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The fully collapsible and neatly stow-able wind generator has been added to improve the green/renewable energy efficiency of the van, and to provide a remote power source when the sun is obscured or at night. The Air-X 12volt 400w 30A wind turbine at the top of the light weight but very strong alloy home made support is a nice quiet unit. It operates in any wind greater than 7mph, and produces it's peak power when the wind speed reaches 28mph. The wind turbine maximum output 400w is exactly double the 200w peak produced by the solar cells. The combination of the two on a nice sunny but windy day would produce 600watts! Enough power to fully charge the batteries during the course of a day. The wind turbine (weight 13lbs) is approximately 4m above ground level. Erection or stowage of the wind turbine can be accomplished in less than five minutes by a single person. (Video of the wind generator! 400kb wmv file.) Once the top bracket is unclipped the whole assembly tilts down on the lower bracket to the horizontal, allowing easy assembly/disassembly. The bracket hinge pins are removable, and the only items permanently fixed to the vehicle are the top and bottom mounting half hinges! I know some people will ask this question so here is the answer in advance! The wind generator is only for use when the vehicle is parked. The vehicle is not driven with the generator erected. |