Wind power for RV/trailer
Question:
We are planning to retire in a few years, and our retirement home of choice is a trailer with solar panels, energy-saving lighting, etc. Is there some sort of wind turbine that could be mounted on a trailer to generate electricity as the thing is being towed? I’m not talking some big fan thing on a tower, but I remember seeing some sort of enclosed cylinder with a turbine inside – very low profile. Since we’d be doing at least 50 mph, sometimes into a headwind, there is a large amount of energy flowing past our vehicles! TIA Linda "Sally" Braid
Response:
It would seem to me that it would be a lot more efficient to run a wire from the towing vehicle’s generator to charge the trailer batteries. The windmill would be far more drag on the towing vehicle. Bob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We are planning to retire in a few years, and our retirement home of choice > is a trailer with solar panels, energy-saving lighting, etc. > Is there some sort of wind turbine that could be mounted on a trailer to > generate electricity as the thing is being towed? I’m not talking some big > fan thing on a tower, but I remember seeing some sort of enclosed cylinder > with a turbine inside – very low profile. Since we’d be doing at least 50 > mph, sometimes into a headwind, there is a large amount of energy flowing > past our vehicles! > TIA > Linda "Sally" Braid
Response:
You got that right, Bob. In fact, I really can’t think of a worse way to charge the trailer batteries. Any energy that goes into the trailer batteries ultimately has to come from the fuel burned in the tow vehicle. Since the tow vehicle already has a generator with (presumably) some excess capacity, that is the most efficient way to go, both in terms of capital cost, and in operating efficiency. If one were bound and determined to somehow exploit the motion of the trailer, it seems to me that taking a drive off one of the trailer’s wheels would be much more effective than a windmill. A windcharger of some kind might be of use when the trailer is parked, if it is parked in a windy locale. Gordon Richmond
Response:
Having done a lot of camping, in tents and trailer, I can honestly say that camping in windy locales isn’t pleasant, at least where the wind would be strong enough to have some effect on a turbine. A gentle breeze, on the other hand, is usually welcome. My opinion is that solar would be the way to go, particularly if boondocking.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You got that right, Bob. In fact, I really can’t think of a worse way to > charge the trailer batteries. > Any energy that goes into the trailer batteries ultimately has to come > from the fuel burned in the tow vehicle. Since the tow vehicle already > has a generator with (presumably) some excess capacity, that is the most > efficient way to go, both in terms of capital cost, and in operating > efficiency. > If one were bound and determined to somehow exploit the motion of the > trailer, it seems to me that taking a drive off one of the trailer’s > wheels would be much more effective than a windmill. > A windcharger of some kind might be of use when the trailer is parked, > if it is parked in a windy locale. > Gordon Richmond
Response:
>Is there some sort of wind turbine that could be mounted on a trailer to >generate electricity as the thing is being towed?
As others noted, this is nothing more than "stealing engine power" to make electricity. I know someone who flies — or at least flew — a 1947 Luscomb. This is a small aerobatics plane (a "taildragger", i.e., when it is on the ground it points nose-up, using a small tail-wheel at the back), with a two-seat cockpit and vacuum-powered instruments. It has hence no electrical system; the 85 horsepower flat-four engine uses magnetos. (And yes, you only need 85 horses to fly. Remember, this little aerobatics plane is much lighter than most cars! Planes are actually very simple — an airframe and a powerplant, seats and controls; all the rest of the stuff on a jumbo jet is just gimmickry. 
) For longer flights in controlled airspaces, the batteries in the small radios that are insufficient, so the plane also has a small wind-powered generator mounted below the fuselage. This generator looks like a tiny propellor — it is effectively "run backwards", producing electricity instead of using electricity to produce thrust. But using this increases drag, making the plane fly slower and/or use more fuel. Whenever possible, it is not used. — In-Real-Life: Chris Torek, Wind River Systems (BSD engineering)
Response:
Why wouldn’t your solar panels (PV?) charge the batteries when the trailer is being towed? (Unless of course you aren’t going to mount them on the roof.) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We are planning to retire in a few years, and our retirement home of choice > is a trailer with solar panels, energy-saving lighting, etc. > Is there some sort of wind turbine that could be mounted on a trailer to > generate electricity as the thing is being towed? I’m not talking some big > fan thing on a tower, but I remember seeing some sort of enclosed cylinder > with a turbine inside – very low profile. Since we’d be doing at least 50 > mph, sometimes into a headwind, there is a large amount of energy flowing > past our vehicles! > TIA > Linda "Sally" Braid
Response:
To answer your question, YES, there is. Of course, as others noted, it won’t save any energy, as it would add drag to the lashup and thus you are just indirectly tapping the energy of your two vehicle engine. Check aviation sources. Many older General Aviation aircraft used wind generators attached to the struts or landing gear. It was not to tap "free" energy, but rather to setup a generator without having to tamper with the engine or to provide auxillary power.. You might find one at a used aircraft parts swap meet (e.g., Sun ‘n Fun in Lakeland FLA in April or Oshkosh WI in August). Aircraft Spruce & Speciality has them, I’m sure, but they are probably expensive! They may also be for 24V systems as well. Check first. Marine supply places also have wind generators for boaters, but they are designed for low wind velocities, not 6-70 mph. They are desinged for stationary use while achoring, I believe. Finally, Camperworld has solar panels which will bolt right up to you camper (some mount on top of the A/C unit) and are really a source of "free" energy (minus their amortized cost!) and are great for keeping your camper batteries topped off over time (especially in storage). I put a 4000 Watt Honda Generator in my camper. Liquid cooled, two cylinder, huge muffler. Quiet, but pricey. Shaum electric in Elkhart Indiania carries these. You’ll need that kind of juice to run the A/C. Good Luck!
Response:
> We are planning to retire in a few years, and our retirement home of choice > is a trailer with solar panels, energy-saving lighting, etc. > Is there some sort of wind turbine that could be mounted on a trailer to > generate electricity as the thing is being towed? I’m not talking some big > fan thing on a tower, but I remember seeing some sort of enclosed cylinder > with a turbine inside – very low profile. Since we’d be doing at least 50 > mph, sometimes into a headwind, there is a large amount of energy flowing > past our vehicles! > TIA > Linda "Sally" Braid
You’ll have to connect it to the brakes so it pops up only when you brake.
Response:
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