Blogger is dead. Long live the blog!
I have shifted. I am at: http://www.offthegridhomes.org only from now on. This guy is done!
The reasonsfor the change are myriad and none of them apparent so far because I have yet to master (or even comprehend) the various 'tools' that WordPress (the new blog host) has to offer but I am assured by my son (who I continue to love despite my having been strung out on this matter) that things are better at WordPress. Or will be. Someday.
It would help if I spoke the same language as these mega nerds.
Still, if you have read this far, you are not listening to the fat lady. She is telling you to go to: http://www.offthegridhomes.org
See you there.
dc
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Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Sparks Will Fly
Please note that I am shifting to: http://www.offthegridhomes.org sometime real soon.
Back to electricity. We have propane hot water-on-demand, a propane stove, a propane fridge and a propane freezer. So, we replaced a lot of common electrical appliances with more expensive, harder to find propane appliances to reduce the drain on the electrical system. And that helps no end.
In the long run, of course, energy is energy and you are still 'feeding the beast' (some corporation) when you buy propane rather than being linked to the grid conventionally. But not all óff-the-grid' decisions are based on being idealistic, frugal or minimalistic. Sometimes you do it just because it works.
Out here we have a fabulous barge service that can fill my big propane container and I am then good for a year. No carrying, no batteries, no major infrastructure or high tech stuff to worry about. Just good ol' gas. Easy. Simple. And it still allows me to be off-the-grid and independent.
For a year, anyway.
It's a compromise.
My solar panels are 80 watt 'ers. I have 8 of them. They are wired up to pump out 48 volts. In August, they are perfect. I can usually go the whole month just on the panels (if I started with a full charge and didn't use many tools or big draws). Another 8 (someday, I hope) and I am covered for probably three whole months June, July and August. They have cost me about $5.00 a watt or $500 each when purchased. Plus the cost and labour of installing a 'carrying structure' for them to sit on. NOT cheap.
Today, the total watts per panel are generally higher (lowest is about 130. Highest about 240) and they are less cost on a per watt basis. I found some in Georgia advertised for $1.50 cents a watt. Canada, despite NAFTA and sometimes having a stronger dollar is always more expensive. No reason. We're just easier to rip off. So, I doubt very much if you can do better than $3.00 a watt as I write but I am not as up to date as I could be.
I'd say a reasonable sized system for that imaginary 1500 sft house would be somewhere around 1500 watts. Of course, you can make a big difference on your overall 'draw' at 500 watts and you can boil away the lake in front of your house if you want to go much bigger but a reasonably 'good investment' estimate would suggest around 1500 watts. I'd be ecstatic at 1200 myself. Think: $10,000.
But, again, you have to have the battery capacity to ensure you store and use what you make. Sympatico.
One thing we don't have is a dishwasher. That may have been an error. Sal is starting to rebel. My hands are turning pink. We are not happy. Having said that, a dishwasher is a big juice draw. Stupid big, really. And, if it is just the two of us we are OK. Mostly. But, when you have guests or a dinner party, the dishes thing can be a drag. I don't have a good answer so I came up with a bad one. We tell the guests to wash up.
Well, we do that to the young people, anyway. When we can. The W'fers. The Chinese students. And sometimes family. Sally's sister Mary is great! And that sharing-of-the-dishes-chore seems to have taken the 'edge out of it' for us. It's not great hostessing but most people like to 'chip in' and so we say, "Really? Really? You want to help? Really? OK! Great. You're on dishes. See ya later!"
Other than that, our power system is almost adequate. We always have light (but we turn them off when not in use), we always have enough juice for the computer, the movies and all the battery chargers. Power tools are no problem. But I can't weld. No dishwasher. We 'manage' our usage and the system is demanding of maintenance and attention. It's not all 'buy it, install it and forget it.'
Alternative energy is a constant chore, a major initial investment, an ongoing expense, a challenge to your skills and abilities, a techie mystery and a fickle off-the-grid partner. (Not unlike a spouse now that I think about it.)
Remember: Sparks will fly
Back to electricity. We have propane hot water-on-demand, a propane stove, a propane fridge and a propane freezer. So, we replaced a lot of common electrical appliances with more expensive, harder to find propane appliances to reduce the drain on the electrical system. And that helps no end.
In the long run, of course, energy is energy and you are still 'feeding the beast' (some corporation) when you buy propane rather than being linked to the grid conventionally. But not all óff-the-grid' decisions are based on being idealistic, frugal or minimalistic. Sometimes you do it just because it works.
Out here we have a fabulous barge service that can fill my big propane container and I am then good for a year. No carrying, no batteries, no major infrastructure or high tech stuff to worry about. Just good ol' gas. Easy. Simple. And it still allows me to be off-the-grid and independent.
For a year, anyway.
It's a compromise.
My solar panels are 80 watt 'ers. I have 8 of them. They are wired up to pump out 48 volts. In August, they are perfect. I can usually go the whole month just on the panels (if I started with a full charge and didn't use many tools or big draws). Another 8 (someday, I hope) and I am covered for probably three whole months June, July and August. They have cost me about $5.00 a watt or $500 each when purchased. Plus the cost and labour of installing a 'carrying structure' for them to sit on. NOT cheap.
