We recently added the “Waterlily Turbine” to our camping set up because it can charge your devices by nature.
What is the Waterlily Turbine?
It is a portable turbine that charges devices via running water or in some cases wind. When charging devices while away from home you often think of a solar charger, but the sun doesn’t shine 24 hours a day. That’s why the Waterlily Turbine is the perfect item to add to your camping set up.
The waterlily turbine can run 24 hours a day if you are by a river, creek, stream or brook. When you purchase a Waterlily Turbine, you have the option of the charging connector to be USB or 12 Volt.
The USB output is great for charging cell phones, power banks, camera batteries, rechargeable headlamps, etc. The 12 volt output is great for lead acid batteries and portable power stations.
The USB output produces 5 Volt regulated, up to 3 amps. The 12 Volt output produces 14.6 Volts DC, up to 2 amps. The maximum power output for both chargers is 15 watts. With the 12 volt output connector, you have the option of linking up more turbines for a faster charge.
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How to set up the waterlily turbine
- First, gather all 4 cords and connect with the carabiner
- Then tie a bowline knot or similar to attach the paracord to the carabiner
- Locate a stick, rock, tree or something you can anchor the paracord to.
- Find a spot in the river where you want to place the waterlily (preferably a spot with a fast current)
- Find a large rock or a place you can leverage the stick
- Before placing the waterlily into the flowing river make sure the 10 ft charging cord can reach a safe place on dry land. (This is where it is great to have a partner when setting it up, so they can hold the charging cord while you set up the turbine in the river)
- Next, adjust the length of paracord to have the orient the turbine in the best location (fastest water current). Then tie the paracord to the anchor point with the desired length.
- Place the water lily in the spot with high flowing water and then place the stick behind the rock. This is a great time to have a mallet or some way of pushing the stick deep into the river bed so it doesn’t come away from behind the rock
- Plug in the device you want charged and watch the battery increase!
Safety Tip: Always be extra cautious when setting up the Waterlily Turbine. Rocks are always slippery when wet. You will most likely be setting up the device near high flowing water, so always follow safety precautions!
Pros Of The Waterlily Turbine
- Can be run 24 hours a day
- Doesn’t require sunlight to be powered
- Can generate up to 360 watt hours of power in a day
- Can be powered by wind or manually in case of emergencies
- 10 foot charge cable
- With an average flowing river, the turbine will charge devices as fast as a wall charger
- Or can charge devices much faster that a wall charge if the river is flowing faster than 7.2mph
- Very durable, you can throw it in the river worry free. It’s built to last through hitting rocks and tumbling to the river floor.
- Can charge a 12 volt lead acid battery
Cons Of The Waterlily Turbine
- Have to be near running water or near heavy winds
- You have to get close to a flowing river and have to use extra caution while setting up
- Heavy (2.85 lbs) Not ideal for hiking or backpacking
- Can be challenging to set up the first time
Who is the Waterlily Turbine good for?
- People who often camp near rivers, streams, creeks or brooks
- Often camp where it is overcast and the sun doesn’t shine (Washington/Oregon)
- Paddler or canoer (Great for attaching to your canoe/kayak, SUP)
- Vanlifers/RV’s with a 12V lead acid battery
- Someone looking to add a charging kit to their emergency survival kit
Our Final Thoughts Of The Water Lily:
The Waterlily Turbine is a great way to charge devices with nature. It can charge devices with a river flowing as little as .7mph to as fast as 9 mph. It is a great device if you often find yourself near a water source. A huge perk is being able to leave it set up to charge your devices all day if needed. But, if you don’t often camp near a water source then the device might only be good for emergency circumstances. We find the device to be of great value for the quality and adaptability of the product.
Accessories
Another great item to add to the setup is the Waterlily Waterproof Bag. This allows you to place your valuables in a waterproof bag in case water splashes onto shore or if the charging cord is accidentally pulled into the water.
Save This ‘Waterlily Turbine Review’ For Later
