PPrepper knowledge! Alternative power and solutions

[DennisThornton 4,769]

On 5/13/2021 at 1:36 PM, posifour11 said:

No. I don't have a bunch of storage at the moment. But, this is yet another lesson on how fragile the system really is. 

It certainly is!  Each to his own decision but I think that everyone should at least stop and realize that a lot of what they depend upon might not be there when needed and at least have some sort of plan B.  So I'm not saying that everyone should have a 1000 rounds, 500 gals, a years worth of food and water but they should have a reason for what they do have and why that is enough based on cost to risk.  Electricity, fuels, food, toilet paper and the very roof overhead might not be there tomorrow! 

In the last 20 years this area has seen:

100 year ice storm

100 year flood

100 year pandemic with everyone wearing masks!

Incredibly rare windstorms including tornados

And of course out of stocks that I would have NEVER predicted.

What's next?

I regularly review and try to have what I need as best I can for whatever.

[bc.gold 3,403]

18 hours ago, bc.gold said:

 

Here's a link to my wood gas files http://ovh.to/TpABqf

 

Wood gas would be classified as producer gas, IMPCO has you covered.

• Impco 600 Series Carburetor.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Electricity directly from Heat!

Heres my latest plan "B" purchase. I have a couple solar battery packs, and have lanterns and flashlights that are USB chargeable, this just further diversifies my power gen opportunities. I even have USB chargeable lighters. This uses thermociuples to generate potential difference and thus voltage. You can make simple thermocouples out of steel and oxidized copper wire and run them in series to gain voltage, then parrallel to gain amperage. You could also purchase thermo couples.  The key as with our other therodynamic systems, is to maximize temp difference between the two sides of your system.

In a pinch I could also use the battery pack and thermo couple portion to gather electricity from other heat sources.

Edited May 16, 2021 by Wheel Horse 3D

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

What are your goto SHTF crops? For me Id say an heirloom dual use sorghum, sweet potatoes, maybe sugar beets for sugar,Some sort of bean(i prefer limas) and then the quick crops like asparagus, green onion, kale etc.

A dual use sorghum can be a source of molasses, AND the grain. Once you're done with the stalks they can be burned down to ash and processed for a decent salt substitute.

[DennisThornton 4,769]

I watched a prepper show on TV last night and a family had something like 20 years worth of food for 20 people.  Seemed extreme but who knows what will happen?  Asteroid, some nit-wit with a nuke, some nit-wit running a country with several nukes, massive solar flare, a man-made EPM, another virus or plaque of some sort that severely damages our food supply or an unexpected loss of one key component that keeps it going?  Like a pipeline failure and no fuel for what delivers most everything we need?  I think I'm ready for most calamities and good get by for a few months with what I have.  Longer on some things but I'm not ready for a multi-year event!  That being said, I'm taking a hydration break from working in the garden.  Most are annuals and I will freeze, can and dehydrate what can eat or give away.  I do have asparagus, rhubarb, perennial onions, daylilies, hostas and I'm planting several berries (again...)  There's actually enough wild greens to help feed me during the spring and summer but I'd die if I had to forage for everything in the winter.   I'm planning on a root cellar which would really help extend foods into spring.  Oh, got a greenhouse too.  Adds a 4-6 weeks to each end of the northern growing season.

 

So I think perennial edibles is a good idea and I plan on adding Jerusalem artichokes.  I raise chickens and deer, rabbit and turkey abound here as well.  I might not have all that I'd want to eat without a grocery store but I could get by for an extended period with what I have stored, continue to produce and some wild protein from time to time.  

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Our property doesn't have a creek but has plently of wet weather springs..always wanted a bit of water around...fun,& good clear water storage!

[DennisThornton 4,769]

On 5/16/2021 at 10:31 AM, bc.gold said:

 

Wood gas would be classified as producer gas, IMPCO has you covered.

• Impco 600 Series Carburetor.

The more I think about it the more I think I should research woodgas again.  I'd be happy if it just ran a stationary engine that spun a generator.  That doesn't address me getting off this hill and back but it would go long way to making life here on the hill easier and more pleasant.  I'm just not setup for long term offgrid events without gasoline and doubt that I ever will if that means solar.  Upstate NY doesn't see the sun that much in Dec-Jan so solar heat is not a complete answer for me nor is doing without any electricity for the same period.  During our icestorm I managed for several days with NO electricity and then finally fixed my 110 generator and could rotate the fridge, freezer and TV to make life somewhat more normal then I borrowed a distant neighbors to run the deepwell and do some wash so I managed to get by for 10 days without the grid.  I have multiple gensets now but they all need gas pretty regularly!  Oh!  I'll never get rid of my woodstove!  Heated the house and cooked all my meals!  Got plenty of wood too!  If a deal comes along for a pto driven genset I'll grab it and worry even less about gasoline.  At least I can haul and store a LOT of diesel for quite some time!  Several hundred gallons of propane onsite too.  Another use for that Impco carb!

