would be used to fix the wind generator and loosely attach/detach the power feed cable as required to the batteries.

Be good if anyone can share any experiences in this area.

thanks
Shane

sounds like a faff to me... Roger at Solar Camper Solutions does great kit. Our battery never seems to dip under 80% fridge running full tilt etc

HectaTheSpecta · Jul 25, 2020

Slightly off topic, and for use of a different purpose, but can anyone recommend a good wind turbine?

Douglas Blane · Jul 25, 2020

I have a 12v wind lily on pre-order, the water lily is an excellent robust little turbine, I hope the wind / water version will be as good.
I’ll review it when I receive it.

WaterLily Turbine

WaterLily's camping USB charger uses water and wind to recharge any usb device. No sun? No problem. WaterLily can be placed in moving water or wind to effortlessly charge your device. Or 10 minutes with the optional hand crank gets you enough charge for a 6 minute phone call. Get yours now!

shop.waterlilyturbine.com

stephen watson · Jul 28, 2020

The waterlily looks really interesting Douglas. Thanks for posting. Have you written a review for it? Would seem to make sense to wait for dual purpose water/wind version.