GENERATION AND STORAGE OF POWER Gas Generator Limited to gasoline on hand Limited to natural gas on hand (might have interruption of service) It is noisy to run and puts out exhaust used outside only Has a pull start Requires usual motor maintenance every 6 months, even if not used Requires batteries to store electricity/power Cheapest method to buy per watt (From 0.8 gallons to 5 gallons per 8 hours, depending on size and brand) Can be used day or night, not dependent on weather Wind Turbine Limited to sufficient win to turn blades (10-30 mph winds) Works day or night, only dependent on wind Requires batteries to store electricity/power Cheaper than solar panels per watt to buy Not very portable Relatively quiet Solar Panels Limited to sunny days to produce electricity Usually guaranteed to produce at least 80% of designated wattage for 20-25 years Requires batteries to store electricity At this time, solar panels sell for about $1.00 per watt (www.ecobusinesslinks.com/solar_panels.htm) Good for camping or long term. Batteries Dry Cells AAA AA - C- D - 9 volt (Heavy duty, alkaline, lithium, NiCad, NiMH) Needed to power flashlights, radios, walkie- talkies, phones, lap tops, etc) (Rechargeable needs battery charger.) Lead Acid - Wet Cell (Car Batteries) (Needs to be kept upright) (Not good for long term drainage, but good for high amperage short term usage) Deep Cycle Golf cart batteries (Needs to be kept upright) (Good for extended use and long term drainage) (Long lasting) AGM Deep Cycle (Gel Cell) (Can be tipped on sides) (Good for extended use and long term drainage) (Long lasting) Anything that has a battery that can be recharged needs to be recharged at 3-6 month intervals to make sure they keep working. They cannot be bought and put on a shelf and expected to charge many years later
Portable Power Packs /Portable Backup Power Systems - Portable backup power source that supplies up to 1500 watts of AC power Operates 115-volt AC and/or 12-volt DC products Rugged plastic casing Includes jumper cables for auto jump-start, compressors and/or radios/alarm clocks, lights Includes voltage controller and inverter Provides clean and quiet alternative to generators Recharges at home in 120 volt outlet or in vehicle cigarette lighter or with solar panel Produces no noise or fumes; no moving parts Relatively inexpensive, depending on size (from $75 to $500 or so) A 45-watt solar panel (like from Harbor Freight for $200 or less) can charge any of these power pack systems (up to 450 watts) in 10 hours. What you need to make your own Small Solar Power System - Solar Panel - Collect sun s rays and generate electricity Controller - Regulates voltage to battery & prevents overcharging battery Inverter Converts DC to AC Battery Storage of Electricity Connecting wires and clamps AC Appliances and Equipment; Run times operated by the Portable Solar Power Generator (1500 Watt, 53 amp hour battery Household Electrical Appliance Typical Power (Watts) Estimated Run Time (Hours) Clock Radio 8 77 Light Bulb (CFL) 14 44 Portable 6 Television/Radio 14 44 Laptop Computer 25/45 24/42 Refrig/Freezer 7 cubic ft 30 18 Portable Fan 65 9 Refrig/Freezer 19 cubic ft 90 6 13 inch TV/VCR 100 4 32 LCD TV 125 3.2 Sewing Machine 130 3 Desktop Computer/17 monitor 150/350 2.6/1 Toaster Oven 1200 0.1
DC Appliances and Equipment; Run Times Operated by the Portable Solar Power Generator (1500 Watt, 53 amp hour battery 12 Volt Automotive or Marine Typical Current (Amps) Estimated Run time (Hours) DC Accessories Cellular Phone 6 100 Fluorescent Light 8 75 Coffee Maker 30 10 Tire Inflator 100 3 How to make power calculations - E = Volts (Pressure) I = Current (Amps) (Volume) R = Resistance (Load) Watts = I x E Current = E/R Resistance = E/I Voltage = I x R If you know the amps your appliance uses, to find the watts, times the amps by 115. For example, our Bernina sewing machine uses 1.1 amps, so times it by 115 (which is the volts coming out of your wall socket) = 126.5 Watts Wheat Grinder Test Ordered list of grinders based on energy usage that uses the least amount of electricity to grind 13 cups of flour (1 #10 can) to the most energy consuming. 1. Golden Grain Mill 8.7 Amps/700 Watts consumption, 1 minutes 50 seconds, 20 watt-hours (least total watts used). 2. Grain Country Mill 8.7 Amps/700-850 Watts consumption, 4 minutes 11 seconds, 50 watt hours. 3. Whisper Mill 7.0 Amps/775-800 Watts consumption, 6 minutes 30 seconds, 65 watt-hours. 4. Wonder Mill 11 Amps/1180 Watts consumption, 4 minutes 17 seconds, 70 watt-hours. 5. Nutrimill 5.4 Amps/625 Watts consumption, 10 minutes 1 second, 100 watt-hours. 6. K-Tee 5.5 Amps/650 Watts consumption, 14 minutes 17 seconds, 130 watt-hours Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator $500 new Use wind to generate power and run your appliances and electronics. This 400W wind generator is great for cottages, 12V battery charging, remote power, backup power and hobbyists. Carbon fiber composite blades ensure low wind noise. Use wind to generate power and run your appliances and electronics. Lightweight cast aluminum body. Easy installation. Weatherproof. Fully integrated regulator automatically shuts down when batteries are charged to minimize wear. Max power up to 400 watts or 27 amps in ideal conditions. Tower kit sold separately
45 Watt Solar Panel Kit About $160 Use the sun's power to run TVs, lights, computers and recharge 12V DC batteries! Three 15 watt solar panels give you plenty of clean, quiet energy - no fuel required Power center is completely weatherproof and works under all light conditions 3, 6, 9, 12 volt DC adapter outlets Easy-to-read LED charge indicator Includes mounting hardware, light, 12V socket and battery clamps Requires 12 volt storage battery for storage of power, and power inverter if wanting AC power (not included). Maximum current, 3000 ma. 15 watts max per panel. Peak voltage: 23.57 volts open current. Panel dimensions: 12.40'' x 36.42'' x 0.75''. Weight: 9.7 lbs. Schumacher XP2260 1200 Peak Amp Instant Portable Power Source - $120, free shipping. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
On/Off switch activates the jump starting mode Built-in charger for automatic charging of internal battery Battery status LEDs indicate when battery is charged or needs to be charged Sure-Grip clamps fit both top and side-mount batteries A maintenance-free, sealed lead acid battery allow for storage in any position Air compressor one for blowing up large items, and one for tires Xantrex Technologies 802-1500 XPower Powerpack 1,500-Watt Portable Backup Power System - $460 1,500-watt portable backup power system provides clean and quiet alternative to generators Recharges at home (up to 15 hours) or in vehicle (6 to 8 hours) Rugged cart housing with removable waist handle for easy transport Produces no noise or fumes; no moving parts Measures 14-4/5-by-15-3/5-by-12-3/10 inches (HxWxD); weighs 60 pounds; 1-year limited warranty