Today, the total watts per panel are generally higher (lowest is about 130. Highest about 240) and they are less cost on a per watt basis. I found some in Georgia advertised for $1.50 cents a watt. Canada, despite NAFTA and sometimes having a stronger dollar is always more expensive. No reason. We're just easier to rip off. So, I doubt very much if you can do better than $3.00 a watt as I write but I am not as up to date as I could be.
I'd say a reasonable sized system for that imaginary 1500 sft house would be somewhere around 1500 watts. Of course, you can make a big difference on your overall 'draw' at 500 watts and you can boil away the lake in front of your house if you want to go much bigger but a reasonably 'good investment' estimate would suggest around 1500 watts. I'd be ecstatic at 1200 myself. Think: $10,000.
But, again, you have to have the battery capacity to ensure you store and use what you make. Sympatico.
One thing we don't have is a dishwasher. That may have been an error. Sal is starting to rebel. My hands are turning pink. We are not happy. Having said that, a dishwasher is a big juice draw. Stupid big, really. And, if it is just the two of us we are OK. Mostly. But, when you have guests or a dinner party, the dishes thing can be a drag. I don't have a good answer so I came up with a bad one. We tell the guests to wash up.
Well, we do that to the young people, anyway. When we can. The W'fers. The Chinese students. And sometimes family. Sally's sister Mary is great! And that sharing-of-the-dishes-chore seems to have taken the 'edge out of it' for us. It's not great hostessing but most people like to 'chip in' and so we say, "Really? Really? You want to help? Really? OK! Great. You're on dishes. See ya later!"
Other than that, our power system is almost adequate. We always have light (but we turn them off when not in use), we always have enough juice for the computer, the movies and all the battery chargers. Power tools are no problem. But I can't weld. No dishwasher. We 'manage' our usage and the system is demanding of maintenance and attention. It's not all 'buy it, install it and forget it.'
Alternative energy is a constant chore, a major initial investment, an ongoing expense, a challenge to your skills and abilities, a techie mystery and a fickle off-the-grid partner. (Not unlike a spouse now that I think about it.)
Remember: Sparks will fly
BIG Change to http://offthegridhomes.org
That is: http://offthegridhomes.org
I am leaving Blogger. Got a new website. It's better. I think. But not yet. I really don't know how to 'do stuff' on it yet so I have been trying to run the two sites at the same time.
Not good!
This, it seems, will 'tick off' Google no end. Two sites with the same content is enough to get blacklisted. So, I gotta 'jump' very, very soon. Even if the new site isn't ready, I have to abandon the old one. 'Course, I don't know how to abandon it any more than I know how to control the new one.
It's complicated.
Anyway, please see: http://offthegridhomes.org
I hope to have it user friendly soon.
I am leaving Blogger. Got a new website. It's better. I think. But not yet. I really don't know how to 'do stuff' on it yet so I have been trying to run the two sites at the same time.
Not good!
This, it seems, will 'tick off' Google no end. Two sites with the same content is enough to get blacklisted. So, I gotta 'jump' very, very soon. Even if the new site isn't ready, I have to abandon the old one. 'Course, I don't know how to abandon it any more than I know how to control the new one.
It's complicated.
Anyway, please see: http://offthegridhomes.org
I hope to have it user friendly soon.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
BIG banks!
I am reluctant to write too much about batteries. Mostly because I don't know very much.
But I do know this: get a big system. And that means hours and 'size'. Lots of amp/hours. We have 600. I'd prefer to have 1000. But, just so you know, you pretty much need a battery charger 'sympatico' with the amp hour or 'reserve' of juice those amp hours represent. The rule-of-thumb is that your battery charger should deliver at least 10% of what your reserve is. A 600 amp hour battery bank needs 60 amps of charger.
But not all amp hours are the same. That is why 'size' matters. Let me explain:
You can get a battery with 200 amp hours that will fit in the engine compartment of your car and weigh under 60 pounds. Or you can get one that has the same amp hour rating and you can't lift it. "Why is that?" I dunno. Plate thickness mostly, I think. Makes no sense to me. But, essentially, it is like Bud Light and Regular Bud and, I suppose, Heavy Bud. All beers. All drinkable. But you want heavy Bud.
Heavy, deep cycle batteries last longer. That's the simplest reason to have them. And the heaviest are the BIG Surette 2 volt batteries that retail for about $500.00 or more a pop. If you have a 48-volt system like I do, that means 24 batteries of 2 volts each weighing in at a total of almost 4000 pounds and costing a minimum of $12,000.00 not counting all the 'bells and whistles' (like cables). Batteries are the heart of your system.
So, in this case, go BIG if you want to stay home.
There are variables here, of course. You can choose to have a 12 volt system (which would mean less BIG batteries). You could go 24 volts. I went 48. The higher the voltage the less resistance in the lines and the less thickness you need to compensate. If I had to do it over again, I'd go 24 volt so that I could afford the BIG two (or four-volt) volt batteries.
