Personally, I've not a lot of confidence with wind generators.  I am originally from a part of Oklahoma that see a lot of wind.  But even there, the only windmills are where electricity is not available (or too expensive to wire for it) and are used for pumping water to livestock tanks for their needs for drinking.  For the wind generators to work on a small scale for an RV, it would require a number of batteries to keep enough of a supply for your use, and that would add weight.

Terry

I have solar panels, 135 watts, trickle charging 2 batteries, but sometimes here in N. Cal. it rains for months, and not much sun... of course, this is when the power grids go out, and sometimes, that could be for days. Just want to keep all my bases covered. I like the idea of surviving and thriving, no matter what. I might get one, just cuz I'm sorta tricking the trailer for "bugging out", just in case the economy collapses or the world ends or something. My personal science experiment.  

Water generator, like a mini-Hoover dam.  Kinda could use that around here, we got a little flooded. This is kinda off beat, and marginally on topic, but here is an unusual electrical generator some teenage girls in Nigeria invented. Maybe it could be adapted to a boondocking RV....

I like the idea of a wind generator for the RV, especially as a secondary to a solar system. We plan on blowing out the rig with a solar system in the spring and might have to consider looking into a wind generator as the stand-by in case it decides to rain or be overcast for a spell.

I am on board as far as being prepared just in case of the dreaded "Zombie" apocalypse!

Thanks Jane, it goes in for a full camo paint shortly after the solar system is installed!  Kidding of course unless all heck breaks out!!!!

The problem with wind turbines for RVers is that you need a lot of wind to generate any appreciable output from them. On the order of 15mph+. Yes, you can get that in certain areas. But there are many issues with transporting and setting up the turbines. It can be done. But for most RVers it is not proving to be very practical.

Now, that said, if you frequent someplace like the NW where sunny days are counted on two hands, then a wind turbine may work well for you. Or if you spend all winter in Q, in one place. Or at Bird Island in South Padre, boondocking. But for MOST RVers you are far better investing your $$ elsewhere.

If you look at the start of the Solar/Electrical section of my website, under Presentations,  there is a wind turbine presentation there you can download. It is a little date, but most of it still applies.

Jack is the man! One of these days I will get the pleasure to run into him and have him autograph a copy of his photo as he will be in the RV H of F one day for all the help and honest opinions he has given out without the arrogance that some other "experts" out there offer!

I got to thinking about this idea again today.  While I am sure that there are more, I can literally count on the fingers of one hand how many home wind generators that I've seen here in Oklahoma.  One would think that if the systems were so beneficial, there would be more of them, especially in such a windy state as we have here.  I can also state that one or two of those are idle.  Thus, I almost have to presume that the wind generation isn't all that great.

Then, when one considers where one stores the "parts" of the systems, one might have issues with storage space.

As for the "rip-off" factor with wind generation, I have a relative comment on that as well.  Back a few years ago at the Oklahoma state fair, the electric company was allowing folks to sign up for their electricity to be generated by wind power.  I looked into it and if one signed up, one would actually be paying a higher rate for the "wind-generated" power.  The problem that I saw is that there are no special lines running from a wind generation "facility" to one's home if they were hooked up.  So, how would one KNOW that their power was coming from wind generation?

Terry

Just like the competition it includes a battery charger as the FAQs kind of explain - http://www.freespiritenergy.com/faqs.html.  Solar also goes to the batteries through the charge controller.  So does your truck alternator when you have the pigtail attached.  Inverter/chargers and converters charge the batteries from shore or generator power, converting AC to DC.   I have seen lots of chargers attached to battery terminals and some RVers have had to put in extended posts.

The competition for RV and Marine applications is the AirX Breeze, http://www.primuswindpower.com/index.php/wind-power-products/air-breeze-turbine/ and it is much, much more expensive since prices I found were about $1,250.  

Mike: They address this in their FAQs. It is something like a trickle charger and they say it won't overcharge the batteries.

I guess the AirX models, which just changed owners, are cheaper than I thought. Here is an article on RV usage - http://www.cheaprvliving.com/Wind_Gererator.html.  Another at http://camping.about.com/od/rvmaintenance/a/How-to-Make-Your-RV-Greener.htm and more can be found with an internet search of "rv wind generators" which will also brings up Jack Mayer's website.  

