From: robk@gumby.Altos.COM (Rob Kleinschmidt)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house,misc.rural
Subject: Re: 12 volt electrical systems (was Re: Power
Date: 27 Jan 93 22:46:45 GMT
Reply-To: robk@altos.COM (Rob Kleinschmidt)
Followup-To: misc.consumers.house
Organization: Altos Computer Systems, San Jose, CA

In article <1jlvdmINNhda@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> bj368@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Mike E. Romano) writes:

[re stand-alone power system for a home]

>This is very interesting.
>I would like to hear of any reference books on the more
>improved electrical systems for independent power home,
>source material, especially for do it yourselfers since
>I am collecting info and preparing to build my own home
>in the near future.
>Also if Mr. Kleinschmidt is using solar, wind, etc. for
>generate any of this power, or small hydro would also
>be of informative value.

Best book on the subject I have ever seen:

"How to Design An Independant Power System" by Terrance D. Paul.
(Best Energy Systems, Necadah (???) Wi. )

I believe this is now out of print, but may be obtainable .
Mentioned in a misc.rural list of useful publications.

Other addresses of interest:

Home Power Magazine
POB 130 Hornbrook CA 96044
Solar PV, wind, water, &etc.
($6 subscription)

Real Goods
966 Mazzoni St.
Ukiah Ca. 95482
(707) 468-9214
($10 large annual catalog)

Trace Engineering
5917 195th N.E. 
Arlington, WA 98223
(206) 435-8826

My system is regrettably short on solar, but otherwise pretty
adequate. Aside from the small number of solar panels, it closely
parallels a prototype system that our local utility company is
now developing. My own system was installed in 1988 and generally
beats rural grid power hands down for reliability.

Major components:

Design : 10 kwh/day (family of 4, large house)
Generator runs several hours a day for peak load and battery charging.
Inverter/batteries provide off-hours power. Solar provides 10-15%
+ power when house is unoccupied (vacation trips etc.).

Kohler generator. 7 kw @ 220v. (1800 RPM 4 cyl water cooled flathead w.
propane hookup. Safety shutdowns for overheating and low oil pressure
+ remote start)

16 350 AH 6 volt batteries (4x4 array 32 kwh @ 24 volts)

2 kw Trace inverter (6 kw surge rating)

6 PV panels + charger. 1.5 kwh/day (should have more).

Todd gen/inverter transfer switch.

IBE 100 amp battery charger (220v A.C. input)

Instrumentation etc.

	zero center 100 amp D.C. ammeter
	narrow range D.C. volt meter
	ac voltmeter
	60 hz. frequency meter.
	remote generator switch
	40 amp relay hooked to generator shutoff (for clean genset disconnect)
	2nd cheaper Generac generator 4kw 1800 RPM (backup/portable unit).

Hindsight /wish list:

	More solar would be good and should be retrofitted when finances
	permit. Generator is well built, but still less reliable and needs
	more mainenance than electronic components.

	Should have low voltage cutout on battery charger to handle surge
	loads on generator.

	I would like to rig inductive A.C. ammeters to guage generator
	loading more accurately.

	A programmable genset start/stop device would be nice. Current
	system is manual only.

>
>Mike Romano
>



--------------
R Kleinschmidt
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house