Bear in mind that other mfgérs make BIG two-volt batteries and they don't market them as much so they are not as expensive. But they are still NOT cheap. Big 2-volts well maintained can last 20 to 25 years. That's important for a whole bunch of reasons not the least of which is transporting and carrying.
They are not, however, the best value. Not as a rule. The best value comes from getting the biggest battery you can that is still 'mass produced' and, in my searching, I concluded that D-8's were the best bang for the buck. D-8s are 12 volt Caterpillar tractor/heavy-duty industrial batteries that are used in everything from forklifts to buses, from tractors to bull-dozers. Plus, at 150 pounds a battery, they are still somewhat manageable.
I have 12 D-8 batteries in the three '48 volt banks' and they add up to about 600 amp hours. The good part? They are about $200 each. They'll last about 7 years - give or take. So, they are 1/3 as good as Surettes but at 1/3 the price and, because I have a 48 volt system, I can afford them as well as carry them.
You can also buy 4-volt batteries (almost as heavy-duty as the 2 volt), 6-volt batteries and, of course, the common 12-volt battery. And, when you do choose which ones to get, remember to get the 'maintenance shockers''. These are little boxes that take a bit of juice from the battery and 'shoot it back in at miliamps' in an effort to stave off sulfation. They work. I have three of them - one for each bank. Cost: about $50 - 75.00 each.
If I was building a 1500 sft house and doing it again, I'd still go D-8's even tho Surettes or other BIG 2volt batteries are better. And I'd get more of them. Plus, I'd 'house' them very well with thick insulation and even a bit of heat if I could. Get really heavy cables for connecting and keep the batteries topped up with 'charge' and water. Best tip: install them so that the battery tops are at waist level so that servicing and maintaining them is easy. Then do it. It goes without saying that even tho they are at waist level, they are covered with plywood (one battery exposed at a time) so that you don't drop something on them or short them out.
Batteries is where it all starts and ends.
Having said that, this lead acid battery technology is just a step ahead of the horse and buggy. All sorts of universities and private companies are working on improving battery technology and I suspect that they are only about five years away from putting something better on the market. But, right now? BIG lead acid is the way to go.
But I do know this: get a big system. And that means hours and 'size'. Lots of amp/hours. We have 600. I'd prefer to have 1000. But, just so you know, you pretty much need a battery charger 'sympatico' with the amp hour or 'reserve' of juice those amp hours represent. The rule-of-thumb is that your battery charger should deliver at least 10% of what your reserve is. A 600 amp hour battery bank needs 60 amps of charger.
But not all amp hours are the same. That is why 'size' matters. Let me explain:
You can get a battery with 200 amp hours that will fit in the engine compartment of your car and weigh under 60 pounds. Or you can get one that has the same amp hour rating and you can't lift it. "Why is that?" I dunno. Plate thickness mostly, I think. Makes no sense to me. But, essentially, it is like Bud Light and Regular Bud and, I suppose, Heavy Bud. All beers. All drinkable. But you want heavy Bud.
Heavy, deep cycle batteries last longer. That's the simplest reason to have them. And the heaviest are the BIG Surette 2 volt batteries that retail for about $500.00 or more a pop. If you have a 48-volt system like I do, that means 24 batteries of 2 volts each weighing in at a total of almost 4000 pounds and costing a minimum of $12,000.00 not counting all the 'bells and whistles' (like cables). Batteries are the heart of your system.
So, in this case, go BIG if you want to stay home.
There are variables here, of course. You can choose to have a 12 volt system (which would mean less BIG batteries). You could go 24 volts. I went 48. The higher the voltage the less resistance in the lines and the less thickness you need to compensate. If I had to do it over again, I'd go 24 volt so that I could afford the BIG two (or four-volt) volt batteries.
Bear in mind that other mfgérs make BIG two-volt batteries and they don't market them as much so they are not as expensive. But they are still NOT cheap. Big 2-volts well maintained can last 20 to 25 years. That's important for a whole bunch of reasons not the least of which is transporting and carrying.
They are not, however, the best value. Not as a rule. The best value comes from getting the biggest battery you can that is still 'mass produced' and, in my searching, I concluded that D-8's were the best bang for the buck. D-8s are 12 volt Caterpillar tractor/heavy-duty industrial batteries that are used in everything from forklifts to buses, from tractors to bull-dozers. Plus, at 150 pounds a battery, they are still somewhat manageable.
I have 12 D-8 batteries in the three '48 volt banks' and they add up to about 600 amp hours. The good part? They are about $200 each. They'll last about 7 years - give or take. So, they are 1/3 as good as Surettes but at 1/3 the price and, because I have a 48 volt system, I can afford them as well as carry them.
You can also buy 4-volt batteries (almost as heavy-duty as the 2 volt), 6-volt batteries and, of course, the common 12-volt battery. And, when you do choose which ones to get, remember to get the 'maintenance shockers''. These are little boxes that take a bit of juice from the battery and 'shoot it back in at miliamps' in an effort to stave off sulfation. They work. I have three of them - one for each bank. Cost: about $50 - 75.00 each.
