off grid advice
 

I have wanted to start putting together all the parts and pieces to give myself a suitable off grid setup, but the thing I have had a problem with is the lack of transportability. This is an issue because I have a home in town and one way out in the boonies on 100+ acres as well. I have delayed for several years on starting this until last week when I had the idea to build in a tandem axle enclosed trailer, make my mounting brackets to hold solar panels, build a telescoping tower for a small wind generator. 20 ft or their abouts.
Earlier this year I scored 3600 amp hours of gel cell batteries, used, but only a year, than replaced for larger capacity units, I also scored an additional two pallets of deep cycle gel cell batteries new, but ordered incorrectly. I was happy to take these off their hands and give them a receipt that they were propperly recycled in an off the grid application.
I own a 3 KW 12v DC to 120 ac inverter, and just picked up some used trailers one is only a single axle 3500 GVW but one of the others is a tandem axle 10 000 GVW, both of these trailers need some repair, but the price was attractive.
I know transporting this setup would be a haz mat violation, but only taking it on a 40 mile trip I would be ok I guess.
What I was wondering is if anyone has experience with or ideas.
maybe I should build a small unit in the light trailer and a bigger one in the large one. I don't know, I supose I need a charge regulator and a low voltage disconnect of sorts, as well as the solar panels and charger.
thanks in advance

Re: off grid advice
 

That is a nice pile of batteries.
Good start, sounds like you have the expensive part already in hand.
think about circuit protection, ie high amp fuses or breakers. you can do some VERY serious welding with 3600 amp hours of lead acid battery.

Re: off grid advice
 

I'm neither pro nor expert but as I understand it you should start first by determining the load you are trying to power. Minimizing that is key; many RV appliances and devices are DC and can used without an inverter. Are you pumping water or washing clothes? Those motors draw a lot of power to get going. Locating sites for wind generators can be tricky, too. You can't always just throw one up on a pole and hope for the best. To learn from others' (expensive) mistakes I would suggest going to http://www.homepower.com - they are one of the best resources for RE products, dealers, projects, etc. Hope this helps.

Re: off grid advice
 

great link Between the Wheels, thank you

Re: off grid advice
 

I'm running a "back-up" RE system consisting of two L16 batteries, a 1200 watt inverter (2400 surge), four 75 Seimens PV panels and a cheap E-Bay charge control ... a homebuilt 5 Hp/80 Amp generator charges in emergencies for back-up to the back-up.

It runs my travel trailer camper hunting shack, lights, exaust fans, TV, radio equipment, computer .... everything else is propane (fridge, stove, HWT and furnace) the batteries run the furnace blower.

I also have a 150 watt wind genny but its not on line yet.


I'd like to get an outdoor wood furnace for heating and replace the blower with a DC Ametek motor ...

Re: off grid advice
 

REAL score on the batteries.....I just bought a 24v bank, 840amp/hrs worth for 1600 smackers. (8 L-16 6v.)

Care to reveal your source ?

Re: off grid advice
 

Local heavy equipment rental sells their refurbished L16s ... boiled out with EDTA.

I got two good ones for $150 each.

Re: off grid advice
 

Start reading at www.homepower.com by far the best resource I know of.
You can buy all the old bi-monthly publications on up to present or become a member or buy DVD-ROM.....which ever you chose you won't be sorry.

I've been at it 25 yrs. and HomePower is my bible....good luck enjoy the journey there's lots to learn.

On wind power....look for signs of flagging (trees bent by wind)
The old saying is "if you have a good wind generation site you probably won't want to live there"

The general consensus in the past has been to invest in more panels in lieu of motorized tracker.....I'm not so sure I agree with that, there's a lot of wasted power by not tracking .The wattsun tracker used to be the bench mark I need to look into this again


AGGY ole buddy your right on about the EDTA.....I found out about EDTA 20yrs. ago in an old english auto journal and have reconditioned a couple of battery banks with it. I have about 5 lbs left that I might put to good use, there are 12 Trojan L16 w batterys sitting down at my old place ,they had about 2 yrs. on them before I built my new place....they've been sitting down there for 6 yrs.......I should put them to use but they'll probably need to be boiled out with EDTA I'm afraid

Re: off grid advice
 

a friend of mine works for a communications company, they were slated for removal and I happened to have a trailer and the brute strength (with helpers) and the idea that I could put them to use.
I guess about 5000 pounds all together.
a few years back they got rid several truck loads and I was not set up to take any, these were a lot older I guess.

they have straps to configure for 24v, I figure I could strap them for 12v to match my inverter, or just get a 24v inverter, I don't know

Re: off grid advice
 

Get the 24 volt inverter......I went from 12 to 48 volts and very glad I did