Runnin' my meter backwards!!!

[bschwartz]

Well, it's ugly, horribly inefficient, and temporary, but I'm currently pushing 12 amps @ 123v (approx 1500 watts) back into the grid 

The Metro 6/1 is turning the ST-5, putting out 240V AC, powering a 240V AC - 48V DC power supply (cranked up to 52V at 34 amps), the DC output is paralleled with my 4 cheapo Sam's Club 12 batteries feeding into my GVFX3648 (the Outback Mate is showing the 12 AAC into the grid).

It is SO NICE seeing the electric meter turning backwards!!!!

I still plan on doing the ST 60v mod, but until I get that going, I can now burn some extra WVO I need to get rid of and NOT have flickering lights!!!

[slowspeed]

Now thats what I wan a  do

[BioHazard]

Your meter still spins? Mine are all digital, and probably would report me to the police for such a thing...

[bschwartz]

YEP!!! Old School spinny meter 

[TimSR2]

I've done it a few times directly. Having a V belt drive allows you to  force  an ST head to lock  to the grid just by clicking the breaker. You get a big screech and then you're locked on.....  inch up the throttle a tiny bit and away you go. Of course should your engine die it will keep on spinning.  Forever.

Seriously I think it costs about 10x in fuel, never mind wear and tear so there is really little benefit to this exercise. And it's probably dangerous :-)

[BioHazard]

Seriously I think it costs about 10x in fuel, never mind wear and tear so there is really little benefit to this exercise. And it's probably dangerous :-)

Depends on where you are, how much you're paying for heat, and how much you're paying for electricity. I'm trying to build a natural gas cogenerator, and when I calculate how much the heat I make is worth, added to the electricity, I can actually make a small profit, compared to my 80% efficient gas furnace. The biggest problem is that it makes more heat that I need...

[oiler]

Perhaps you where better off buing a new furnace. A new condensing unit is 105% efficient...

[Carlb]

Perhaps you where better off buing a new furnace. A new condensing unit is 105% efficient...

How can it be over 100% efficient?

[LowGear]

Come-on Carlb,

You've given 105% haven't you. 

Casey

[Tom Reed]

Inquiring minds want to know, how did you manage to control the current draw?

[bschwartz]

Inquiring minds want to know, how did you manage to control the current draw?

Easy!!! My 48v power supply has two smaller units inside stacked together.
I unplugged one 

I don't know how long this one will last at full draw, but that's what experimenting is all about.

The Outback sucks as hard as it can, and the poor power supply gives all it's got!!

OK, you got me, I didn't control it at all, I just got lucky.

[BioHazard]

Perhaps you where better off buing a new furnace. A new condensing unit is 105% efficient...

Where is the fun in that?  Isn't that what cogeneration is all about anyway? It's not "co" generation if you're not using the heat...

[Tom Reed]

Well it sounds like you've found a way to make the 2 systems compromise. Very good! It's liberating to see that meter go backwards. Even more so not have an electric meter or bill at all. 

[rcavictim]

I've done it a few times directly. Having a V belt drive allows you to  force  an ST head to lock  to the grid just by clicking the breaker. You get a big screech and then you're locked on.....  inch up the throttle a tiny bit and away you go. Of course should your engine die it will keep on spinning.  Forever.

Seriously I think it costs about 10x in fuel, never mind wear and tear so there is really little benefit to this exercise. And it's probably dangerous :-)

That's a great way to explode your ST head.  Even with a slip clutch, (the belt) to your prime mover you need to consider the incredible shock damage to your synchronous generator.  I would never attempt a contact closure to the mains unless I had at a minimum a simple light bulb phase synchronizer in the circuit!!!!!  It only costs a few dollars or salvaged components to make one of these.

[bschwartz]

Tom, no meter or bill would be nice, but when your equipment goes down, you have to explain to SWMBO why everything in the freezer is defrosting and dripping on the floor..........

I'm happy to stick with generating what I can and knowing with 99 percent comfort that there will always be the grid for when i want it.