If I was building a 1500 sft house and doing it again, I'd still go D-8's even tho Surettes or other BIG 2volt batteries are better. And I'd get more of them. Plus, I'd 'house' them very well with thick insulation and even a bit of heat if I could. Get really heavy cables for connecting and keep the batteries topped up with 'charge' and water. Best tip: install them so that the battery tops are at waist level so that servicing and maintaining them is easy. Then do it. It goes without saying that even tho they are at waist level, they are covered with plywood (one battery exposed at a time) so that you don't drop something on them or short them out.
Batteries is where it all starts and ends.
Having said that, this lead acid battery technology is just a step ahead of the horse and buggy. All sorts of universities and private companies are working on improving battery technology and I suspect that they are only about five years away from putting something better on the market. But, right now? BIG lead acid is the way to go.
Response to a request
Putting together an alternative energy system is not as easy as it looks. And it looks hard because it is. And it is expensive. And it can be confusing, too. If there is an 'operational foundation statement' it would be this: Don't believe what you read. Your case will be different. And don't think that you can 'do just part of it'. To do it right, the system has to be balanced and the parts have to be sympatico right from the start.
Part of the reason for the difficulty is that much of it is counterintuitive. That which you think you need, you don't. That which you dismiss as 'not so important' is really, really important and much of what you need is never mentioned by the salespeople because few of them actually live off-the-grid. And, even when they do, each system should really be tailored to your needs rather than what they happen to sell.
I know that sounds like a bit of crap. But it isn't.
For instance, one of the things the experts tell you to do is to 'add up' your appliances consumption rates, add in the lights and fridge and all that and then add a percentage for future demands. If you do that, you might find yourself looking at 'needing' 10 or more kilowatts of power. Then you look around to find the cheapest 10kw power genset. Generac or Powermate or one of the many wastes-of-money Chinese made 'cheapies' thinking that, "I won't really use the genset that much. I am going to go solar and save the planet!"
The reality is that your solar panels are great in the summer, good enough in the shoulder seasons (if you have enough of them) and simply inadequate (unless you went mad and purchased 6 times what your summer needs require and even then........) in the winter. In the winter, you will use your genset. Trust me.
"But what about wind power? I am gonna add a wind turbine for winter supplement!"
We did that. And it works. Kinda. Not 'kinda' enough, tho. The typical 1kw turbine (or less) just doesn't make enough juice. Turbines need to really spin before any amount of electricity is made. REALLY spin! Think 20 mph and more. Under 20mph and it is almost useless. And you need bigger-than-normal-budget units on very expensive and very high towers to have the slimmest of chances of making a real difference.
Hydro power is far and away the best but that is a whole other chapter.
But let's go back to the genset for a minute. You likely don't need the 10Kw you 'added up'. In fact, you are likely to only need around 3kw but 5 or 6.5kw is likely good enough to cover everything.
The reason? You are some kind of profligate waster-of-energy if you are running everything at the same time. Who turns all the lights on, washes clothes, dries them electrically and has all the computers and TV on at the same time? That's crazy.
It's takes very little in the way of thinking conservation to reduce half of your energy use. Generally speaking, we use 12 amps of power from our Honda Eu 2000 watt generator the most. I'd estimate that we used 4 times that when we lived in the cul de sac and we weren't very wasteful even then.
For instance: jettison the electric hot water heater. Go demand. Go propane. Save a bundle. Dump incadescent bulbs - go compact flourescent. Put your fridge in the right place and you can halve the energy use. And you can do that kind of thing to almost all uses.
Still, I'd prefer to have double that which I have. I should have 5000 watts. Here's why: We have an Outback inverter charger. It converts DC to AC power. Juice from the batteries goes to making 'juice for the house'. But the inverter will only process 2500 watts (which is fine for daily living for us) and it will only charge the batteries at 20 amps AC. To do both at the same time, I need 5500/6500 watts. That gives me all the power that I can use plus a smidge.
In other words: my inverter/battery charger and my generator go hand in hand. In fact, the whole system has to go 'hand-in-hand'. Sympatico.
Some people will think they need two Outbacks and 5000 watts of power-on-tap and maybe they do. But we don't. And we have all the modcons. I would advise starting at 2500 watts of inverter power and building your system around that.
And, even before that, build your system to use less electricity.
If you do that, you need less generator. You need less fuel. You have less to worry about.
As for the generator: most of us out here have opted for diesel because the fuel consumption is less and the machine will likely last longer than we will. That part kinda makes sense. But not really. Honda's Eu series have éco-throttle'. That means that the machine powers up and down as the load changes. I have found that an eco-throttle machine uses much the same fuel as a diesel because the diesels run at a constant rate and consume fuel you don't use. The eco-throttle goes through more gasoline on a 'combustion-cycle basis' but, with the throttle control, it saves more fuel overall.
Plus the damn Hondas seem to go forever, too. My neighbour has had his Honda 5000 for over 20 years. 25, I think. It is just 'clapping out' on him now but 25 years is pretty good.
"Wow! Good to know. So, we'll go get the Honda Eu6500. Thanks!"
