LE Vertical Wind Turbine - any use?

[West Coast]

Looking for ways to trickle charge my batteries (3 x 100aH) - been considering Solar Panels but in Scotland, we seem to get more wind and rain than sun........

So - anyone know what the LE v50 wind turbine is like?

http://www.leturbines.com/products/le-v50-wind-turbine/

 

[ProDave]

I can't say anything specific about that one in particular, but as I understand it, vertical turbines need a lot of wind to produce anything at all.

See the specs for that one, start up speed 11.1mph and only 15 watts at 18mph

What sort of wind speed would it need for it's rated output of 90W?

 

[pvb]

I reckon it'd be a complete waste of £600. It only generates 10w when the wind gets up to about 15 knots. Even in Scotland, a solar panel could be better value for money!

 

[VicS]

Not seen that one before. Forgen are perhaps more widely known..

Ideal for a small boat except for the low performance.. I reckon if you cost it in £s / Ah or £s / watt they work out as the most expensive option.

 

[sam_uk]

Not seen that one before. Forgen are perhaps more widely known..

Ideal for a small boat except for the low performance.. I reckon if you cost it in £s / Ah or £s / watt they work out as the most expensive option.

Again have no specific experience of either of these, I have been considering one of these:

£200 inc postage:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10W-15W-M...169?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46000dd4d1

Pros:
Small, 1ft square
You get some charge from 5mph: 1watt
6watt at 17mph
15 watt at 40mph

And at least if it's **** you are only £200 down..

 

[West Coast]

Thanks for all replies, this is certainly an expensive piece of kit but probably not right for me........,

 

[garvellachs]

A Rutland 504 keeps our batteries trickle charged (260Ah) while we're away from the boat, in Wales. No controller.