All about alternate power sources

[filibuster]

In another thread the discussion has turned to recommendation of alternate power sources for preparedness needs. I'm starting this thread to hold the discussion of this topic.

[filibuster]

As has been mentioned in other threads, the first thing to do before doing much else is to determine just what power requirements you have, the devices or appliances that will be run and how long and how often they will be run for during a day, week or month. This will get you the total watt hours used which is needed to make the other determinations.

Other questions to ask yourself is if you want the power source to be mobile or transportable or can it be fixed to a home or location. You also need to consider for certain alternate power sources how long you may need to run or supply power without the sun shining or the wind blowing using a power storage system such as batteries.

As for the power sources themselves, here's a list of possibilities to choose from:

Gasoline powered generator
Natural gas powered generator
Propane powered generator
Diesel powered generator
Steam powered generator
Wood gas powered generator
Solar Panels
Wind turbine
Hydroelectric
Peltier thermal modules

Of these options, the best fixed local would likely be hydroelectric, as long as you have water flowing, you would have power.
Solar and wind require a power storage option such as batteries since you will have periods without the sun shining or wind blowing to account for.
The other generator options require a specific dedicated fuel supply which is generally finite or in the case of wood or steam requires around the clock resupplying.

[BackBlast]

Wind is not very good for the money unless you are in a very windy location and have the time, means, and motivation to sort out good from bad systems. Many of the lower end wind systems on the market are simply not very durable - like really low end solar as mentioned in the other thread. Not thought through well enough and they just don't last. And by "lower end" we're talking more anything less than commercial wind-farm grade.. All that might change if wind belts ever make it onto the market...

[Imamom]

As has been mentioned in other threads, the first thing to do before doing much else is to determine just what power requirements you have, the devices or appliances that will be run and how long and how often they will be run for during a day, week or month. This will get you the total watt hours used which is needed to make the other determinations.

Ok, so for a power and electricity novice, understanding those requirements and caluculating them is not likely to happen without a bit more guidance on how to do it. I can tell you approximately how often and how much I plan on using certain appliances, but I do not know how to translate that into watt hours, etc.

[Northmountain]

The answers to your question is too lengthy for a post here.

Instead, you may want to visit the page links on the following pages:

The PVWatts Solar Calculator

Discovering Solar Energy - Calculators

How to Calculate Solar Energy System Production

Determining your solar power requirements

Good luck!

Ok, so for a power and electricity novice, understanding those requirements and caluculating them is not likely to happen without a bit more guidance on how to do it. I can tell you approximately how often and how much I plan on using certain appliances, but I do not know how to translate that into watt hours, etc.

[filibuster]

Ok, so for a power and electricity novice, understanding those requirements and caluculating them is not likely to happen without a bit more guidance on how to do it. I can tell you approximately how often and how much I plan on using certain appliances, but I do not know how to translate that into watt hours, etc.

Sorry, Imamom for not being able to explain the process much better and thanks Northmountain for the links and input.

The one thing I'd add is recommend using a watt meter such as the "Kill a Watt" usage monitor or equivalent meter. You use this meter by plugging the device or appliance you want to track into the kill a watt meter and then plug the meter into the wall outlet. The meter will give you the total amount of power used by the appliance plus the peak watts and average watts it used during the time the appliance was plugged in and running through the meter. This is a very accurate way to determine electric needs and from there you can move on to size your alternate power system to match up with your electric demands.

[Kelly Alwood]

A look at a great temporary power option for vehicle and 72hour kits.