Wind Turbine for the CTC

[flboy]

Anybody have any experience with these 400W wind turbines? I was going to build my own from a car alternator/generator and cut blades from a 4" PVC pipe, but these seem inexpensive enough. I know there are others of better quality and I would pay more. I am just wanting to know if these type of wind turbines would be a good idea for when I go out west into the desert. My understanding is that the winds blows all night sometimes and even during the day, so this would allow a charge at night and of course I'd have solar in the day. In solar and with the winds blowing, I could run my AC while charging the batteries slightly. Thoughts? I'd mount to the antenna mount I already installed and it would have a separate controller to the battery bank.

Also,5 blades or 3? 5 Blades would probably work better in lower wind speeds for starting and etc.? I do not see great reviews for these anywhere... probably a good reason for that... a lot seem to be about the start speed (advertised at ~7mph) and the need for at least 20mph wind to get a decent output. What is the wind speed out in the desert at night? I have been out there before and it seemed to be more than just a good breeze...

I see these on sailboats around here all the time and I have seen them on a few RV's that are parked. Obviously I'd slip it off the mount for travel. Maybe should forget about it and supplement with the Honda 2000 as needed?

s-l640.jpg (45.71 KiB) Viewed 2817 times

https://www.ebay.com/p/400w-Max-Power-3 ... 0005.m1851

[hankaye]

flboy, Howdy;

Well, if it's wind you seek then Wy. is a good place to start. Truckers say that
if it's windy it must be Wy. Way down here in the Southern High desert we got
a "Windy Season", aka to the rest of the US as Spring. Don't get me wrong, wind
is here all the time, yes it does stay breezy during the dark hours ... at times,
Right now looking out my window there is nothing, according to my neighbor
that has a weather station that I can access online, " High Gust 19 Mph at 12:02 AM "
That's a copy paste from his page. It also informed me that the humidity has escalated
to near 30%, I thought it was getting muggy, we're generally nearer to 10%. Neighbor
is hooked into https://www.weatherlink.com/login.php and they are all over the place.
Don't worry about the sign in stuff in upper Right just click on the MAP tab then find
one near you and see what your weather truly is. Standard disclaimer, just a happy
user of someone else's hobby and spreading the word.

hank

[McDave]

The wind blows from sun up to sun down and then it calms down, and depending on elevation it gets downright cold. As soon as the sun hits the rocks the thermals start to build, and as the hot air rises "cold"er air rushes in to replace it.
On the plus side, it's a dry hot wind.
I seem to remember somebody here looking at turbine generators for use at hiway speeds. More of the jet engine style rather than the windmill. Ring any bells?

McDave`

[flboy]

Hi Hank. Thanks for the link. Do you see any of these being used out that way? Maybe not worth the trouble?

[flboy]

The wind blows from sun up to sun down and then it calms down, and depending on elevation it gets downright cold. As soon as the sun hits the rocks the thermals start to build, and as the hot air rises "cold"er air rushes in to replace it.
On the plus side, it's a dry hot wind.
I seem to remember somebody here looking at turbine generators for use at hiway speeds. More of the jet engine style rather than the windmill. Ring any bells?

McDave`

Hi McDave.. I seem to remember that also, but no use in that because the drag on the vehicle and subsequent decrease in MPG from the generator at highway speeds would negate the benefit... may as well install a higher output alternator or additional alternator as I have seen some do. Just looking for ways to supplement power when parked.. Windmills just look cool... but maybe not very effective in this case?

[McDave]

I see them at cabins and remote locations, and I heard about a guy who had one at "Burning Man" for his camper I guess. You see them on sailboats as well. Most of the southwest gets about 300 days of sunshine/yr. so your solar array should be quite effective. Just travel/tow on the cloudy days and you can charge from truck and beat the heat when driving. Problem solved. Next?

McDave

[flboy]

Anyone actually used these? Please comment?

[John61CT]

Absolutely silly to consider using on a moving land vehicle. Learn some basic physics.

Carrying around and setting up the large strong tower required for stationary use strikes me as extremely inconvenient.

And other than in the desert, I would not want a reason to search out the windiest spot to camp, best to avoid them IMO.

[flboy]

Absolutely silly to consider using on a moving land vehicle. Learn some basic physics.

Carrying around and setting up the large strong tower required for stationary use strikes me as extremely inconvenient.

And other than in the desert, I would not want a reason to search out the windiest spot to camp, best to avoid them IMO.

For sure... why would someone attach to a moving vehicle... besides McDave's jet engine comment, what gave you the idea that I'd install this on a moving vehicle? I know the physics. These little wind generators are not that big (~3ft to 3.5ft diameter of blade rotation)... only 400W output best case at rated wind speed to supplement a solar setup.. Not seeking windy places for sure... but it is a reality in some places as you travel around the country and can supplement solar at night or cloudy days. Simple as that.

In fact it may not be worth it... that is why I am asking if someone has actually used them and what they think "first hand". . I have seen them on RV's and etc. attached to 1.5" to 2" pipes much less than 8' just a spinning away . May not be that inconvenient if staying in one place for weeks at a time. Certainly would not waste my time for overnight trips or even just a day or two. That is what the Honda is for if needed.

[Iconfabul8]

I found this small writeup interesting:
http://roadtreking.com/experiment-porta ... d-turbine/

[John61CT]

On cheaprvliving a guy rigged a towed break-down tower, said abandoned the idea after three uses, solar all the way.

Fewer and fewer boats bother with wind.

Usually noisy and lots of vibration.

[flboy]

Thanks Iconfabul8 and John61CT... that was the kind of information I was looking for. I knew full power was 29MPH, but 100W at 15mph... Looks like it might not be worth the trouble... especially if I need to take off the blade to stow each time and carry all the piping.

[hankaye]

Flboy, Howdy;

Hi Hank. Thanks for the link. Do you see any of these being used out that way? Maybe not worth the trouble?

Jump on Google Earth and punch in the following coordinates;
32* 33' 13.70" N

107* 30' 56.48" W

You'll see some stick looking thingies those are Wind mills. Back out a wee
bit and you'll see a Solar farm that will make even you jealous. This is about
30 miles SW of me. Those are all 75' towers. A little further to the East on NM-26
you'll see some Blue Solar units. Those are for the Town of Hatch (Chile Capitol of the Earth!)


PNM (State utilities group), is building wind farms all over the State of N.M.
So they can charge us more for what they get for free.

hank

Ps. Right now the onion harvest is on, the smell of Mesillia Valley Onions
getting their hot bath is a wonderful aroma in the evenings.