Generator/ emergency power skills and information

[indyjohn]

Not to thread-jack but can you mention the brand of minisplit and how it has worked for you?

Sure. I did a lot of research on these. As with many products these days, I think there are two or three factories producing all the brands you see on the market. I chose this one because it wasn't Mitsubishi stupid expensive, would run on a 120V 20A circuit, it has a heater rated for very cold weather (approaching zero) and for the very high SEER rating. I am running it in a space that is larger than it is rated for and I am pretty pleased with its performance.

Pioneer® 12,000 BTU 22.7 SEER2 Ductless Mini-Split Inverter++ Energy-Star Air Conditioner Heat Pump System Full Set 115V

Ductless DC Inverter High Wall Mounted Split Air Conditioning and Heat Pump System. 12,000 BTU with Ultra-High 22.7 SEER Energy-Star Efficiency and 115V Service

www.highseer.com

 

[Somemedic]

Once upon a time Sunvelt rentals had these portable light towers. Now after several years the batter bank needs to be replaced (16 6v batteries) and these towers have served their purpose for sunbelt.

Theyre 24v and have 1200 watts of solar panels. They do have a charger mounted inside and could be charged that way but that's no fun.

Add a giandel pure sine wave 4000watt inverter and you can run a 5000btu window unit ac for free in your kitchen during the hottest part of the day. A fella could add a small wind turbine to the light mast were he so inclined.... and potentially generate juice during the night.

It isn't what I would call man portable with a 150lbs tongue weight but for $2000 at auction it is a very nice item to have around.

See richie bros auctions

 

[Leadeye]

Yes, it is totally off grid.

Primary energy source is battery fed 2200 watt inverter. Batteries are charged by 800 watt PV array and a small wind generator. The system has a connector for a generator (which you've all seen numerous pics of). All the appliances are High Efficiency low draw 120VA (including the mini-split air conditioner). All the lighting is LED.

It's entirely doable - running off Solar. You have to size the PV accordingly.

That sounds like a nice setup. Does the AC run long enough to get through the night?

 

[churchmouse]

Sure. I did a lot of research on these. As with many products these days, I think there are two or three factories producing all the brands you see on the market. I chose this one because it wasn't Mitsubishi stupid expensive, would run on a 120V 20A circuit, it has a heater rated for very cold weather (approaching zero) and for the very high SEER rating. I am running it in a space that is larger than it is rated for and I am pretty pleased with its performance.

Pioneer® 12,000 BTU 22.7 SEER2 Ductless Mini-Split Inverter++ Energy-Star Air Conditioner Heat Pump System Full Set 115V

Ductless DC Inverter High Wall Mounted Split Air Conditioning and Heat Pump System. 12,000 BTU with Ultra-High 22.7 SEER Energy-Star Efficiency and 115V Service

www.highseer.com

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View attachment 197510

Thats looks awfully familiar to me....

 

[indyjohn]

That sounds like a nice setup. Does the AC run long enough to get through the night?

I researched and picked out the system. The mouse installed it for me.

It is remarkably effective at cooling the building down to a comfortable temp (somewhere in the middle 70s) and just as importantly remove all the humidity. So, it doesn't run for very long and the cabin is hybrid insulated with spray foam & fiberglass batting so it does a pretty good job of retaining the temp. So I'm not really hitting the battery bank hard overnight. We are planning a long weekend in July and I intend to fully cycle the system.

We are hoping to drill a well yet this year and I was looking at how that would impact the power system. You can buy a 10 GPM submersible pump that will run on a 120V 20A 2 wire circuit, but with startup surge that won't really leave much for any other appliances or lights on a 2200 watt inverter. So, the manufacturer of my inverter (Samlex) makes a 3000 and 4000 watt model in the exact same chassis, making a retrofit simple, except I'd have to add 2 batteries and wire for 24V with the 4000 watt model. A pretty expensive upgrade for about double the power. But I wouldn't mind having the extra juice.

 

[Leadeye]

I researched and picked out the system. The mouse installed it for me.

It is remarkably effective at cooling the building down to a comfortable temp (somewhere in the middle 70s) and just as importantly remove all the humidity. So, it doesn't run for very long and the cabin is hybrid insulated with spray foam & fiberglass batting so it does a pretty good job of retaining the temp. So I'm not really hitting the battery bank hard overnight. We are planning a long weekend in July and I intend to fully cycle the system.

We are hoping to drill a well yet this year and I was looking at how that would impact the power system. You can buy a 10 GPM submersible pump that will run on a 120V 20A 2 wire circuit, but with startup surge that won't really leave much for any other appliances or lights on a 2200 watt inverter. So, the manufacturer of my inverter (Samlex) makes a 3000 and 4000 watt model in the exact same chassis, making a retrofit simple, except I'd have to add 2 batteries and wire for 24V with the 4000 watt model. A pretty expensive upgrade for about double the power. But I wouldn't mind having the extra juice.

Mouse certainly is a man with good skills. No county water in your area?

 

[indyjohn]

Mouse certainly is a man with good skills. No county water in your area?

We have water flowing through the property for all but the driest times of the year. In 2020 we tried our hand at a shallow well but had no luck at 15'. It has sat ever since and I hope to revisit that project in July. After sitting, I am hopeful it will now produce, or I have one more 5' section of pipe that I can drive.

 

[Leadeye]

We have karst water on our ground but also have county water on the road so we use that. The gardener collects rainwater all the time for her plants rather than making a trip to the woods for karst water.

 

[Bugzilla]

NIPSCO is part of MISO. Lets see, close your coal fired plants after spending 1,000,000,000 for pollution control and getting the cost into the rate increase then lack capacity. But we are getting a solar farm that will destroy a large part of the nature preserve. That’s liberal progress.

Experts Warn Of US "Grid Failure" In Hot Summer Months -- Is It Time To Prepare?

Experts are warning that “grid failure” could come to Texas, the Midwest and western US this summer. In an unprecedented report, the organization that assesses electricity reliability in the US says there is a “high risk” of electricity shortages. Vice News reported: The U.S. West and Midwest...

www.thegatewaypundit.com

 

[indyjohn]

No county water in your area?

I did not answer your question directly. We do not have county water and do not expect to see it. We have not discovered a Karst yet but boy would I love to have it!

 

[Leadeye]

It's a ways out, but there's a trail back there from long ago, sign that people have been using it for more than 100 years.. Too far to pipe though.

 

[Bugzilla]

We have water flowing through the property for all but the driest times of the year. In 2020 we tried our hand at a shallow well but had no luck at 15'. It has sat ever since and I hope to revisit that project in July. After sitting, I am hopeful it will now produce, or I have one more 5' section of pipe that I can drive.
View attachment 201972
View attachment 201973 View attachment 201974

Wrong guy is pounding that pipe!

 

[indyjohn]

Wrong guy is pounding that pipe!

No! Right guy is pounding that pipe. He attacked it and I have a bum shoulder.