Robthebrit
Explorer
I picked on these up: http://www.windenergy.com/air_x.htm.
I have yet to install it because it requires some fabrication, I am hoping to use it instead of a generator. The specs say it rated for 400W in ideal conditions but if it only generates half of that its more than I need, even at night with all the lights, the TV and the laptop I use nowhere near that amount. With this, 200W of solar and 1050 amp hours of battery my offgrid time without starting the engine is pretty much indefinate. It only weighs 13 pounds - its mounting hardware will weigh more.
I plan to install it on an extending pole on the back of the mog - the end result will be something like the RV mount shown on the website but fitted. For those that have seen the mog this will make sense. I have that metal rack on the back which holds the external box and the spare. The bars holding the rack go from top to bottom of the camper, I plan to install an extension tube inside the tubes of that rack. The tube will have a few holes which bolts go through to lock it in position, both in and extended. With the pole at full extension and the turbine on the end it will be about 22 feet in the air. The extension pole will be able to extend to multiple heights to account for tight spaces.
With me sleeping at the front and it being 10 feet above the camper at the back it shoudn't be too noisey but I'll still be able to hear it. The turbine is noisey because it spins really fast. Martyn from AT suggested a kill switch to disconnect it when you don't need it which is not a bad idea although the latest controller has a brake system to stop it rotating - kind of important when you need to pack up! When its spinning fast those blades will take your fingers off.
The blades do come off for storing which makes it pretty small but taking them off and putting them on is a bit of a pain in the ass. I am hoping to find somewhere to store it with the blades on but its 4 feet across.
I hope to have it ready for the DV trip in the new year.
Pics to follow.
Rob
EDIT: I forgot to say, I got it from these folks http://home.altenergystore.com for $538 for the land version. The marine version is more expensive at nearly $700 and the industrial vesion is $1000. The marine version is salt spray safe, other than that its exactly the same as the land version. The industrial version is very different and needs a charge controller.
I have yet to install it because it requires some fabrication, I am hoping to use it instead of a generator. The specs say it rated for 400W in ideal conditions but if it only generates half of that its more than I need, even at night with all the lights, the TV and the laptop I use nowhere near that amount. With this, 200W of solar and 1050 amp hours of battery my offgrid time without starting the engine is pretty much indefinate. It only weighs 13 pounds - its mounting hardware will weigh more.
I plan to install it on an extending pole on the back of the mog - the end result will be something like the RV mount shown on the website but fitted. For those that have seen the mog this will make sense. I have that metal rack on the back which holds the external box and the spare. The bars holding the rack go from top to bottom of the camper, I plan to install an extension tube inside the tubes of that rack. The tube will have a few holes which bolts go through to lock it in position, both in and extended. With the pole at full extension and the turbine on the end it will be about 22 feet in the air. The extension pole will be able to extend to multiple heights to account for tight spaces.
With me sleeping at the front and it being 10 feet above the camper at the back it shoudn't be too noisey but I'll still be able to hear it. The turbine is noisey because it spins really fast. Martyn from AT suggested a kill switch to disconnect it when you don't need it which is not a bad idea although the latest controller has a brake system to stop it rotating - kind of important when you need to pack up! When its spinning fast those blades will take your fingers off.
The blades do come off for storing which makes it pretty small but taking them off and putting them on is a bit of a pain in the ass. I am hoping to find somewhere to store it with the blades on but its 4 feet across.
I hope to have it ready for the DV trip in the new year.
Pics to follow.
Rob
EDIT: I forgot to say, I got it from these folks http://home.altenergystore.com for $538 for the land version. The marine version is more expensive at nearly $700 and the industrial vesion is $1000. The marine version is salt spray safe, other than that its exactly the same as the land version. The industrial version is very different and needs a charge controller.
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