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There are some interesting generator/hot water systems at www.whispergen.com that you might consider.

Ok John, heres another one for you, but you cant have much of a fear of death. An electric skateboard. I got mine from http://www.exkate.com/ . They aren't terribly cheap, but mine works great. Their charge controllers are not very reliable. Not a very home grown response, and may not be real great on steep hills (especially if you weigh more than 180 lbs. or so), but I enjoy mine. Good luck with your search, -m

my opinion/thoughts.
I have had my air x up since sep 2008. It works fine for me. I wouldn't change it. I have seen on web sites longer blades. Wider blades. Supposedly heavy duty blades. I was Really tempted but thought long and hard. decided not to.
different blades could over speed the air x. put things out of balance. cause noise. cause damage. void the warranty. my opinion, dont change, stay with what belongs
Ray

Hi John D.  I have a similar situation here.......about 3 miles to town and some major hills in between.  I converted a 27" 10 speed touring bike to electric drive for about $50 (cost of a couple 6v gelcell batteries).  I am using a 12v water pump motor mounted to friction drive the rear wheel with a freewheel rachet mechanism on the 1" drive roller, so the bike will operate normally when pedalled.  A 12v relay switches power from batteries to motor, with a push button switch on the handle grip.  One of the 6v batteries runs a 6v headlight, with a front mounted bike generator to recharge the battery. On a level straightaway, the electric drive will run the bike and allow me to rest my legs, and the electric drive is a power assist for the hill climbs. I use an external 12v charger for recharging the batteries.  It works for me. :-)

Hi,

Two of my blades on my AirX wind turbine broke off. I am not sure if something flew into it or if the high winds after several years broke the blades. Anyways, I was thinking of replacing the blades with some of Windy Nation's blades:

http://www.windynation.com/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=14

I have read online that these make good replacement blades for the AirX and can actually make more power than the stock AirX blades. Anybody have any opinions?

Here's my situation:  I've recently started an 18 month assignment at Guantanamo Bay and I don't have a car.  I live 3 1/2 miles from work, and I've been biking to work most days.  However, the hills make the going pretty tough.  I would love to own an electric bike, but new ones are pretty costly.  I would have no problem recharging the bike at home and at work.  Whatever I buy would have to be light and compact, or the shipping costs would be high.  Also, it would have to be legal to ride here.  (Bicycle laws apply).  Any suggestions?

Can you be more specific about 1. house size? appliances? and so on? The reason I ask is that you should probably do a heating and electrical use need based on the final product. We have a cabin style home with a combo solar/wind capacity of 2.4 KW on a 24 volt system. Our backup Generator is 8.5 kw kohler that works just fine for us. We are off-grid as well.

 The generator should be big enough to run your house and a little extra to charge the batteries. I am using a 15kw Kohler
 propane. The Generator is being used for the house while it charges the battery bank.

For anyone looking for a charge controller to charge a 36V golf cart battery bank with a 12V solar panel, we carry one now. You can see it at http://www.altestore.com/store/Charge-Controllers/Solar-Charge-Controllers/MPPT-Solar-Charge-Controllers/Solar-Converters-Charge-Controllers/Solar-Converters-CV1236-4PV-4A-Charger/p1244/.

It is also available in bigger and smaller sizes.

Amy Beaudet
AltE Store

Hello

I am building a home and plan on being off grid.  My system will consist of wind turbine, with a battery bank.  when I can afford I will add solar modules.  My question is regarding a backup generator.  I want to use a generator for charging the batteries when I do not have wind and the batteries get below a certain level.  do you think a diesel RV generator will be enough or should i go with a larger generator.

thank you