wind turbine

[sam]

has anyone tried to mount a wind turbine on a top hat?

[Phillip]

Looked at it but the returns, weight up high and noise generated did not equal the simplicity of a solar panel.
Always have sun but sometimes no wind!

So far the 100w panel I have keeps the 3 batteries I have fully charged.

[rob.lovelace]

don't be dropping yo anchor near me if it's fitted.

[Phillip]

I'm with you on that Rob

[sam]

Okay so perhaps I wont bother fitting one then, I dont 'need' more power buts its always nice

[lockie]

One cheaper low-hassle option, if you have a diesel, is to fit an external regulator to the alternator. This will allow it to charge your batteries much faster, and to a much higher level, than the standard built-in automotive regulator. It will very effectively supplement a decent solar array.

Google the Sterling one, which costs a few hundred dollars. You will need some electrical smarts to install it, or can take your alternator and the regulator to a marine sparkie.

Cheers, Graeme

[sam]

hmmm, if only I had a diesel... I do have a wind turbine that I used when I lived in a shack for a few years down in victoria, its now doing basically noting, so const is pretty insignificant, but I here you with the noise thing.