Alternative campsite power source

[DX grunt]

Hi all.

After my last camping exped, I'm looking at getting a wind turbine to keep batteries charged. Any thoughts?

Does anybody use any other sorts of alternative power? If so, I'd love to hear from you.

Take care out there.

Ross
DX grunt

[Maxhead]

Mate, just my opinion but wind power is as good as the solar or solar is as good as wind power
If you have the energy you will get power just depends on the environment.

The solar and wind power generators are usually similar price but I think solar will get you further

[BillsGU]

Wind is not real good unless you are on the coast or up on a high point. You need constant wind. Also they do make some noise so you would want it away from camp. If it is not high enough it may smack you over the ear as you wander around at night looking for a bush to water - or worse it could do damage to one of the kids. Solar is a better idea - or maybe a water turbine if you camp near a creek. Platypus systems in Cairns is a good site to look at for turbines.

[growler2058]

My wife says my wind power is quite powerful hahaha or was that overpowering

[Maxhead]

My wife says my wind power is quite powerful hahaha or was that overpowering

......if we could only bottle methane!!!

[Woof]

Hey Ross saw some wind propellers today heading down your way today on low loaders.............I really think that you may have to get a Mighty GQ to tow them, they are enormous...haha

[Sir Roofy]

Solar is the way to go,mount it on top of your pod hook up to your batteries bobs your uncle your done,just keep them clean and you shouldnt have any trouble

[the evil twin]

Hiya Roscoe...

Never a shortage of wind here in WA, Methane or otherwise eh... Biggest advantage is wind tends to be 24/7 whereas peak Solar is only about 4 hours a day stretch to 5 or 6 in middle of Summer at prime angle

Been eyeing off a VAT (Vertical Axis Turbine) setup for a while. Looks just like a roof ventilator if you haven't seen one. They are very very quiet compared to the Propellor jobbies and handle turbulence significantly better so can be setup lower to the ground and near trees etc or on a much smaller mast. Need slightly higher initial wind speeds but that isn't an issue here in WA. Pricing is similar to the traditional propellor style.

The biggest thing in a comparo to Solar is that a 50 Watt wind turbine is equivalent to about a 70 Watt Solar Panel as Solar Panels are rated at peak volts of between 18 to 21 not 12 Volts so to get 4 Amps like in this Jaycar version http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MG4570 you need a higher rated Solar panel.

I can't justify one ATM as I have poo poo loads of electricity from my battery capacity and 100 Watt Solar panels.

For someone who is yet to purchase (and IF you live/camp where there is a reasonable chance of breezes) then I reckon a VAT Wind Turbine is a serious contender.

[89GQ]

Just what im'e looking into aswell, I do at least one week fishing trips and the 90AH aux. battery wont cut it! Solar 120 w seems popular! more than enough to keep the batt charged! Prices iv'e seen range from $1.000.oo down to $450.00 for the fold ups with the regulator, Might hang out till winter to see if any prices come down.Solar Steve has good quality stuff for round the $750 mark. He's on the Gone Bush Forum.

[Maxhead]

Hiya Roscoe...

Never a shortage of wind here in WA, Methane or otherwise eh... Biggest advantage is wind tends to be 24/7 whereas peak Solar is only about 4 hours a day stretch to 5 or 6 in middle of Summer at prime angle

Been eyeing off a VAT (Vertical Axis Turbine) setup for a while. Looks just like a roof ventilator if you haven't seen one. They are very very quiet compared to the Propellor jobbies and handle turbulence significantly better so can be setup lower to the ground and near trees etc or on a much smaller mast. Need slightly higher initial wind speeds but that isn't an issue here in WA. Pricing is similar to the traditional propellor style.

The biggest thing in a comparo to Solar is that a 50 Watt wind turbine is equivalent to about a 70 Watt Solar Panel as Solar Panels are rated at peak volts of between 18 to 21 not 12 Volts so to get 4 Amps like in this Jaycar version http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MG4570 you need a higher rated Solar panel.

I can't justify one ATM as I have poo poo loads of electricity from my battery capacity and 100 Watt Solar panels.

For someone who is yet to purchase (and IF you live/camp where there is a reasonable chance of breezes) then I reckon a VAT Wind Turbine is a serious contender.

Excellent info. thanks mate