Jim Baughn
K9EOH
Preview
 Fuel Sources
 Power Generators
 Capturing and Using Generated Power
 Solar Power Expansion
 Safety
 Questions
Fuel Sources
 Gasoline
 Diesel
 Propane
 Gasification
Gasoline
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Fill containers to about 95%
Cap containers tightly
Only use gasoline containers
Store out of direct sunlight at about 80 Degrees
Do not store near an ignition source (gas furnace or
water heater for example.)
 Use a stabilizer or use gasoline regularly (once a month
test of the generator for example.)
 Don’t have all containers empty when the power goes
out!
Diesel
 Ensure that the fuel is not in contact with any surfaces containing zinc
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or copper or compounds containing those metals (eg. Brass).
Establish a regular fuel maintenance program to ensure that water and
dirt is removed from storage tanks. This will also remove any chance for
fungus to grow.
Water should be drained from the storage tanks weekly. The frequency
can be extended if the tank shows no tendency to collect water but
should be done at least monthly.
Tanks should be kept full to reduce the space for water to condense.
Regularly turn the fuel over. If possible, plan the fuel usage so that it
will all be used within 1-5 years and replaced with fresh fuel.
Propane
 Store in a well ventilated area
 Store way from any ignition source
 Store so the relief valve is in direct contact with the
vapor. Standard propane tanks should be stored
vertically.
Gasification
 A method of converting wood to gas much like propane.
 A fire is build
 A tank, with a ‘nozzle’, containing wood scrap is placed in the
fire
 The wood goes thorough a process producing syngas.
 The resulting vapor can then piped to an engine set up to run
gas vapor.
 For more information:
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http://www.global-greenhouse-warming.com/supportfiles/handbook_of_biomass_downdraft_gasifier_engine_systems.pdf
http://www.windmeadow.com/files/fema_wood_gas_generator.pdf
Wood Gasifier
As on ‘The Colony’
Power Generators
 Fuel Driven generators
 Wind generators
 Hydroelectric generators
 Solar Power Generation
Fuel Driven Generators
 Fuel can be gasoline, propane or gasified biomass
 They can be manually started (pull rope)
 Electrically started
 Auto started
AC Generators
Ground System
Wind Generators
Indiana Wind Power
Hydroelectric Generators
 Micro Hydro
 10 feet of fall with 20 gallons/minute 40 Watts
 100 Feet of fall with 100 gallons/minute 1100 Watts
 If you plan to dam a stream, even on your own land, be
prepared for lots of red tape.
 Mechanically you will be cleaning out debris from the
screens
 As long as the water runs, electricity will be generated
24/7
Solar Power
 Photovoltaic cells
 You can make your own panels at about 1/3 the cost of
commercial panels
 Sun heated systems that turn a steam turbine
 Mechanically complex
Power is being generated
 How do we capture it safely?
Solar Power Expansion
Battery Sizing
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Several battery sizing calculators on internet
Factors to enter:
Total DC load with Current and Voltage per day
Total AC load in Watt Hours per day
Surge Current – Not always considered by calculators
Sunlight factor – depends on location on earth and season
Number of days expected to run on battery power alone
Battery considerations
 Type of Battery
 AH rating and voltage
 Maximum discharge percentage
 Search for ‘solar battery sizing worksheet’
Save Energy (Only 45.95)
Safety
 Batteries under charge emit hydrogen (remember the
Hindenburg?)
 Do not place arc producing items above the batteries
 Fuse the batteries close to the batteries with DC fuses
 Use the proper size cables
 Tyewrap cables together
 Keep AC away from DC in separate breaker boxes
 Use AC breakers for AC only
 Use DC breakers and fuses for DC only
Questions?