AOH :: OFFGRID.TXT
Just what does it take to run a house off the grid? Here's some food for thought.
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January 3, 1994
OFFGRID.ASC
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Since most of us here at KeelyNet are intensely interested in
becoming totally power independent, I felt the following information
might be of use in understanding just what are the electrical
requirements to run your house.
It is one thing to dream of the day when we will finally be able to
build or buy a system to run our vehicles or power our homes. It is
another to get down to "brass tacks". A one time purchase or lease
that could be easily maintained and supported for years of reliable
operation is the goal. This information will show you some of the
realities.
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The following text and specifications are taken from the W. W.
Grainger and McMaster Carr catalogs.
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Typical Electric Tool and Appliance Wattages
Equipment Running Watts Maximum VA
Light bulb (100W) 100 100
Radio 150 150
Fan 200 600
Television 400 400
Refrigerator (conventional) 400 1200
Furnace fan - 1.3HP w/blower 600 1800
Vacuum cleaner 600 1800
Sump pump - 1.3HP 700 2100
Refrigerator/freezer combination 800 2400
6" Circular Saw 800 2400
Floodlight 1000 1000
1/2" Drill 1000 3000
Toaster/Coffeemaker 1200 1200
Skillet 1200 1200
14" Chainsaw 1200 3600
Water well pump - 1/2HP 1400 4200
Hot plate range (per burner) 1500 1500
10" Circular Saw 2000 6000
Water heater (storage type) 5000 5000
Electric oven 10000 10000
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An electrical generator must be properly sized for the load it will
be called upon to handle. Electric motors are particularly
difficult for a generator because starting an electric motor
requires 2 to 3 times its nameplate rating or wattage.
Page 1
While electricity supplied by an electric power company has
essentially infinite SURGE capacity (limited only by the circuit
protection provided), a generator is limited by the engine
horsepower and intertia of the rotating parts. Thus, a current
surge of short duration can be supplied by a generator, but with a
current demand of longer duration such as a heavily loaded motor
starting a high inertia system, can overload a generator possibly
damaging both the generator and motor. A 3450 RPM air compressor
motor is a prime example of this type of load.
For this reason, when determining the power your generator is to
provide, it is important to calculate electric motor requirements at
3 times the running watts to compensate for the surge needed to
start the motor. With this in mind, the following guidelines can be
helpful in selecting the right size generator for your application.
1. Total the wattages of all small appliances, tools and light
bulbs to be operated at the same time. Most appliances have
labels showing wattage (if volts and amps are given, volts X
amps = wattage). For example, you may wish to operate the
following equipment.
Electric heater 1000 Watts
Eight 100 Watt light bulbs 800 Watts
Total 1800 Watts
2. Next determine volt-amperes (wattage) requirements of electric
motors to be operated (e.g. furnace blower motor), remembering
that the starting requires 2 to 3 times the nameplate or
running (rated) watts. Thus, if running watts of the motor is
600, multiply the number by 3 to determine the maximum VA
needed.
Running = 600 Watts
Starting = 600 X 3 = 1800 Max. VA
The starting (max.) VA can also be determined by referring to
the motor code listing which indicates starting KVA per
horsepower.
3. Total watts and VA in Steps 1 and 2 to get the total
requirements:
Running Starting
Step 1 1800 W 1800 VA
Step 2 +600 W +1800 VA
2400 W 3600 VA
+25% +600 +900
3000 W 4500 VA
4. To allow for anticipated future needs or use of extra
equipment, add 25% to the total load as in Step 3.
5. See performance data charts at the bottom of each generator
listing for the unit that meets your total load criteria. For
example, a generator that provides at least 4500 max. VA (No.
4W108) produces 4600 VA and 4000 watts which meets the load
required by the example above. A 3000 watt generator should
not have enough max. VA to start the electric motor load.
Page 2
NOTE: If more than one motor is to be started, start ONE MOTOR
at a time and always start the LARGEST FIRST. If trying
to take the entire load of the generator from a single
receptacle, be sure ampere rating of receptacle is not
being exceeded.
NOTE: Make sure that extension cords used with generators are
properly sized for load and cord length. Otherwise,
excessive voltage drops and generator loading may result
and CAUSE excessive heating of portable power tools.
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Motor Code Listing
Code KVA/HP | Code KVA/HP | Code KVA/HP
A 0-3.15 | H 6.3-7.1 | R 14.0-16.0
B 3.15-3.55 | J 7.1-8.0 | S 16.0-18.0
C 3.55-4.0 | K 8.0-9.0 | T 18.0-20.0
D 4.0-4.5 | L 9.0-10.0 | U 20.0-22.4
E 4.5-5.0 | M 10.0-11.2 | V 22.4 & UP
F 5.0-5.6 | N 11.2-12.5 |
G 5.6-6.3 | P 12.5-14.0 |
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Recommended Extension Cords for use with
Generators and Portable Electric Tools
It is important to use extension cords of adequate current carrying
capacity when utilizing a generator to operate portable electric
tools. Undersized cords result in excessive voltage drops and
additional power plant loading. This also causes excessive heating
of the portable tool because voltage drop reduces tool capacity.
Ampere Rating Wire Gauge @ Cord Length
50 foot 100 foot 150 foot
2 18 18 18
3 18 18 18
4 16 16 16
5 16 16 16
6 16 16 14
8 16 14 12
10 16 14 12
12 14 14 12
14 14 12 10
16 12 12 10
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In any power generation system, you have several options. You can
generate power AS YOU USE IT, you can store the power in a battery
network and convert it with the use of inverters (DC to AC) to run
your appliances.
We all would like to see some kind of virtual flux/ZPE tap, however,
until such technologies are a reality, we have other options. The
energy used is still the same, regardless of how it is generated.
Personally, I think the first systems must be hybrids, using a
combination of several technologies. So, as an experimenters
startup pack, I suggest you download the file GARRETT1.ZIP which
contains the patent and .GIFs for the Garrett Electrolytic
Carburetor as used to run a 4 cylinder automobile engine in the 30's
here in Dallas.
Page 3
The basic principle is to convert water to hydrogen and oxygen, mix
it with air and explode these intermixed gases to drive an off the
shelf engine.
The idea is to provide the motive force to turn a generator, that
charges the batteries, then an inverter converts the DC to AC as it
is necessary to run the house. And we can use the battery
reconditioning technology that applies a 3.3Mhz frequency to the
electrodes (3.3Mhz is the sulphur NMR frequency) to cause the
sulphates to redissolve into the battery acid.
Anyway, hope you get the point and will share your experimental
results with all of us here at KeelyNet!
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If you have comments or other information relating to such topics
as this paper covers, please upload to KeelyNet or send to the
Vangard Sciences address as listed on the first page.
Thank you for your consideration, interest and support.
Jerry W. Decker.........Ron Barker...........Chuck Henderson
Vangard Sciences/KeelyNet
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If we can be of service, you may contact
Jerry at (214) 324-8741 or Ron at (214) 242-9346
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