Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2013 13:11:32 GMT 10
I thought I should start a Q & A post for Prepper DIY projects for Life After Power! Feel free to add anything you know or learn to the other tread, and we can use this one to discuss them! Thanks Gary.  |
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Big Ted
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SO TIRED
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Post by Big Ted on Nov 19, 2013 15:03:14 GMT 10
I won't be going without power at all hence having an APPALLING Attitude towards what I will do to secure my Amps & Volts & not having any sort of plan to survive without it! POWER POWER POWER!! I love my freezer and aircons! Backups for the backups I say!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2013 16:46:50 GMT 10
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Post by graynomad on Jun 13, 2014 22:19:57 GMT 10
I'm with Nate here mostly. I have power well under control and can do pretty much what I like off grid. I do need a genset for some things (welding etc) and I am starting to collect old-style non-power hand tools, but my focus right now is to add redundancy to my solar and likewise with the gensets.
Petrol (or lack of) is the biggest threat to the high-power generation.
All that said I would like to have the basics sorted so we can at least live without power, for example I was pricing a wood stove today.
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Post by thereth on Jul 31, 2014 22:48:15 GMT 10
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Post by graynomad on Aug 1, 2014 23:06:49 GMT 10
I read recently that wood gas will damage your engine. Dunno if that's the case or not though.
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arklatex
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Post by arklatex on Aug 2, 2014 1:43:46 GMT 10
Has anybody looked into thermoelectric generation? I'm just starting to learn but it seems like a good small scale source of electricity. And not too pricey! It is being implemented in 3rd world countries now. Google teg power. I am thinking of running a few experiments hooking up to the wood stove.
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Post by graynomad on Aug 2, 2014 9:30:56 GMT 10
I think we talked about using peltier junctions/modules before, no reason it won't work and it appears that's what those TEG guys are using. I've got a few somewhere and plan to have a play when I've done everything else, which won't be for some time. Yes I reckon a large panel of them placed against the stove side might work well. As I now have a slow-combustion stove with nice flat sides that would be a good option for me. The modules are readily available, here's one link peltiermodules.com/?gclid=CjwKEAjw9eyeBRCqxc_b-LD8kTESJADsBMxSTBQFj4Kg2SDsreBKU3Odj9E8feTCDo9Ij_6-X32nGxoCTKTw_wcB |
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Post by You Must Enter A Name on Aug 2, 2014 10:53:19 GMT 10
I think we talked about using peltier junctions/modules before, no reason it won't work and it appears that's what those TEG guys are using. I've got a few somewhere and plan to have a play when I've done everything else, which won't be for some time. Yes I reckon a large panel of them placed against the stove side might work well. As I now have a slow-combustion stove with nice flat sides that would be a good option for me. The modules are readily available, here's one link peltiermodules.com/?gclid=CjwKEAjw9eyeBRCqxc_b-LD8kTESJADsBMxSTBQFj4Kg2SDsreBKU3Odj9E8feTCDo9Ij_6-X32nGxoCTKTw_wcBAhhh peltiers, these things are great and such a simple concept. I wouldn't mount them directly too your burner though as heat saturation will halt the effect, you want one side warmer than the other so a little distance on one side and ideally a heat-sink with a draft running through it on the other side. |
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Post by graynomad on Aug 2, 2014 11:53:31 GMT 10
Yeah, I have in mind a panel mounted maybe 1" or so from the stove side (would need to measure temps and experiment with this), then heat sinks on the other side with a couple of muffin fans. Something like that but it's just a glimmer of an idea at present, I'm too busy doing other stuff and good as this would be it's just a fun project to start with, not essential. I can see it generating some useful power though, probably run the output through a solar regulator or similar and from there to the batteries.
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Post by You Must Enter A Name on Aug 2, 2014 11:56:33 GMT 10
Sounds like a plan, fans my chew through too many precious milliamps though, you want things to be as passive as possible |
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Post by pheniox17 on Aug 2, 2014 12:42:18 GMT 10
I have seen some expensive versions that are more a camping stove with USB output (good for small devices like phones and gaming (the Sony PSP platform is bloody awesome, and getting super cheap, but you need the one with wifi so multiplayer capacity, just throwing it out there, you can get movies for it too)
Shtf power, im behind the ball here in been setup but i do have some ability to generate power.. And is one of my next major projects (a ammo can power supply)
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Post by graynomad on Aug 2, 2014 22:20:19 GMT 10
I have a good solar setup but am looking for backups, a peltier arrangement could be good and also I'm looking into using a Stirling engine to drive an alternator.
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Frank
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Post by Frank on Aug 2, 2014 22:44:51 GMT 10
Post SHTF (and even for medium/long term disasters) I am admittedly abit screwed power wise at the moment. That will be changing with a bit more time, cash and knowledge so its interesting to see what others have or are using.
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Post by pheniox17 on Aug 2, 2014 23:14:02 GMT 10
Frank when I get my ammo can done I will provide a full costing and parts list
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Post by graynomad on Aug 3, 2014 9:41:16 GMT 10
my next major projects (a ammo can power supply) Now this I gotta see. Do you take the ammo out first, if not you would get a lot of power albeit for a very short period |
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Post by You Must Enter A Name on Aug 3, 2014 10:10:10 GMT 10
HASHAH nice one Graynomad, I'd hate to see that.
Pheniox I would love that mate.
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Post by pheniox17 on Aug 3, 2014 10:55:29 GMT 10
my next major projects (a ammo can power supply) Now this I gotta see. Do you take the ammo out first, if not you would get a lot of power albeit for a very short period I know you're been silly but just for my benefit.. Empty ammo can, with some decent amp hour batteries and solar/alt possible input, 12vdc output, its simply a protected power cell, that (early model) will power and charge small devices (PSP  ) and provide a light source and power to a 12v cooler, and hopefully a 12v super small wacol fridge (looks like a centre console idea for 4wd) Design phase: input plug (thinking Anderson plug) Output plugs, USB, car and marine plug, and maybe 1 240vac inverter (allows to power a small TV ect for short periods of time) Hopefully I get 2 of these little devices built before we have a "blackout" event  |
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Post by graynomad on Aug 3, 2014 11:51:53 GMT 10
Yeah I'm just kidding. That all sounds good, I use ammo cans on my 4x4, they only held 2 rounds each in their day but still a pretty good size. Of course the rounds were 25-pounders You will need a 5v regulator for the USB output or you will blow up everything you plug into it. Re the TV, we lived for years with a 5" 12v LCD TV, pretty crap but you can watch things and I assume this is mostly just to keep up with events, not to watch Lord of the Rings. If that's all the inverter is for maybe look at a DC tele instead. |
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Post by You Must Enter A Name on Aug 3, 2014 12:18:10 GMT 10
Phen add a 12v cigar lighter socket to it, then you can plug in a million and one different USB systems. When you say it is "Protected" from what? is this a primative Faraday? |
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) and provide a light source and power to a 12v cooler, and hopefully a 12v super small wacol fridge (looks like a centre console idea for 4wd) 