Well, I can understand why you might want to do that. I am tempted myself. But I am also considering buying two Eu3000 s instead. "Why?" Well, machines break. Even Hondas. It would be nice to have to repair only one and still have the other working. Plus Honda allows you to 'pair' the two up for those larger loads. So, if you are just messin' about in the summer and the solar panels are doing the bulk of the work, you can just fire up one unit and go about your chore. Plus, a 3000 is easier to lift and carry than a 6500.
This 'fine-tuning' is so critical that I may, in fact, get a Honda Eu 3000 and, when it is paired up with my Honda Eu2000, I will have the needed 5000 watts. Plus the Eu2000 is only 50 pounds. I carry it all over the property - no problem. That's a HUGE deal.
I am not so smart. My first genset was a Coleman that was so tempermental it took a lot to get it to operate near 60 hz. The OutBack is even more tempermental and won't accept juice that is not delivered right at 60 hz. So, I was always 'tinkering' with it to get it to rpm just right. Cheap generators just won't 'do the job' when solid state electronics are on the line. And my inverter was the first thing on the line.
Which reminds me: buy appliances that are basic. Try to avoid the ones with 'computers' in them. Lots of folks out here who went for Maytag top-loaders and fancy big screen TVs found that their gensets just would not deliver the 'smooth' power that the appliances need. Our washer is the 'bottom' of the line. No bells or whistles. And no problems, either.
My second generator was a used 15kw diesel genset that is built like a tank and has to run at the full 1800 rpms to get the 'juice' just right. That means that if I want to run a skill saw from it, I have to burn half a gallon of diesel an hour. Plus the start-up is complicated and the damn thing is noisy. It's like having a Freightliner idling in the garage.
Then I got the Honda Eu2000 for a camping trip and it was perfect. Quiet, too. So perfect, in fact, that it is our main daily genset even tho we run the whole house. To be fair, it is inadequate. I have to kick up the Freightliner for the odd 'big' draw. As I said, we need 5000 watts. But the 2000 will give us half what we need which is fine 80% of the time.
Bottom line: really, really think about gensets a lot before buying one. Not only for the reasons stated but because there are other factors at play as well like portability, noise and size of 'shed' needed to house it. But, without a doubt, an oil-burning, polluting, noisy machine is gonna be part of your alternative energy, off-the-grid system. Get used to it.
More tomorrow.
Part of the reason for the difficulty is that much of it is counterintuitive. That which you think you need, you don't. That which you dismiss as 'not so important' is really, really important and much of what you need is never mentioned by the salespeople because few of them actually live off-the-grid. And, even when they do, each system should really be tailored to your needs rather than what they happen to sell.
I know that sounds like a bit of crap. But it isn't.
For instance, one of the things the experts tell you to do is to 'add up' your appliances consumption rates, add in the lights and fridge and all that and then add a percentage for future demands. If you do that, you might find yourself looking at 'needing' 10 or more kilowatts of power. Then you look around to find the cheapest 10kw power genset. Generac or Powermate or one of the many wastes-of-money Chinese made 'cheapies' thinking that, "I won't really use the genset that much. I am going to go solar and save the planet!"
The reality is that your solar panels are great in the summer, good enough in the shoulder seasons (if you have enough of them) and simply inadequate (unless you went mad and purchased 6 times what your summer needs require and even then........) in the winter. In the winter, you will use your genset. Trust me.
"But what about wind power? I am gonna add a wind turbine for winter supplement!"
We did that. And it works. Kinda. Not 'kinda' enough, tho. The typical 1kw turbine (or less) just doesn't make enough juice. Turbines need to really spin before any amount of electricity is made. REALLY spin! Think 20 mph and more. Under 20mph and it is almost useless. And you need bigger-than-normal-budget units on very expensive and very high towers to have the slimmest of chances of making a real difference.
Hydro power is far and away the best but that is a whole other chapter.
But let's go back to the genset for a minute. You likely don't need the 10Kw you 'added up'. In fact, you are likely to only need around 3kw but 5 or 6.5kw is likely good enough to cover everything.
The reason? You are some kind of profligate waster-of-energy if you are running everything at the same time. Who turns all the lights on, washes clothes, dries them electrically and has all the computers and TV on at the same time? That's crazy.
It's takes very little in the way of thinking conservation to reduce half of your energy use. Generally speaking, we use 12 amps of power from our Honda Eu 2000 watt generator the most. I'd estimate that we used 4 times that when we lived in the cul de sac and we weren't very wasteful even then.
For instance: jettison the electric hot water heater. Go demand. Go propane. Save a bundle. Dump incadescent bulbs - go compact flourescent. Put your fridge in the right place and you can halve the energy use. And you can do that kind of thing to almost all uses.
Still, I'd prefer to have double that which I have. I should have 5000 watts. Here's why: We have an Outback inverter charger. It converts DC to AC power. Juice from the batteries goes to making 'juice for the house'. But the inverter will only process 2500 watts (which is fine for daily living for us) and it will only charge the batteries at 20 amps AC. To do both at the same time, I need 5500/6500 watts. That gives me all the power that I can use plus a smidge.
In other words: my inverter/battery charger and my generator go hand in hand. In fact, the whole system has to go 'hand-in-hand'. Sympatico.
