My plan for an off grid home.

 Hi, remember me, the guy that wanted to use euro style appliances off
grid :)? I have concluded that I should use NOT use 50 hz, but instead
use 60 hz. I've heard that some appliances like "kenmore" can be
efficient but obviously not very durable. In fact I've been discouraged
from buying kenmore period, because I've read hundreds of customer
complaints
and poor service. Not sure if others make efficient but durable front
loaders.I've read Asko is great though but they are most likely 240
volt machines though .

I will be using a 240 volt 60 hz well pump, power tools some over 1 hp,
 and probably euro style kitchen appliances as well. Of course I will
have 120 volt stuff too.  Anyway I need some opinions. I don't want to
use 2 hot wires (that means 2 inverters of course) I want to keep the
wiring simple. So instead how about I use a "w model" inverter for the
240 volt euro stuff and then a small step down transformer for the 120
volt stuff. Does anyone here know if OutBack "w model" inverters are
reliable?

  mrgrahamm@yahoo.com wrote:
...

You could go the other way, use a 120V inverter and a transformer to
step it up to 240V. You might also consider skipping the 240V entirely
and going with a DC or 120V well pump and power tools.

You might also consider getting a 240V generator for the big things,
like power tools, and as a source for charging the batteries for the
occasional bouts of 40 days rain. This would allow sizing everything
else smaller and could save significant money.

Anthony

 On Thu, 06 Jul 2006 19:54:44 -0700, Anthony Matonak


120V submersibles are generally limited to 1/2 hp, which is about 350'
of total head, or 250' pumping depth with a pressure tank. Some DC
pumps can handle 500' total head so long as a low flow rate (read
extra cost for storage tank and booster pump or gravity pressure) is
acceptable. But that type (Dankoff ETA, Grundfos SQ Flex) costs about
4 times the price of a conventional submersible. The extra cost often
isn't worthwhile for those with modest water needs. And don't forget
to consider the larger wire needed for lower voltage, as some wire
prices have tripled in the last few years.


Good advice, so long as the generator run time is kept low. For
example, an hour a day average with a 8kW generator can cost $100 a
month for fuel.

Wayne

 How about you just move to Europe and do what ever you want there ...:-) No
more fuss about 110V

lol

 On 6 Jul 2006 18:42:40 -0700, mrgrahamm@yahoo.com wrote:


Are you in the US?

Why not just have your house wired in a conventional (for the US) fashion
and use two inverters?  You can get a 120VAC well pump (or DC for that
matter).  But the heavy duty power tools that require 240VAC may make the
two inverter approach more efficient.

At least some European manufacturers (Miele, Asko) do make appliances
designed to run off US electricity.


-- ron  (off the grid in Downeast Maine)