Tom's posts

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Posted by Tom on Oct 22, 2003 12:35 pm

#1 - Renewable Energy > Wanted > Re: solar boat bailer

Samg, or try installing a plug on your boat, like most power boats, then it would drain naturally, just remember to put the plug in before you sail....

Posted by Tom on Oct 22, 2003 12:34 pm

#2 - Renewable Energy > Wanted > Re: Horse water tank

wilma, another option is to put in a bubbler, similar to a fish tank pump, or use some type of small motor attached to a paddle. Both these methods keep the water moving and prevent it from freezing...

Posted by Tom on Oct 22, 2003 12:31 pm

#3 - Renewable Energy > Wanted > Re: bottled propane gas ovens & ranges for home use

just saw your reply to jim with regards to LP conversion. Your dad has a warm morning, floor furnace? If so then you would have to change the gas valve and orifaces. Might have a hard time. Not sure if they still make those anymore. Might be more cost effective to get a new LP wall furnace if he doesn't have the means or space for a regular heating system.....

Posted by Tom on Oct 22, 2003 12:25 pm

#4 - Renewable Energy > Wanted > Re: bottled propane gas ovens & ranges for home use

MB, if your father is changing over a heating unit to LP, he would have to get a different gas valve and change the orifaces on the burners. You should be able to find one through your local plumbing and heating supplier, depending on the model heater he has.
The oriface conversion kits only work on gas appliances that have a direct gas connection, like your basic gas stove, that is usually going into a small regulator to reduce the pressure. These appliances do not have an electronic gas valve, such as on boilers, hot water heaters and furnaces.

Posted by Tom on Sep 4, 2003 07:30 am

#5 - Renewable Energy > RE General Discussion > Re: 8,000sqft Strawbale house thinking off grid? Need Help!

Bill, where are you located?

Posted by Tom on Jul 22, 2003 08:26 am

#6 - Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: mullbank composting toilet

GG, the toilets are very simple to operate. turn on the power, or some are automatic, to dry out the contents ( some have sensors that sense moisture levels) and occasionally stir the peat, if that is the kind you have. You will have to figure out when to change the peat depending on usage.

Posted by Tom on Jul 11, 2003 09:27 am

#7 - Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: Wind turbines and air blowers

Salvador, have you considered changing your AC motor to a 12/24/48 Volt, DC equivalent model? Just match RPM's and HP. Then you can use you batteries and turbine and skip the inverter.

Posted by Tom on Jul 11, 2003 09:07 am

#8 - Renewable Energy > RE General Discussion > Re: where do I begin?

Cathie, gas appliances, stoves, hot water heaters etc., are available just about anywhere. If you have natural gas there should be no problem with installation. If you have lp, liquid propane, you just have to use the conversion kit, different size nozzle, to convert the appliance. Hot water heaters are also available for use with lp, already converted.
As far as a gas fridge, you may want to check with a local motor home dealer or "Real Goods", they have a site on the internet.

Posted by Tom on May 15, 2003 07:06 am

#9 - Renewable Energy > Wanted > Re: bottled propane gas ovens & ranges for home use

carla, most all gas appliances can operate on LP. the only thing you have to do is change the orifices on the gas controls. the Lp orifices have a slightly smaller hole compared to the ones for natural gas due to the density of the LP. just make sure when you purchase the stove that it comes with the conversion kit comprised of the new orifices...

Posted by Tom on Apr 29, 2003 12:52 pm

#10 - Renewable Energy > For Sale > Re: Info needed for solar system on my boat

the types that you should be looking into are unbreakable and marine type modules. These will better handle the elements at sea. If all you are running is 12 volt appliances on your boat then installation will only require one or two panels and a properly sized controller hooked up to your deep cycle battery...

Posted by Tom on Apr 22, 2003 02:03 pm

#11 - Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: effects of shading on solar panels

even when shaded PV panels will produce voltages within their rating ,12-18 V, all they need is light to operate. The intensity of the light will vary the current output and thus the total watts coming from the panel...

Posted by Tom on Apr 22, 2003 01:59 pm

#12 - Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: Used Panels

seems like maybe one or both of the panels may be damaged. Try taking individual voltage readings and see if one of them reads 12-18 volts.

Posted by Tom on Apr 8, 2003 11:22 am

#13 - Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: C 40 Load Dump

a bank of resistors, sized to fit your system's diversion load, mounted to a heat sink is another way to build a diversion load, and produces some warm air.

