Wind generator
Submitted: Thursday, Aug 14, 2003 at 16:58
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Jimbo
Has anyone ever thought of putting a small wind generator on the roof rack to power a deep cycle battery for the fridge? I did a search and seems no-else has been silly enough to suggest it. Any ideas?
Reply By: ExploreOz - Thursday, Aug 14, 2003 at 18:09
Thursday, Aug 14, 2003 at 18:09
Now Moggsey! Surely we can't be the only silly buggers on this planet. A while ago, I replaced the fan/motor assembly in our free-standing Eureka fireplace. Lovely assembly fabricated out of galvanised sheet metal; two barrel fans on bearings; a little motor in between them (stuffed motor and hence the replacement.). Now, somewhere back in history, someone told me if you pass a current through a wire wound around a nail which is mounted inside a permanent magneta, then the nail will and spin : an electric motor. Similarly, if you can find a way of spinning that armature, then electricity is generated : a generator ... be gentle with me! If I mounted that fan assembly on the roof, would it spin the motor and make electricity?! :-) ... I gotta get a hobby! This is embarrassing!.
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Follow Up By: Mick - Saturday, Aug 16, 2003 at 23:33
Saturday, Aug 16, 2003 at 23:33
That's how it works!! Pretty basic!!
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Reply By: joc45 - Thursday, Aug 14, 2003 at 18:47
Thursday, Aug 14, 2003 at 18:47
Hey guys!!
You already have one of these thingys - the fan behind the radiator is connected to your alternator, and when you drive along, the wind thru the front of the radiator helps turn the fan, charging the battery, and also helps the load on the engine, saving fuel!!!
Seriously, marine stores flog small wind generators for yachts, which could be used to charge batterys where there is plenty of wind, but not much sun for solar panels. They're not all that big.
I recall the old Dunlite wind generators, with 1.2m blades (2.4m dia) used to put out a whopping 120A at 28v in a good wind, but a bit impractical for a camping outfit.
Gerry
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