great power day - Page 8

 

Thanks, but I'm no where near ready to do a tracker.  My system is a
hodge podge of various panels.  If I ever shell out for a couple of
really good high watt panels i'd certainly consider a tracker.  Right now
i'd be too much trouble for the 3-4 months of the year that I get any
real power out of them.

 

Holy Jesus, I've been using my offgrid system for my home business for years
and it never occured to me to deduct it.  Thanks for the smack upside the
head--I needed it.

As for the eu2000 wind generator I got the maximum reading of about 10.6
amps (into a 12 volt battery, say about 13.5 volts at that moment) on my
multimeter and sustained readings of about 7 amps but it just didn't work
out in my area.  Like I said before IF someone has really good wind and IF
they put better blades on it then it might make a good easy-to-build
project.   Basically all it needs is some blades, a pivot, and a tailfin.

 

Don't forget you can deduct the federal fuel tax on gasoline used in your
off-road use generator!!

 


Much better than a deduction because you get all of it back instead of
your tax rate percentage is to apply for a road tax refund.  In TN
it's a simple form to fill out and mail to the TN dept of revenue.
It's worth the effort.

Even double better is to not pay it in the first place.  I do that by
having a diesel generator and buying untaxed ag/reefer diesel either
at the Co-op or any truck stop.

John

 

I'm sure there are advantages to diesel generators but around here even
off road diesel is more expensive than regular gas (especially after you
get the tax back).  During the really high period a year ago or so diesel
prices were un-freaking-real.  

Like my buddies on the fishing boat had a fuel bill for crabbing this
year that was almost half what it was last year.  But even so, diesel is
more expensive than regular gas around here.

But I guess diesel pickups etc get better mileage so its probably worth
it in a lot of cases.