Some people will think they need two Outbacks and 5000 watts of power-on-tap and maybe they do. But we don't. And we have all the modcons. I would advise starting at 2500 watts of inverter power and building your system around that.
And, even before that, build your system to use less electricity.
If you do that, you need less generator. You need less fuel. You have less to worry about.
As for the generator: most of us out here have opted for diesel because the fuel consumption is less and the machine will likely last longer than we will. That part kinda makes sense. But not really. Honda's Eu series have éco-throttle'. That means that the machine powers up and down as the load changes. I have found that an eco-throttle machine uses much the same fuel as a diesel because the diesels run at a constant rate and consume fuel you don't use. The eco-throttle goes through more gasoline on a 'combustion-cycle basis' but, with the throttle control, it saves more fuel overall.
Plus the damn Hondas seem to go forever, too. My neighbour has had his Honda 5000 for over 20 years. 25, I think. It is just 'clapping out' on him now but 25 years is pretty good.
"Wow! Good to know. So, we'll go get the Honda Eu6500. Thanks!"
Well, I can understand why you might want to do that. I am tempted myself. But I am also considering buying two Eu3000 s instead. "Why?" Well, machines break. Even Hondas. It would be nice to have to repair only one and still have the other working. Plus Honda allows you to 'pair' the two up for those larger loads. So, if you are just messin' about in the summer and the solar panels are doing the bulk of the work, you can just fire up one unit and go about your chore. Plus, a 3000 is easier to lift and carry than a 6500.
This 'fine-tuning' is so critical that I may, in fact, get a Honda Eu 3000 and, when it is paired up with my Honda Eu2000, I will have the needed 5000 watts. Plus the Eu2000 is only 50 pounds. I carry it all over the property - no problem. That's a HUGE deal.
I am not so smart. My first genset was a Coleman that was so tempermental it took a lot to get it to operate near 60 hz. The OutBack is even more tempermental and won't accept juice that is not delivered right at 60 hz. So, I was always 'tinkering' with it to get it to rpm just right. Cheap generators just won't 'do the job' when solid state electronics are on the line. And my inverter was the first thing on the line.
Which reminds me: buy appliances that are basic. Try to avoid the ones with 'computers' in them. Lots of folks out here who went for Maytag top-loaders and fancy big screen TVs found that their gensets just would not deliver the 'smooth' power that the appliances need. Our washer is the 'bottom' of the line. No bells or whistles. And no problems, either.
My second generator was a used 15kw diesel genset that is built like a tank and has to run at the full 1800 rpms to get the 'juice' just right. That means that if I want to run a skill saw from it, I have to burn half a gallon of diesel an hour. Plus the start-up is complicated and the damn thing is noisy. It's like having a Freightliner idling in the garage.
Then I got the Honda Eu2000 for a camping trip and it was perfect. Quiet, too. So perfect, in fact, that it is our main daily genset even tho we run the whole house. To be fair, it is inadequate. I have to kick up the Freightliner for the odd 'big' draw. As I said, we need 5000 watts. But the 2000 will give us half what we need which is fine 80% of the time.
Bottom line: really, really think about gensets a lot before buying one. Not only for the reasons stated but because there are other factors at play as well like portability, noise and size of 'shed' needed to house it. But, without a doubt, an oil-burning, polluting, noisy machine is gonna be part of your alternative energy, off-the-grid system. Get used to it.
More tomorrow.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Hmmm..........(PAUSE)
When I post about ravens and seals, people comment. Almost always in a complementary way. People love ravens and seals.
When I write about local people, I don't usually get written comments but I always get a 'local' saying, "I read what you wrote about Jerry. Pretty funny! True, too." Local people like reading about local people as long as it isn't them.
When I write about me and my screw-ups, accidents, misadventures and various embarrassments, I get the most comments. People love to read about me screwing up. And it doesn't seem to matter how much screwing up is being written about. It is all good.
"Hey, Dave! Chainsawed off a limb lately? Ha ha ha!"
And when I write about the Amazing Sal, women write back and tell me that I am undeservedly lucky and that I should appreciate her even more than I do and boy, oh boy, they sound like they just want to slap my silly face for some reason. The more I heap praise on the Ol' Puddin', the more likely I am to be reminded that I don't deserve any of it.
I am not stupid. I will never write a critical word about Sal. Ever! They'd hunt me down and skin me alive.
It's politics and philosophy that gets the least in the way of comments. I know that. I feel the same way when I read some other nut's point of view on things. What a drag! So, I try to curb the tendency. Honest. As I said before, "Forgive me, please. I can't help myself most of the time."
But I can right now. I am going to be good. I promise.
Let me start with a brief summary of possible topics. There is the Read Island Development plan. Mind you, it is mostly just in my head but it's a plan. Of sorts. It includes some woodworking, maybe some boat-building. It includes some housing construction. Maybe. Maybe a 'clutch' of units somewhere for those of us too old to keep up the ol' homestead but not wishing to retire to the city. There are the potential 'income stream' ideas. And there is the ongoingness of just 'keeping it all together' on a day to day basis. Lots of material there.
