Has anyone else tried this? (wind turbine for camper power)

[daring4]

I wasn't sure where to post this but I've had this wind turbine that I mount in the back of my truck when I go to the dunes. I only have to run my generator to make coffee and blow dry gf's hair! I know getting to the dunes isn't efficient, my truck gets 12 mpg hauling the 21,000 lbs out there. I have solar panels on top of the trailer and the turbine can make power day and night as long as the wind blows! I laugh when I hear peoples generators turning on when they wake up becuase the batteries are dead. Its capable of 400 watts with 30mph winds, it doesn't usually blow that hard but it does help keep the batteries topped off.

Darin

[Old Tele man]

...sounds like the "sand dunes" west of Yuma, AZ (actually in California however!)....Buttercup Valley?

[daring4]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...sounds like the "sand dunes" west of Yuma, AZ (actually in California however!)....Buttercup Valley?

Very close! I go to Glamis most of the time, been to buttercup and gordons well but I like glamis the most.

[Old Tele man]

...we're transplants from Yuma to Tucson...many, many years.

[busypaws]

I have a friend that keeps telling me he moved to Tucson from Yuma to cool off.

[RobertSmalls]

Wind power is nice when you're off the grid, but my first thought when I see that picture is, how much extra gas does it take to transport the mast and turbine to your site?

[daring4]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

Wind power is nice when you're off the grid, but my first thought when I see that picture is, how much extra gas does it take to transport the mast and turbine to your site?

I would guess not much, it weighs 58 lbs and travels inside the trailer. I have a fifth wheel trailer, the mount is on a hinge that I assemble when I get there.

[daring4]

I just reread your post robertsmalls! You might be under the assumption that I drove it there in the full upright position! No, that turbine is mounted 22 feet above the bed of my truck I wouldn't make it onto the highway without smashing it to pieces trying to go under an overpass

[RobertSmalls]

Originally Posted by daring4

I just reread your post robertsmalls! You might be under the assumption that I drove it there in the full upright position!

That would be amusingly foolish. No, I was worried you'd have to strap the mast to the roof, which would probably be enough to negate the fuel you'd save at the dunes.

The wind turbine is still nifty in any case.

[Clev]

Very cool. How loud is it from inside the RV?