Micro CoGen.

Quote from: mike90045 on July 30, 2011, 11:55:20 AM
750W / 14V = 53 amps    40 amp controller.


750 x .8 (standard PV de-rate) = 600 / 14 = 42 amps


It will likely work, unless you have a sun tracking array, or a oversize battery bank.  From first power up, to array perfect alignment, might be 3 hours, and in that time, the batteries may have charged enough, that they won't pull the full 40 amps from the array.   

My guess is that it will work for a while, but better consider upgrading to 24V,  which at 750W , is only 27amps, well within it's spec.

I would upgrade to 24 V but that would mean buying a new large output inverter, changing out all the existing DC loads to 24V, finding another set of wind turbines and a new engine driven charging system (alt).

I have a 1,320 AH battery bank configured to 12V, but that's about to be replaced as those are nearing the end of the service life after 6 years.

It looks like I just need to buy another C-40.

Thanks,

R

All,

Sorry, but I need to confirm something before buying more PV panels.

I have ~750 watts of PV now charging a 12V battery bank which is controlled by a C-40. How much current can the controller handle before the magic smoke is released?

If I add another 750 watts do I need another C-40?

I can't find my manual and I really don't understand the PDF.

Thanks,
R

You big teaser!

R

Quote from: DanG on July 21, 2011, 12:33:46 AM

Done correctly, power-factor correction decouples load from input line but there are switchmode power circuit losses.

Capacitive PFC schemes to make motors & A/C-refrigeration compressors run more efficiently may have good acceptance down south where heat pumps, A/C, or large whole house house fans - swamp coolers - etc. are the rule. $70-90 off eBay, and if it makes the utility power play nicer...

Would such a device help an off grid modwave inverter power an AC unit? By "help" I mean run the AC unit smoother and with less "torque" on the inverter.

R

Bob,

Excellent post. I agree with every single point you raised.

When one uses a PM rotor the excess power generated toward the end of change cycle must be dumped off into a load of some kind, and to me that's a bigger waste than the power consumed in a wound rotor. Unless one can use that excess end of cycle power for something useful it's a waste of fuel too.

R

See that engine? That's a Briggs & Stratton Model Z, and I have one That runs great with very little blow by or oil use. Same rope windup start, gas tank and all.

Thanks for posting.

R

Grain of salt warning:

If you leave the coil as is and remove that fan you could just spill water over it and use a metal gutter to route the hot waste water anywhere, even down a zig zag of other gutters into a pool. Reuse the same water with a small pump. Big volume of reserve water and you're set.

The coil should work just fine for a long time in that sort of mode, made for air or not. The heat exchange is working now with water, why mess with that end of it?

R

Quote from: rcavictim on June 23, 2011, 10:26:52 AM


snip...

  If the sun goes nova (qualifies as both Sun activity and big explosion) magnetic bearings based on perm magnets ain't gonna be immune. 
snip...

Our sun is far too small to go nova. Our sun will undergo the transformation into a white dwarf after going through a red giant phase wherein it will inflate to a size that may exceed the orbit of the earth. The earth will have vaporized long before that point. Just wait around another 2 or 3 billion years!

RS

Good news.

I'm wondering, since we were told that the nose portion of the pump was opened, if something went amiss at that point. Still, good that the little popper is running right!

R

Hi,

Welcome to the board.

I have one of these engines. It''s running as I type.

I have the shop manual for this engine. I'm not sure I understand your question, can you restate? If so I think I can post the info from said service manual.

RS

Hey,

The dust isn't an issue here in Arkansas but early spring brings TONS of pollen. Luckily we get a lot of heavy rain to wash that off fairly often. Arkansas is experiencing major flooding over in the flat land right now as a result of these monsoons.

I saw a solution somewhere that involved a length of yarn that the wind buffeted over the face of the panel removing dust. That would work but I worry that abrasion might damage the glass.

I wonder if a good auto wax might be a good choice for making the glass less receptive to gathering dust.

R

Release "The Craken".

R

Someone mentioned a country using more methanol than gas. I believe that country is Brazil and they use mainly sugar cane as a base stock. Basically they are making rum for their cars and stuff.

If Detroit or Tokyo wanted to build engines of all sizes specifically to run on the stuff they could.

R

Been off the grid for nearly 11 years now. Now I love it. When we started off it wasn't so great.

R

Quote from: billswan on March 12, 2011, 05:43:21 AM
Yes the people in japan need lots of prayers and help I just noticed on the news one of the damaged nuclear reactors blew up that has to be about as bad as it can get for them

Billswan

Hey Bill,

Yes, immediately this is bad news for Japan, but the rest of us better think twice about getting in a rain storm for the next month or two. If particulate (larger than a molecule or two) radioactive material is released the long term consequences could be real bad. I've read that inhaling even a tiny bit of some radioactive materials will almost assure a death by cancer. Since this reactor has had the reactor rods pulled this type of particulate release is less likely, but not impossible. If the dampening pile melts down, and then vents, things could be bad for anyone downwind. The western Pacific region could be at serious risk. I hate nukes, and this is only a peek behind the curtain.

RS