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09-16-2019, 03:13 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 10
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Just solar or solar with wind?
Anyone have experience with comparing a 400 watt solar panel system vs. same solar plus a wind generator? What would be the biggest benefit adding wind, vs maintenance and cost for the benefit gained? I'm a 'gonna-be' freedom finder soon so just starting to consider which way to go for my Georgetown. Got the sofa out and office area installed, now onto other LED and solar adaptations.
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09-16-2019, 03:54 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,446
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I boated for 10 years and wind generators on other boats were loud.
The users also complained about vibrations with even the slightest blade damage.
Thru the years, most switched over to solar.
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09-16-2019, 08:59 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 2,521
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Ground effect really limits the effectiveness of a wind generator. You need to get it pretty high off the ground to get a consistent wind. Then, it takes a pretty sizeable unit to return a useful amount of Ah an RV is going to use. My opinion, more trouble than it's worth even in fixed locations.
Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM
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09-16-2019, 10:58 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 80
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There are a few folks who have tried them at the windsurfing/kitesurfing spot we camp at. They’re really loud and annoying compared to solar and it’s... really windy there! Solar is the way to go IMO
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09-17-2019, 08:49 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 10
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Just Solar ?
Thanks for sharing your experience. You 4 have already convinced me to forget the wind power addition: not worth it.
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09-17-2019, 10:19 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,285
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Why stop at 400 watts of Solar? Get creative you may find you can fit a lot more on the roof.
A couple of my panels are mounted higher to gain clearance over few inches of the front fridge vent and another completely over the rear bathroom vent. I can now leave my bathroom vent wide open in the rain because there is a 300 watt panel over the top of it.
I managed to get 1405 watts installed on my 19 foot long roof.
__________________
Jeff--
Arctic Fox 22G w/1440 watts solar/GMC2500HD Double Cab with Leer Cap w/740 watts solar
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09-17-2019, 03:36 PM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Whitesvile, USA
Posts: 307
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Solar... I researched it based on norcal weather which is windy a LOT and the gains were not even close to solar (300 days a year of sunshine here) and I am glad I didn't go wind, even with solar. I run all my tools and table tools on the battery bank. Have never had an issue with low juice.
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09-17-2019, 10:34 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,804
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Listen to some wind generators and you will give up on those..very loud
__________________
Don
2002 Country Coach Intrigue
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09-18-2019, 04:30 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3,009
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Jay Leno and Popular Mechanics magazine cooperated on installing a vertical axis wind turbine and several hundred solar panels on the roof of his 17,000sf garage. There are several YouTube videos on the project
I find Vertical Axis Wind Turbines intriguing for possible RV use. They are quieter, simpler and lighter than Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines.
Check out https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vert...s_wind_turbine
__________________
2005 Monaco Knight 40PLQ; Cummins 8.3L ISC330, Pacbrake, Allison 3000, Roadmaster RR8R, ScanGauge D, 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan VN750(Geezer Glide) on a Versahaul carrier pulling a 2013 Kia Soul+; 2.0L, 6 speed Sport shifter(great car) on an American Car Dolly(great dolly.)
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09-18-2019, 05:00 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,569
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Quote:
Originally Posted by astrocamper
Why stop at 400 watts of Solar? Get creative you may find you can fit a lot more on the roof..
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He may only need 400 watts. Solar is still one of the most expensive ways there is to get electricity. Yours may be different but mine will never "pay for itself ".
It is pretty quiet though  .
__________________
1996 Tioga Class C
2007 Monaco Diplomat 40 PDQ
TOAD 2012 Cadillac SRX 4
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09-18-2019, 09:30 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,285
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He should install a BMV-712 and find out what he needs regarding power consumption.
I assumed he was considering the wind power to be in addition to the 400 watts of solar.
__________________
Jeff--
Arctic Fox 22G w/1440 watts solar/GMC2500HD Double Cab with Leer Cap w/740 watts solar
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