The power/solar/batteries/generator thread

[jerrymrc]

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.

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.

[68Charger]

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...

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

[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?