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electrical:wind [2021/02/19 12:55]
frater_secessus [wind power] 		electrical:wind [2021/02/19 13:48]
frater_secessus [challenges]
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 ====== wind power ====== ====== wind power ======
  
-Small wind power generators (sometimes called //turbines//) are popular with homesteaders and cruising boats.  Homesteaders can put up tall masts and boats often already have upright masts and are generally away from surface level obstructions:+Small wind power generators (sometimes called //turbines//) are popular with homesteaders and cruising boats.  Wind works at night when solar does not, and also works in heavy weather when [[electrical:solar:output|solar harvest]] is heavily compromised. 
 + 
 +Homesteaders can put up tall masts and boats often already have upright masts and are generally away from surface level obstructions:
  
 > On my small 37-foot monohull I have 400 watts solar and a 400 watt (theoretical) windgen.((windgen == wind generator)) From my experience in the mid/upper latitudes mostly summer months, I would say my windgen provides about 15 to 20% of my power needs, while the solar does the bulk...  > On my small 37-foot monohull I have 400 watts solar and a 400 watt (theoretical) windgen.((windgen == wind generator)) From my experience in the mid/upper latitudes mostly summer months, I would say my windgen provides about 15 to 20% of my power needs, while the solar does the bulk... 
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 Wind generators require Wind generators require
  
-  * sustained winds, which are rare where nomads choose to camp+  * sustained winds, which are rare where nomads choose to camp.  Compare manufacturer specs with [[https://www.weather.gov/ilx/swopwindscale|this visual wind speed estimation chart]].  
   * high mounts, with bases on the ground or mounted to the vehicle   * high mounts, with bases on the ground or mounted to the vehicle
-  * a way to "dump" load to keep the gen from overspeed damage in high winds+  * a way to "dump" load to keep the gen from overspeed damage in high winds, although some nice windgens have built-in electronic controls for this. 
   * teardown in very high winds   * teardown in very high winds
 +  * money - windgens cost 3-4x more than solar for the same output rating
  
 ==== tuning for wind ==== ==== tuning for wind ====
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 Generally speaking, windgens with higher max outputs have higher minimum "start-up speeds", or speeds when the vanes start turning.  Vandwellers in normal wind conditions will likely bias toward low start-up speeds, resulting in relatively low max outputs.   Generally speaking, windgens with higher max outputs have higher minimum "start-up speeds", or speeds when the vanes start turning.  Vandwellers in normal wind conditions will likely bias toward low start-up speeds, resulting in relatively low max outputs.  
  
 +A rule of thumb for wind power is that flags need to be flying straight out before you can make usable power.((the rule of thumb for solar is you need to see well-defined shadows on the ground)).
 +==== dump loads ====
 +
 +The easiest dump load for vandwellers is electric water heating, which [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#heating_and_cooling|can suck up a huge amount of power]] if needed. 
 +
 +===== recommended units =====
 +
 +  * D400 (UK) - 
 +  * Superwind (Germany) - 
 +
 +
 +===== further reading =====
  
 +  * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClHJMEm8HZ4|Cheap RV Living microturbine video]] with Jim
electrical/wind.txt · Last modified: 2021/02/19 13:48 by frater_secessus

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