Solar
#216671
09/24/02 11:35 PM
09/24/02 11:35 PM
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Anonymous
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Unregistered
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Anonymous
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There are at least a dozen solar and wind power houses on Caye Caulker.Hurricane Kieth took out the wind generators by turning them too fast. They started in a 10 knot breeze which is more than 75% of the days on CC.They make more power at night because that is when it is most windy. For those that don't know, Caye Caulker is a famous place for wind.That is why expert windsurfers live there. Almost everyone lost their batteries in that storm. They all agree with Hans that the batteries are the big expense. I took twelve deep cycle batteries to Remco and they said rebuiding wasn't worth it.
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Re: Solar
#216673
09/25/02 12:55 PM
09/25/02 12:55 PM
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 56
hjl
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to add this on that topic
hjl . posted 09-24-2002 09:12 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- we run the whole eletricity by solar-power, lights, fan, water-pump, tools, everything. It is really easy and after the first investment for the solar-equipment the power is for free. This year we will add a little wind-generator. The same type which are used at sail-boats. they are quiet, water-resistant and very effective and easy to install and reinstall in case of storms. We also get our water by rain-water-system, clean and good water. The toilet-water we take from a well.
All water-pumps run by 12 Volt and the pressure is as hight as from 110 Volt.
The fridge we use works with butan but also with 12 Volts or 110 Volts - that means you can choose what you like to use.
The only critical point by Solar- and Windpower is the battery. Batteries are expensive and will normaly not last much longer than 5 to 7 years. Old Batteries can be renewed by Renco Batterie Factory in Belize.
If somenone is interested in further information how to us solar- and windpower, i can give you some ideas how to do.
IP: Logged helper unregistered posted 09-24-2002 11:11 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm curious about your solar setup. How many panels do you have in your array? What size are they? How much power are you generating? How many batteries are you using and what size are they? Do you have them hooked up in series or parallel? Are you using all 12v or are you converting your power to 110v? If you are using 110v what kind of inverter are you using?
Regarding your windpower setup, what windspeed does it take to generater the power? What is the expected output?
Ah, so many questions, sorry. It is a subject that I am very interested in.
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Re: Solar
#216677
09/27/02 12:59 PM
09/27/02 12:59 PM
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Anonymous
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Unregistered
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Anonymous
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Most folks with more than one battery kept them in banks at ground level. They were flooded with seawater in the hurricane. The wind generators made too much power and burned out.(140mph gusts) I don't know anyone who uses golf cart batteries on the caye because of the price. Ten 12v Remco deep cycle marine batteries cost about BZ$2200.The same capacity of golf cart batteries would be about $5600. Rainwater works great-no minerals.
[This message has been edited by keycocker (edited 09-27-2002).]
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Re: Solar
#216679
09/28/02 12:13 PM
09/28/02 12:13 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Many people heat water by pumping it into a black drum on the roof once a day. It runs back down by gravity. Many on CC have noted that solar heated water appears to give you energy.I was an engineer and usually resist phony "energy" nonsense... but I actually seem to notice this too. A drum costs US$15. No controls needed. The caye is very windy place. Both the wind generators had overspeed controls and ways of getting them off the tower. The wind overcame the controls. By the time it was clearly a hurricane it was no longer practical to take down the towers. These two factors have been the downside of wind power worldwide. If you look at wind farms you notice that many units are not turning. This is most often caused by too much wind previously damaging the units. These large units usually can't be easily lowered and servicing them up high is a drag. With wind you get much more juice for the money and get it at night when demand is usually the highest.
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