Commercial solar and wind ''farms'' are familiar sights around the world and mini-solar, such as we have on the roofs of camper trailers and caravans, or pegged out in the sun beside a shaded camp, are also quite familiar. But we don''t see small-scale wind turbines being used very much.
That may seem odd, given that many cruising yachts have a combination of wind and solar power. Why not a campsite turbine, to complement solar panels, you may well ask.
There are some very good reasons why wind power doesn''t make it in the camping world, but the most significant are the output characteristics of wind turbines; the average wind speed around Australia and the ''ground effect'' on wind turbines.
The average wind speed around Australia has been recorded since 1893 and sits between 12km/h and 18km/h.
Sure, there are storms that see wind strong enough to blow a dog off a chain, or the oysters off the rocks, but the average national wind speed is relatively low. Even worse, from a wind energy point of view, that wind strength is reduced by the very things we look for when camping: trees.
Ground-based obstacles reduce wind speed and change its direction erratically. It''s not a problem on a cruising yacht that''s floating on an unobstructed sea, but is a big problem for shade-loving campers.
Commercial wind generators aren''t made that huge size and height for fun: they need to be tall, to operate in unobstructed, higher-speed air flow and they need big blades, with huge swept areas, to maximise the effect of relatively low wind strength.
That''s bad enough, but it gets worse, when you consider the nature of a wind turbine. Although not needing anything like turbocharger speed – yes, a turbocharger is a turbine – a wind turbine still needs to spin to at least 1000rpm, to generate electricity.
The typical giant commercial wind turbines we see dotted around the landscape rotate only five to 15 times each minute and are fitted with gearboxes to raise that input speed to suit their generators.
Typical small wind generators, of say 250-500-watt rating and with one-metre-diameter blades, may seem like a great addition to anyone''s camping-power kit, but the devil is in the detail.
Check out the specifications and you''ll see that 250-500W rating relies on 50km/h wind speed. Wind speed is often ''hidden'' in wind turbine specifications as metres per second (m/s) and the simple conversion is to multiply that figure by 3.6 to discover the km/h speed.
If 50km/h wind speed doesn''t sound like much, check out the Beaufort wind-strength scale and you''ll discover it''s sufficient for the BoM to issue a strong wind warning. We sailors probably wouldn''t put up a big spinnaker in those conditions and most people would be unhappy campers, with double-roped-down tents and folded awnings!
There''s even more bad news, because wind turbine power output is calculated by multiplying the air density by the swept area of the blades by the wind speed cubed, then dividing that result by two. The fact that the wind speed figure is ''cubed'' in this calculation means that the difference between low wind speed and high wind speed power output is huge.
For example, the 250-500W/50km/h wind turbine may produce as little as 20-30W in Australian average wind speed conditions and hardly anything at all in a 12km/h breeze. The investment cost of a wind turbine might be better spent on additional solar, or a small petrol generator, for when the sun doesn''t shine.
Yes you can and it''s probably simpler than you think! Take a look at how easy it is to use our portable Rutland turbines to generate wind power for Caravans, Motorhomes, Camping and Off Grid Homes.
Our Rutland Windchargers are not only convenient but they save you money too, here''s how:
…. and you can enjoy the freedom to camp at a wider choice of locations knowing that your batteries are getting topped up.
Rutland Windcharger systems can give you compelte energy independence and with the Rutland''s reputation for excellent low wind speed performance even the gentlest of breezes will top up your batteries.
Motorhomes with high energy demands the Rutland 914i will prove a powerful addition to the charging regime on board. It can be mounted on a pole positioned alongside and supported by the motorhome, 4 – 6m high. A pivot type pole may be mounted on or alongside the rooftop to raise the turbine with supports when stationary.
This well tried and tested turbine has proven itself probably the most durable small turbine on the market for it''s endurance at isolated and unattended sites around the world. It''s furling tail system works to slow down the turbine in wind speeds over 12.5m/s (35mph). Its reliability has been demonstrated on thousands of sites around the world over the last 30 years with many units in service for over 15 years.If it''s a windy location then you can rely on the Rutland Furlmatic model to capture that energy!
Mounting kits, Voltage Regulators, Solar Panels and other accessories are available to fit seamlessly with each Rutland and are designed for ease of installation and use.
Call the Marlec team to discuss your application today on +44 (0)1536 201588, email us at [email protected] or why not skype us at: marlecengineering
Marlec Engineering Co Ltd Rutland HouseTrevithick Road Corby, NorthantsNN17 5XY
Email: [email protected]
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