Well, maybe not exactly! EarthTech Products has introduced a wind turbine kit designed for use on an RV. The turbine rotors measure 46" and is rated for 400 watts at 28MPH. I take it, not exactly a gentle breeze! Output voltage is available in either 12, 24, or 48 VDC. Though I've never seen anyone with a wind turbine setup on an RV in the U.S., they are apparently not an uncommon sight in Europe. The company offers a telescoping pole accessory for mounting the wind turbine for RV use. But ironically, it costs more than the wind turbine kit itself. I would think an industrious person could modify a "suitably capable" hitch mounted flag pole setup to do the trick.
I can see where such a wind turbine setup could appeal to those who dry camp. I'm guessing etiquette would dictate one not pull out their turbine when "overnighting" at a Walmart! In any case, not sure if these will catch on over here. But for those who do chose to go this route, forgetting to crank down the TV antenna before getting underway, will now be a minor slip up!
You can find the blog article on the Air-X Wind Turbine here. The product page including a short demo video is located here.
They are somewhat popular in the Quartzsite crowd. Popular is probably a strong word. Lets say that Quartzsite is the only place I ever see one now and then. My problem is: I don't want to be parked anywhere that the wind is blowing hard enough to be of value to a wind generator.
hershey - albuquerque, nm Someday Finally Got Here
My wife does all the driving - I just get to hold the steering wheel.
Expedition - Suzuki Grand Viagra
I often wondered why people didn't mount a smaller version on the front of the RV, so that it would be generating while driving down the road. Seems as if it would be a good idea...and you'd get the batteries all charged up when you got to where you were going....and maybe even when you were there, if wind was working well!!
Bill & Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie, Annie, and Maggie RIP: Cookie (Sheltie) & Gidget (Lab-mix) over the Rainbow Bridge.
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April 2008 FMCA# F407293 The Pets
PapPappy wrote: I often wondered why people didn't mount a smaller version on the front of the RV, so that it would be generating while driving down the road. Seems as if it would be a good idea...and you'd get the batteries all charged up when you got to where you were going....and maybe even when you were there, if wind was working well!!
Don't your batteries already charge while driving down the road? They should.
"Nobody knows how we got to the top of the hill, but since we're on our way down, we might as well enjoy the ride". ("The Secret Of Life", James Taylor).
A few years back in Quartzsite, I saw a 5er boondocking. It had 6 100 watt solar panels on the roof that were aimed at the sun, and two wind generators on +-20 foot poles. My first guess was a full timer living off the grid.
I saw one with a 8 blade about 18" rotor and about 20' in the air at Lake Arthur one time... it basically looked like a electric automotive fan blade...
it was attached to a class C... I stopped three times trying to catch the owner but apparently they were on the water all night... the forth time I stopped the C was gone... it had a tag that if I remember correctly said it was 12VDC and 6/8A @ 4/10 MPH...
the tag had no name on it but that may have been on the top unit... it didn't look home made but may have been a kit...
not something to power the unit but it would help maintain the batteries and maybe extend my stay by two days without recharging the batteries, and can be used with any RV...
I was/am very interested in that small unit and have spent hours searching the internet for it without success...
if anyone is aware of how I can get more information on this please let me know... all of the marine ones I have found have been in the 46" range, much to big for my needs...
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
PapPappy wrote: I often wondered why people didn't mount a smaller version on the front of the RV, so that it would be generating while driving down the road. Seems as if it would be a good idea...and you'd get the batteries all charged up when you got to where you were going....and maybe even when you were there, if wind was working well!!
Using this while drive would be expensive. The turbines would add drag, causing your engine to work harder (and use more fuel). It's more efficient to generate power from your alternator.
I've seen one RV with a wind turbine. It was parked at the coast where the wind is pretty steady. 28 mph is a strong wind, though, so Hershey is correct. No sitting outside under the awning.
A couple of months ago we were at a RV park where the park was powered by a big wind turbine. It was too windy to put up the awning there, too. Fortunately, the park had several enclosures for our club to get out of the wind.
Wind turbines are popular on sailboats that are moored away from the dock.
PapPappy wrote:
often wondered why people didn't mount a smaller version on the front of the RV, so that it would be generating while driving down the road. Seems as if it would be a good idea...and you'd get the batteries all charged up when you got to where you were going....and maybe even when you were there, if wind was working well!!
The reason is that you'd be stopped by highway patrol and asked to produce you pilot's licence.
John
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