Solar power & Wind Power for residental use

[95XL883]

Bo,

Thanks for sharing the details of your system. What size and type are your batteries? My interest is a little more than curiosity. I'm thinking of building a cabin and while I could easily hook to the grid, I would like to be independent and avoid the monthly charge.

Greg

 

[JCByrd24]

After working offshore in the Gulf of Mexico for the last 27 yrs. I have a lot of experience with solar and wind generation used on unmanned structures mainly for SCADA systems and Aids to Navigation. It is very expensive and a high maintenance system (even on a small setup) for the little energy it produces, just the price of batteries alone would keep me from having solar power at home. Unless you plan on living off grid or live like my grandparents did in the 30s in rural Louisiana, or have no other means of electricity, there is no reason I would consider using solar. Solar and Wind serve a purpose, but is not made for everyday living, especially for people that want comfort and convenience. I'm sure many folks may disagree, but after using solar and wind generation for so long this is my final conclusion, if you are trying to save money on your electricity at home you would be way better off insulating you home better, at least it will eventually pay for itself, with solar and wind you never will recoup your money (unless the government pays for it).

You have experience with old technology and/or prices, live in an area with cheap electricity and fuel, and are talking about systems with batteries, which are not required in many instances today. Most of the country has electric rates double what yours are and more expensive fuel as well. A grid tied solar system with no batteries has almost no maintenance for 10 years and will mostly likely pay for itself inside that time. Yes there are government rebates right now but those are stimulating a very positive industry. The government subsidizes many industries.

 

[buickanddeere]

Really? (No sarcasm intended). I thought the vapor from lead acid batteries was explosive/highly flammable. Seems really dangerous in an enclosed submarine. Any idea how the vapor problem is controlled?

pure Hydrogen and Pure Oxygen mixed with a little sulphur dioxide ?

 

[Terry1040]

BoFuller - Congradulations ! Great use of Solar / Propane / creativity !

 

[Egon]

Bo : thanks for your input. At your cost of grid connection it is safe to say your systems are quite cost positive.

 

[Egon]

For those interested in Sub. Batteries.
[video]http://www.subvetpaul.com/Flt_Class_Sub.html[/video]

 

[Egon]

pure Hydrogen and Pure Oxygen mixed with a little sulphur dioxide ?

Till the sea water hit them.

 

[k0ua]

Thanks James. Some smart engineer must have figured out how to vent the gas. I had to read that a couple of times so the size of that battery compartment could sink in. It still is. Let's see, assuming two rows of 126 batteries each at 54 inches tall, 24 inches deep and 15 inches wide means the the compartment would be 157 feet long. So two rows plus say a 2 foot aisle to access and service the batteries means the compartment would be 6 feet wide. For height, maybe 6 feet. So the entire battery compartment would be 156' long x 6' wide by 6' high. Geez, that's a lot of battery. Thanks again.

Here is a link to a section of the fleet boat manual dealing with the batteries and their location in the sub. You can also browse the rest of the manuals there if you want to spend a few years learning how all the systems worked on one of those old fleet boats. When you get done understanding all of that, maybe they will pin the dolphins on your chest.

Submarine Electrical Systems - Chapter 5



disconnect switches are manually operated from a station at the after end of the forward battery room.
The after battery disconnect switches, also manually operated, are located near the after end of the crew's quarters. These disconnect switches are used only to isolate the battery from the cables and should never be opened under load except in an emergency. In some classes of submarines they are fitted with arc chutes and remote tripping devices.

Auxiliary power to the forward distribution switchboard and the after distribution switchboard is supplied through cables and knife switches which are connected to the battery side of the battery disconnect switches of their respective batteries. Distilled water for battery replenishing is carried in 8 tanks, located 2 on each side of the forward and after battery. The total capacity of the tanks is approximately 1200 gallons. Water outlets in each battery compartment are fitted with purifiers called ion-exchangers.

5A6. Battery ventilation. Each battery is fitted with an exhaust ventilating system to remove battery gases. The air required to operate this system is supplied through inlets located at opposite ends of each battery well. The free air in the compartment is drawn through the filling vent connection of each cell. The cells are connected by soft rubber nipples to exhaust headers of hard rubber which extend fore and aft for each row of cells.

The headers are in 2 sections and are connected to cross headers which unite in a common exhaust duct. The exhaust duct from each battery is led up to and through the deck to the inlets of 2 fans that are mounted on the hull overhead in the respective battery rooms. Each of these 4 fans is rated at 500 cubic feet per minute at 2789 rpm. Each fan is independently driven and the motor is controlled from the maneuvering room. The motors used on late type submarines are rated at 1.25 hp (continuous), 2780 rpm, 175 to 345 volts, 5.0 amperes, and are compound wound.

 

[BoFuller]

Bo, Thanks for sharing the details of your system. What size and type are your batteries? My interest is a little more than curiosity. I'm thinking of building a cabin and while I could easily hook to the grid, I would like to be independent and avoid the monthly charge. Greg

Trojan L16RE-B (16 of them)
Outback 3600 Watt/48 volt system
Kyocera panels
Generac 11K backup generator

 

[katoomed00]

You have experience with old technology and/or prices, live in an area with cheap electricity and fuel, and are talking about systems with batteries, which are not required in many instances today. Most of the country has electric rates double what yours are and more expensive fuel as well. A grid tied solar system with no batteries has almost no maintenance for 10 years and will mostly likely pay for itself inside that time. Yes there are government rebates right now but those are stimulating a very positive industry. The government subsidizes many industries.

Like I said some will disagree, it comes down to what you consider as comfort, convenience, necessity or just preference. Not sure what you would consider "old" technology, from what I see most folks are using the exact same stuff we use offshore. Also it creating a positive industry depends to whom you are talking to about the subject. Unless there are some great advances in the technology and manufacturing, you would hard pressed to convince me it would pay for itself.