I have a generator and decent supply of fuel for it but I am starting to think about alternatives such as solar, wind, etc.
What are your thoughts and experiences?
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Senior Member
I have a generator and decent supply of fuel for it but I am starting to think about alternatives such as solar, wind, etc.
What are your thoughts and experiences?
"The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more important than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental." John Steinbeck
Member
I to have a "jenni" 5500watt. Would love to do something with wind if I could afford it...Originally Posted by MarshallDodge
Senior Member
Problem with a generator is in a bad situation they are nosey and you will have to have someone guarding the sucker as "they will come".
Member
Rule #1 = Never have a generator running at night if you can avoid it. If you crank it, believe me, they will come. (Katrina taught me this)
Rule #2 = Only run it if/when you have to, to keep the fridge/freezer cold (couple of hours per day is more than enough). Don't worry about lights, fans or A/C, we did just fine before all that, so we'll manage to survive. Rechargeable Batteries are great too. ( This coming from someone in southeast, LA)
Be nice, be courteous, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
"I would rather regret the decisions I make, than the one's I didn't."
Member
I have this quiet little Yamaha genny.
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outdoor/...44/0/home.aspx
I am hoping Nanosolar will start offering consumer thin film solar panels soon.
They should be very cost effective.
http://www.nanosolar.com
Member
My fiancee's parents have been telling us to get a generator like they have. Might have to look into it when my ar list gets taken care of.
Face03
Now, a question of etiquette - as I pass, do I give you the ass or the crotch?
Member
I just recently did some work for a couple who made the investment in an automatic back up, that runs on nat. gas. When it sences the powers out, it starts on its own. It runs tests on itself once a week, uber cool. I think it was something like 30,000 watts/30KW, I dont really remember. It was bad-as though, the entire cost was well under $10,000.
Member
A small homebrew genny. Problems with it are fuel storage limitations, and I still need an inverter or more big batteries to charge with it.
Two broken Tigers, on fire in the night,
Flicker their souls to the wind...
-Roads to Moscow
Not Forgotten:
http://www.virtualwall.org/dk/KillenJD01a.htm
http://www.virtualwall.org/db/BoddenTR01a.htm
Industry Professional
I have the following wired together as an "emergency" circuit...
Fridge
2 Kitchen counter plug ins
master Bedroom ceiling fan
2 Bedroom wall plug ins
Window AC in Master Bedroom
1 Master Bath counter plug in
LED lights in the Kitchen, Bedroom and Master Bath
All of these are hooked to a dedicated breaker box, which can be fed via city power, my gennie or a pig-tail.
I put the "Amateur" in Amateur Radio...
Member
I've got a regular portable generator and 2, 15watt panels hooked to 2 car batteries. I've got a 750w/1500w surge inverter. It will run some small stuff for some time. I'd like to go larger with more watts on panels and inverter.
What is good is I can keep my secuity system up at night.
Northerntools had the 15 watt panels on sale at one time for $75 ea.
For me and the small watt panels I would suggest a few diffrent inverters. Large as you can afford a med and a small. I like to almost match my load. The inverter uses less battery on the small one if it can power it.
Last edited by Wes1977; 03-06-09 at 13:13.
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