Solar/Wind Power

[Charlie-Mike]

Anyone fiddled around with that? I want to install a combination of wind and solar power on my camper at the camp. I got the basics figured out, but there are some things that I don't understand. My main concern is setting the place on fire. I don't understand how to keep from over charging the battery bank. Also, if I understand what I've researched so far, the batteries can back-feed the juice, thereby defeating the whole process.

I would love to learn from the experience of other posters.

 

[ntruder800]

charge controller.
my daughter and son in law use solar as the only power for their living quarters and have for almost 2 years now. power company wanted too much money to run lines.
what do you plan on powering? what size inverter you hooking up?
even the 5 yo knows what an inverter sounds like with low battery alarm and the 11 yo knows how to read power labels on all electronics.

 

[dantheman]

Do some more research . There are charge controllers that will regulate the battery charging and prevent backfeed . Here's some . http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_6970_770399+6228+784705

 

[Charlie-Mike]

I've done some reserach. I don't fully understand everything I'm reading, though.

The one thing I don't understand, is how the re-wind an altenator to make it into a generator.

 

[themcfarland]

Consider, photovoltaic, for larger places you can use 48 volt banks and equipment and it just so happens most telephone companies surplus their equipment like batts,tenders,relays,chargers,panels are all 48 vdc.

for shorter cable runs, 24 vdc will work..

 

[4sooth]

Go to an auto salvage yard and buy a generator from fifties or sixties full size sedan. Any good auto parts store may have one or two laying around. J.C. Whitney catalog is a possible source.

 

[Charlie-Mike]

Go to an auto salvage yard and buy a generator from fifties or sixties full size sedan. Any good auto parts store may have one or two laying around. J.C. Whitney catalog is a possible source.

Just hook it up and go? Or do I have to do something to it?