02-18-2004, 03:01 PM
1. Unless you have a significant drop in elevation, hydroelectric aint gonna work, but a water wheen set up might provide a constant trickle charge to your battery bank 24/7.
2. While you are looking at the generation side, look at the consumption side. What kind of light bulbs do you use? Halogen lamps give more light for less watts. There are also those screw in Flourescents that take 15-20 watts to drive 75 watt like illumination.
3. For health reasons and for martinis, your fridge is a must. I assume you use natural gas to cook with? If not, convert, it is easier to cook with (IMO) cheaper cleaner and not electric. Dump the microwave and consider a convection oven. Uses less watts.
To look at your capacity, take your last to electric bills and look at your KiloWatt Hour usage. That's your daily average. Multiply by either two or three to figure your surge requirement, and you will have a sense for how much you need to be able to pump in, and for how long, to ensure you don't curse yourself with brownouts. Supplementing the surge is of course what the generators can do in a pinch, but I think you are looking for a steady state source.
Your geographical set up sounds good for a windmill.
I can only say that your complaint about being taken to the cleaners falls on deaf ears. At present, it is still out of reach of the average family to be able to invest in the solar and wind tech, and a water wheel I suppose, to even have the option. We are all slaves to the Power Company!
To get your rig to work right, I strongly recommend serious research, and even hiring a consultant from the local University: engineering or Physics Department. Or, see if you can convince a prof to send a couple of students to your place to create a solution for their senior project or a masters project. :)
Cheers, I'll have my Martini made with Tanqueray 10. And about three drops of vermouth.
2. While you are looking at the generation side, look at the consumption side. What kind of light bulbs do you use? Halogen lamps give more light for less watts. There are also those screw in Flourescents that take 15-20 watts to drive 75 watt like illumination.
3. For health reasons and for martinis, your fridge is a must. I assume you use natural gas to cook with? If not, convert, it is easier to cook with (IMO) cheaper cleaner and not electric. Dump the microwave and consider a convection oven. Uses less watts.
To look at your capacity, take your last to electric bills and look at your KiloWatt Hour usage. That's your daily average. Multiply by either two or three to figure your surge requirement, and you will have a sense for how much you need to be able to pump in, and for how long, to ensure you don't curse yourself with brownouts. Supplementing the surge is of course what the generators can do in a pinch, but I think you are looking for a steady state source.
Your geographical set up sounds good for a windmill.
I can only say that your complaint about being taken to the cleaners falls on deaf ears. At present, it is still out of reach of the average family to be able to invest in the solar and wind tech, and a water wheel I suppose, to even have the option. We are all slaves to the Power Company!
To get your rig to work right, I strongly recommend serious research, and even hiring a consultant from the local University: engineering or Physics Department. Or, see if you can convince a prof to send a couple of students to your place to create a solution for their senior project or a masters project. :)
Cheers, I'll have my Martini made with Tanqueray 10. And about three drops of vermouth.
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete