Tuesday, April 29, 2008

One Man's Quest For Power - Wind Power

Baltimore resident, David Powers, got tired of hearing the industrial hum of his generator. It interfered with the camping experience he wanted to create for his family. Listening to that drone drown out the sounds of nature finally got to him and he began tinkering with using a small wind turbine to produce the power needed for his pop-up camper.

First he set up a turbine in his backyard, which didn't thrill his neighbors. The 28 foot tower and turbine cost about $80, including the motor and rotor he bought on eBay. The wind supplied enough energy to power the campers lights, refrigerator, oven fan and water pump. He had success.

On his next trip to their favorite campsite at Assateague State Park in Maryland. The constant breeze on the island spun the turbine and created enough energy to power up the camper's two 13.8 volt batteries. Next time, Powers plans to increase the turbines efficiency by using fiberglass blades.

He's happy with his decision and hopes to inspire more campers to try innovative solutions for power - harness the power of nature while connecting with nature - much better than dragging out the gas generator and filling our parks with enough noise pollution to make everyone think they pitched their tents on a construction site.

If you'd like to more about building your own wind powered turbine, visit http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_wind_tips.html to learn about how they work and http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/06/how_to_build_yo_1.php for directions to build your own.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks Lisa! GReat article and really good links. They'll come in handy. Take care.
~JD

lifesignx said...

Alternative clean and renewable energy sources are always interesting indeed. But recently those wind power turbines been falling apart so I think they need to redesign them to be sturdier.


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Anonymous said...

What a great story, if only people would realize how affordable wind and solar energy is in the long run, how sustainable, renewable and genuinely clean!

Lisa McGlaun said...

Thanks JD,

I just found this so fascinating. I'd love to try it.

Lisa

Lisa McGlaun said...

Lifesignx,

I'm sure like everything designs need work and implimentation could use some rethinking. I'd still like to give it a try. I'd love to live in an off-grid house that makes use of alternate energy sources.

Thanks for the comment,
Lisa

Lisa McGlaun said...

Niralisherni,

I know I'd love to try it to power my house. I once visited a whole community of off-grid housing outside of Taos, NM. It was incredible.

Lisa