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Ways to Survival or Self Efficiency

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Using Batteries and Inverters Submitted By Malcolm Moran Living off of the grid in Giles County I decided to try out a battery system for my back up energy supply. The storage batteries that were used initially were marine - type batteries, half way between a deep-cycle battery and a car battery. They only lasted 3 years and were a mistake. Initially, the only source of power was the wind turbine. When the wind didnt blow, the batteries discharged and were charged 3 times weekly via a diesel generator. This charge/discharge cycle was no good for the batteries, hence their short life. Things improved when the water turbine was installed. It supplied continuous power for about 8 months of the year (Sept - May) when there was sufficient water in the stream . This coincided with the greatest power demand. However, the damage to the batteries was done. I eventually acquired a full set of storage batteries (Plante cells) that were removed from a telephone exchange and sold to me as scrap. These batteries were made by Tungstone (now part of the Hawker group). They are type YCP25 with an advertised rating (when new) of 300Ah. Each cell has a nominal voltage of 2 volt. There are 12 cells in each bank and 3 banks in all. The total theoretical capacity is 900Ah at 24 volts. Because they have an almost continuous charge from the water turbine of about 10 amps, they do not suffer much from deep dicharge/charge cycles. Even in the summer when the water turbine is not running, I tend to give them a charge from the diesel generator every 3 days or so. These batteries are advertised to last 25 years. Some are now 30 years old. I have lost a few but the remaining ones continue to be excellent. The power to the house is supplied at 24 Volts and 12 Volts DC and 240 Volts AC. The 24 Volts is taken straight from the battery via a fuse. The 12 volt supply is produced via a dc/dc converter, again fed via a fuse. The 240 volt AC supply is fed from 2 inverters. These inverters convert the 24 volt DC into 240 volt AC. Why 2 inverters? 'Dont put all your eggs in one basket' applies here - resiliance. If one fails you at least can still have some 240 volt AC. The inverters were made in the UK and are known as 'Powerverter'. One of the inverters is model PN24500A which can provide a continuous power output of 500 watts. This is a sine-wave inverter which is used to power the television and audio system. The other inverter is model PS2402KA which can provide a continuous power output of 2000 watt and an intermittent load of 4000 watt. This is a square-wave inverter which is used to power everything else in the house. This includes a fridge, iron, electiric blankets, vacuum cleaner etc. This inverter, being a square-wave type, is more efficient than the sine-wave version and it can cope with high motor input surges. The inverter will power the washing machine but because the washing machine is electronic, the square wave AC seems to have a strange effect on it. We usually run the washing machine when the diesel generator is run, a couple of times per week. The diesel is run under full load, with washing machine, iron and battery charger all running. However, some weeks, especially in the winter, the battery does not need a charge. Both of the inverters have a powersaver circuit which automatically switches the inverter off if the load is discontinued. However, some flourescent lights needed a high value resistor to be connected in parallel with the light in order for the inverter to detect the load. The inverters have proved almost faultless in operation since they were installed in 1991. The square-wave inverter developed a fault in 2001 which was promptly repaired by the manufacturer. Living with the Batteries Well, not literally ! They are in a seperate building/room which only houses the batteries. It turned out to be a good idea as 2 cells have exploded. This is not common and can be avoided. Do not heavily charge batteries when the electolyte is below the top of the plates. The hydrogen given off is just sitting there waiting for a spark, which can occur across the top of exposed plates, especially with old cells. Check electrolyte levels weekly - thats what I do now. The exploded cells were placed back into new cell cases, electoylte added and are now working. Update as of December 2004. I am now down to 3 strings of 12 cells, with one spare. The cells have sulphated one by one. Considering their age (30 years) its not surprising. I just hope they last until I retire ! Submitted By Malcolm Moran Questions or Comments? floydcountyinview@yahoo.com   Disclaimer Note: Reader contributed articles are published here as submitted and as entertainment information.  FCIV does not pay for any submitted material. Floyd County In View publishes pertinent reader contributed content if the content appears to be interesting without verifying the veracity of the content or viability of the information . Floyd County In View  accepts no responsibilty in confirming either the information submitted nor in the sources of the contributed content. If attempting any suggestions offered in these accounts you do so at your own risk. back to top return to back to the land page Floyd County In View's "Back to the Land" Series ©floydcountyinview.com    Questions or Comments? floydcountyinview@yahoo.com   Return To Previous Page   Back to top Back to Main Page     Copyright © 2000-2008 floydcountyinview.com

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