Wind Power for Van Life: Is It Worth It? Pros and Cons of Wind Generators for Van Dwellers!

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Join us for a comprehensive look into wind power for van life! Diane shares her unique setup of a wind generator on top of her full-time transit van home. Living off the grid, she utilizes both solar and wind power to sustain her van life adventures. In this video, we dive deep into the world of wind-generated power for van dwellers. We explore the essential aspects you've been curious about!
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Thanks for watching!

[@kimbrandom2789]

The fact that this can produce at night to assist topping off the batteries seems like a win to me.

[@araina5896]

Agreed 👍

[@TheCruisinCrew]

It depends where you are... in our location at night, it's almost always calm and the days are usually sunny... so here, more solar panels and maybe more battery storage make more sense...

[@robertwatkins364]

I think Missouri Wind & Solar has a blade conversion for that where it works on a lower windspeed. It's called a Falcon blade, I think.

[@SpicyGramCracker]

Thanks for this info 😊

[@GypsysBazaar]

I see Off grid boats in the marina using solar/wind combos for power. Always thought it was a smart idea.

[@brownnoise357]

Yep, my next New Sailboat will haveMaximum Solar plus a decent Marine Wind generator, plus a high output alternator charging high quality Pure Lead AGM 3500 Recharge cycle dual purpose Housebank Batteries plus engine, windlass and bow thruster batteries . I'm still extremely wary of Lifepo4 batteries and feel we still need much better batteries that still aren't even visible on the Horizon. Number of years of service Life available is still severely lacking,mwhen Treatedvas properly as is presentlybthe best estimate. I "Might" be able to get 15 years out of extremely well built Lifepo4 batteries, but that is an optimistic estimate, and that just isn't good enough for me, as I can realistically get 30 years out of properly treated AGM Batteries - cost per year of Service Life really plummets as a result. Best Wishes. Bob in Wales. 👍🤔⛵️✨️✨️✨️❤️

[@michelegrice4938]

Thanks for the info Bob.

[@BobWeir-ss6bd]

Yeah it might not be a priority Bob, but its something cool and a extra source of power. Especially for those of us that are interested in alternative power sources other than just the solar panels on our rigs. I was a energy technology studunt before life happened. It's something I love and am interested in. So kudos to you for cultivating life..

[@janetkoball44]

"before life happened", love that !

[@sandyallen1523]

I lived in a town right off the interstate where giant pieces of windmills on the back of trucks went thru almost daily. Lots people obviously think wind is worth the investment

[@openyoureyes3969]

Especially when you live in the East where the sun is not as prevalent.

[@brendastolecki4755]

I already planned on a wind turbine in addition to the solar. They make them for RVs on a removable pole that attaches to the side of the RV.

[@Radio_Flakes]

I'm a tech person. So, I vote yes. I have solar, wind, shore and gas/propane generator power sources. Any off grid source of power is a "yes vote" in my book. Once you get your rig setup and working to your satisfaction, you're in the self-sufficient zone. A low power wind source like this, can easily run a computer for your gig work, or entertainment, leaving your battery level where it is.

[@danthesquirrel]

She also has the solar shades that make sense: That stop the sun's heat before it even gets in the van. Her advice to not buy something like this when you first start out seems like great advice. I haven't started van life and my head is filled with places I think I want to go and hangout in but it wouldn't surprise me if 2 years in I have totally different wants. I am still drooling over the second alternator power option but financially I would probably have to be living in a van for awhile before I could afford expensive nice things.

[@teresaforsyth6185]

There's something about this lady that I just love!

[@zachparade2791]

I wonder if anyone makes one that could be on the front of the vehicle and charge while you drive down the road? To me, that would be a real game changer.

[@janetkoball44]

Ditto

[@jamestaylor8860]

Brilliant idea!

[@xebxeb19]

Yes like a pinwheel…..why has no one come up with that?

[@StumpyVanLife]

@@xebxeb19 The idea has been tested. The wind resistance added to the vehicle negates any extra electricity generated. For the same impact on the vehicles MPG you could just run a second alternator and accomplish the same thing.

[@theangrypickleadventures1368]

It’s way more efficient to use the vehicles alternator at that point

[@livinginthenow]

75 watts at 11mph may not seem that impressive, but multiply that by 24 hours, and you've got 1800 watt hours of power produced in a day. That's about 150 amp hours of power at 12 volts, which is certainly enough to meet most nomad's power needs. Of course you won't always have steady wind, but even half of that, meaning 75 amp hours, would be worth it imo.

