RV Wind Generator While Driving: Good or Bad Idea
We are all looking for ways to decrease our power consumption these days. For most, it’s a hard nut to crack without giving up our everyday comforts. With the power companies raising prices we all need to find alternatives.
But is a wind turbine for your RV worth the cost? With the amount of savings you’ll experience buying a wind turbine for your RV it might be a waste of time and money. RV lifestyle is all about affordable living.
It’s a minimalistic approach to life, so people always prefer cost-effective methods. Be it your road travel or campsite dwelling; it’s a good idea to look for cheap ways of getting things done.
While living in an RV, proper measures for energy management are crucial. Whether it is a full-time dwelling or a weekend trip, if you don’t manage your energy resources well enough, you are likely to get into trouble at some point.
To save costs, many RV enthusiasts arrange for natural means of electrical energy to power their vehicles. Often, you will see RVs with wind turbines and generators.
Wind energy is an efficient means of free and clean energy that can make much difference to your living cost. However, there has been a debate about whether you should use the wind generator while on the road.
In this article, we will try to analyze how fruitful or otherwise this practice could be and what precautions one should take if they have an RV wind generator.
The Need to Run the Generator
Firstly, it’s essential to know why you would turn on the generator while driving. Primarily, it depends on the application, since the generator powers all the electrical appliances such as the microwave, TV, heater, etc. If you are using any of these while driving, there will be an obvious need for power.
Secondly, one of the more critical consumption goes to the rooftop AC. Especially for Class A RVs, there is usually a dash AC and the rooftop AC, and both run simultaneously.
Now, there is an option where you can turn off the AC, but remember, the rooftop AC does the following:
- Keeps it cool during extreme heat when the dash AC doesn’t work
- To generate more power on hilly roads, you can use the rooftop AC while turning off the dash AC.
- If there are passengers at the back of your RV, the rooftop AC is a must.
These were some of the primary uses of a wind generator while you’re driving. You must often fall under one of the mentioned conditions, so the chances are that you will be running the generator anyway.
How Safe is it?
It’s time to address the issue. There is no harm in using the wind generator while driving. If you take care of a couple of precautionary measures, you can go tension-free with a running generator.
Make sure that the wind turbine installation is sturdy. The last thing you want is for the turbine to fall off while you’re driving.
Always ensure that the storage batteries are compatible with the generator. If you are not using batteries, it’s more straightforward, but you won’t have any power backup.
When you’re using wind generators, you can avoid many problems, such as state regulations and fuel consumption charges.
- Firstly, there is no restriction on carrying a wind generator on board.
- Secondly, wind energy is clean and free energy, so you won’t have to worry about fuel tanks.
Why Choose a Wind Generator?
Wind generators hold several advantages over fuel-powered generators. Here is a look at some of the best benefits of having a wind generator:
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One-time Installation
Wind generators require a one-time installation. Once they are mounted, the wind takes care of the rest. Once installed, wind energy will cost you nothing.
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Lightweight Option
RV wind generators have a unique design, so they aren’t bulky. Therefore, they don’t affect vehicle efficiency. Also, they reduce the cost for the main hook up on campsites. RV turbines, especially short blade turbines, are designed for quiet operation, so it makes your driving experience more enjoyable.
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Compatibility and Freedom
Generators often come with battery chargers. This means compatibility won’t be a concern.
If you are using batteries for storage, you can camp anywhere without worrying about power shortages. There will be free energy top-up everywhere.
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Cost-effective
It can power your entire RV, so it dramatically cuts down the travel cost. Moreover, wind generators work well with batteries, which is why it reduces battery maintenance and replacement cost.
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Fewer Carbon Footprints
RV wind generators work on low wind, too, so the slightest breeze guarantees clean and unrestrained power. Because it’s clean energy, you are contributing to the environment by not adding to more pollution.
The Downside of Using Wind Generators
Although wind generators offer great value for money, there are always a few downsides for any product. If you opt for a wind generator, you might also want to consider the following points:
- Larger turbine blades will produce noise. While traveling, it can be irritating, especially to other travelers.
- There is a constant need for wind to make energy. If you end up at a humid campsite, you might want to carry power backup.
- Depending on the weather, the turbines may operate as low as just 30% of their total capacity.
- In extreme weather such as lightning storms, turbines are likely to get damaged.
Some Important Precautions
Although it is safe to drive with the generator turned on, it is a great idea to take some additional precautionary measures. This way, you can reduce the risk of any mishaps while driving. Here are some considerations:
Wind Turbine Blades
It mainly depends on the size of the fan. However, it’s a good idea to use carbon fiber blades. These blades are lightweight, sturdy, and add to the efficiency of the generator. Because of lightweight, they quickly move at the slightest of breeze, just what you want.
Another plus point is that it is much easier to dismount the blades when needed. While reinstalling the blades, ensure that they are correctly installed. Otherwise, it could lead to severe damage and injuries.
Tackling High Winds
High winds can be a problem while driving. Especially if you have longer blades, there is a risk of flipping over. When you talk about flipping, it depends on a few factors, such as the trailer’s weight, the wind’s direction and duration, and the size of your RV, etc.
Most of these factors are uncontrollable. The only choice you have is to reduce the blade size, but that doesn’t seem too cost-effective. Therefore, if it’s too windy, it is a better idea to dismount the blade fans, which means that you can’t run the generator while driving. However, it can save you from more significant disasters.
A Useful Tip
Wind turbines are the future of electrical power. However, the environmental conditions may limit their efficiency from time to time.
Therefore, it’s a great idea to incorporate a solar power system as a backup. This way, you will never be short of power on your camping adventures.
Conclusion
In my opinion, wind generators are excellent. They are clean and cost-effective modes of power generation. Moreover, they are easy to install and have a sturdy design to fight extreme weather conditions.
Also, I believe it is entirely safe to run these generators while driving. Mostly, the generators are isolated from the vehicle’s engine, so it doesn’t affect the performance at all.
Because it is safe to drive with the generator, it makes it more comfortable to use the appliances. Moreover, your kids can have a relaxing time in the trailer as you navigate around to your next camping destination.
