Solar or Wind power?

Hi All,

Spotted a 'van' with a wind turbine mounted onto a pole attached to a bike carrier.
Is this a viable option to a solar panel and if so what are the 'electric' bits like to install?

PB

Hi PB.

My solar panel is nice and quiet. Imagine listening to a wind turbine generator wizzing around all night.

Just my opinion. Whisky.

Having one might just be a reasonable idea, for instance, when driving, even on a calm day, it will turning at high speed & thus charging, also, when pitched, it can still be charging, not only that, it can charge at night whereas my panels can't!! But if found to be too noisey at night, simply tie-off the blades!!

Not sure as to the amps output compared to panels though.

As for whats needed, its similar to panels, a charge-controller (only a few quid) to prevent reverse discharging & overcharging.

I have seen a couple of these
http://www.windtrap.co.uk/generate-electricity/wind-turbines/rutland-504-wind-turbine/

at C&CC temporary holiday sites, spinning freely in a light breeze. Maplins do one of a different type (see below) but read the reviews and I don't think you'd buy one.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/12v-50w-telescopic-vertical-axis-wind-turbine-396269

Clearly not needed when the vehicle is in motion as the generator should suffice. However, could be useful when parked up on a windy night to provide a small charge for the battery, as it wouldn’t be enough to support a load.

What next – wave generators fitted to the water tanks to take advantage of all the sloshing when going around corners?

Keith

ki wrote:

What next – wave generators fitted to the water tanks to take advantage of all the sloshing when going around corners?

Keith

Hi Keith,

Does your Van's tank water only slosh-around, when driving ??

Brian

Hi


I have often thought that those little ventilator/extractor thingies, whirling round on top of some commercial vans, could surely be utilised, to produce a charge big enough to charge a Leisure battery.

Just a thought,

Andy

Hi PB

I've just fitted a solar panel, but I did think about wind generators for about twenty seconds and came to the conclusion that there were to many moving parts to wear out and break down, so I decided to go solar again just fit and forget and I'm pretty good at forgetting .

Cheers John .