RV Wind Turbines

Someone talk me out of this before I even get started trying to do it. While I was posting my mini turbine plans I came up with a larger turbine plan that is attached to my RV. There are two of them. One using my existing fold down antenna the other attached to the back of my RV. Crazy idea right?! I really think I'm starting to lose it, but I can't seem to get the idea out of my head. Please convince me that it is a bad idea.

 

Depending on what you need....have you looked into solar panels? A lot quieter and possibly a lot cheaper because of the materials and the way it is manufactured.

 

Solar for the daytime and wind turbine for the night. Look into both options. No harm in that. Although you could find parts readily available on old DC fans or old car alternators. Solar panels are getting cheaper also, so don't limit yourself.

 

When I was living "off-grid", and bought my diesel generator; the man who sold it to me had several wind turbines, and also some large solar panels, plus a huge bank of batteries which he charged up using both the solar and the wind turbines. This man lived at the top of a very high mountain peak in eastern Washington, and the wind blew like crazy the whole time I was up there. Even so, he said that the wind did not produce enough energy for him to use for his home. He said that although the wind was always blowing hard up there; it needs to be in a place with a whole LOT of wind before a wind turbine is going to do much for you.

That said, it doesn't hurt to have one up on the roof, for whatever amount of electricity it may generate. Foldable solar panels would help a whole lot, too. If you have a good deep cycle battery that can be being charged by solar, wind, or the vehicle running; and manage your electrical usage, you would probably be okay with just the little camper trailer to provide for.

 

Wind turbines are an issue in this Province and it is sometimes hard to separate fact from fiction in terms of real truth. Nuclear power generates fifty per cent in Ontario - then all this stuff is a whole different topic. I don't think that I be using either on any camping/canoeing trip soon.

 

Dancer, I can see that having a wind turbine on the canoe might be a bit of a difficulty. I have searched for a better method of generating propulsion for the canoe, and I have discovered one design that is very unique, though I am not quite sure how Reese will fit. Maybe a Doggie Platform across the back would work?

 

Our incredible thinking process can design and create so many marvellous inventions. I think that my prospector canoe will have to continue to be the main exploration vehicle, that and my Sagamore cherry paddle will just have to do.

 

That is funny. I think your right - if Reese could paddle he would do that just to please me.

He's a great companion and is as excited about being outdoors as I am. Unless you have had the experience - you really can't appreciate sitting in front of a fire and having your dog nuzzle up beside you and lay his head in your lap. There is a bond and an understanding that defies an accurate explanation. At the moment that happens, kindred spirits meet and a comfort level is established that goes beyond a simple friendship.

Okay okay, enough of the mushy stuff.

What was the topic about again?

 

Ok, we came up with a complete idea... this is how ludicrous we can be.

We have a folding (nonworking) antenna on our RV. Going to turn that into a wind turbine.
Extending our roof to have a 1 foot space between ceiling and roof with air slits that can be blocked off when driving. Placing miniature vertical turbines inside.
Lining top of roof (we are removing top hatches and air conditioner from the roof as we don't like or need them) with solar panels that lift to an angle.

All of these will be connected to a power regulator (don't want to over charge the batteries) which is connected to 10 deep cycle batteries which are connected to a power inverter which in turn is connected to our fuse box. Insane, I know.

 

Wow! Sounds complicated to me; but then again, I am not mechanically inclined at all. I was one of those people that stole someone else's stapler because I had such a hard time trying to reload my own. I am sure my boss wondered how he could fill up his stapler, run to the bank, and when he got back to the office, the stapler was empty. I did see him give it a strange look, like "I am sure that I refilled this", sometimes. But anyway (back on topic again) , it sounds like you are going to have to make major modifications to the roof of the camper. How will you seal it back up again just in case it rains?

I know that you don't actually get much rain out there on the high plains; but it does happen, and being dripped on by a leaky roof is no fun at all. You must really get a lot of wind out there if the turbines are going to generate that much power for you?

 

Interesting topic for sure. Like any equipment purchase I explore every possibility keeping in mind the goal or objective that I have set. I'm now thinking of longevity and practical applications as well. Cost is another factor, though not always. I sometimes ask myself questions - is this best that I can do? Are there other options? I'm I prepared to live with my decision? Do I really need it?

 

I was thinking about the same thing, Erik. If they are just leaving the camper parked on the property, and driving a different vehicle to and from town, then they don't have to worry about problems when driving. I have not been clear about whether the camper is an actual trailer, or one that fits in the back of a pickup, or whether they have another vihicle to drive. I know that Kimberley said they are way off of any paved roads, but as long as they are not getting much snow or ice there; then a regular 2WD vehicle would get them in and out most likely.

Even if they are not going anywhere with the camper; I am still concerned that the modifications may cause the roof to leak, or if nothing else, will let more heat escape. Even if they are using propane to keep the camper heated; it will probably cost more for the extra fuel than they save with the wind turbines. Making a way to set them up along side of the camper seems like a better solution to me, and then they can keep adding more turbines as they can afford it, since they have plenty of room on their land.

 

OK... I know I'm biased because I'm in the solar camp, but a wind turbine just doesn't make sense to me. Even setting aside the mechanical issues you have to deal with to put one up, I think counting on the wind is just too hit or miss. By the time you invest money for a turbine that may or may not give you power on a given day, solar panels are up in efficiency to the point that you'll get at least some charge even on a cloudy day. As long as it wasn't too overcast, I've even gotten a trickle from my panel on a rainy day. As was pointed out, there's really no reason to have to charge 24/7. A good 3 or 4 panel solar array, with 100 watt panels hooked to an MPPT charger will give you well above the rated wattage on an average sunny day because most 12 volt panels actually put out higher than 12 volts and the charger converts the extra voltage into higher amperage. I get about 5 amps out of my one panel in full sun. Triple that and I can't see a situation where you'd run out of power unless you're running an inverter and cooking in a microwave oven all day. I guess if you're going to be in your RV full-time and using high drain appliances all day long, you might run into an issue. For times like that, I'd just find a cheap generator like the ones at Harbor Freight. A couple of my friends have them and they seem to do just fine to run every now and then - perfect for those times when your batteries can't keep up with the demand.