Why are you here?

[mike90045]

ever strip a live telephone wire with your teeth during a high voltage pulse for a ring?

I was probably dialing your number, to see if your refrigerator was running (better go catch it). The tongue zap was a bonus 

[AdeV]

Hmmm.... could you re-charge your mobile phone using the ring voltage of your landline? I guess you'd have to set the mobile to keep ringing the LL... sort of like a perpetual motion machine, only Ma Bell gets to pick up the tab...

[bschwartz]

Guess I'm not the only one to get the wire stripping with teeth ring tickle   

[mbryner]

When I was a teenager I thought it would be hecka cool to make my own electricity from a microhydro setup.   I've always dabbled in building things, taking things apart, computer programming, repairing computers, etc.   Now that we had the opportunity to build an off-grid home, many of my hair-brained ideas are starting to materialize.    About 5 years ago, I was talking w/ a friend at a church potluck one afternoon.   He suggested using woodgas to make electricity.    He also suggested using a "cheap" Chinese diesel to play w/ it.   (No offense to you Changfa owners.)   That's when I started researching woodgas, Changfas, Listeroids, etc.   Then I found the LEF and bought a 6/1.   Found out woodgas was too complicated but WMO and WVO were an option.  I'm not doing as much cogen w/ my prime mover as many of you but I am experimenting w/ thermal mass storage w/ water and masonry heater, earth tubes, etc.   Sometime in the next year or so we'll work on microhydro.   You guys are a great group of friends and wonderful resource, especially since I'm a young 'n.

The day job pays the bills but there are so many other interests.......

[TimSR2]

hand knurling worn piston, reworking piston rings with an oil stone

Wow Bob, I thought I was a motorhead, lols

[wagspe208]

I'm here:

1) To have an energy source so I'm not buying much.
2) Lister as a back up to the water wheel.
3) To learn from others mistakes so I don't repeat them.
Wags

[ausmith73]

Why am I here? The age old question!..I have been researching gasifiers for some time now. I have been fascinated with the idea ever since talking with my grandfather who was stationed in France in WW2..he had first hand knowledge of gasifiers..although he did remember a few things about it..he was not the one running the system. With the state of this great place we call America..I find myself thinking about how am I going to take care of my family if, or should I say, when things go south. Of course, if I keep spending countless hours researching I may not have a family to take care of..lol. I have many of the skills and tools needed. I already run a forced air wood furnace..(slightly modified..shhh dont tell my ins company). My father-in-law is a ass..oops I meant Master electrician holding 7 masters..and I work for him. We have been talking about the gasifier and ways that he can help on the generation end. So after all the babble..I'm here to learn what I can ..and to share what I learn..no fees, no business...just bettering myself and my family..I would love to crack the key to the Holy Grail of gasifiers..and I believe Luc's G3I is headed in the right direction. So thanks to those who have already put so much time and effort into the subject and keep up the good work.

[T19]

I heard this was a great place to meet women...still waiting

[mbryner]

the Holy Grail of gasifiers

You could be searching for a while, er um make that a quest....

[LowGear]

Don't worry T19,

She'll log on any year now.

[Crofter]

I had the notion for quite a while that the electrical supply was going to become more expensive and less reliable and was looking for the least sophisticated and most self repairable backup system. When Ontario hydro decided that they were going to charge me a base rate of $40 a month for the few dollars a month power I use at the shop I made the decision to get a listeroid. This of course after reading most of the posts on the other lister forums. John F. is only an hours drive from my sons home and I visited his engines running his setup and came home with a 10-1 on the trailer. His philosophy at that time preferred having the engines assembled but not test run by the sandstorm assemblers. That registered well with me and I had no surprises or disappointments. It was an unrushed and fun experience and with the benefit of others experience I had it up and running after about a month.

I think that was about the shaky time at the other forum when this forum sprung forth. I keep a leg in both camps (Tijean) Though the cogen thing is attractive I have developed a bit of the monks thoughts about filling my needs best by controlling my wants. Thirty years ago if I had had the time and money I would have been head first into it. I like following solar threads here too and the info on tying hybrid systems together etc. Watching problem solving in the works is interesting even if it is not something I will likely do.

Thanks to the efforts unseen behind the curtains that keeps this show on the road,

Frank

[farmer0_1]

would love to be able to be just fine when the power goes off.   wvo in my 300d.  home grown biodiesel in the john deere. filbert shells running thru my pellet stove.  can't get enough.  still chopping wood.  smoking sausage as i write this.  would love a big one lunger diesel gen set.  hobby farmer, mr mom, mechanic.  old stuff is good new stuff is junk imo.

[mobile_bob]

farmer

welcome aboard!

good to see new guys coming into our forum

hope you find it a great place to hang out.

bob g

[farmer0_1]

nice welcome , thank you folks for having me.   

[lowspeedlife]

Hi Farmer,
Welcome aboard !! always nice to have new blood with interesting ideas.
If you could, please expand on your use of filbert shells in your pellet stove ?? I'm paying $245.00 a ton for pellets at this time & looking for an alternative.
Thanks & again, welcome.
    Scott R.