Vertical Wind Turbine.. (1 Viewer)

[Destination Unknown]

When the Sun wont shine on your solar panels and the wind is blowing are the Vertical wind turbines any good.

Have seen a couple of motorhome owners with them but are they any good as a power souce over solar panels.

We have always had good power from the solar panels when out in more sunnier climates, but wondering if having a wind turbine aswell would cover all weathers....

 

[gozomike]

Hi.

I have not tried one but 'DingRay' has one fitted. In know he was having to mount it high and in the clear (not just above the van) to get a reasonable output. It might be worth sending him a PM if he does not appear.

Mike

 

[GJH]

Dingray gets very good results from his Broken Link Removed but it's expensive. We've been pitched next to him a couple of times and can testify to the fact that it is very quiet in operation. We've considered getting one in the past but haven't yet taken the plunge.

Snowbird was testing one of the much cheaper models sold by Maplins a while ago but I don't know how he got on in the end. It appears, though, that Maplins no longer stock them so perhaps they weren't popular.

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[hilldweller]

Dingray gets very good results from his Broken Link Removed but it's expensive.

Worse, only a couple of amps.

Is that worth erecting every time you stop. Maybe, mid winter with no sunlight, but not in the summer, Solar Rules.

 

[GJH]

Worse, only a couple of amps.

Is that worth erecting every time you stop. Maybe, mid winter with no sunlight, but not in the summer, Solar Rules.

That's why we haven't taken the plunge yet, Brian.

We've been very pleased with the solar panel we had fitted by Dave Newell. Only 80W but it's kept the batteries (both leisure and starter) charged all year from February all the way through until a couple of weeks ago. The only time we've been on EHU since having it fitted was in May when we were at the Blackpool CC site and that was only because that site was the most convenient one when we wanted to be in the area in a particular week.

 

[Destination Unknown]

Thanks for replys.
Have been looking at wind turbine for a while but dont think its worth the hassle, as you say you have to put it up each time and not a thing you would like to do if wild camping.

Will stick with solar as its silent and they are nailed on the roof so wherever we are we can get some power.

We have 4 x 80w and a 20w panels. Had no problems when in Europe and suppose when we are in Uk we are on Hook up most of the time. If we get low we can always stick the genni on for a bit.

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[oldun]

When the Sun wont shine on your solar panels and the wind is blowing are the Vertical wind turbines any good.

Have seen a couple of motorhome owners with them but are they any good as a power souce over solar panels.

We have always had good power from the solar panels when out in more sunnier climates, but wondering if having a wind turbine aswell would cover all weathers....

Where do you find the space to store it for transit and where do you find the patience to erect it?

 

[Reallyretired]

Went up to check my van today, still getting 2amps charge from solar with total overcast at 10am only a day away from the winter solstice. Don't think thats bad, however it was windy today so a wind turbine might have done better.

 

[GJH]

To an extent it's a comfort, rather than cash price, thing for those who are happy to transport/erect a VAWT. As someone (Eddie Van Bitz?) posted some time ago in response to a thread on Efoy devices, their customers don't worry about the money as the value of always having power is worth it. Same could well be said of refillable gas cylinders (or even solar panels).

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[oldun]

To an extent it's a comfort, rather than cash price, thing for those who are happy to transport/erect a VAWT. As someone (Eddie Van Bitz?) posted some time ago in response to a thread on Efoy devices, their customers don't worry about the money as the value of always having power is worth it. Same could well be said of refillable gas cylinders (or even solar panels).

I agree with your sentiments however a jenny, an effoy and solar panels are all simple and quick to use; a wind turbine is anything but simple and easy to use - plus most of us would probably not have space to store it whilst travelling.

 

[GJH]

I agree with your sentiments however a jenny, an effoy and solar panels are all simple and quick to use; a wind turbine is anything but simple and easy to use - plus most of us would probably not have space to store it whilst travelling.

A agree that efoy and solar are "fit & forget" but a jenny has to be taken out of storage, fuelled, located where it won't cause annoyance, fastened up with a chain to prevent theft, started and then put away again

I've seen Ray mount/dismount his VAWT several times and it only takes a couple of minutes and it's smaller than most jennys I've seen people use so storage isn't an issue