Anyone try/look into alternate power sources?

However, I notice some decorative yard windmills available, and windmill water pumps are not uncommon in this windy state. When I get the chance I intend to hook one up to an automobile alternator (they usually have regulators built-in) and a battery setup, to see if I can get some useful DC out of it. Perhaps for emergency lighting or electricity for a backyard greenhouse.

One thing to remember in this case: Windmills need to be as high off the ground as possible, so they become dangerous to you and any close neighbors in storm winds. That's where cost considerations come in, as well as local codes.

Something I do know. "Dutch" type mills tend to be self-regulating as to speed. Above about 35mph, I'm told, the blades present the equivalent of a solid disk to the wind, so the tip speed doesn't increase. Also, I think that the modern two-blade configuration favored by the wind farm people can be imitated by an old aircraft propeller.

we have to look to see if we are stealing it from another usage that's of value to us. We only have so much on this planet that's available without outsourcing.

was installing a solar panel for the hot water, no incentive, no subsidy but almost free hot water for 6-7 months of the year


Integral collector-storage systems

Also known as ICS or batch systems, they feature one or more black tanks or tubes in an insulated, glazed box. Cold water first passes through the solar collector, which preheats the water. The water then continues on to the conventional backup water heater, providing a reliable source of hot water. They should be installed only in mild-freeze climates because the outdoor pipes could freeze in severe, cold weather

picture here


jonah "

..... natural gas or propane stand-by generators? They come in a lot of sizes. I reckon a "pro" would have to run the lines, but a homeowner could prepare the slab.

We had solar water heating in the 1980s. It worked great. But part of the equipment kept breaking down.

Angeline
Speakeasy Moderator

There are several links about alternative power!

Angeline
Speakeasy Moderator

too cloudy, woodsy and expensive in my northeast for any solar. no wind or hydro potential.

the idea of mirror enhancement seems smart. check out the following blog:

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY BLOG - Solar-Energy-Wind-Power.com

http://alt-e.blogspot.com/2006/02/alternative-energy-argentina-bringing.html

If you just need for emergency power you can get a convertor and hook directly across the battery terminals or for lower power use, into what used to be called the cigarette lighter plug, now called a power out plug. Just run an extension cord into the house or wherever needed during a blackout and plug in what you need up to the rated power. Car alternator puts out max 60 amps at 15 volts approximate, so that comes close to a kilowatt of power to use, although just for light and TV under 250 watts is usually sufficient.

dpruner's idea is good. Use an old lawnmower engine with a belt pulley to run an automobile alternator hooked to a convertor. Alternators can put out even more power if the input from an external instead of internal regulator can be tweaked. Older auto parts which all used external regulators worked best for that, especially the old mechanical regulators before the electronic ones came along. Downside to the tweaking is you can overpower the input to alternator and burn it out. The weak points of over powering an alternator are the brushes and heat effect on insulation of insulation on the windings. Unless you can pick up the alternator cheap at a junkyard, probably better to just pay a couple hundred for a 1 kilowatt "generator".

An alternator actually puts out alternating current, but since automobiles used DC power for safety reasons (except now for automobile electrical hybrid motors) the alternating current goes through a set of diodes (schottsky?) which converts it to DC power. So, using a car alternator you end up with the interesting conversion of alternator power to DC power which is sent to the battery to which you attach your power convertor which then converts it back from DC to alternating power using another set of diodes to accomplish that. All that leads to power loss as heat.

Best setup is an alternator hooked to a power source which puts out alternating current at the constant 50-60 cycle and 100-120 volt range you need. Less waste of power, fewer electronic parts required, works best if alternator maintains constant same revolutions per minute. Some allowance can be provided in speed control of alternator for varying electrical loads if a regulator is on the input to fields side of the system.