[@lamasteve6905]

My friend had wind Gen. He opened up his lower doors on his class A. 220 washer and dryer ! Wow ! His wife said she would live in an RV if she had a washer and dryer ? America !

[@cotter9751]

I like this idea of complementary power options. As a starter, it is going on my list.

[@holidaytinn]

This is cool. I built my own. I spent about $100 to put it all together. I use it on the roof of my van too. Mine is a generator motor from Pacific Sky power. I made some videos about it.

[@anitasimmons3599]

Thank you for another great video. Wind has been becoming more viable in stationary locations over the last 15 years, for rooftops and warehouse facilities. Maybe someday they will have a portable system, that takes less setup time and storage space. Wind and solar have always been fun to play with... Thank you for taking us along on your adventures.

[@valdecirborgesdasilva6371]

Parabéns pelo gerador eólicos 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🙏🙏🙏 Brasil 🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@orlandobabe]

I think it’s a great idea. If there is no sunshine but some wind can give power, and I heard of a water generator but that’s if you are near a strong river. And when there is neither sun power, wind power, or river then hook up a gas powered generator. I will definitely have all four when I start my van life adventure. Too bad it can’t work when you are driving.

[@Michelle-bw1xg]

Great to see alternate power generation via nature in the works and on a van! Great pairing with solar. I don't personally have a use for it currently but applaud Diane's setup.

[@ramontoro]

Hello everybody from Puerto Rico, always interesting all your videos Bob, thanks

[@agn855]

If both the turbine and the mast foot bracket are foldable, setting up/setting down the wind turbine would be simplified. In addition, the mast could be designed for the entire vehicle length when attached to the end of the vehicle.

[@tankkellytrucking]

Produce power at night why not. Smooth move

[@jw3843]

Something to look into for power while traveling is the vibration power source. Not 100% sure how well it works, but I saw a video about it around 1 year ago. Basically, it uses vibrations on something that is attached to a magnet that produces power. Not sure how much power you would get out of it, but it is something you could always leave up and wind could also make it work.

[@leanbean8376]

I think this is a wise investment for alternative power sources along w/gen & solar! As in water, U can not ever have too much energy!, especially on off grid land!

[@SpicyGramCracker]

I saw these on Amazon and I’ve been curious! Always good to have options.

[@janetkoball44]

Bob, I think this was a great video about a "Power Source". I have seen this nice lady before and she is very honest and knowledgeable about her set up. And like you both agree, it should be on our list, when we are ready to seriously think about it. I'm going over to her channel now to subscribe. Thanks Bob

[@LeLaidbackLauncher]

I plan to be in lots of snowy, dark places so this would probably be the main generation for me

[@STB-jh7od]

Couple years ago I saw YT video of RV woman who after night of storms, was waiting to charge batteries with solar, and I immediately thought that a wind generator as an addition would be great idea.

[@ceciliavillalobos5044]

Id love to do this, i also think it could and would be cool to start a type of caravan like ladies theres safty in numbers so start a group and travel in that group as needed to help each other and lonliness but safety is a win win.😊

[@ohizkimmie]

I never even thought of having this! I know that it's not a main source of power, but if you can afford it, why not? Love this! Thank you for sharing! 💚

[@Maggie-Gardener-Maker]

Wow that price is amazing! Those things have really come down in price. I have homestead-homebase and I get a lot of wind here as well as sunshine, I'd consider it for my homestead, not sure about the camper. Great video and good to see Dianne again on your channel. When you did the first interview and tour I subscribed to her channel back then. I am busy putting in a fall garden and working on the house here in northwest Florida.

[@MikeAndNary]

That would work great driving down the highway at 80 MPH..... 😆 😂

[@Got-lander]

Free wind power!

[@stevenrichardson4928]

The video tickles the imagination. Thanks. Q: Is it noisy? I know the topic came up, but I didn't hear the topic being addressed. Thanks again.

[@josepep4970]

Yes Diann you did a great job by showing us what you got for additional power you might need for your house on wheels and how to assemble it with no amount of trouble for a little person. Thanks Diann again. I think you are going to be overloaded with people watching that think that this is a great idea. I certainly do. JP

[@jalonenow]

This is definitely in my plan. Thank you for the information.

[@OverlandOne]

Another great interview with another fantastic woman out there on the road. I enjoyed watching this. She seems like a very capable women who Installed her own wind generator. That is excellent. I wish her many miles of safe travels.

