--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 272 HOME POWER Ref: EEZ00011 Date: 10/29/97 From: DAY BROWN Time: 01:01am \/To: ROY J. TELLASON (Read 2 times) Subj: 12 volt power supplies On 10-27-97 Roy J. Tellason wrote to Jim Dunmyer... RJ> > What I don't understand is why there aren't power supplies that'll RJ> > work with a 12vdc input. I have heard of such, but they don't RJ> > appear to be out there at a reasonable cost, compared to the RJ> > "standard" stuff... RJ> RJ> JD> Why? I'd guess that there is only a very small demand for RJ> JD> such a thing. RJ> RJ> You're probably right, that would seem to account for there not being RJ> the RJ> push toward lower prices that we see in so much else in RJ> this computer stuff... They do make them for laptops; but they do not have grounded chassis, or good isolation between the inputs and outputs. I build some from scratch that ain't so fussy, because as you note, there ain't much demand, so no vendors. ___ * OFFLINE 1.58 * God Nose he's God- howze he know he's not deluded? --- Maximus 3.01 * Origin: * After F/X * Rochester N.Y. 716-359-1662 (1:2613/415) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 272 HOME POWER Ref: EEZ00012 Date: 10/29/97 From: JIM DUNMYER Time: 07:51am \/To: ROY J. TELLASON (Read 2 times) Subj: ENGINE DESIGN >JD> of this. Where do you go to get your natural-gas fueled auto >JD> filled up? :-) > > There seem to be plenty of places around here that sell bottled gas, > lots of places that use gas-operated forklifts, and just about I know there are plenty of places to fill up a Propane-fueled auto, but I mentioned Natural Gas above. To my knowlege, the only place around here is 15 miles away, at the Gas Company's HQ. --- FLAME v1.1 * Origin: Telnet toltbbs.com or call 313-854-6001, Boardwatch #55 (1:234/2) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 272 HOME POWER Ref: EE^00000 Date: 10/29/97 From: JOCK ROGAN Time: 11:23am \/To: BOB STAUFFER (Read 2 times) Subj: Geothermal heating and A/C Hi Bob Stauffer, hope you are having a nice day Sunday, 28 September 1997 08:39:15, Bob Stauffer wrote to All Subject: Geothermal heating and A/C BS> Is any one familar with the advantages or disadvantages of BS> ground source heating? It seems to me that this is the way to go in BS> new construction, I may be a little partial since it is my job to BS> drill the boreholes. But I do understand this type of heating and BS> A/C will pay for itself in just a few short years.Fossil fuel BS> electric companys will tell you different though. Just looking for BS> input pro or con. Have just been whatching a TV show about some scientists doing research about it here in Aus. Seems you have to have the right type of rocks under your site and the strata has to run in the right direction so when you pump in your water you can scavenge it after it has been heated. Seem many places where they have tried it the cost in lost water out weights the thermal energy they can recoup. Pity seems like a good idea! -=> Yours sincerely, Jock Rogan <=- Fido : 3:800/409.4 InterNet :jock@tne.net.au .!. Modem sex begins with a handshake! --- Terminate 5.00/Pro * Origin: ***** SUCH JOCKULARITY ***** (3:800/409.4) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 272 HOME POWER Ref: EF300000 Date: 10/30/97 From: KYLE HEARN Time: 08:05am \/To: JUSTIN KEYS (Read 2 times) Subj: SOLAR ENERGY Justin Keys wrote in a message to All: JK> Hey, can any body help me with a solar energy project that JK> is easy. I have to do this for a school science project and JK> is due next week. JK> If you have any ideas,please write back.... JK> Thanks alot You should be able to get some ideas from http://www.homepower.com --- * Origin: Roger Etheridge for ZEC (1:130/911.1008) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 272 HOME POWER Ref: EF300001 Date: 10/30/97 From: TIM HUTZLER Time: 06:13pm \/To: CRAIG HEALY (Read 2 times) Subj: Re: Chevy Co-Gen investi ?->BTW, I presume that the 93% effiency is the net electricity + heat ?->production, since diesel engines are not that effient by themselves. CH>The 93% is the electricity + heat produced by the natural gas unit. CH>Diesel's about 90%. I expect to speak with the fellow from R. A. CH>Mitchell today, so will confirm those figures... The 90% is probably close enough. If you recapture the heat from the exhaust and block, you can increase the figure to almost 99%. But, the risks with exhaust recapture seems not worth being too stingy. [grin] --- Maximus/2 3.01 * Origin: Madman BBS * Chico, California * 916-893-8079 * (1:119/88) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 272 HOME POWER Ref: EF300002 Date: 10/30/97 From: JIM DUNMYER Time: 07:11am \/To: IAN WOOFENDEN (Read 2 times) Subj: SOLAR POWER IN APT? > We just used Trace Engineering's classroom for Solar Energy > International's Photovoltaic Design and Installation workshop. So > Their sine wave inverters are slightly less efficient than their > modified square wave (marketing calls them modified sine wave) > inverters, but NOT 60%. The efficiency curve on the SW4024 never > goes below 85%. Ian, I'm sure that Trace's stuff is better than