 

Thanks!

[bc.gold 3,403]

21 minutes ago, DennisThornton said:

The more I think about it the more I think I should research woodgas again.  I'd be happy if it just ran a stationary engine that spun a generator.  That doesn't address me getting off this hill and back but it would go long way to making life here on the hill easier and more pleasant.  I'm just not setup for long term offgrid events without gasoline and doubt that I ever will if that means solar.  Upstate NY doesn't see the sun that much in Dec-Jan so solar heat is not a complete answer for me nor is doing without any electricity for the same period.  During our icestorm I managed for several days with NO electricity and then finally fixed my 110 generator and could rotate the fridge, freezer and TV to make life somewhat more normal then I borrowed a distant neighbors to run the deepwell and do some wash so I managed to get by for 10 days without the grid.  I have multiple gensets now but they all need gas pretty regularly!  Oh!  I'll never get rid of my woodstove!  Heated the house and cooked all my meals!  Got plenty of wood too!  If a deal comes along for a pto driven genset I'll grab it and worry even less about gasoline.  At least I can haul and store a LOT of diesel for quite some time!  Several hundred gallons of propane onsite too.  Another use for that Impco carb!

 

Thanks!

 

With wood gas aka producer gas your dealing with a low pressure system so high pressure hoses, water heated regulator are not needed to run a low pressure system.

 

John on the phone last night discussing our river water project when forklifts became part of our talk regarding LPG fuel, this is when I told him I was on the lookout for an Impco 425 mixer. Like me he's dealt with scrap metals most of his life and as it turns out he had been saving all the LPG and natural gas systems that came into the yard.

 

I now have the mixer I've been looking for soon to be sent parcel post.

 

 

[DennisThornton 4,769]

1 hour ago, bc.gold said:

 

With wood gas aka producer gas your dealing with a low pressure system so high pressure hoses, water heated regulator are not needed to run a low pressure system.

 

John on the phone last night discussing our river water project when forklifts became part of our talk regarding LPG fuel, this is when I told him I was on the lookout for an Impco 425 mixer. Like me he's dealt with scrap metals most of his life and as it turns out he had been saving all the LPG and natural gas systems that came into the yard.

 

I now have the mixer I've been looking for soon to be sent parcel post.

 

 

Great!  I love getting a jump on a project so I can take my time to source parts and materials!  10 cents on the dollar is not uncommon if you have time to watch and wait.  AND spread the word a bit!

And yes, I like the idea of no high pressure.  I've seen and I think shared a link to gas to steam conversions but I have concerns about durability.  Wish I had water at a height but my low lying brook sometimes even dries up.  Wind is an option but it would need a 100ft plus tower to get above the pines.  And of course that needs a lot of storage...

[bc.gold 3,403]

1 hour ago, DennisThornton said:

And of course that needs a lot of storage...

[DennisThornton 4,769]

48 minutes ago, bc.gold said:

I knew they were coming but does this mean that Super Caps are almost here?

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

Finally picked up a generator. Budget was tight but wanted something on diesel. So I bought me a used Hatz diesel generator with 2,2 KW continuous power.  

 

Like this one:

 

It's a small one, I know. But it is a size that is pretty easy to transport and uses like 1 gallon for every 20hours. Good thing about diesel is it is easy (safe) to store. And they start every single time due to the direct injection and the  no-need of a carb that gets bad from sitting.

 

Gone do a maintenance on it tomorrow. 

 

We have had one power outage in the last 15 years. That one lasted about 1 hour so only contractors have a generator here. 

Edited May 26, 2021 by Maxwell-8

[DennisThornton 4,769]

3 hours ago, Maxwell-8 said:

Finally picked up a generator. Budget was tight but wanted something on diesel. So I bought me a used Hatz diesel generator with 2,2 KW continuous power.  

 

Like this one:

 

It's a small one, I know. But it is a size that is pretty easy to transport and uses like 1 gallon for every 20hours. Good thing about diesel is it is easy (safe) to store. And they start every single time due to the direct injection and the  no-need of a carb that gets bad from sitting.

 

Gone do a maintenance on it tomorrow. 

 

We have had one power outage in the last 15 years. That one lasted about 1 hour so only contractors have a generator here. 

I have gen/sets from little 2cycles to a 4cyl but NO diesel!  Yet!  I came so close to having a nice one but I was in second place...

 

Diesel for a backup!  And small means hand crank for even more dependability!  

 

I think you did good!  Would love to have it!

