New alternative engery idea?

[WildTexan]

Has anyone played with the idea of a wind generator to charge the battery? I've seen many "homemade" wind generators online, and the plans to build them. I'm just thinking out loud here, but was wondering if this might be a plausible idea. Maybe, a small wind generator on the front of the tear that can charge while in transit, or a telescoping device that can be set up while in more remote locations. Any ideas?

Mark

[madjack]

I do believe it has been done or experimented with by a few around here...sorry I can't point ya to any other info...
madjack

[parnold]

A more effective way to charge while towing is to hook your tear battery to your alternator. That's how they do it on big RV's with a 7 wire plug. Increased drag from the wind generator would most likely be less efficient that a straight wire.

While stationary though, it would be an interesting idea. I think some have toyed with the idea already, hopefully they will chime in.

[WildTexan]

I usually camp in parks with electric hookups, but not always, and I'm wanting to get "farther out". The wife requires a few modern ammenties while camping. I'm wanting to run a few appliances off a 120v inverter. Just tossing up the idea and seeing what sticks. I'm sure there is a "portable" wind generator I can build to get the charge I need. Using the 7-way to charge the battery is a good idea. I am, however, trying to find a way to camp "green". Trying to use what mother nature gives me.

[parnold]

I usually camp in parks with electric hookups, but not always, and I'm wanting to get "farther out". The wife requires a few modern ammenties while camping. I'm wanting to run a few appliances off a 120v inverter. Just tossing up the idea and seeing what sticks. I'm sure there is a "portable" wind generator I can build to get the charge I need. Using the 7-way to charge the battery is a good idea. I am, however, trying to find a way to camp "green". Trying to use what mother nature gives me.

I'm sorry, I couldn't help chuckle when you say "use what mother nature gives me". I don't think mother nature had any appliances.

Solar and wind combined would be a good solution to give you the best odds of always having charging of some type.

[WildTexan]

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Good point! It is camping afterall, right!

[dh]

How long are you looking at staying off grid? Just my style, but two days is what I'm building into my TD. Two days of water, two days battery power... Two days without a shower and digging cat holes and I've had it. I've got 120v appliances, but simply won't use them off grid, for two days... Cooking with propane helps extend battery life as well, anything with a heater is big energy hog.

[bobhenry]

I thought we had covered small wind generators on this forum but can not find it.

Here is a great link that covers it well !

http://www.velacreations.com/chispito.html

[Gary and Cheri]

I know we had someone who made a wind generator out of a car generator with PVC pipe blades. It was either on this forum or Tearjerkers. I can't find this either. There are some really great ideas out there.

Gary

[Gary and Cheri]

I know we had someone who made a wind generator out of a car generator with PVC pipe blades. It was either on this forum or Tearjerkers. I can't find this either. There are some really great ideas out there.

Gary

[bobhenry]

I found it ....... I found it .......

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=27922&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

[Lgboro]

With solar panels getting cheaper I think you will more bang for the buck with solar. The high efficiency motors that most homemade windmills used are getting very hard to find causing inflated prices making the homemade wind turbine less appealing (or at least to me).

[Shadow Catcher]

The best source of information for wind power (that that I am aware of) is on http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/forumdisplay.php?f=13
I toyed with the idea but the return on investment for wind is very poor. Even solar is a poor investment when a couple of gallons of gas during the times you need it is relatively inexpensive. Cutting consumption by using LED's etc. makes a great deal of sense.
BUT I like silence and we do have a 185W solar panel.