Bryce Masuk Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Has anyone seen any interesting small scale sustainable energy devices? Im trying to come up with a small wind powered device for a urban enviroment I have a few idea's but would like to hear some suggestions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chyancarrek Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I've had real good luck with a Xantrex 1500w portable power inverter and a 20w solar panel. I've used it on many occasions where I'm doing private blacksmithing demos where there's no power available. The inverter runs a goodly amount of household items as well as a pretty broad range of power tools and is compact and fairly weather proof. I've had mine for about 6 years and it's still going strong! The 20w solar panel is a little wimpy for a quick recharge but works ok for my purposes. Here's a link with infoXantrex XPowerpack 1500 Inverter W/60ahr Agm Battery 802-1500 8021500 Try and stay away from sites selling specifically solar or alternative power solutions. They're usually seriously over-priced for this unit. You should be able to find one for around $350.00 - 400.00. I got mine at a local sporting goods store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
son_of_bluegrass Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Have you poked around Lindsay Publications Books Available They have books on making wind and solar based power sources and well as books on many other subjects. ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce Masuk Posted August 26, 2009 Author Share Posted August 26, 2009 Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Ameling Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 The bit problem with any "sustainable" power source/supply is ... storage. How do you store up that energy from production, till you have the need. And what to do when the sun don't shine, wind blow, or not enough water flowing - or you run out of fuel for the engine running a generator. That's the big problem. Most use some sort of battery - especially those large deep-cycle batteries used in golf carts and forklifts. Even the big batteries used in large trucks. A few people use the extra energy to charge batteries, compress air, pump water to higher places, or even generate hydrogen and oxygen. It all depends upon your needs and how you use things. The obvious solution for most people is to generate electricity when you can, and then sell the excess back to the power company. That way you can still "buy" power from then when you need it, and get paid (wholesale pricing) for what you sell them. As you have probably already noticed, there are no easy answers. Each situation is different. Hope these few rambling thoughts help. Mikey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Wind turbines built from cutting 55 gallon drums cut in half is an interesting concept. Basically you cut two or more 55 gallon drums vertically in half and mount them on a vertical shaft. Very simple and can be made using scrap. One example found by googling: Wind Power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Ameling Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 A lot of people use those 1/2 barrel windmills to help keep part of their farm ponds ice free in winter. They mount it on a floating platform and put a standard boat propeller on the end sticking down into the water. The wind turns the the whole thing, and the propeller pushes water up. That "moving water" helps keep a section of the pond free of ice and helps add air to it. This helps the fish in the pond survive over winter when ice would seal off the whole pond and suffocate the fish. You can get a lot of torque from such a wind mill. Mikey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecelticforge Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 I have really wanted to set up a water wheel. The only trouble is that the creek runs out of the national forest onto out land and straight back into it. I do have a book from Mother Earth News called: Handbook of Homemade Power. It has a lot of info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danz409 Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 if your looking for something for a blacksmithing workshop in the middle of nowhere. how about a hybrid forge? a forge thats also a boiler that runs a turbine, and charges batteries wich run low wattage lights and have a DC motor on your blower, dosnt sound too hard to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy seale Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 thank you from all of us that make a living finding ya'll hydrocarbons....jimmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 thank you from all of us that make a living finding ya'll hydrocarbons....jimmy Don't worry Jimmy, even if the vast majority of member here become energy independent, you will still have a market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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