Wind power
 

I have been looking at small wind generators (about 40cm diameter) and approx £100, which generate 750W (or 10A at 12V) with a 15mph wind.

I have never measured the wind in the Sahara, but from memory recall the only wind of that sort of speed+ being around dusk (outside of sand-storms anyway!). Anybody have different recollections, or even experience with wind power!

Slightly random one, but you never know...

Sam.


PS I have found what appear to be very good (and relatively very cheap deep cycle batteries at www.genasyspowersystems.co.uk )

Hi Sam,

Would be interested to know if you go ahead with this and how you get on.

I asked a mate of mine who does a lot of sailing and they are used on many boats. He mentioned that they don't make you popular when you are in dock as some of them make a lot of noise when the wind gets up and they start spinning.

Not all of them do this apparently, and they are probably bigger than the ones you are looking at. But they work well enough.

When you are driving along it will obviously produce energy, will this be wasted because the alternator is recharging the batteries already etc?

Cheers, Darrin

Darrin,

It's for when you are stopped!! Apart from not needing the extra power whilst driving, I'm not sure whether they'd survive a constant 120+kph wind!!

Sam.

Hello Sam

In the Libyan Desert we have encountered almost constant strong wind in all seasons. We were flirting with the idea of taking an ultralight to the Gilf Kebir some time ago, but based on the experience it is quite impossible. With a max 15mph safe upper wind limit, we gathered we could fly only every 7-10 days.

From your perspective an interesting observation is that the only predictable relatively calm times are the hour before and after sunset and sunrise - that is when you would need the power most.



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Happy Travels,
Andras

FJ Expeditions

Sam,

Sure you've already looked, but try the sailing websites (or even better, spend 10 mins browsing the magazines in your local newsagent) - plenty of stuff on wind generators.

Try
http://www.marlec.co.uk
www.ybw.com
www.ampair.com

for starters.

Seems like a good idea to me - will certainly entertain the locals if nothing else!!

Hi Sam; be very sceptical about the power output claims of some of these wind generators. 750 watts at 12 volts is a 60 amp car alternator with the engine running fast! You'd need a gale and some thick cables to get that out of a small wind generator. I've seen one in an electronic parts catalog which claims to give 10 amps at 12 volts but its price made solar panels look like a better option for the same rated power.
A friend rigged up an alternator attached to the cooling fan off a big truck as a test and got around 6 amps on a medium 15kph wind; the rain ruined the bearings though http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/frown.gif
Those batteries seem quite reasonable, I don't know if static storage batteries are up to the kind of vibrations a vehicle will give them. The disadvantage of most deep cycle gel batteries is that they don't like high charge or discharge currents; if you need to jumpstart forget the storage batteries.
I've been using a pair of Elecsol carbon reinforced deep cycle batteries in the living part of my motorhome (4x4 of course) for three years including one full year live in in the alps. They took a beating in because my solar panel is too small for winter use, so I often charged them from flat with the motor. The price was also very competitive Check out http://www.elecsol.com/ for the sales patter, they often have stands in motorhome and boat shows.
Just curious, why? I thought the sun shone in the desert; unless you park in a garage for days at a time a solar panel for 150 Euros (GBP100) is a lot less hassle once it's installed and will largely fulfill the lighting and Engel requirements of daily living, even without direct light.
Cheers
Luke

Sam,

Yeah, obviously.

But do you have to take it down when you drive, or do you have to flick a switch to stop its energy coming into the batteries or what? Just one of the funny little questions that fill my idle days :-)

It must be nice to be able to do 120km/ph+ :-) Just wait until you get my tank in the back!

Hi Sam,

even though I am a big fan of wind power (and puns) I suggest you forget the idea of using a little wind generator for your car/mobile home. A friend of mine had one on his Mercedes 710 (4x4), but only for maybe 6 months. After that he had realised that:
A) he had no more friends as the noise he generated was extremely dreadful
B) his batteries were empty most of the time
C) solar panels are much better

I suggest you spend the money on an extra battery (it's not completely true that all solar bats are no good for starting!!) and connect it to your alternator. If you want to spoil yourself, get a solar panel.
I have 150 Wpeak on tghe roof of my truck and never ran out of ice for my gin tonics so far. Even when the engine is not running for a fortnight or so. And believe me, I take a lot of ice!!
Regards
Fränk

Anyone got any good sources or found a good deal on solar panels

Need to keep my beer cool in the minus 40 fridge so looking for around 100 watts or more

Rich

Hallo Rich. Look on this site they have interesting things. Light, flexible, unbreakable and strong.
Gregor
http://www.uni-solar.com/

Hi Rich,
I'm at the same stage as you here. I don't know about UK but I've found a few addresses in France; motorhomes are popular here. The sites are in French, but that shouldn't dissuade you:
http://www.sorelec.fr
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/energies-nou...rises/1sol.htm
http://www.solarsud.com
http://www.ouest-electrique.fr
there are also some excellent accessories at http://www.alden.fr/accessoires.html which might tickle your fancy.
I'm also after sth around 100 watts, although that's big and from what I've seen, expensive. You won't be able to install a deck chair on Tigurr's roof anymore; great for a stadium view at little sporting events.
If you find anything less expensive please let me know. I heard that sometimes you can get panels less expensive in OZ; perhaps the newly founded Chris Scott compressor import company could see if there are any deals to be had there. (don't know how he's going to get it all through check in and customs http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif
Happy trails
Luke

Just found www.gotsolar.com brilliant prices on big panels. Problem is, it's in america and the french have strict customs people. Anybody bringing a vehicle from US like to put a few on the roof? Ian from the unleaded post?
Here's hoping...
Luke

I am not sure how 10A @ 12V is supposed to get 750W... My arithmetic makes it 120W. Interesting idea, though.

I am fascinated to see all the positive reports on solar panels. I confess to not having investigated them for many years, but in *my* day (ahem!) solar panels were pretty much only good for a trickle charge - even the big ones. I'll have to take another look.

Regards,

Michael...