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From: jfd@octel.UUCP (John F. Detke)
Newsgroups: ba.mountain-folk,misc.rural,sci.electronics
Subject: More info on off-grid power production in Santa Cruz Mts.
Summary: Shall we continue this in ba.mountain-folk?
Keywords: generator, photovoltaic, battery
Message-ID: <446@octeld.octel.UUCP>
Date: 13 Mar 91 20:40:14 GMT
References: <445@octelb.octel.UUCP> <1991Mar13.134858.18720@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu>
Distribution: na
Organization: Octel Communications Inc., Milpitas Ca.
Lines: 41

Well there seems to be some interest in off-grid power production, mostly in 
this group. Shall we continue this here?

The relative information I have so far:

PG&E is either $10/ft or $10,000 mile. with some small token amount
"free" depending on your estimated usage. PG&E isn't responding to my phone calls.
Anyone ran power recently? Was easment rights much of a hassle?

Generators appear doable, altho noisy (both electrically and audiably).
Anyone have figures of efficiency of power converters, battery charging, etc.

My last PG&E bill shows 500 KWh, but that includes several fish tanks (pretty
much a no-no I assume), forced air gas-fired heat, an electric dryer, and the
computer (Sun 3/60, bw monitor with 141 disk drive running continuously).
This seems too high for a self-generation system, altho I can probably cut
this in 1/2 (no fish tanks, gas dryer, wood/propane heat, turn off monitor, etc.)
Anyone running off grid have any idea how much power they use?

How about batteries, cost and life expectantcy? I have only seen two systems
so far, and they both had lead-acid batteries (6V?) are there alternatives, 
and what are the pros/cons?

How about a system to tie the (electric start) generator in, so it starts 
automagically? Too complex? This seems like it would be more efficient 
(only run generator when need to) but would put a larger strain on the
storage system (batteries, or whatever).

The only information I have on PV is that is expensive up front, but decreasing
all the time. The Jan issue of Garbage listed PV at $5/watt, altho that may have
been only for the silicon.

Well enough bandwidth for now,
jfd
-- 
John F. Detke
Octel Communications Corp
890 Tasman Drive
M/S 05-04
Milpitas CA 95035
jfd@octel.com