[@Denniejones]

Having to stay in the city I get so much backdraft from vehicles racing past me it rocks me to sleep so I can only imagine how much I could top my batteries at night. 😂

[@sgw3612]

In the area I live, there is wind about 20+ hrs most days. Even though it's low output, the # of hours in a day it would be producing might pay off.

[@kentuckylucky5762]

In my area...always windy but not often much sun..so id say yes...for a small home the horizontal ones like they use in. Iceland are great....but for a van...the kind she has is great

[@kentuckylucky5762]

Also wyoming😊! Unless its freezing

[@Tipperary757]

Great idea!! I avoid my roof except for essential cleaning, but then I'm clumsy.... Well done!

[@solarwind907]

Just FYI, I used to install small wind turbines for off grid cabin dwellers. They are a PIA mainly because they need to be robust in order to handle being up on the tower getting abused by turbulent winds. They also need to be cheap enough that people can afford to buy them. So they usually wind up being made cheaply and not being able to handle the beating they take. I’m glad the lady doesn’t hear any noise or feel any vibration from the turbine attached to her van, but I really find it hard to believe. They are not quiet normally, and they do transmit vibration into whatever they’re mounted to. That would be a big concern for me, having one mounted on a van I was trying to sleep in. What would not be a concern Is the power curve you show. If it says it puts out 300 W at 22 mph I would believe it probably put out about 300 W at 22 mph. The trick would be getting 22 mph wind 3 1/2 feet above the back of her van for one hour. As you said in your video, they really are designed to be 30 feet above anything within 300 feet so if you have 60 foot trees, you probably wanna have your wind machine on 100 foot tower. Trees grow, towers don’t. In order for it to perform as specified it needs to be out of the turbulent air and up in the laminar flow. Your videos are great :-)! I’m just trying to add some useful information that I know is true. Safe travels, and thank you very much!

[@RollingLiving]

I think your observations and comments are spot on.

[@risingabove1096]

Great video. You meet some really nice people.

[@GK49245]

Good overview. Thanks.

[@createlovehappy]

Seems like a worthwhile add on after solar, especially since it can be charging battery all night long. We have a school bus we want to convert. I wonder if it could be mounted laying down so it catches the wind while driving and then hinges to the upright position when we get into our spot for 14 days?

[@donwyates]

Might as well snag every watt you can, whenever you can. These are exciting times for alternative forms of energy capture and storage. It's enough to make your head spin.

[@priscillawrites6685]

There are elliptical turbines that are efficient at lower wind speeds.

[@kentuckylucky5762]

Really like those

[@SuperClare]

Great info!! Thank you!!

[@Bob.W.]

Thanks. Having to go on the van roof would not work for me. I do like the concept of having wind and solar power. They should design one that works at highway speeds. :)

[@anitasimmons3599]

I believe the wind energy community has been researching this but at the moment they don't have anything that works well at highway speeds, because of drag, and stresses. They have some that work on bicycles or in streams though.

[@SuzanneWho]

For me I would like to see brackets on the side of the van with a way to attach telescoping supports to raise the main motor and fins. I’m also not thrilled about climbing on the roof.

[@josemedeiros007]

Great tips and video Bob!

[@timmusician5060]

I’ve been looking into this. This info should be really good!!

[@BIG-DIPPER-56]

Interesting - Thanks ! 😎👍

[@kevinfenn9672]

thank you for the video, its refreshing to see new ideas for the mobile life

[@abkxx]

Thank you for the video

[@kentuckylucky5762]

Thank u for doing this soooo cool.

[@5starmediahd370]

Great topic... Thanks

[@CanadianDreamer]

Great idea. Options are always good.😃

[@user-hr5cb4qs2x]

I like the concept.

[@joannegerrard9414]

I live in Scotland... this could work since it rains alot and being located near the sea it is usually windy....

[@willarddevoe5893]

I would set it on an aluminum mast with 2 hinge mounts. The wind generator would quickly tilt down. Id use it when solar is flattened with a week of clouds.

[@adamwalk123]

Great video

[@jeremytorgersen]

I've definitely considered this alongside solar for versatility and optionality. Thank you for the video explaining the overview, with the pros and cons.

[@cryptowolf-zf3fs]

Good idea for a van or RV.

