Simple Emergency Power Supply - How Do I Build?

 

Hi all,

I live in rural eastern New Mexico. High winds combined with fragile
transmission systems create occassional power outages.

I want to put together a simple, inexpensive emergency power supply
and want some suggestions.

Here's what I have in mind...

12V battery (standard, eventually deep-cycle)
120V power inverter (I replaced the low-battery buzzer w/ an LED
light)
Small 12V solar panel for recharging
120V Fluorecent light (to provide light w/ minimum power drain)
Wooden box (to tie everything together)

Anything else I need in the way of gauges (I really don't care if the
battery goes dead while I'm using it) or regulators? This is going to
be very light duty.

Maybe there are some websites that could give me some pointers.

Thanks!

-- Christian

Save Darfur -- http://www.savedarfur.org/
World Vision (Darfur) --
http://donate.wvus.org/OA_HTML/xxwvibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?section 025&item72182
ICC (Sudan) -- http://www.persecution.org/Countries/sudan.html

 

Simple volt and ammeter gauges would be a start. I'd use a 12vdc
fluorescent light so you don't need to fire up the inverter and listen
to it run just for some light. $11 at home depot (Amarelle). Looks good.
ESSN will be running an article on such a unit in the near future. We
have a commercial unit we bought at BJ's that has everything as you
describe except the PV panel (we added a 20 watt unit) for less than $100.

Steve Spence
Dir., Green Trust,   http://www.green-trust.org
Contributing Editor, http://www.off-grid.net
                      http://www.rebelwolf.com/essn.html

Christian M. Mericle wrote:

http://donate.wvus.org/OA_HTML/xxwvibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?section 025&item72182

 



Informational purposes you can try the Costco web site they sell systems
also Harbor Freight.

Your concept of a small solar panel is self limiting.  Most small panels are
not much good other than for trickle charging. Which may not be enough to
bring your battery back from a deep discharge.  Do you plan to add in a 120v
charger when the utility graces you with power?

Battery maintenance is important so getting a hygrometer would be a good
idea.

Try and visit the Zome Works folks, in NM. Lots of talent and excellent
ideas in that group.

 

Why not just build a small generator with
a small 5 horse motor and car alternator .
I built this unit here at this site
http://ca.geocities.com/jduarte0421@rogers.com/index.html

Frame can be built out of wood if you like. Hook it up to one or more
batteries
and an inverter and you got power.
Only have to run engine when battery is low or under heavy loads.

 

Do you remember how much it cost to put that together?

-- Christian


wrote:


Save Darfur -- http://www.savedarfur.org/
World Vision (Darfur) --
http://donate.wvus.org/OA_HTML/xxwvibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?section 025&item72182
ICC (Sudan) -- http://www.persecution.org/Countries/sudan.html