There is the winter retreat. We try to get away three winters out of four. Two out of three, anyway. And we try to make it interesting. A cruise ship or an all-inclusive resort is not our style nor within our budget. So we usually try to 'get local' and travel like the footloose youth we once were. That aspect is wearing a bit thin but we still think that way even if it is getting harder to do. I suspect that we will have to get really creative soon. Mind you, we are planning on Argentina next year. Fly there and chicken-bus around. So the spirit isn't dead.
There is always good ol' China-watching. And not-so-good US-watching. I confess to not having much interest in Canada-watching but every once in awhile............
And then there are the obits. That's something, eh? I never passed a minute reading obituaries until about five years ago. I still don't do it on a regular basis but, I must confess again, I do read them when I can. I keep expecting to know someone. Sometimes I do. Weird.
I've got spiritual stuff to write about but that seems to elicit much the same response as politics and philosophy. So, I may censor myself on that. Maybe not.
We've got great kids. I'd love to write about them but they prefer to remain relatively anonymous so I'll respect that. But Em is going to China in January. That should be good for a few columns.
There are the dogs but as much as some love to hear about dogs, I am not one of them. The dogs wag their tails, chase sticks, smell each others butts and like their dinner at or just before 5:00. 'Nuff said.
'Course there are the W'fers. But they are seasonal and it isn't the season.
And there is 'living-off-the-grid' teachings. How to do stuff. But I am currently disinclined that way for some reason. I'll get back to batteries and solar panels someday. But not now. Just for the record: Sal and I 'serviced' the battery system yesterday. Water, cleaning, charging.......that sort of thing.
So, that's the 'index'. Any preferences?
When I write about local people, I don't usually get written comments but I always get a 'local' saying, "I read what you wrote about Jerry. Pretty funny! True, too." Local people like reading about local people as long as it isn't them.
When I write about me and my screw-ups, accidents, misadventures and various embarrassments, I get the most comments. People love to read about me screwing up. And it doesn't seem to matter how much screwing up is being written about. It is all good.
"Hey, Dave! Chainsawed off a limb lately? Ha ha ha!"
And when I write about the Amazing Sal, women write back and tell me that I am undeservedly lucky and that I should appreciate her even more than I do and boy, oh boy, they sound like they just want to slap my silly face for some reason. The more I heap praise on the Ol' Puddin', the more likely I am to be reminded that I don't deserve any of it.
I am not stupid. I will never write a critical word about Sal. Ever! They'd hunt me down and skin me alive.
It's politics and philosophy that gets the least in the way of comments. I know that. I feel the same way when I read some other nut's point of view on things. What a drag! So, I try to curb the tendency. Honest. As I said before, "Forgive me, please. I can't help myself most of the time."
But I can right now. I am going to be good. I promise.
Let me start with a brief summary of possible topics. There is the Read Island Development plan. Mind you, it is mostly just in my head but it's a plan. Of sorts. It includes some woodworking, maybe some boat-building. It includes some housing construction. Maybe. Maybe a 'clutch' of units somewhere for those of us too old to keep up the ol' homestead but not wishing to retire to the city. There are the potential 'income stream' ideas. And there is the ongoingness of just 'keeping it all together' on a day to day basis. Lots of material there.
There is the winter retreat. We try to get away three winters out of four. Two out of three, anyway. And we try to make it interesting. A cruise ship or an all-inclusive resort is not our style nor within our budget. So we usually try to 'get local' and travel like the footloose youth we once were. That aspect is wearing a bit thin but we still think that way even if it is getting harder to do. I suspect that we will have to get really creative soon. Mind you, we are planning on Argentina next year. Fly there and chicken-bus around. So the spirit isn't dead.
There is always good ol' China-watching. And not-so-good US-watching. I confess to not having much interest in Canada-watching but every once in awhile............
And then there are the obits. That's something, eh? I never passed a minute reading obituaries until about five years ago. I still don't do it on a regular basis but, I must confess again, I do read them when I can. I keep expecting to know someone. Sometimes I do. Weird.
I've got spiritual stuff to write about but that seems to elicit much the same response as politics and philosophy. So, I may censor myself on that. Maybe not.
We've got great kids. I'd love to write about them but they prefer to remain relatively anonymous so I'll respect that. But Em is going to China in January. That should be good for a few columns.
There are the dogs but as much as some love to hear about dogs, I am not one of them. The dogs wag their tails, chase sticks, smell each others butts and like their dinner at or just before 5:00. 'Nuff said.
'Course there are the W'fers. But they are seasonal and it isn't the season.
And there is 'living-off-the-grid' teachings. How to do stuff. But I am currently disinclined that way for some reason. I'll get back to batteries and solar panels someday. But not now. Just for the record: Sal and I 'serviced' the battery system yesterday. Water, cleaning, charging.......that sort of thing.
So, that's the 'index'. Any preferences?
Zen and the state of confusion
Watched a documentary last night. Fierce Light. It was produced by Velcrow Ripper who also did Scared Sacred. He's Canadian, born in Gibsons, BC. Good cinematographer. Last name is really 'Ripper'. 'Velcrow', I am not so sure about.