I like Jim's thought on the travel days....imagine driving down the road and seeing this prop spinning away??? How many staties you think might pull you over and ask "What in tarnation do you got going there boy? Some sort of aeroplane engine pulling your rig? You got a pilots license to fly this thing?

I started out with just a 45 watt solar panel to trickle charge the battery, now I have 145 watts of solar panels on top of my trailer, you should be fine. When the shore power goes out, I barely notice. I still want the wind too, being totally off grid is an appealing idea.   Another idea, that was not expensive, and only took a few hours, was setting up rain water collection off my roof. It took a few tries, but I think I have it right now. I made some videos. http://www.youtube.com/2012escapee1

You know Deborha, if you get the Free Spirit with the mounting bracket, it might pay off. You could easily spend $100+ getting the "cheaper" one installed somehow.

OK, I think I'm gonna get the Free Spirit! I've been trying to get everything I'll need (or desire) before I cut the day job apron strings, and I'm up a little $$, sooo.... I think I will get it, just so I will stop wondering and worrying.

Just ordered a wifi access point, to find and amplify "unsecured" wifi signals for when I am off network with my own ISP. http://www.simplewifi.com/outdoorap.html I have an online business, so continual internet is highly desireable!  

Deborha, One BIG issue about being completely "off grid" is the black tank.... me, solo, can go 7-10 days without dumping, so, unless you want to pollute the environment with sewage, you will need to go into town once a week or so.

And the fresh tank; 60 gallons seems like a lot, but you can go through that in a few days, easy. To last last, you'll need to go without a shower, and use paper plates instead of washing dishes, and all sorts of clever water saving strategies.

Enjoy your adventure, and I'll make a video when I get the new wifi gadget and the wind power!

Jane

The water collects at about a gallon a minute in a moderate shower. When my tank was down by 1/3 (20 gallons) it was full within 1/2 a hour. Everyone here was like, what are you doing? What for? Why not watch TV? But where I'm parked, apparently has a very shallow water well they draw from, so when it rains heavily, toxic parking lot residue seeps in, and the water turns a smoky grey, and you can't drink it, and it won't filter. And it can rain for weeks here. But I can just turn off the hose, turn on my pump, and have clean, fresh rain water! I further filter it for drinking with a counter top filter. Ha ha! Now who's crazy!

You can also get something at sporting goods stores called a "Steri-pen" which is a small, UV light you can put into a glass of water and kill germs. They are expensive, like $60-$80, but no filters. Oh and they sell inline hose filters, basically like Brita's, for your "city water". The water here isn't good, and I have 2 on there. They run about $15 each, and last a few months.

The WiFi booster is basically just plug and play. The antennae is magnetic, and needs to be on metal, so if your RV is fiberglass like mine, all you need to do is get a coffee can lid to stick it to. Then put the wire out the window, and the antennae on the roof. The antennae will also work inside, if the signal isn't too bad. You may need to move it around a little to find the best spot. You need to put the cell phone or WiFi right on top of that plastic bar. It has definitely come in handy already! It was $400, but it was a good purchase, very, very useful. Goes from 0-1 bars to almost all. You can also use it in your truck. I have also ordered a WiFi antennae that searches out "unsecured" WiFi for a mile or two, such as camp ground WiFi or Starbucks. That's for when I am off network/roaming. That was $100. There are a lot of videos on You Tube about home made WiFi antennaes and stuff... who needs TV? I just watch real "reality TV" on You Tube, and learn all kinds of interesting stuff from real people!  

I have 2 batteries, but that seems standard for all serious RVer's. Oh, BTW, I've ordered the Free Spirit, so it's interesting you say they are back ordered. Hope I'm not stuck here waiting on it.  I'm gonna install that one myself! I don't have a generator, since they are so costly, like $1,000++. The solar and wind will recharge your batteries, so all you will have is DC... that means, your wall sockets will not work. RVs are 2 seperate systems; AC for the wall sockets and air conditioner, and DC for the lights, radio, pump, etc. You can get an inverter, though, like I had on my video, which plugs into the "cigarette lighter plug" in your RV, for your laptop, etc.

The stove looks cool, for outdoor cooking. But also consider your storage space; RV's are a lesson in traveling light! You will have fun "tricking your trailer", "going green" is a lot cheaper on wheels than a "sticks and bricks"!

Jane