June 2014

WindPax Turbine Power
Eco-friendly portable power generated by the wind.
Article By Steven R. Rochlin

  Those of us modern types who camp and/or hike for days on end find ourselves needing things we didn't think about years ago. One of them is the ability to keep our electronic devices powered. Sure there are the usual photo-taking and selfies perhaps yet what about GPS and devices that also double as emergency beacons? The last point is extremely important for those who go deeply off-trail. Not everyone can afford the Breitling's Emergency II watch at a cool $16,000 each! Of course carrying more batteries is a solution, yet this adds weight and batteries are not quite fully environmentally friendly as solar or other solutions. This is where WindPax's portable wind turbine comes to the rescue ($250 on up).

Windpax manufacturers collapsible, portable, light-weight wind turbines that go where you go. This eco-friendly power sources design uses the wind to charge devices. The vertical turbine is a small scale wind turbine designed specifically to capture the moving air using three collapsible fins to spin the turbine, thus creating power via an internal generator. There is a removable internal battery stick with USB and Mini-USB hookups that easily attaches by sliding it into the turbine shaft. Your devices can be charged straight from the turbine, or you can charge the internal battery and power your devices on the go.

WindPax's wind turbines easily telescope out, can be set up in under two minutes, and can generate power on the smallest of breezes 24 hours a day. For safety, the fins are made of flexible plastic that won’t injure someone not looking as they walk by. Also, the fins have a break-away feature that allows them to transition to a flat surface in the event that you encounter dangerously high winds.

The battery has an LED integrated into it and can act as a flashlight when unplugged or you can use the entire WindPax Turbine as a camp lantern by flipping on the LED and keeping the battery stick installed. All WindPax devices are designed to meet IPX-6 ratings for water and level 5 for dust protection all within a package that weighs under 4 lbs for the smaller unit, or 9 lbs for the larger capacity model. The unit is available in Hunter Green or Sky Blue color. Manufacturing one in camouflage is great for those who want to be visibly neutral within their outdoor surroundings.

Specifications
Larger Model
Collapsed: Length is 14" and a diameter of 3"
Assembled: Length is 24" and a diameter of 12"
Height Assembled: 6 feet
Generates 25 Watts: Power six cell phones simultaneously at average wind speeds
Battery Stick: Charges three iPhones
Power Ports: Includes a 12V port as well as USB connectors
Optional Accessory: A dual swivel-head, clamp-on LED system with a three foot USB cord.
Weight: 9 lbs.

Smaller Model
Collapsed: Length is 22" and a diameter of 5"
Assembled: Length 48" with a diameter of 24"
Height Assembled: 10 feet
Generates 100 Watts: Enough to power a Mac Book Pro and iPhone at average wind speeds
Battery Stick: Can charge three iPads
Optional Accessory: A dual swivel-head, clamp-on LED system with a three foot USB cord.
Weight: 4 lbs.