Preparing for Sandy

[Rob-D]

Yea you would think the company installing the solar system would have designed that into the system.:banghead:

You can buy inverters now that run both grid tie and off grid in one inverter so that when the grid goes down you do have back up power. My system was before they were out. I do have 8 Rolls batteries and 4.2Kw of back up power from my panels. It's not really a problem, I never use my back up system as the interities covers my electric bill plus. I got the extra panels to help heat my house in the winter. I could flip the interite over to help with my needs but it was a grant and it would be unfair to the power company who generously gave me the grant for the intertie.
Last year when my area was out for a week I loaned out my generator as I didn't need it.



Rob

 

[riptides]

Well, I turned the news on.

OMG.

Two-three foot storm surge on the potomac RIVER. Yep, river....

Wind gusts to 60MPH.

5-10 inches of rain predicted.

School systems are starting to close. My county Fauquier, closed Monday.

I went out and got more BEER.

This looks to be the monster storm - they have named it "FrankenStorm" in this area.

Good luck to us all.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Rob,

Looks like you have your bases covered.

Would a disconnect switch for my neighbor system work as murphy1244 suggested???

 

[Rob-D]

Yea you would think the company installing the solar system would have designed that into the system.:banghead:

There are ways to transfer loads when the batteries are fully charged. The inverter senses the full charge and yuo can operate a relay to transfer the load but this is a little different than transfering from an intertie. I'll use it to transfer the load to a heater when the batts are chargned.
Rob

 

[Rob-D]

Rob,

Looks like you have your bases covered.

Would a disconnect switch for my neighbor system work as murphy1244 suggested???

If he paid for his system and it wasn't a grant he can set up an inverter to transfer to a battery charge bank when the grid is down.

Something like this will work:

Off Grid Inverters Capable of Grid Tie

He'll have to add a few things like batteries but it is doable.

Rob

 

[forgeblast]

He would still need batteries wouldnt he? for an off grid system.
I think if anyone needs help should post in the regional sections with the heading
"Sandy-Help needed" that way people in the area if available can help. I would also list the damage and any tools that would be helpful.

 

[ljohnson778]

Here's a thought -- start a tractor-by-net relief network. If there's a bad storm anywhere, then other 'neighbors' nearby could be informed on what could be useful to help with cleanup: chainsaws? tractor & trailer, FEL? wood chipper? 4wd truck + trailer?

I live near Henryville, IN -- last spring's tornado left a huge mess. There were organized cleanup crews. One guy showed up with Branson tractor & trailer -- hauling workers in/out of the clean up area (no car traffic allowed/ utility co. was pulling new power line while we were there). He used that tractor to do some clearing while others sawed up tree limbs, etc...

That's a very cool idea. Of course, if anyone in central NY needs help, I'd be glad to oblige.

 

[pennwalk]

I got up the leaves but it was a waste cause the lawn is covered again. I blew the leaves off the roof and cleaned out the gutters. Once again a lost cause. The roof is covered again. I ran all the laundry. Got the groceries. No bottled water on the shelves since Friday. Made sure nothing was on the floor in the basement. If we get 10" of rain and lose power for a week we will have standing water in the basement. Just filled the bathtub so we can flush. The power company called to warn us to prepare for up to a week without power. Thanks for reminding me to charge the cell phone.

Chris

 

[Bee950]

Reading this reminds me at how unprepared people are. Imagine how things would be if people didnt have several days notice prior to a disaster.


Going to buy gas tomorrow? Hope your plan works out......

 

[newbury]

He would still need batteries wouldnt he? for an off grid system.
I think if anyone needs help should post in the regional sections with the heading
"Sandy-Help needed" that way people in the area if available can help. I would also list the damage and any tools that would be helpful.

A tractor-net volunteer aid type effort has been suggested several times before. Seems to have died down due to liability concerns.

It's a good idea but would need lots of organization.