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This is the thread for all things power related. In time I can show you how to build your own solar panels. How to hook up and use a solar powered system, Why you need to have a bunch of rechargeable batteries and why unless you are at your final location that a generator may not be your best friend. Just putting this out there now for the people here to think about. ;)
Recently I went to use a AGM battery I had and it was dead, cracked and not useable, so I went to my backup 2nd battery, dead too. dang it. So much for having those batteries for "just in case", guess I'll have to buy some new ones...
Being a Amateur Radio Operator, I've seen and used some nice generators, battery systems and solar setups for the field day competitions each summer.
This will be an interesting thread to see what comes of it.... I'll stand by...
I would definitely be interested in learning/seeing solar power systems.
I also have planned a "communications" thread that I expect your input on...... Part of what I have planned is a sustainable set up. There are just a lot of pieces to the puzzle. A lot of what I have done over the years is work for a manageable set up that does not cost an arm and a leg.
The generator is a great thing and I do have one. but if you rely on it you better have the means to support it and that is my rub. Solar is a very workable solution here in CO.
Ever been in a telecom companies facility? they use -48v DC to power all the telecommunications gear... they use LARGE lead-acid batteries.. they're designed for this application, as well as ease of service..
I'd love to find a place to get these surplus... or build them..
I have a old Hercules multi-fuel diesel I picked up cheap (and another that belongs to my father-in-law), I plan to couple each of these to a generator head, and I can have a multi-fuel generator... they may be weak for pushing a heavy 6x6, but they're good for up to 50kW of generator (waay overkill) would like to get a 6-pole gen head, to run at 1200rpm...
I have been in a few of them. Wife used to work for SI international. Here is my thought process on the issue. You have a home and the power goes out a generator is a great thing.Quote:
Originally Posted by 68Charger
Your final location is the same one ya live at. A generator and the 500 gal fuel tank are great.
Ya live in the city/suburbs and it is time to leave..... Do ya take 100lbs of solar panels/batteries with an inverter or do ya take the 50lbs generator along with 50lbs of gas?
Do not get me wrong. Generators are great but in the long term the Solar/batteries will win out. just some thoughts to think about.
Ideally, I'd have a solar/battery setup, but would have generator backup...Quote:
Originally Posted by jerrymrc
relying on the generator solely for power I agree is not cost-effective... but for standby power in the middle of the night...
My other reasoning on a generator is increasing load- if I size my inverter based on load of the house- but not my shop (inverters are expensive)
I fire up the generator when I want to weld, or run a piece of equipment (say a lathe to turn some barrels, or to repair something, or provide a service in exchange for other goods/services).. granted, this is beyond survival mode- and is beyond the needs of the average person
What I'm not seeing considered here is portable wind turbines. There is a guy who sets one up in an elk camp near where I hunt every year. The advantage of these is that CO has lots of wind and they work just as well during cloudy days and at night. The biggest problem I have with my camper batteries is they discharge a lot during the night (no light). On particularly cold night I have to keep my heat very low to have any power left by morning (brand new deep cycle batteries too).
I'd like to learn more about how to put together a portable wind turbine. I figure that if I were to combine it with a solar setup I'd be absolutely golden.
I'm not sure that a wind turbine that is portable would generate enough power to keep the heater fan running through the night... worth a try though I guess.
If you google for homemade wind turbines there are some sites I've seen in the past that have all the instructions needed. Usually they are making them out of Chevy one wire alternators...
You have a great point about night power.. and winter- sun hours diminish, power requirements go up (in general).. I'll point out the disadvantage of noise- not a huge amount with a quality one, but putting them up high enough to where they'll catch the wind will announce your position from a farther distance... doesn't eliminate it, just understand it's issues.Quote:
Originally Posted by theGinsue
the hardest thing I see about a portable wind turbine is a way to get it out of the boundary layer.. to be able to erect a tower on short order that can take significant side loads is the biggest challenge..
it's been done, tho.. http://www.heightstowers.com/portable_cows.htm
a bit cumbersome, and depending on the topology, you may not need that much height to get an advantage- so maybe it could be scaled down to do 30-40ft