Anyway, his doc was about the 'Occupy' movement before it was called the 'Occupy' movement. Seems the whole civil disobedience thing goes back a long ways (duh!). But, somehow, he managed to convey the difference between a Ghandi or MLK-led peaceful march and a real no-name-leader protest. I don't think he saw his documentary as the beginning of the 'OCCUPY' movement but, from this perspective, it seems that way.
Seems (for him, anyway) it started in Oaxaca, Mexico. Seems the people got 'mad as hell' and 'occupied' the city centre for a few weeks. No real leaders. No real message. Just 'we're mad as hell!'
And that was 2006. Mind you, I seem to recall that the Bolivians did the same thing over water some years before that. It is hard to say when a local protest morphs into a provincial one and then again into a national and international one.
It is definitely media determined. But what is it that the media needs before they see the writing on the wall?
Interesting, don't you think?
I watch this kind of stuff because I still have a few drops of activist in me. Not much. Just a bit. I'd rather write my protest than actually paint myself in fake blood and stand on a street yelling slogans and waving signs. That just ain't my style. I'm not photogenic enough, anyway. But the sentiment is the same. Kinda.
I was 'that way' back in the 70's. I got involved. Protested. A little. But I was always more inclined to protest for change from within the structure than from without. Seemed like a good way to get in on the inside. Start there. And so I did. I got to the epicentre of local politics and even provincial politics briefly but I burnt out. The work was intense, the politics unfathomably stupid and immoral and there was always daily proof that one person CAN'T make a difference. It got depressing after 12 years. And I got depressed.
So, I left and did other things.
But, ya know, if you've got a dissent gene, it will continue to show up. It's in your make-up. And I can't deny it, I'm a whiner. May as well face it and proceed to complain as I am so inclined. Plenty of material to work with. I've tried 'going with the flow'. It ain't easy. But I may have found a little trick, thanks to an 82 year old Vietnamese Buddhist monk with an unpronounceable name. He said (and, of course I am paraphrasing),
"Social work is too hard. Burns you out. I would have to meditate more and more just to get enough energy to go back into the battle. It was draining me. I had to find a better way. So, I did. Now I see the battle as having a rhythm all it's own. It is a 'being' I have to get into harmony with. Like a dance partner. I have to be one with the problem. I have to love the problem and all that makes it a problem. Then I can work without getting exhausted. I am no longer resisting it, I am 'loving it', instead. I don't fight it. I dance with it. And that makes it fun and easier to do. Big difference."
"What the hell does that mean, Dave?"
I dunno. I am just easily influenced by documentaries, I guess. Maybe it's another genetic trait.
Anyway, his doc was about the 'Occupy' movement before it was called the 'Occupy' movement. Seems the whole civil disobedience thing goes back a long ways (duh!). But, somehow, he managed to convey the difference between a Ghandi or MLK-led peaceful march and a real no-name-leader protest. I don't think he saw his documentary as the beginning of the 'OCCUPY' movement but, from this perspective, it seems that way.
Seems (for him, anyway) it started in Oaxaca, Mexico. Seems the people got 'mad as hell' and 'occupied' the city centre for a few weeks. No real leaders. No real message. Just 'we're mad as hell!'
And that was 2006. Mind you, I seem to recall that the Bolivians did the same thing over water some years before that. It is hard to say when a local protest morphs into a provincial one and then again into a national and international one.
It is definitely media determined. But what is it that the media needs before they see the writing on the wall?
Interesting, don't you think?
I watch this kind of stuff because I still have a few drops of activist in me. Not much. Just a bit. I'd rather write my protest than actually paint myself in fake blood and stand on a street yelling slogans and waving signs. That just ain't my style. I'm not photogenic enough, anyway. But the sentiment is the same. Kinda.
I was 'that way' back in the 70's. I got involved. Protested. A little. But I was always more inclined to protest for change from within the structure than from without. Seemed like a good way to get in on the inside. Start there. And so I did. I got to the epicentre of local politics and even provincial politics briefly but I burnt out. The work was intense, the politics unfathomably stupid and immoral and there was always daily proof that one person CAN'T make a difference. It got depressing after 12 years. And I got depressed.
So, I left and did other things.
But, ya know, if you've got a dissent gene, it will continue to show up. It's in your make-up. And I can't deny it, I'm a whiner. May as well face it and proceed to complain as I am so inclined. Plenty of material to work with. I've tried 'going with the flow'. It ain't easy. But I may have found a little trick, thanks to an 82 year old Vietnamese Buddhist monk with an unpronounceable name. He said (and, of course I am paraphrasing),
"Social work is too hard. Burns you out. I would have to meditate more and more just to get enough energy to go back into the battle. It was draining me. I had to find a better way. So, I did. Now I see the battle as having a rhythm all it's own. It is a 'being' I have to get into harmony with. Like a dance partner. I have to be one with the problem. I have to love the problem and all that makes it a problem. Then I can work without getting exhausted. I am no longer resisting it, I am 'loving it', instead. I don't fight it. I dance with it. And that makes it fun and easier to do. Big difference."
"What the hell does that mean, Dave?"
I dunno. I am just easily influenced by documentaries, I guess. Maybe it's another genetic trait.
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