Here's what I am planning to do for a solar backup generator. I looked lots of places, and it's really quite simple as this gentleman has illustrated in his video. The big problems is finding a solar panel at this late date. I calculate spending around $300 for the charge controller, battery, solar panel, battery box, inverter, voltmeter, and misc connections.
Here is a video which details how to put one together YOURSELF. Anyone who takes some practical safety precautions can make one of these. The video does not attempt to sell you anything, it is only a demonstration of how simple it is to cobble one together using inexpensive parts.
The majority of the components can be purchased locally except for the solar cell in most cases. You can google backup solar generator in order to find FREE plans. There's no need to buy a ready made one, nor pay for plans.
Here is a website that has free plans though you should watch the video above to see how to hook up everything.
This is a copy of a post that I made yesterday 04/30/2009 in another part of the forum. I was able to purchase my solar panel and charge controller at Harbor Freight Tools. You may be able to find something similar in your own home town. This is not an endorsement of Harbor Freight by the way.
I am using a dc to ac inverter (rated at 400watts) in order to recharge my cell phones, rechargeable batteries for flashlights, AM/FM radio that receives TV (but no screen) and receives NOAA. [I'm betting that they would use the NOAA channel to send out public emergency information in the event of a severe pandemic.] You could buy a larger inverter i.e more watts, but it's going to drain the deep cycle battery quickly. You are not going to power up any large devices.
I am also going to charge my laptop since it contains multiple pdfs for home schooling my children. I also have stored several documents from diverse places like the Hesperian Foundation's ebook, "When there is Doctor". I am putting the documents directly on my internal hard drive instead of a backup hard drive since it would put an additional energy drain on the laptop. You can greatly increase the total time you can use your laptop by turning off your wireless card, and by turning down the screen brightness.
I seriously thought about buying a generator but decided against it. Where would I store the diesel fuel? Generators are LOUD, and I imagine that people might fight over them later. Having one makes you a target. What would I need one for since it's Springtime? If It was winter, I might consider it.
I have two propane tanks for emergency cooking on cloudless days. I plan on eating simply heating my food with a solar oven if need be. Really it's more about the comfort that comes from eating hot food. I plan on being practical and eating from the refrigerator and other perishables first, followed by what's in my freezer, then canned goods.
For emergency lighting, I purchased an inexpensive lamp that burns paraffin oil. The lamp is enclosed, which will assist with preventing fires. Open candles burn too quickly and will be dangerous with my inquisitive children. I noticed today that there were no matches to be found in my large local Meijers. Hmmm. Bought a couple large butane lighters instead. From what I read in Bosnia matches were extremely hard to find later.
Without revealing too much, I grew up very poor, and then later when I went back to school, I lived in extreme poverty. There were times I didn't have enough to eat, and literally ate a tablespoon of peanut butter and water for a meal. Sure it's nice to have lots of money, diverse foods to eat, cold AC when it's hot, and heat when it's freezing. It's nice to lights on all over the house for convenience. We can manage just fine being very judicious about turning on the flashlight, and being careful about having on the radio.
If the Pandemic doesn't progress too quickly, and I can manage to build one, I am considering making an Earth battery close to the house. Here is a link to how to make one:
The Earth batteries were used long ago to power up telegraph stations.
Here is a link showing a demonstration:
I am looking for a good link which demonstrates a cheap way to do this. It would probably never power up an AC device, but it might be used as a trickle charge for a dc battery.
Good luck everyone.
Here is a video which details how to put one together YOURSELF. Anyone who takes some practical safety precautions can make one of these. The video does not attempt to sell you anything, it is only a demonstration of how simple it is to cobble one together using inexpensive parts.
The majority of the components can be purchased locally except for the solar cell in most cases. You can google backup solar generator in order to find FREE plans. There's no need to buy a ready made one, nor pay for plans.
Here is a website that has free plans though you should watch the video above to see how to hook up everything.
This is a copy of a post that I made yesterday 04/30/2009 in another part of the forum. I was able to purchase my solar panel and charge controller at Harbor Freight Tools. You may be able to find something similar in your own home town. This is not an endorsement of Harbor Freight by the way.
I am using a dc to ac inverter (rated at 400watts) in order to recharge my cell phones, rechargeable batteries for flashlights, AM/FM radio that receives TV (but no screen) and receives NOAA. [I'm betting that they would use the NOAA channel to send out public emergency information in the event of a severe pandemic.] You could buy a larger inverter i.e more watts, but it's going to drain the deep cycle battery quickly. You are not going to power up any large devices.
I am also going to charge my laptop since it contains multiple pdfs for home schooling my children. I also have stored several documents from diverse places like the Hesperian Foundation's ebook, "When there is Doctor". I am putting the documents directly on my internal hard drive instead of a backup hard drive since it would put an additional energy drain on the laptop. You can greatly increase the total time you can use your laptop by turning off your wireless card, and by turning down the screen brightness.
I seriously thought about buying a generator but decided against it. Where would I store the diesel fuel? Generators are LOUD, and I imagine that people might fight over them later. Having one makes you a target. What would I need one for since it's Springtime? If It was winter, I might consider it.
I have two propane tanks for emergency cooking on cloudless days. I plan on eating simply heating my food with a solar oven if need be. Really it's more about the comfort that comes from eating hot food. I plan on being practical and eating from the refrigerator and other perishables first, followed by what's in my freezer, then canned goods.
For emergency lighting, I purchased an inexpensive lamp that burns paraffin oil. The lamp is enclosed, which will assist with preventing fires. Open candles burn too quickly and will be dangerous with my inquisitive children. I noticed today that there were no matches to be found in my large local Meijers. Hmmm. Bought a couple large butane lighters instead. From what I read in Bosnia matches were extremely hard to find later.
Without revealing too much, I grew up very poor, and then later when I went back to school, I lived in extreme poverty. There were times I didn't have enough to eat, and literally ate a tablespoon of peanut butter and water for a meal. Sure it's nice to have lots of money, diverse foods to eat, cold AC when it's hot, and heat when it's freezing. It's nice to lights on all over the house for convenience. We can manage just fine being very judicious about turning on the flashlight, and being careful about having on the radio.
If the Pandemic doesn't progress too quickly, and I can manage to build one, I am considering making an Earth battery close to the house. Here is a link to how to make one:
The Earth batteries were used long ago to power up telegraph stations.
Here is a link showing a demonstration:
I am looking for a good link which demonstrates a cheap way to do this. It would probably never power up an AC device, but it might be used as a trickle charge for a dc battery.
Good luck everyone.
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