|
Running Electricity Over Long Distance
|
05-06-2009, 04:20 AM
I just wanted to jump in and thank EVERYONE for posting. These discussions are really helping me put this into a more positive persective. My wife and I are starting to beleive that we really CAN make this transition!!
05-06-2009, 02:43 PM
We still need a good load list from you. To do so, make a spreadsheet with these columns:
1. Electrical Device 2. Wattage - how many watts the appliance draws 3. Hours/day - how many hours per day you use that appliance. For example, a microwave may be .1 whereas an alarm clock with digital clock would be 24. 4. Days/week - how many days per week you use the device. A guest room TV may be .25 whereas your fridge will be 7. 5. Watt hours - column 1 x column 2 x (column 3 divided by 7) = watt hours Then post your list here 
05-07-2009, 02:35 AM
quote: WILL DO!!!! [ ] []
05-17-2009, 09:35 AM
quote:Hi Chris' wife here, Thanks for helping us and here is the break down: computer w/ monitor -wattage:300 -hours/day:18 -days/week: 6 -watt hours: 4628.571 internet router -wattage: 1 -hours/day: 24 -days/week: 7 -watt hours: 24 (10) cfl bulbs -wattage: 220 -hours/day: 7 -days/week: 7 -watt hours: 1540 TV/Cable box/DVD Player -wattage: 340 -hours/day: 3 -days/week: 7 -watt hours: 1020 refrigerator (compressor engaged) -wattage: 300 -hours/day: 1 -days/week: 7 -watt hours: 300 refrigerator (normal use) -wattage: 9 -hours/day: 23 -days/week: 7 -watt hours: 207 washing machine -wattage: 100 -hours/day: 1 -days/week: 7 -watt hours: 100 ---------------------------------------------- Total watt hours used in 7 days: 7819.571 [  ]Chris is questioning how bad is it? Thanks guys!
05-17-2009, 10:00 AM
quote: Chris here, My god! I'm looking at these numbers we posted. Can these be right? That's like, 30kw a month? Chris
05-17-2009, 05:37 PM
QUOTE: "Can these be right?
That's like, 30kw a month? " How much are you currently using where you live now? Could you're numbers be on the lowside?? Water pump? Small appliances, cellphone/other chargers, even a gas dryer has an electric motor, UV light, any fans, will your gas stove have any electric, clocks or radios, any power tools, etc?? Just for comparison we are completely off grid and use approx 13kw per day, but that is more than we could live on if we had to. When we lived in our shed with all phantom loads known and off we still did about 2kw/day. Another off grid friend is currently using 10kw/day and in the process of auditing to find out where. Another friend lives on 6kw/day, but claims he can cut down. Wanna guess the almost universal lament we hear? "Our system was sized too small, we need more panels"... Having fun yet David Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
05-18-2009, 02:39 AM
[
]Thanks Dave, 7819 watts in 7 days just looked like a huge number until I saw your response. I'm sure the "off gridders" watching this have heard this line many many times.... "My wife and I never thought about our electric consumption, until now." Sound familiar? Beleive me, I was trying to be very conservative about only including the bear necessities. I left out extra tv's and stereo equipment, my wife's computer, my 3rd computer for video and sound processing, the microwave, cheap fan's, window air conditioning units, and most of all, my George Foreman Lean Mean Fat Grilling Machine LOL!!! Anyway, It looks like the computer system we listed is the biggest hog. Man, who would have guessed? I really did want to add numbers for a water catchment pump but since I haven't bought one yet, I'm in the dark on its consumption. By the way, any idea why I didn't need to record amp's in the spreadsheet? I'm still going over your response, but do you think my numbers are a good enough baseline to get started? I'm basically looking at this project in 2 phases. Phase one: Generate enough power for basic survival! Phase two: Add enough power for some of the comforts in life. For tools and stuff (air compressor, welding machine, table saw, etc.) i'm thinking about buying a Gas powered welding machine with AC outputs so it can "double" as a generator as well as a welding machine. I used to weld for a boiler company, and we would run electrical stuff off the Lincoln while I was inside the boiler welding up tubes. I also have one of those machines that makes 40 gallons of Bio-diesel. Believe it or not, this really is fun! We're going to be free of the power company! As always, Thanks to everyone!! Chris
05-18-2009, 08:31 AM
You might also want to add in cell phone chargers, microwave, alarm clocks, fans.
Off grid you'll also add water pump, pressure tank.
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me."
-Dudley Field Malone
05-18-2009, 11:58 PM
Chris,
Looking back at your original question there are a couple of options: HELCO lines, also known as "Primary" lines are way too expensive. You can have HELCO set the transformer on their pole at the street and do their service drop and meter to your first pole. From the meter to your house you run "secondary" lines. Overhead lines with metal poles spaced as code requires (I think 100-150 feet apart). Probably the cheapest. Check with the county or your electrician or HELCO as to current codes. If you are running phone or cable lines as well as electricity, I think that 6" poles are required. Another option is underground in conduit. This will be much more expensive. If there turns out to be a significant voltage drop, and this will be effected by wire size too, you can install a voltage booster at the house. I have talked with people who built far from primary lines expecting to need a voltage booster and after testing didn't need it. While I am absolutely pro-photovoltaic, the out front costs can be staggering and a grid-tie system is IMO, the best way to go. You can always add a PV system later. I started with a generator, 4 6-volt batteries, an inverter, a high output charger, propane stove, hot water and refrigerator.
05-19-2009, 02:55 AM
quote:This seems off. Do you really use the computer 18 hours a day? Do you really turn it off completely for one day? Off grid folks should look VERY hard at switching to laptops. They draw significantly less wattage. quote:Does your router really draw only one watt? That seems very low. quote:Can you switch to non-CFLs? quote:All of these also draw phantom loads you need to account for. quote:This seems WAY to low for a fridge. What year was it manufactured? quote: quote:While your load list has a significant amount of refining that needs to be done, sometime this week when I get time, I'll show you what we do with this load list. One question I have for you is do you by chance know what nominal voltage you're going to use for your system? Old systems were usually 12, newer systems 24, and newer still (and what my PV teacher always recommends to people) is 48 volts. You asked about amps. By having your watt hours, we can compute how many amp hours you'll need. That'll be part of the calculations I do later this week (unless someone beats me to it). |
|
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »
|