what I have for UPSs. As you said, they even wind their own transformers in order to get higher efficiency. My units are meant for standby use, and first cost is much more important than efficiency while on battery power. You might be able to answser this question: Can one of those big inverters (Trace, Heart, or ..??) be used as a standby power supply? I'm getting a BUNCH of computers here, most of which need to be on a UPS of some sort; I already have 2 1KVA and an 800 VA units, all of which run on 24 VDC. It'd be nice to replace them with one big UPS that would use my existing batteries. Thanks!! <> --- FLAME v1.1 * Origin: Telnet toltbbs.com or call 313-854-6001, Boardwatch #55 (1:234/2) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 272 HOME POWER Ref: EF300003 Date: 10/30/97 From: JIM DUNMYER Time: 07:14am \/To: ELVIS HARGROVE (Read 2 times) Subj: RE: ENGINE DESIGN > Jim, I've only served on a few ships being something of a landlocked > sailor, but I was assigned to "Wiper" duty on two of them, and they used > Fuel oil -> boiler -> steam turbine -> AC generator -> 3 Phase motor > gearbox -> prop shaft -> prop, type power transmission, and I believe > that was typical for ships of that era. Designed roughly 40-50 years Elvis, Thanks for the clarification. I've been on several WWII-era ships, but those were strictly mechanical-drive. --- FLAME v1.1 * Origin: Telnet toltbbs.com or call 313-854-6001, Boardwatch #55 (1:234/2) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 272 HOME POWER Ref: EF300004 Date: 10/31/97 From: ELVIS HARGROVE Time: 04:24pm \/To: ALL (Read 2 times) Subj: echorules HOMEPOWR Echo Rules This is a periodic reminder of the guidelines for the HOMEPOWR fidonet echo. They were originally used by Don Kulha as the purpose for the alt.energy.renewable Usenet newsgroup. Lacking the original guidelines for the HOMEPOWR fidonet echo, we will be using these for the echo, as well. "The purpose of HOMEPOWR fidonet echo will be to promote open discussion of all aspects of practical renewable energy technology, its application and development. Emphasis will be on real-world systems and technology available now and how people apply it and live with it. This echo is inspired by Home Power magazine and the practical, hands-on, gentle-on-the-Earth approach to renewable energy that it promotes. Some subjects for discussion include solar power, photovoltaics, hydropower, wind power, EV's, energy conservation, solar cookers and cooking, batteries, waste minimization, solar hot water, water pumping and the products available in this field." We're into safe, clean home-made energy using the only nuke we'll ever need (conveniently 93 million miles away." HOMEPOWR echo on FidoNet is moderated by: Elvis Hargrove @ 1:397/6 Jim Dunmyer @ 1:123.100 Don Kulha Moderator emeritus. --- FidoPCB v1.5 beta-'j' * Origin: BOO! Board Of Occult, Rio Grande Valley Texas (1:397/6) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 272 HOME POWER Ref: EF300005 Date: 10/31/97 From: ROY J. TELLASON Time: 07:06pm \/To: IAN WOOFENDEN (Read 2 times) Subj: solar power in apt? Ian Woofenden wrote in a message to Kyle Hearn: IW> Get a catalog from Trace Engineering in Arlington, WA. They are IW> the foremost manufacturers of inverters (DC to AC). Cost depends IW> on capacity and power quality. One of their best machines, the IW> SW4024, gives 4kW of sine wave power, and costs about $2500. Do they have an email address? email: roy.j.tellason%tanstaaf@frackit.com --- * Origin: TANSTAAFL BBS 717-432-0764 (1:270/615) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 272 HOME POWER Ref: EF300006 Date: 10/31/97 From: ROY J. TELLASON Time: 07:09pm \/To: IAN WOOFENDEN (Read 2 times) Subj: SOLAR POWER IN APT? Ian Woofenden wrote in a message to Jim Dunmyer: IW> On (18 Oct 97) Jim Dunmyer wrote to Kyle Hearn... JD> From what I've read in HomePower magazine, it appears like JD> going 100% AC, using inverters, is the way to operate today. JD> Twenty years ago, most AE households used mostly DC lights and JD> appliances because of the inefficiencies of the inverters of JD> the day. IW> I agree. We've been running a DC and AC household off-grid for IW> 15 years. If I started again, I might go mostly AC, and I'd IW> certainly recommend it to non-tinkerers. I still like DC though IW> - no conversion losses, no EMF, more efficient motors. IW> But I'd still recommend running major loads like fridge and IW> freezer directly on DC. What voltage dc are you talking about using here? While I haven't done a whole *lot* of reading on the subject, one of the objections I saw to running low voltage DC around much (particularly in the context of going from a windmill a fair distance to wherever your loads are) was the losses in the wire, meaning you either lose way too much of your power or you end up spending way too much on some seriously heavy wire. I've been spending some time in a warehouse lately where they've got some *serious* batteries, for forklifts and other vehicles, and these all seem to be either 36 or 48 volt. email: roy.j.tellason%tanstaaf@frackit.com --- * Origin: TANSTAAFL BBS 717-432-0764 (1:270/615)