Alternate Electrical Power

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DeadeyeLefty

Joined
Jun 2, 2007
Messages
610
Inspired by a potential direction of the 'emergency tv' thread, I thought it would be interesting to collaboratively assemble a backup residential power system. Especially given the range of knowledge here.

First off, this is a mental exercise more than anything. The AC wiring used in houses can bite you, and it may actually be illegal to do install this stuff where you live so check with the local utility provider. Ummm...wear appropriate safety stuff too...
/disclaimer

Without a doubt, the most simple way to keep the tv/radio on when the lights are out is to pick up a booster pack with an inverter already attached. Typically they provide 300W of AC which will power electronics primarily. Of course, if no one's transmitting...

In my truck, I have a deep cycle battery feeding a 1 kW inverter. This allows me to run a jigsaw, sander, and a pair of cordless battery chargers. Currently I have to charge it with a charger, but once I wire in a charge lead from the alternator that'll be fixed. Charge current will come in through an isolator which allows the start battery to charge at a different rate than the house battery without backfeeding.

This is the point at which a residential installation would see alternate power generation methods tied in: wind, solar, hydro...most likely a combination to keep the batteries charged during extended outages. Of course, a simple battery charger will keep the batteries up until the power goes out.

I've got a system mapped out I'm happy to share, but I'm looking for input. Have you set up your system already? Thought about it? Don't wanna?
Let's hear it !:D
 
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Can you post alternate links to the link in your post? Canada Tire is asking for a Postal Code, and it's not accepting mine from the states.
 
Years ago my dad installed decided he wanted a back generator to power his house in the event of a power outage. I don't remember the output of the generator but it is housed in the shed and is ventilated to the outside. The power cable is buried in conduit and routed to the main fuse panel. He has a simlpe hot light (like an electrican uses) wired to the input side of the main breaker so he can see when there is power coming from the street. When the power is out he opens the main breaker then fires up the gen which provides power back to the house. When the power comes back on the hot light turns back on on. He then shuts down the gen and closes the breaker. This was done before the new breaker panels came out that are designed for generator input. Dad's biggest concern was not putting power back down the lines when the power is out. His genset is not enough to run the entire house at full capacity but allows basic operations of lights and the fridge. The hot water, heat and stove are natural gas so as long as the gas keeps coming they are pretty well set.

Hope this is in the vein you are discusing.
 
Hope this is in the vein you are discusing
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Definitely... the hot light sounds like a pretty simple solution and a far cry cheaper than a transfer switch, lol. Feeding power into the grid is the illegal part I was talking about. Illegal here at least, but it makes sense given the potential threat to linemen.
 
DeadeyeLefty said:
Definitely... the hot light sounds like a pretty simple solution and a far cry cheaper than a transfer switch, lol. Feeding power into the grid is the illegal part I was talking about. Illegal here at least, but it makes sense given the potential threat to linemen.
Click to expand...

I'm sure putting power on the grid is illegal here too. My dad's real concern was for the lineman however. Hench opening the Main breakers before fireing up the generator. His panel has two very large breakers that control power to the entire house. When they are open no electicity form the street is feed to the rest of the panel or any part of the house for that matter so there is physically no way for electricity from his generator to get back on the lines. I'm not sure that was clear in my previous post so I thought I would make sure it was.
 
I am currently running my cabin at the ranch off of a generator. I am working on putting together a solar system. I will eventually make it a hybrid with wind and also the ability to charge the batteries with a generator. I hav eseveral books I am using and a friend is working o a solar hot water system. Not at the point to t=really share anything, but I definitely will when I get something useable together.
Terry
 
Not to worry James, it was clear as crystal: like wiring an illuminated switch to light if there's power to the switch or through the switch. I'm guessing you'd have to get a sparky to make the connections upstream of the main breaker - personally I wouldn't feel to comfortable about chancing a 100 amp poke myself, lol !

I think if I were wiring a new house with this in mind, I'd probably want to run dedicated outlets through the house that are normally fed from the grid like the others, but are the only ones energized by the alternate system. This would eliminate a lot of parasitic loads that you don't normally notice and allow you to ration power consumption but still be able to use your entire house if needed.

Terry, it's cool that you're going this route with your cabin. I'd love to hear as your solar system progresses - what you used, how you tied it in, actual output, etc. Just curious, but what are the books you mentioned ?

Have you thought about microhydro at all ? (assuming you have running water nearby!) Anyone have any experience with it ? I'm playing around with ideas right now using an old alternator and making a wheel...

Years ago I rigged up a solar h/w system for a swimming pool. It extended the pool from summer-only to 3 season using several hundred feet of 3/4 abs and a sump pump. I was blown away by just how well it worked and, compared to the normal cost of heating the water, the cost of running the pump was insignificant. That was actually what started me on the 'free' energy thing.

Of course, there's always the option of burying a shipping container and using the insulation of all that earth around you as well, but I don't know if I could handle living like a wolf spider just coming out to fish and hunt...it would make a great basement though and a wicked bowling lane !
 
DeadeyeLefty said:
Not to worry James, it was clear as crystal: like wiring an illuminated switch to light if there's power to the switch or through the switch. I'm guessing you'd have to get a sparky to make the connections upstream of the main breaker - personally I wouldn't feel to comfortable about chancing a 100 amp poke myself, lol !

I think if I were wiring a new house with this in mind, I'd probably want to run dedicated outlets through the house that are normally fed from the grid like the others, but are the only ones energized by the alternate system. This would eliminate a lot of parasitic loads that you don't normally notice and allow you to ration power consumption but still be able to use your entire house if needed.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear it was clear. I think he installed the hot light while the house was under construction to avoid the high voltage/amp issues. I like the idea about having certain outlets wired for emergancy power feed. I think they do this in hospitals. I keep seeing outlets with red faces and they are never in use. I'm guessing that is what they are for. I work in the electronics field but not as an electrician. Anybody know for sure.
 
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