 

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

3 minutes ago, DennisThornton said:

And small means hand crank for even more dependability!  

It is hand started and has internal decomp. works great. Starts very easy. Way better then the chinees yanamar clones. 

 

4 minutes ago, DennisThornton said:

I think you did good!  Would love to have it!

Thanks!.  Just a (bit/ more a lot) better prepared.  

 

Do those small 2 cylces work well? Seems good for when you go camping or go to a show.

 

I Would love to go bigger once time is ready, would be cool to do some welding with a generator. your 4 cilinders wouldn't have any problem with that.

[DennisThornton 4,769]

2 minutes ago, Maxwell-8 said:

It is hand started and has internal decomp. works great. Starts very easy. Way better then the chinees yanamar clones. 

 

Thanks!.  Just a (bit/ more a lot) better prepared.  

 

Do those small 2 cylces work well? Seems good for when you go camping or go to a show.

 

I Would love to go bigger once time is ready, would be cool to do some welding with a generator. your 4 cilinders wouldn't have any problem with that.

2 cycle advantage is it's small and light weight.  I forget how many watts but I think only 900 so it has limited use.  I have a MUCH better 2000w inverter that will run most appliances and tools, quiet, sips gas and can be carried with one hand, but maybe not very far...  Gen/sets are sort of like WHs in that you need more than just one.  I'd like 2 more, a BIG PTO driven and diesel powered, maybe like yours or maybe bigger, but maybe not.  Actually, the PTO would be diesel powered as well.

 

But, busy putting in the garden right now.  8ft fence, some sort or small shed, some water piping and maybe a couple of AC outlets so if I either run an extension or drag a gen/set I can have some handy power.  Just bought a cookbook for not only cooking but storing food off-grid.  I find all that interesting, bring back fond memories and one never knows...  I'm listening to the TV right now about power outages across 3 states!  At least the lights and one fridge won't notice.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Another thought is bio gas. Basically a septic type system to put pretty much any biodegradeable material in and generate flammable methane.might even be easier than wood gas for a fixed system if ya had enough mass to put in it and enough storage.

[DennisThornton 4,769]

2 minutes ago, Wheel Horse 3D said:

Another thought is bio gas. Basically a septic type system to put pretty much any biodegradeable material in and generate flammable methane.might even be easier than wood gas for a fixed system if ya had enough mass to put in it and enough storage.

I've read about dairy farms adding a plastic "lid" over their digest ponds and collecting the methane.  Not sure how to do that on a small scale and collect a usable amount.  I have 40 acres of woods, 4WD tractor w/FEL, wagons, chainsaws, sawmill and about whatever I need to manipulate wood and decades of history using it.  Or course propane is easier when available and I have a few hundred gallons, but what if that runs out...

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Seems the first I ever heard of this type of system was decades ago on some documentary about monks on an island over in the UK. They raised cattle of some sort and as part of their chores, they cllected cow chips and fed them into a big tank, and heated and lit the monastery that way. Thought it was cool even as a youngster.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

In india, they use 50 and 30 gal plastic drums, 

One as a digester that they feed the biomass into, and another big drum full of water with a small drum inverted into it and a weight on top as the capture/storage. The qeight pushes down on the little drum giving them a pressure to work with.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Biggeat thing i gather is keeping the microbes warm and happy. Gets too cold and they slow down.so youd need a greenhouse type deal to keep it goin in the winter. But otherwise, only by product is a liquid fertilizer.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Dunno why ya couldnt scale a system like that.

Have a couple digestion drums, and multiple storage drums. Weight calculated for the surface area applied to for any psi you wanted.

[DennisThornton 4,769]

3 minutes ago, Wheel Horse 3D said:

In india, they use 50 and 30 gal plastic drums, 

One as a digester that they feed the biomass into, and another big drum full of water with a small drum inverted into it and a weight on top as the capture/storage. The qeight pushes down on the little drum giving them a pressure to work with.

Maybe some a few candle power at night?  Neat but worth the effort?

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

I think a small system like that they mostly used for cooking. I recall somewhere those cube totes being used with some simple fittings, and some family in the UK  using it to get off grid for heat and cooking.

[DennisThornton 4,769]

Lots of dead wood around here cooking (rocket stove?) and heating.  Making and storing electricity is higher on my list.  BIG Biolite?  A panel to mount on my woodstove?  Or something to just throw in a fire with a USB cord out?

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

1 hour of cooking with 1 liter of biomass. Not bad.

"Backyard Biogas 101: We Answer 9 Important Questions | Modern Farmer" https://modernfarmer.com/2018/06/backyard-biogas-101-we-answer-9-important-questions/#:~:text=A home biogas digester is,released as organic waste decomposes.&text=Biogas digesters – a simple form,have been around for centuries.