An alternative to solar when camping?

I’ve never had an issue with solar myself - even in dark cold Victorian Winters, so I don’t see a need here but maybe places in Europe etc where their days are so short that solar does struggle.

Even running a 90 litre fridge, lighting and charging of mobile devices my batteries are back to 100% before lunch even on a cloudy day and by 10am on a sunny Summers day.

As someone who works with generators for a living I hat the ****ing things when it comes to camping and hate being around people that use them for camping. I get there are certain times they are handy but they aren’t for me.

I’ll shortly be adding a large inverter so I can run the coffee machine when we are free camping but I’m not even expecting that to put a huge dint in my battery capacity or ability for the solar to do its job.

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Originally Posted by Red90

I call BS on the specs claimed by that wind generator.

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I dont, its cleverly written allowing 2 different facts to be co located within one sentence so they seem linked but arent.

the startup speed is the minimum speed they can start working in, from experience once you get them past the cogging point similar turbines (wattage wise) produce about 5%-15% of their rated power at their start speed, they then ramp up to their optimal wind speed and then dont make any more power once the "magnetic" capacity of the alternator is reached

600watts at 7.5m/s should be achievable out of a 4 meter disc in nice clean airflow.

Personally I'm looking into VAWT in the 90cms range that I can stick on a sectioned pole similar to a clark mast. Couple of big heavy batteries to help anchor the base and 3 guy lines or stick the pole on Arkie. Realisitcally they're only good for a handfull of amps but its enough (based on the one I trialled) to run an engle, lighting and a small radio with a whisker over.

AU 600W 24V Lantern 5-Blades Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Generator+Controller 930114734068 | eBay

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Originally Posted by Gav 110

12 VOLT 55 AMP – Christie Engineering
No wind required
Easier to setup
Faster charge
Cheaper
Probably takes up less space
Just need a small Jerry can of fuel

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How much?

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Originally Posted by 101RRS

How much?

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Around $1200 for the 55 amp unit and $1450 for the 80 amp unit.

Edit - A quick google turned up a couple of second hand units for around $800

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Originally Posted by 101RRS

How much?

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I recognised the name but couldn't remember what they made.......... for a couple of seconds.

Was a great product 20 years ago, maybe even better now. Just don't use one near me in the boonies to run your coffee machine. [thumbsupbig]

DL

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Originally Posted by 350RRC

. Just don't use one near me in the boonies to run your coffee machine. [thumbsupbig]

DL

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Fine. I'll just run my TD5 instead[bigsmile1]

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Originally Posted by Homestar

Around $1200 for the 55 amp unit and $1450 for the 80 amp unit.

Edit - A quick google turned up a couple of second hand units for around $800

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cough , seriously , you can get a GX50 Honda engine for $350 . 80Amp alternator for $200 , bolt them together , job done.

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Originally Posted by goingbush

cough , seriously , you can get a GX50 Honda engine for $350 . 80Amp alternator for $200 , bolt them together , job done.

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I was thinking just that. I have a 13HP ( overkill I know ) engine and a 100ish amp alt sitting here right now. 5-10 mins running late morning shouldn't really upset too many folk should it?

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Originally Posted by goingbush

cough , seriously , you can get a GX50 Honda engine for $350 . 80Amp alternator for $200 , bolt them together , job done.

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That was my thought when I saw the price. [emoji16][emoji106]

Too Big, Too Bulky, Too expensive and look like a PITA to deploy and have to keep pulling down when the wind comes up and as I live in the West where 20-30kts is just a sea breeze I would be forever taking this setup down.
As my solar panels are Fixed to the D2a, 79 Series and the caravan they are set and forget and with a combined input of 720w I rarely have the need to deploy another panel to keep up with demand.

I do love new gizmo's and camping toys But this one doesn't interst me at all.