[@paleogeology9554]

Im working on a design for an electrostatic motor that will turn a windmill generator or similar ones. The tech actually works however you need to be next to a hill, mountain ect.. so you can raise a wire high enough to collect the static electricity in the air. This is a very old tech and has its limits, however the motor works just fine turning something like a windmill generator or something similar so its perfect for off grid RV'er who dont need KW of power constantly. These electrostatic motors run forever as long as your high volt wire is raised so no need for gas, propane, the sun, the wind... it generates power 24/7 365 without using other fuel sources beside the natural static electric all around us. Once I have fully tested the generator for a full season ( this season) I'll be releasing the plans which anyone can build with a 3d printer and laser to cut out the parts. If you dont have those machines there are companies who will 3d print stuff for you, simply just send them the .gcode files that I'll post on GitHub and my channel. Id be happy to demostrate this for you anyone interested, I'll be in Quartzite until spring

[@imapisces1]

Bob, I think it's more of a win - it can produce power at night without noise disturbance. Definitely deserves more credit. 👍

[@krismaki757]

as I dream and plan about having and setting up a van to live in, I have always thought I'd want a wind turbine for auxiliary power. I think I would probably want to measure the wind speeds for a while, just to see if it would be a worthwhile investment. Thank you for sharing. I will follow Diane to see how it goes with her.

[@shaunhall6834]

This would give you more places to go if you had something like this.

[@Tipman2OOO]

Wow, never even knew that was an option! Nice!

[@jeanwonnacott2718]

I am going to get one for my manufactured home, soon. Maybe I can take it on the road later....

[@kalef1234]

I like it. Just need 48 watts to offset my growatt inverter at idle. Pretty cool addition if you have room for it.

[@jonathanhall7903]

Layers of power sources..good idea.

[@didlidoodles343]

Bob, you are such a great interviewer. Always asking the right questions as we are thinking them ourselves. And of course, always great guests to introduce. Thank you so mush for sharing your knowledge and wisdom. Love from 🇨🇦🍁!

[@shepatown]

It would make a pretty awesome looking whirlygig!

[@jessiehead6525]

Thanks so much for this! It’s an option one always wonders about. If one was in a cloudy, rainy area that is always windy (like the PNW coast in winter), it might be a great idea.

[@lavina58]

Nice video, thanks 🙌😊👌👍🍀💞🇭🇷

[@ka509]

I think it's a great supplemental energy option

[@ShayTBD]

Tks 4 sharing! Good idea for my often windy beach properties! Will putting the pole on a hinge w/ cotter pins speed setup & minimize steps?

[@jameslamb7300]

Great for Winter. Solar Panels don't work with Ice and Snow buildup. I like the Wind Power Generator.

[@Ulbre]

I think I'd go with Diane's system. Stopping for one or two days, maybe not set it up....but for 3 days or longer, for sure. Also if your setting up camp for only a day or two but know some weather is coming your way than it may be worth setting up then as well. As Diane says, you learn to use it and then tweak it to suit your needs and style. One great thing is maybe when your batteries are fully charged coming into night but you know the wind is there, you can maybe run a few more appliances that you normally wouldn't during the night. Probably not so good for stealth city camping though!!!!!

[@mikejones-vd3fg]

Interesting, id be getting about 80w from this thing in todays wind (about 5m/s), which coincidentaly is the same wattage i started solar with a 80w panel and it was more then enough to power my laptop , external monitor and some speakers. To be able to have that all night would be more then worth it. Not to mention the possibility of more during worse weather. 50w-80w isnt much but trickle charging all night will give you enough energy to boil some water for coffee in the morning.

[@seanwilson6521]

A winter at Q would work nicely for those many windy days.

[@cynthiaweathers6979]

As cheap as it is, I would have one on all four corners of my van. On my property, I would continue to add on more turbines until I have my own wind farm. That thing is really spinning.

[@keenosaabi4530]

how about this versus portable solar panels....seems like a winner to me.

[@qwertyqwert2772]

cool

[@mitchellwnorowski6747]

World cruiser sailboats typically have both wind and solar.

[@phoenixjordan7784]

Yes often when it’s stormy and not sunny outside.. winter... it’s windier.

[@edwardchamberlain7858]

My personal experience twenty years ago. I lived on top of a hill, 550 feet above sea level. I had the exact same generator on top of a forty foot tower. 12 AGM batteries connected in parallel under the house. Also 1Kw of solar on the roof. The wind generator was nothing but eye candy for the planet huggers. It was absolutely worthless. I put a larger prop on it thinking it would finally make real energy, but that just caused it to turn out of the wind because the tail was not large enough for the prop. So if you're thinking, I suggest you think again. Save your money cuz it won't work unless you have huge sustained winds and a big generator. I wasted an incredible amount of time trying to make this machine work, and it never did. BTW I am a planet hugger.

