Small wind turbine

[Murphyv310]

Hi.
I've been using two solar panels on the shed roof for a few years now. It supplies power for lighting and other 12v items I use. I have two 12volt leisure batteries that add up to 240ah. Last year I fed 12v into the house using substantial cables and use the 12v for some LED lighting in the living room. I'm in the process of using this in the kitchen. I think though I may get a bit of sag in the batteries as Scotland as few hours of light in winter and not every day is sunny. We do though have plenty of wind. Can anyone recommend a small wind generator, between 50 & 100 watts for a 12v system.

[boater sam]

Lots made for boaters to charge their batteries. If you take the windings out of a car alternator armature and substitute magnets, that will work as a wind generator. So will a bike dynamo, the type in the hub.
Draw back is the noise and vibration, don't mount it on your shed roof!

[Nick]

For 12V, boat systems are the way to go. Commercial domestic turbines were not economic last time I looked, though that was a few years ago.

We effectively demolished our house and rebuilt it as a carbon neutral property using ground source heat pumps, and all local oak, stone and clay (20,000 roof tiles etc). Massive job.

Looked in detail at energy sources at the time with the Center for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Wales. Conclusion was that the only one that made financial sense at a domestic level was the heat pump.

[pwdrive]

Rutland Windchargers (Marlec)

Lawrence.

[Murphyv310]

Thanks chaps for the replies.
Some are way to expensive for what I need. I'll have a look for a second hand one I think.