The power/solar/batteries/generator thread

[jerrymrc]

I just looked into this. Harbor Freight has a system that sells for around $200 or something. That got me interested. So, my son and I went through the calculations. Under very good conditions it would take 7 years to pay for itself (as I remember).

Very disapointing. I wanted to see if I could run my computers durring the day by solar. It would take thousands of dollars to set up and would never pay for itself.

Bummer

.

I built the first two panels that make 70 watts for just over $100. Add a charge controller for $30..... In my case I run 1/2 the garage off of a 60W panel and the bank of gel cells.

While the solar is not dirt cheap you have to have something to provide power some way.

More thoughts on this. Most people just throw away there UPS when the batteries go bad. These can be used as cheap inverters. I have a couple that I have rescued and use them. One thing you will have to do on most of them is disable the alarm. First pic is the back up for the pellet stove. Rescued 600W UPS with 110Ah of gel attached. Second is the garage power system. Panel is in the window facing south. This is mainly a winter system so all is good. just some thoughts.

[theGinsue]

My best friend bought a 70watt solar panel from a camoer store a few years ago. It does a great job for charging his camper during MOST days. The problem is that the panel alone cost him $800.

This same guy also bought the Harbor Freight $200 setup. If it's the same one, this uses 3 panels that come up to about 50 watts total. They don't work nearly as well as the $800 panel, but you're still saving $600.

Because of this, I jumped on Jerry's idea of building your own solar panels. His plan is SO much cheaper. I had been planning on building a few of these during this winter. Haven't gotten to it yet.

[Beprepared]

Ok, so my Dad has a couple of draft horses. He's been wanting a treadmill for them. To my knowledge their is just one company that makes the historic kind he wants. Athens Enterprise(not on the interweb) they do advertise in Rural Heritage or the Small Farm Journal. So these tread mills are gravity operated(take no power). They also GENERATE power. I horse that already needs/wants exercise can charge a battery bank. There are small animal versions of this made for sheep, goats, and dogs. I believe they start around 2k. A couple of work/herd/sled dogs who desperately want to run 20hrs a day could supplement power needs.

[Bowtie]

The guys from google have developed a power source the size of a parking space that could produce 100kw for a minimum of 10 years. The price is a little steep at $800,000 or $400 a kw. They say they are trying to get the price down to $3000 for a home size unit. Article here
http://www.informationweek.com/news/...leID=223100606

[Beprepared]

Another solution for a small community.
http://www.hyperionpowergeneration.com/index.html
$50million
7-10 years of power
20k homes
Its basically a self contained nuclear battery buried and connected to a steam turbine.

rural/military applications hmmmm!

[offgrid]

WE live 3 miles from utility power. Been living off-grid for 5yrs. Power our home with a wind turbine and PV. Installed the system myself.

Glad to answer any questions regarding wind turbines and PV.

[Hoopty]

I assume the wind turbine and PV setups are all tied together? Did you build the WT yourself or was it purchased? Cost and output of the WT setup?