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| Thread ID: 63679 | 2005-11-19 06:26:00 | Power Generator For Computer | The_End_Of_Reality (334) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 405790 | 2005-11-19 06:26:00 | Hi I am looking at setting up a wind generator (or solar) for my computer (about 500W) :D and I was wondering if anyone out there knows how I can do this. Where I live it gets very windy (and sunny) and I was thinking use a battery or other storage so it continues to generate when not being used. Would I use a 12V generator and transform it up to 240V or get a 240V generator? Thanks |
The_End_Of_Reality (334) | ||
| 405791 | 2005-11-19 06:47:00 | I'd use 12 volts and a deep-cycle battery bank for storage. One battery won't last five minutes on a 500 Watt load. You may need to take some power saving actions like using an LCD screen as well. An electronic 12v-240 volt convertor will then run your computer no trouble at all. Generating at 240 volts will run you into dangerous territory and will also require a qualified electrician to set it up and wire it for you. There are plans on the net for automotive alternators used to generate wind power, they can be pretty cheap as well. Cheers Billy 8-{) |
Billy T (70) | ||
| 405792 | 2005-11-19 07:20:00 | A 1,000 Watt solar panel array, with an AS 4777 compliant inverter to convert to 230 volts will set you back in the vicinity of $8,000 - $10,000 (or more) . Thats without the battery bank . Deep cycle batteries are very expensive as well . As the cells provide ~ 17v DC at full sun, its often best to utilise the power direct to the correct type of inverter as much as possible, as too much can get wasted in a simple regulator to charge the deep cycle battery bank and simply draw off it . You would need at least 1,000 watts of generation, as if its not sunny and no wind = no power, so you store much more than you need to run the equipment to compensate, as you suggest . Also as mentioned above, once you are past the 17v side its electricians territory . |
godfather (25) | ||
| 405793 | 2005-11-19 11:18:00 | Check out an Electronics magazine in yer local library called Elektor. I think they had one or several monthly issues on making your own wind generator... I think its Elektor or Electronics Australia that had it. not sure how powerful it was, but its a good start at seeing what would happen. :thumbs: |
bob_doe_nz (92) | ||
| 405794 | 2005-11-19 12:22:00 | Jaycar sell a Chinese kitset one, $600. 200 watts output. Cat MG4510 |
godfather (25) | ||
| 405795 | 2005-11-19 23:16:00 | Hi I am looking at setting up a wind generator (or solar) for my computer (about 500W) :D and I was wondering if anyone out there knows how I can do this. Where I live it gets very windy (and sunny) and I was thinking use a battery or other storage so it continues to generate when not being used. Would I use a 12V generator and transform it up to 240V or get a 240V generator? Thanks If you want to build something badass have a look at this link: www.otherpower.com |
BIFF (1) | ||
| 405796 | 2005-11-20 00:25:00 | A car alternator is worse than useless as a wind generator . They are not efficient anyway, and need to be up to about 4000 rpm before they produce anything . Your fan isn't going to go that fast (you hope --- if it does, it won't do it for long), and although the input energy is "free", you can't afford to waste it on gearing, even if it ever starts . Car alternators take a lot of energy (multi HP) from your car engine . It was Silicon Chip magazine that recently had a series on converting the (PM rotor) motor of a F&P washing machine to a wind generator . The author even sells (in Auistralia) a set of laser cut parts for the construction . That involved rewiring the multiphase stator (42 coils) down to about three phases at the appropriate voltage . That's a real working system . You need a biggish fan to get any useful amount of energy . Ypu also need it up high (at least 10 m) and far away from trees, buildings, and other causes of air-flow disturbance . Start looking at 2m diameter for (probably) less than 500W . Break-In, the NZ(ART) amateur radio magazine had an article by a ham who got fed up with his power company and converted to solar . He spent about $20000, and although he freely admits it isn't "economic", he learned a lot and enjoyed himself . Of course, the big problem is the bloody rules and regulations . If you live in a town, I suspect you'll have major problems getting a permit . You might be better off if you're on a farm, though someoone once complained to me that there are about 40 different organisations which can come on to his farm without permission . I suspect farmers are afflicted with RMA too . |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 405797 | 2005-11-20 00:55:00 | Ask around all your friends, colleagues, in-laws etc . , until you find out who has got an alternative power system . Arrange a visit, ask if you can look over their system, check out their experience, their suppliers, others they know you could also visit . If it all proves fruitfull you could send them a box of Roses . I was on solar power for 15 years . Cost initailly $1300 ( at cost thru a mate in the trade) . Maybe spent another couple of hundred extra in that period on batteries . Batteries are the weak link . You can get 2nd panels and do the wiring yourself and regulators are cheap . Firend of mine up the road runs a comp with XP (and the aprropriate specs) off 1500 watts of panels going into two 6 volt in series batteries . (Cost tiogether $700 . ) You've got to get good battereies or you'll be forever replacing them . And be conservative with the system . Don't flog it . Regulators don't protect running down your batteries . But like I said best way is to burrow into the world of alt . electricity . Talk to people, I think you'll find they'll be enthusiastic to help you into their fold, bit like Mac users . :p HTH :thumbs: |
mark c (247) | ||
| 405798 | 2005-11-20 01:13:00 | Please, please, tell me where I can get 1500W worth of panels for less than $700. :D Normal prices are ~$1000 for 80W. :( | Graham L (2) | ||
| 405799 | 2005-11-20 01:17:00 | Issue of parenthesee and grammar, Graham L. I dithered about how to make it clear that I meant $700 for the 2 batteries. (Got it wrong. :D) :o EDIT: Geez you're right anyway, more like 150 watts of panels. Can't remember exactly, I had a 70 and a 60, 130 watts. |
mark c (247) | ||
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