Xref: utzoo misc.rural:1803 sci.electronics:18414 Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!bronze!silver!amirza From: amirza@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (anmar mirza) Newsgroups: ba.mountain-folk,misc.rural,sci.electronics Subject: Re: Wanted: info on self-contained power systems for houses Keywords: generator, photovoltaic, battery Message-ID: <1991Mar13.134858.18720@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu> Date: 13 Mar 91 13:48:58 GMT References: <445@octelb.octel.UUCP> Sender: news@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu (USENET News System) Distribution: na Organization: Indiana University, Bloomington Lines: 74 In article <445@octelb.octel.UUCP> jfd@octel.UUCP (John F. Detke) writes: > >Hello, >I am interested in starting a discussion, and getting >any experience with such systems. Items I am particularly >interested in are: maintenance requirement, battery life, >generator life, etc. I know most of these are "it depends". >Additionally, Bay area or mail-order supply for this equipment >and propane appliances would be appreciated. Ok, I'll discuss with you. I do independant research and development and installation of small scale energy systems, esp. home produced electricity. >My primary concern is my home computer (Sun 3/60 w/ 141 Disk drive) >I was planning on adding a UPS, but am unsure how this constant drain >will affect the system. That will depend on how much you run it. If you run it 24 hours a day, it will certainly put a large drain on your system. The Sun monitor out in our machine room is rated at 425 watts, and the cpu and accessories eat up another 600 watts (that's what it is rated at, nominal draw is probably significantly less). You are talking about a possible draw of over 24 kWh per day if you run it continuously. Better than an UPS may be installing one of the newer high efficiency inverters such as the Trace. Most of them will provide 2 kWh capacity and surge up to 6 kWh. They make em in 12, 24, 36, and 48 volt models. These are quasi-sine wave, and run a little better than 90% efficiency. They also cost the same or less than an UPS. They should run most computers with switching power supplies. John Osbourne, who advertises in Home Power Magazine, PO Box 130, Hornbrook, Ca 96044-0130, is a specialist in low powered computing, and may be able to help you further with the computing aspect of it. >The house has a fairly good southern exposure (or rather, >the land does) so photovoltaic cells may be possible as an addition. Yes, they will probably fit well into your system. You probably can't immediately afford to run out and buy a bank big enough to provide all your power, but there is no reason you can't start adding them as you can afford them. The more you add, the less you have to run the generator. >So, the big question: Are home computers completely incompatible with >self-generated power systems? Absolutely not! It certainly will cost you more though. I suppose the ideal scenario (for the type of computing I need) would be a 386 compatible portable. You combine the advantages of low power draw with computing power. But, even if you want to go all out, it still isn't impossible, just expensive. A local mail order place for you would be Real Goods. Their number in California is 707-468-9214, and outside California, 1-800-762-7325. 966 Mazzoni Street Ukiah, CA 95482 Be warned, while they are pretty competitive on the larger stuff, they are fairly expensive for the smaller stuff (lights, meters, etc.) Home Power Magazine is a better source for a diversity of suppliers. I'll be glad to continue this discussion here or in email. -- Anmar Mirza # If a product is good, # I speak only my # Space, humans next EMT-A # they will stop making # opinions on these # goal in the race N9ISY (tech) # it. Unless it is # subjects, IU has # for immortality. Networks Tech.# designed to kill. # it's own. # --- me