Posted by Tom on Apr 8, 2003 11:14 am

#14 - Renewable Energy > Wanted > Re: mechanical thermostat for solar pool heater

If you do some testing of the automobile thermostats, you will find that they begin to open at temperatures well below their rating to allow fluid to flow. They are usually open fully at their rating temp. What are you using this for? A pasteurizer?

Posted by Tom on Apr 8, 2003 11:07 am

#15 - Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: Geothermal from waterwells.

unfortunately, the amount of heat exchanger surface that you could insert in a well would not be sufficient to cover the needs of which you speak.

Posted by Tom on Apr 8, 2003 11:05 am

#16 - Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: how many amp hours is a car battery

car batteries are designed to give high amp output for short periods and won't provide long periods of power, just leave your car radio on for a little while and see how long it will last.

Posted by Tom on Apr 8, 2003 11:02 am

#17 - Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: Voltage selection

To be compatible to your battery bank which is usually wired for 12,24 or 48 V.

Posted by Tom on Apr 8, 2003 11:01 am

#18 - Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: battery capacity ratings

Those numbers are based on discharge rate, with the average being the 20 hr rate. This means that it will provide the AH stated when the battery is totally discharge over a 20 hr period. If it discharges slower, then you get more power/use out of it before it reaches the same level of discharge.

Posted by Tom on Apr 8, 2003 10:57 am

#19 - Renewable Energy > RE General Discussion > Re: Resale value of Large Solar Panels

what type of panels are they, hot water or PV?

Posted by Tom on Nov 5, 2002 12:46 pm

#20 - Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: home made wind power genarator

check this guy out...
otherpower.com

Posted by Tom on Nov 5, 2002 12:20 pm

#21 - Renewable Energy > RE General Discussion > Re: windmills

If your creek has some head, height elevation, and good flow you may want to consider "micro-hydro".

Posted by Tom on Nov 5, 2002 12:18 pm

#22 - Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: home made wind power genarator

no doubt a commercially made windmill would be better if you can afford and obtain one,along with any necessary controllers and/or regulators would be your best bet......If you do purchase a commercial model it may be interesting to build a crazy one anyway just to compare. If you need blades just look to your right when you are removing the alternator and voltage regulator from whatever vehicle you are salvaging, you may see a usable fan right there in front of the radiator.

Posted by Tom on Oct 30, 2002 01:41 pm

#23 - Renewable Energy > Wanted > Re: wanted used composting toilet

All these toilets are is a box that contains peat to absorb waste and a device to mix and break it up. The electric part just dries out the peat. Just make sure that the box is vented to the outside and change the peat regularly.

Posted by Tom on Oct 30, 2002 01:38 pm

#24 - Renewable Energy > Wanted > Re: low-powered pump

or check out el-sid pumps. low wattage and low head.

Posted by Tom on Oct 30, 2002 01:36 pm

#25 - Renewable Energy > Wanted > Re: Solar powered pump for open loop system.

try searching for el-sid. It's a dc powered pump that runs on low wattage. Only compensation is low head.

Posted by Tom on Oct 11, 2002 11:20 am

#26 - Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: home made wind power genarator

go for it , just make sure you use a voltage regulator, just salvage one from the vehicle you got the alternator and make sure you ground the alternator itself. put a switch in line to prevent any accidental discharge when the windmill is not in use.

Posted by Tom on May 30, 2002 09:02 am

#27 - Renewable Energy > Wanted > Re: Wound spring makes electricity....

it's called stored energy. the energy used to wind a spring is then stored in the spring if it is not released. this stored energy can then turn a motor to make electricity. just think of an old clock that needs winding. the stored energy in the spring turns the gears.

Posted by Tom on May 30, 2002 08:58 am

#28 - Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: life of batteries

life of batteries depends on the amount of discharge the endure over the years. proper recharging should make your batteries last a lot longer. the trick is not to totally discharge them. Most controllers only allow a discharge down to 20% of the total battery output.

Posted by Tom on May 16, 2002 01:03 pm

#29 - Renewable Energy > Wanted > Re: PEX tube

check your local plumbing supply ,they should have it or should be able to get it.

Posted by Tom on May 16, 2002 12:59 pm

#30 - Renewable Energy > Wanted > Re: solar panel

any size panel with an appropriate controller should work for you. the size of the panel, eg. how many watts, will determine the amount of time it will take to replace whatever power is removed. It will work best if the battery you have is deep cycle and designed to be recharged.

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