Need help with solar generator

[frugalmom]

I would like to build a solar generator, but don't know anything about them. I hoping to build something in the $500 range to be able to power my home in case of electric problems. I'm hoping to find something decent enough to run my freezer for a couple of  hours per day and some minor appliances. My internet search found large very expensive units or really cheap units that can run like a lamp for camping. Anyone ever tried a solar generator??? I have considered buying a gas generator, but like the idea of having free energy that the government can't control or tax.

[Rusty Shackelford]

I'm not sure about a temporary "generator" being all the efficient.   If you just wanted to run your refrigerator, and assuming you had enough sun, you could probably get a system like they sell at Costco and use that to charge batteries that you plug your refrigerator - of course you'd need some inverters which greatly reduce your efficiency. 

With powered generator systems, the cost usually lays in the transfer system - you set the generator up to the power the household current, but you need a switch to disconnect from the power grid.  Whole house solar systems use double meter system, where you have one meter that "dumps" into the grid and another that "takes."  The power company bills (or pays) you for the difference.

[Mike]

To power ones home in the face of an electrical outage, it would probably be best to divide and conquer. 

*Use those cheap power-a-lamp solar collectors to charge a laptops batteries.

*Use wood to heat and cook.

* Refrigeration is the biggest problem.  Maybe use a propane refrigerator/freezer

In the early 1970s I had an ancient Servel natural gas refrigerator.

Here is how they work:
http://www.warehouseappliance.com/HowLPfridgeWorks.html

Note that natural gas and propane are essentially the same, in principle, but have differently sized orafices.

According to the linked article, a modern gas refrigerator uses 1/3 gal of propane per day = ~$.75/day.

********
A solar refrigerator must work on this boiling ammonia principle.  So one of these gas refrigerators might be made to work with solar if one could get enough heat in the right place.

Gas refrigerators are pretty expensive.  To get one cheap, I would watch for one out of an RV or trailer.

The difference between a refrigerator and a freezer is the thermostat.

[opsec]

So which would you rather have, propane powered or diesel powered?

[offdalip]

who wants to keep a diesel generator running 24/7/365 for a refrigerator/freezer? and how long will diesel be cheap and available?

an alternative is to run the genny just long enough to charge a bank of deep cycle batteries then feed that thru a pure sine wave inverter.

Natural gas should theoretically be around for awhile but those RV Natgas fridges are a bit pricey.

My preference would be/is to get a high efficiency Sundanzer or Sunfrost (TM's) fridge and mate that with a 75-125watt solar panel then
add a charge controller and then battery bank / inverter mentioned above. UP North the decreased sunlight in winter will be compensated
by reduced energy needs and likewise in the summer the increased energy needs are met by more sunlight.

[frugalmom]

Where is the best place to get the 125 watt panel and how hard would it be for me as a female with little skills to install?

[offdalip]

You can get the panels anywhere, but shipping can kill ya if you aren't careful.

I order in my state, I'd do the same if I were you.

Skills you need are some electrical skills, but the most crucial part to understand and take care of
by far and above are the batteries. Take care of them (also get them locally) and they'll take care of you for a long time.
Don't take care of them and they'll die early. get the deep cycle marine or golf cart type

[frugalmom]

Excuse my total ignorance here, but what type of care ? What kind of batteries? I have like no knowledge in this area, only a desire to learn.

[offdalip]

DEEP CYCLE Batteries,

Most critically, water them properly on a monthly basis.

And

NEVER EVER overdischarge them or overcharge them. Use of a voltmeter will tell you that.

under 11 volts = overdischarged

over 14 volts = overcharged

[The Future]

you might want to consider sealed and/or gel cell batteries.  expensive but maintenance free.  There was another type mentioned here that have very long life...??


As for the "female" part of your query, let's not be so (self) discriminatory!

[offdalip]

Nickel-Iron batteries last 100 years if properly maintained but hideously expensive
and if you don't know what you're doing you'll kill them.

Deep cycle batts can last up to 10 years as well as sealed and or gel batts, best to start with those

[frugalmom]

Is this something I get at auto zone? walmart? Marine store?

[offdalip]

wallymart will have small capacity deep cycle batts, prolly only 100-200amp hours.

Marine store will likely have inverters and high amp hour deep cycle batts, but they prolly don't carry solar panels or the charge controller

[Ryder]

Try someone who does golf cart batteries. Here we have a "interstate" battery dealer who is very knowledgeable. Find someone who is willing to teach you about the batteries they are selling. I have scrounged several solar powered yard lights that have 3 LED's each and give off enough light to read by for 7 hours after one day of charging in the sun.

[opsec]

If you can plant the thing someplace where you know you will never have to move it again, then you could also get a forklift battery. It's about four feet tall, three feet square and weighs about as much as a small car.