From the monthly archives:

January 2005

EVs PHEVs and Hybrids

by sspence on January 31, 2005 · 0 comments

in ENERGY, MOBILE

Don McGrath's Sparrow
Don McGrath’s Sparrow

Welcome to the new age of Greener vehicles.

Time was, electric vehicles were promoted as the zero emissions saviours of the future, but the distance they could travel before recharging, and long recharge times led searchers to the hybrid vehicle, combining the advantages of a quiet, zero-emissions electric motor, with the range extending and battery charging capability of a small engine. This seemed to promise a solution, but effective mpg gains weren’t much better than a efficient diesel, batteries were expensive and emissions were still dirty.

Enter the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), a hybrid engine-electric, with the ability to plug in for recharging, cleaner point of use for electric only short trips, and long range capability. Combined with a efficient diesel, and clean burning biodiesel or vegetable oil, this could be the solution the automotive industry has been looking for. For more info, see the following sites:

Alternative Fuel Cars: Plug-In Hybrids and Electric Cars

Hybrids? Some opt to go all-electric

Plug-In Hybrids: State Of Play, History & Players

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Light-Duty Vehicle Research Project (PDF)

How Electric Cars Work

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Waterpower 101

January 26, 2005
Waterpower 101

MicroHydro GeneratorIf your homestead can take advantage of water sources to produce electricity, then you have come to the right place. Here are the ins and outs of water-powered electrical production, from the microhydro web site. The link at the end takes you to the site for more info. Water poweris as old as civilization . If you live in an old mill or have an upland stream flowing through or close to your property, you probably have a site suitable to generate some or all your domestic power requirements. If there is insufficient power for your needs electrically,you might still be able to use water power to drive a water source heat pump. The main power requirements are in the winter months, so there should be little or no conflict with other river demands. Adequate provisions may have to be made for migratory fish, and if construction is needed, take care not to dam up the area. Check land drainage upstream of your intake. Construct all schemes in an unobtrusive and environmentally sensitive manner, and where appropriate buy drawings of proven designs.

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Photo-Voltaics (PV)

January 24, 2005
Photo-Voltaics (PV)

Burbank Resident Robert Beher on the roof with his 2 kW solar PV systemHere on our off-grid homestead, we use PV panels as part of our energy solution. PV takes the energy in the sun's light, and converts it directly to DC electricity for battery charging. A inverter then takes the low voltage DC, and converts it to 120vac house current. In other countries, it may be converted to 220vac. The number of PV panels you need is determined by your electrical usage, and the part of the world you live in. We get 2.5 full sun hours a day, another area ...

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Convert your gas car to electric

January 21, 2005
Convert your gas car to electric

Electric Car conversionVictor Tikhonov converted a Honda from gasoline to DC Electric. A few years later, he upgraded it to a AC Electric propulsion system. Everything he modified, from removing the engine, installing the electric motor, control and instrumentation systems, adapting existing accessories, to performance testing is laid out for all to observe, and hopefully replicate with their own vehicles. Since electricity can be generated with solar panels and wind generators, a electric vehicle is an appropriate addition to the off-grid home. The Conversion

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Building your own Wind Generator

January 21, 2005
Building your own Wind Generator DIY Wind Generator

With a regularly windy site, a wind generator can be an inexpensive source of electricity, especially compared to photovoltaics (PV). Commercial wind generators can be pricey, initially, as are the towers and installation. This can be done Do-It-Yourself (DIY), with proper education and experience. My friends at Otherpower.com build their own wind machines, and do their own installation. Follow along

as they construct a 15', 1500 watt unit.

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Installing a wood stove

January 21, 2005
Installing a wood stove

Ancient Kalamazoo FranklinWe had a very old Kalamazoo Franklin wood stove that was coming apart at the seams, literally. The final straw was this week when the cast iron chimney elbow separated from the firebox. We decided that it needed to be replaced, and in a hurry. Out door Temps were -10F, and heading to -22F, so a new Vestal Classic stove was ordered and delivered.

New Vestal ClassicI removed the old 26 gauge 7" galvanized chimney pipe, and replaced it with new 22 gauge 6" black chimney pipe. My fingers went right through the old pipe. As soon as I unhooked the chimney, the stove ...

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Solar Heated Water

January 19, 2005
Solar Heated Water

Solar Water HeaterGood ol' John Canivan - guru of sun heated water systems, related the following to me: In 1970 a friend of mine left the civilized comforts of a New Jersey home to seek out and experience the free, wild wilderness of an Adirondack hilltop in upstate New York. Jake loved the country life and swore that he’d never leave his mountain retreat. He endured the cold winters without electricity and baseboard heating, but Jake still missed running hot water. When spring came he took a 300-foot coil of black plastic tubing and connected one end to a spring high up on the mountain. He draped the remainder of the 300-foot coil on ...

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Long Way Round

January 16, 2005
Long Way RoundCHARLEY Boorman went off-grid with best friend Ewan McGregor but has not been able to find work since. Since the pair returned from their motorcycle journey in aid of UNICEF, very few job offers have come his way. Charley has had to make do with promoting the DVD and book of the pair's Long Way Round adventure. McGregor, on the other hand, is one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. He is currently in Los Angeles filming the sci-fi thriller The Island with Scarlett Johansson.

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RAIN WATER HARVESTING

January 13, 2005
RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Solar Haven's Rain Water SystemWells in our area average nearly 1000 feet deep. This is "historical" water which will never be replaced. At today's prices, a well would cost in the neighborhood of $25,000 -- far in excess of our budget. Ever since we visited New Zealand almost 20 years ago, we have thought about catching and storing the rain from our roof. There we found New Zealanders, rich or poor, collected the rain from their roofs and stored it in barrels or tanks. Wells were the exception rather than the rule, municipal water system almost non-existent. Why not do the same thing in our part of the Sonoran Desert where rainfall averages about 12 inches per year? We have over 3000 square feet of roof surface to collect rain water between the greenhouse and new straw bale house. TO FIGURE HOW MUCH WATER IS COLLECTED: approximately 600 gallons of rain water is collected for every 1000 square foot of collection area for one inch of rain. Thus one inch of rain produces about 1800 gallons of water and comes close to filling the storage tank. The new above-ground storage pool will hold about 4500 gallons. There's even a book which will answer all your questions when you come to install your own rainwater gathering setup - Rainwater Harvesting: The Collection of Rainfall and Runoff in Rural Areas - Buy it from Amazon - £14.95

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