Wind turbines

[JimD]

Has this been done lately? Thinking about a small one that could run 3 or four lightbulbs, not much else. Any suggestions? What's the price range on these things?

[Ian McColgin]

These days the Air X is the most ubiquitous unit to combine with 12v batteries for a small system. It'll also run small efficient refrigeration.

Almost all the catalogues - Real Goods, Defender, West Marine etc. - have it for around $800 counting most gear.

If you also want to run the occasional light power tool, add an inverter to your kit and also add some very serious battery capacity.

[JimD]

I should add the unit could also end up on shore, powering a cabin. Sort of a portable survival power source for both land or sea as circumstances required so it could very well spend more time on land. Are the turbines for land applications much different?

[Ian McColgin]

Not so much anymore. There's a bigger market for small units on boats but a market for seriously bigger units on shore. So chances are that output need will dictate.

[JimD]

Not so much anymore. There's a bigger market for small units on boats but a market for seriously bigger units on shore. So chances are that output need will dictate.

That's good to know. Power requirements will always be low. A few lights and maybe a small refridgerator but not much else. Gearing up for 2012.