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If the OP's well pump is drawing under 1.5kW cold crank (assuming 25% envelope for transformer losses which is pretty astronomical) there's no reason not to use a Honda Genny and a step-up transformer (120V-240V), cheaper for the Honda and transformer than a bigger model with a 240V output that's as reliable as the Honda. Unless the OP doesn't need that level of reliability.
Buried cisterns don't if you get them even partly below the frost line. Mine is not buried but sits under six mil black plastic. I saw a little ice at the top of the water level once in six years. The black plastic cover gives a slight insulation from the trapped air and that air gets heated by the sun. However, we rarely get cold temps for any length of time and the thermal mass of the water is pretty stout.
it depends on how big they are. my cistern only has about the top 2 feet get frozen in sub zero weather, the other 16 feet does not get frozen. it also helps if part of the cistern is buried into the ground as well.
ok... makes sense. So if you only need to top off the tank as needed... then the power required for it is little (or done manually) rather than something like 12GPM or whatever.
Then your power requirement usage goes down to basically heat, nothing if using a wood stove, and lighting (very low for LED) and refrigerator. At that point it may be possible to just go Solar for these particular items rather than a generator. I'm thinking 2kw/h a day would probably cover these needs. Expensive, but then i don't need to worry about fuel.
Last edited by joe moving; 01-08-2014 at 09:48 AM..
ok... makes sense. So if you only need to top off the tank as needed... then the power required for it is little (or done manually) rather than something like 12GPM or whatever.
Then your power requirement usage goes down to basically heat, nothing if using a wood stove, and lighting (very low for LED) and refrigerator. At that point it may be possible to just go Solar for these particular items rather than a generator. I'm thinking 2kw/h a day would probably cover these needs. Expensive, but then i don't need to worry about fuel.
This sounds about right.
We purchased our first 2 solar panels (235 W each) for $1,000, with delivery. Then a funny thing happened. We found a solar panel dealer who let us take whatever panels he throws out due to (usually minor) damage; otherwise, he has to pay a fee to dispose of it. So far, we have gotten 5 of these "free" panels, and are up to 2,000 W total. I test each one with a multi-meter to see what it puts out, then clean it up, smooth out the bent frames as much as possible. We now have a real solar "array" of 7 panels.
Ingenuity often shows its face in unexpected ways. Be on the lookout for solar dealers with damaged panels waiting to be disposed of. You can get them free for the taking usually. If there is any fee, it would be very small. I expect I will have 3-5 kw of panels by the time I set up the array in Maine. That will run quite a few AC appliances, with an inverter.
doesn't anyone live in a town with enough generation to carry town load in the event of an outage?
Thats assuming the power outage is located on the intercity transmission lines (everything is working within your town) and the local utility has a generating station in your town that can provide power to the grid within the town. BUT, most outages are a combination of multiple breaks or outages that causes a system wide shutdown or interuption of the transmission roadway. We had a major blackout for 3 days where I live and the local generating station was stil online but the electricity being produced didn't get to us because the probems was a combination of several broken transmission lines, damaged transformers, and damaged bus bars at transfer points.
Seldom is an outage the result of not being able to 'generate' electricity. Most outages are due to problems within the community. Thats why people can have lights but suddenly the rest of the area is dark. A municipality would need generating ability at every street corner to deal with the possible locations causing an outage.
Thats assuming the power outage is located on the intercity transmission lines (everything is working within your town) and the local utility has a generating station in your town that can provide power to the grid within the town. BUT, most outages are a combination of multiple breaks or outages that causes a system wide shutdown or interuption of the transmission roadway. We had a major blackout for 3 days where I live and the local generating station was stil online but the electricity being produced didn't get to us because the probems was a combination of several broken transmission lines, damaged transformers, and damaged bus bars at transfer points.
Seldom is an outage the result of not being able to 'generate' electricity. Most outages are due to problems within the community. Thats why people can have lights but suddenly the rest of the area is dark. A municipality would need generating ability at every street corner to deal with the possible locations causing an outage.
I have worked in the Municipal Utility for the last 25 yrs and I am hear to tell you that most outages are in the Transmission system (69kv and above). A good municipal utility with enough generation to carry town load also has a load shed system intergrated into the switch gear line up that will isolate any trouble spots within the Distribution system. There are many,many small communities in the midwest and upper midwest that are so equiped. I was trying to see if people form other parts of the country lived in communities like ours.....
ok... makes sense. So if you only need to top off the tank as needed... then the power required for it is little (or done manually) rather than something like 12GPM or whatever.
Then your power requirement usage goes down to basically heat, nothing if using a wood stove, and lighting (very low for LED) and refrigerator. At that point it may be possible to just go Solar for these particular items rather than a generator. I'm thinking 2kw/h a day would probably cover these needs. Expensive, but then i don't need to worry about fuel.
I might be going to a new source of heat. it depends on whether or not the rocket furnace actually works for my type of home.
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