[@Swimdeep]

Heya Bob- Would you consider when you do videos with a technical edge, breaking the video into chapters. Having each aspect detailed e.g., cost of system, how much power generated over what period of time, who is a “fit” for a system like this, specs, etc. Thanks for the topic and discussion. Reasonable energy alternative-especially for those who stay in one place for a bit. 🌿

[@bettyvanwhite6745]

Interesting! I would consider this. Too bad you can't use it while driving down the freeway. Also, it would be cool for her to have it set up where she could just fold it over vs. taking it apart each time.

[@sandyallen1523]

Best part, it can charge the battery in the middle of the night, solar can't do that

[@Chubbydippin]

Good stuff to think about. Maybe I missed it, but is this grounded for the rare scenario of a lightning strike?

[@sharkcookie.YouTube]

The cost for the mount setup is probably also significant.

[@s.alphachica4301]

I thought about putting a small boat parpela on my back hitch to generate charges for van house battery.

[@PamelaSmith20010]

I’m no engineer, but would nt be cool if they could make the fans on cars (?as you drive along) create power? Maybe they’ve already thought of this?

[@marilynrenaud1892]

I've seen a couple of vans using them. Would one power my Bluetti AC200MAX or my Bluetti EB70S? I need to look into this option.

[@crackerjack6075]

Yesterday I noticed the Bluetti website has just such a "Wind Turbine" image and it's saying 'Coming Soon'. So I suspect they're having their own Partner, or R&D (I only noticed this image/comment at the bottom of their AC300 & B300 Expansion Battery, set in with accessories, also an EV Station under development). Also (their website), a forum where a number of people are discussing attaching brand(s) of turbine products.

[@johnnylightning1491]

Yep, I'm in the it's too much trouble camp on this one. I have 3 ways to charge batteries with a fourth probably on the way (solar) so like you said Bob it's a ways down the list. I have a larger rig so I'm thinking that spending probably $400 (turbine plus installation hardware) on more panels would be a wiser investment. Keep the good stuff coming Bob and folks please try and donate $1 a month to HOWA. If only half of Bob's subs donated a buck a month HOWA would have over $3,000,000 a year to help out fellow nomads.

[@adventureshark631]

I totally agree with you if you don't have enough solar. In the winter down south, my 720 roof and 320 portable panels can have my 510 AH of battery charged up by one on most days. However, when the sun goes down early at 4pm then you have to last until morning and I like to have enough leftover to brew my coffee in the morning. If you have couple of cloudy days, having some wind generation at night could be helpful and allow you to not worry about running things. I've been out for 2 years now and think this might be a nice addition to my power generation.It is nice to see someone install one of the stock units and give a real demo of how it works for them. I'm not looking for 400 watts cause I really don't want to be in 35 mph winds. But I would welcome generating 100 watts and hour at night to keep things toped off and might have to give this a try. I keep waiting for the big breakthough on a smaller one but might have to try this one out.

[@stevenickolls8016]

Remember 30mph is gale force wind.

[@theangrypickleadventures1368]

Hardly, that’s a normal day here in Texas 😂

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

But if it is raining etc will this high metal point attract thunder? I would be afraid to stick it up in bad weather conditions

[@gregory4154]

Yes, this graph is OVERLY generous. I would suggest really looking into this before buying. I'm not saying don't buy this. Just do a lot of research. After that, buying it MIGHT make sense. Honestly, having a solar set-up with a small battery bank gives you more bang for the buck.

[@nettp7773]

I think wind power will improve with time and technology. I don't think it's there yet.

[@lindavestal8139]

Couldn’t the fan pole be hinged so it could lay down when not in use & quickly raised & locked in place when needed without disassemble & reassemble as used?

[@ATravelingAddictSolo]

If you didn't want to climb the van (I wouldn't ), wonder if you can create a bolted bracket type thing on the back of the van, then from the ground, use a pole that snaps into the brackets and then that pushes up about that high and locks in. Of course, then you have to worry about theft, unless you had a locking device on it somehow.

[@eureca2681]

Solar is #1 source of independent energy, wind is a nice alternative no need to hate