The power/solar/batteries/generator thread

[theGinsue]

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.

[gnihcraes]

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...

[68Charger]

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.

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.

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

[Irving]

I've noticed that every new phone I get has better and better battery life, and seems to take less and less time to charge. Would it be difficult to retrofit a cell battery to power some led flashlight head?

[68Charger]

I've noticed that every new phone I get has better and better battery life, and seems to take less and less time to charge. Would it be difficult to retrofit a cell battery to power some led flashlight head?

that part is not too difficult- but you have to make sure the voltage of the battery doesn't go below a certain level- so you can't just hook it up & go, there does have to be some thought to it, or the battery won't take a charge again..

also, the recharging is more tricky with Li-Ion batteries.. just make sure the charger you're using is intended for Li-Ion batteries

[Irving]

Well, wouldn't you just set it up to use your cell charger?

I'm interested in what you said about the voltage level. What is the difference between running the battery down till it won't turn on while it is powering a cell phone, or powering a light?

[68Charger]

Well, wouldn't you just set it up to use your cell charger?

I'm interested in what you said about the voltage level. What is the difference between running the battery down till it won't turn on while it is powering a cell phone, or powering a light?

you could certainly use your cell charger-

the minimum voltage has to do with the chemistry of Li-Ion batteries..

a quote from http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-12.htm

"Extreme low voltage must also be prevented. The safety circuit is designed to cut off the current path if the battery is inadvertently discharged below 2.50V/cell. At this voltage, most circuits render the battery unserviceable and a recharge on a regular charger is not possible.
There are several safeguards to prevent excessive discharge. The equipment protects the battery by cutting off when the cell reaches 2.7 to 3.0V/cell. Battery manufacturers ship the batteries with a 40% charge to allow some self-discharge during storage. Advanced batteries contain a wake-up feature in which the protection circuit only starts to draw current after the battery has been activated with a brief charge. This allows prolonged storage."

this is a safety feature because:

"If the cells have dwelled at 1.5V/cell and lower for a few days, however, a recharge should be avoided. Copper shunts may have formed inside the cells, leading a partial or total electrical short. The cell becomes unstable. Charging such a battery would cause excessive heat and safety could not be assured. "

so what's the worst that could happen?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeWq6rWzChw

[jerrymrc]

Solar panels. Here is the link for my first ones I did. http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showt...hreadid=215773

There have been some minor changes since then. I now place a desiccant at each end and drill a small hole at each end. I then draw a vacuum to make sure the panel is sealed. If no leaks I flood the panel with Nitrogen and seal it back up. This has stopped the fogging issues.

Now you can run the panels on just the board with no gasket/glass but they are a "good weather" only config. Cells are still cheap from the supplier I listed. I have to finish the other 3 panels for the camper. I also have 100W or so for the garage that are still going after 5 years.

Too many projects, too little time.

[Beprepared]

you could certainly use your cell charger-

the minimum voltage has to do with the chemistry of Li-Ion batteries..

a quote from http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-12.htm

"Extreme low voltage must also be prevented. The safety circuit is designed to cut off the current path if the battery is inadvertently discharged below 2.50V/cell. At this voltage, most circuits render the battery unserviceable and a recharge on a regular charger is not possible.
There are several safeguards to prevent excessive discharge. The equipment protects the battery by cutting off when the cell reaches 2.7 to 3.0V/cell. Battery manufacturers ship the batteries with a 40% charge to allow some self-discharge during storage. Advanced batteries contain a wake-up feature in which the protection circuit only starts to draw current after the battery has been activated with a brief charge. This allows prolonged storage."

this is a safety feature because:

"If the cells have dwelled at 1.5V/cell and lower for a few days, however, a recharge should be avoided. Copper shunts may have formed inside the cells, leading a partial or total electrical short. The cell becomes unstable. Charging such a battery would cause excessive heat and safety could not be assured. "

so what's the worst that could happen?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeWq6rWzChw

"Extreme low voltage must also be prevented. The safety circuit is designed to cut off the current path if the battery is inadvertently discharged below 2.50V/cell. At this voltage, most circuits render the battery unserviceable and a recharge on a regular charger is not possible.

Interesting about the Li-Ion. With a safety circuit inside, would this leave the battery unusable in the unlikely event of an EMP pulse? Also could used hybrid car battery (gotta be good for something) be used for home needs (If the voltage and charging was right)?