solar power and dry camping

[AZsix]

The problem with "Expected needs" is that, that is an ever changing equation. I think that if you find that a certain "number" meets your minimum expectations, you may find yourself wanting for more. Also, if it meets your expectations on a bright sunny day, it will most certainly fall far short on a partly sunny day.

I lived with solar panels for 10 years on my sailboat (I lived aboard). I ended up with 4, 48w panels and a very powerful wind generator. Of course my needs were a lot higher than a PU but the point is, I am very familiar with what solar panels can and can't do.

They need to come up with a wind generator for camping applications.

[wavery]

They need to come up with a wind generator for camping applications.

The problem with that is, most of us try to stay away from windy places.  :sombraro:

[dthurk]

They need to come up with a wind generator for camping applications.

Try this: http://www.alpinesurvival.com/RV_TOWER-KIT-price.pdf

[beacher]

Try this: http://www.alpinesurvival.com/RV_TOWER-KIT-price.pdf

I would never camp anywhere windy enough to use it, (perhaps only while on a beach).  At that price, a nice quiet inverter generator sure looks real good!


.

[wavery]

Try this: http://www.alpinesurvival.com/RV_TOWER-KIT-price.pdf

OMG!!!!! :yikes:  :yikes:

What a pain in the posterior that would be to set up. Not to mention the outrageous price. :yikes:

I am on a mission to reduce, "Set-up pain" at the moment.

If anyone is serious about wanting a wind generator, I can help you build one for a couple hundred bucks.........the price of that thing is outrageous.

Wind generators are not rocket science. They are just permanent magnet, 13v-600v motors (running backward)
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=wind+generator+motor&category0=

and a set of propeller blades.
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=wind+generator+blades&category0=

The wind generator that I built put out 20A in 20MPH wind. What must be stressed is that they don't really put out anything until the wind gets up to 10MPH. In 35MPH wind the generator must be stopped (simple short the wires together) or it will melt your batteries (unless you have a huge battery bank).

The other issue that must be considered is that they are noisier than a gas generator.

If you absolutely want to "BUY" one, here's a good one at a decent price:
http://www.wholesalesolar.com/products.folder/wind-folder/airx12.html

 :book: Best I can tell, that other guy is charging $600 for the wind generator and $900 for that long pole. :p I can tell him where he can put that pole..... :yikes:

[zillaq]

OMG!!!!! :yikes:  :yikes:

Amen to that!  Who wants to sit outside sipping their favorite beverage in a 20mph wind?  Would your awning and tacky lights go flying away?  I guess it would keep the bugs down.

I've been reading about a new technology called CIGS.  Printable PV cells.  Supposed to become much, much cheaper.  Affordable-solar.com has a 60 watt panel for 300 bucks.  Still spendy though.

[wavery]

Amen to that!  Who wants to sit outside sipping their favorite beverage in a 20mph wind?  Would your awning and tacky lights go flying away?  I guess it would keep the bugs down.

I've been reading about a new technology called CIGS.  Printable PV cells.  Supposed to become much, much cheaper.  Affordable-solar.com has a 60 watt panel for 300 bucks.  Still spendy though.

Harbor freight has these panels on sale (In store, not internet store) for $180 for a 45w system, $360 for 90w.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90599
3 sets of these would give you a respectable 135W (11Amps) for about $540.

Just remember, solar has some serious limitations, notably, available DIRECT sunlight.

[dthurk]

Jeez, Wavery.  AZsix stated that they needed to come up with a wind generator.  I was just trying to show that they had already done it by finding one online.  This was the first one I came across.  I wasn't recommending actually buying it.  I wouldn't spend the money myself, nor would I want to go through the bother of setting it up.

[wavery]

Jeez, Wavery.  AZsix stated that they needed to come up with a wind generator.  I was just trying to show that they had already done it by finding one online.  This was the first one I came across.  I wasn't recommending actually buying it.  I wouldn't spend the money myself, nor would I want to go through the bother of setting it up.

Ya sure Dave.................I'll bet that you're selling those things on the side......... :-()

[naganthunter]

I do that same thing in the bed of my pick-up with a Honda 2000. I could run it all night long, right next to our bunk and we can't hear it. More importantly, our neighbors can't hear it. :sombraro:

Wavery - Do you have photos or other references to your setup on this?  I've got plans in my head on how to do this with fresh air fans and exhaust out of the pickup truck's bed - but I also worry about it getting too hot, or stinking up the back of the pickup like gas/exhaust (I use the back of the pickup for boondocking, without the generator back there of course) and I don't want it to stink like a gasoline motor if at all possible.... :tent: