12-19-2005, 11:17 PM
Geez Louise, just cuz no one replied for 27 hours is no need to get your panties all knotted up...
I am totally off grid.
Our first system was a single deep cycle battery connected to a modified sinewave inverter. Battery was recharged by generator as I used my power tools. Limited use only during building trips, but a neighbor is currently using the same battery tied to a small PV panel.
The current system I cobbled together is described over on Hilo-web. Basically, it follows the cabin schematic from Home Power Mag - http://www.homepower.com/index.cfm and built with items I purchased on ebay. One of my neighbors and I installed it. It has been in operation nearly 4 months - so far no failure. We run a small, what used to be called dorm-sized fridge, that is probably 10 years old, but it keeps everything cold (especially the beer) and even makes us enough ice cubes. That is the only AC item that stays powered on, everything else is turned off, un plugged, on a power strip - whatever to avoid phantom loads. We have a 1000 watt microwave (same age as fridge) - only cooking source currently. I actually installed a switch on that outlet to avoid uplugging it, but you have to reset it each use. Interesting note, if nothing else is running, we sometimes have to turn on a light to kick start the inverter. Our indoor lighting is the new spiral, low watt florescents. These are such low power that you sometimes have to wait for them to actually light. Our water pump is 12 volt DC, so independent from the inverter. My advice is not to go cheap on inverter. If living off your system, get a true sine wave product. I have no problems recharing my battery tools, shaver, laptops, cellphones etc. We also run a wireless internet receiver/router. Our TV is 28" (I think) with built in VCR/DVD. Only get a fuzzy channel 13 because I haven't reactivated Dish yet, but vcr and dvd work just fine. We also run a couple of small house vacuums plus my shop vac. I have run all my power tools, including air compressor for short periods. If I'm doing something entensive, I will turn on the generator. Being as it is Christmas time, we have a lighted Christmas tree with Christmas lights. Outside we have 2 solar powered lighs, but independent of the system, but great when coming home after dark.
We are still learning this system. I want to change out the charge controller to the MPPT type which somehow gives you more charge for same sunlight.
Our main home will also be solar, possibly with hydro. I'm still talking details with the solar guy that will install this system. As Rob noted above, the perrmit process seems to be changing.
Another couple of links for learning etc:
http://www.backwoodssolar.com/
http://www.wind-sun.com/smf/index.php?board=4.0
http://www.sunelco.com/
PS Our closest (distancewise) neighbor is on Helco, but is in process of having a PV/wind system installed, including batteries as he is tired of losing power.
David
Ninole Resident
I am totally off grid.
Our first system was a single deep cycle battery connected to a modified sinewave inverter. Battery was recharged by generator as I used my power tools. Limited use only during building trips, but a neighbor is currently using the same battery tied to a small PV panel.
The current system I cobbled together is described over on Hilo-web. Basically, it follows the cabin schematic from Home Power Mag - http://www.homepower.com/index.cfm and built with items I purchased on ebay. One of my neighbors and I installed it. It has been in operation nearly 4 months - so far no failure. We run a small, what used to be called dorm-sized fridge, that is probably 10 years old, but it keeps everything cold (especially the beer) and even makes us enough ice cubes. That is the only AC item that stays powered on, everything else is turned off, un plugged, on a power strip - whatever to avoid phantom loads. We have a 1000 watt microwave (same age as fridge) - only cooking source currently. I actually installed a switch on that outlet to avoid uplugging it, but you have to reset it each use. Interesting note, if nothing else is running, we sometimes have to turn on a light to kick start the inverter. Our indoor lighting is the new spiral, low watt florescents. These are such low power that you sometimes have to wait for them to actually light. Our water pump is 12 volt DC, so independent from the inverter. My advice is not to go cheap on inverter. If living off your system, get a true sine wave product. I have no problems recharing my battery tools, shaver, laptops, cellphones etc. We also run a wireless internet receiver/router. Our TV is 28" (I think) with built in VCR/DVD. Only get a fuzzy channel 13 because I haven't reactivated Dish yet, but vcr and dvd work just fine. We also run a couple of small house vacuums plus my shop vac. I have run all my power tools, including air compressor for short periods. If I'm doing something entensive, I will turn on the generator. Being as it is Christmas time, we have a lighted Christmas tree with Christmas lights. Outside we have 2 solar powered lighs, but independent of the system, but great when coming home after dark.
We are still learning this system. I want to change out the charge controller to the MPPT type which somehow gives you more charge for same sunlight.
Our main home will also be solar, possibly with hydro. I'm still talking details with the solar guy that will install this system. As Rob noted above, the perrmit process seems to be changing.
Another couple of links for learning etc:
http://www.backwoodssolar.com/
http://www.wind-sun.com/smf/index.php?board=4.0
http://www.sunelco.com/
PS Our closest (distancewise) neighbor is on Helco, but is in process of having a PV/wind system installed, including batteries as he is tired of losing power.
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident