myrrph
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Post by myrrph on Jun 9, 2014 17:27:12 GMT 10
I was reading another forum and came across this idea. Rather, thought about this technology. Using steam to generate electricity with a car alternator. This technology is low tech enough to run with if we're struck with an EMP, could possibly charge Battery powered vehicles or even drive the vehicles themselves. Now, I'm doing some research but I know when I post it here, my research will double or even triple with all your help  Will post some research here later |
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overlord
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Post by overlord on Jun 9, 2014 19:10:21 GMT 10
That would be kind of tricky because the amount of revs that you would need to consistenly provide a decent voltage and amperage would be quite high.
A high-pressure steam set-up would be required aside from the increasing gear-ratios to get the alternator up to speed.
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myrrph
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Post by myrrph on Jun 9, 2014 19:32:59 GMT 10
yeah i understand that. just that i reckoned with peltier, diesel gennie, solar, and steam, one would be set up for electrical generation.
multiple redundancies FTW!
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Post by graynomad on Jun 9, 2014 22:03:52 GMT 10
Dunno if you are talking about same thread I'm thinking of but I made reference to Stirling engines for power generation. I think they are lower tech than steam (certainly lower pressures involved). It seems to me that any rotary power source could be used to drive an alternator and from there you can either charge batteries or drive an inverter.
Most parts of a solar system are extremely reliable, yes high tech but reliable and it's also easy to have redundant units on hand. The week link is the batteries and once they fail you won't get new ones. Now the solar panels can drive an inverter directly but of course only during the day and when there's enough light. A Stirling engine (or other device) could pick up the slack. In my case the "other device" at present is a generator, but lack of fuel would be a problem. Maybe a diesel gennie and bio fuel is an answer.
Ideally I'd like to look into more long-lasting batteries as that gives a system with no noise or moving parts, but I want to start researching other forms of "generators" as well.
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shinester
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Post by shinester on Jun 13, 2014 1:20:54 GMT 10
Not sure on the small scale, though on a larger scale, such as power stations and on nuclear power ships/stations steam drives a turbine. I'm just spit-balling ideas here, though I'm thinking 'turbo'. There's a whole bunch of steam powered generators on youtube of various shapes and sizes, a lazy linky here. |
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myrrph
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Post by myrrph on Jun 13, 2014 10:40:01 GMT 10
shinester always has such nice links! lol
yeah I know small scale doesn't have economies to justify it. Was looking at one which prolly about 1 oil drum in size there abouts.
Would it be sufficient, with a car alternator to produce power?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2014 10:42:23 GMT 10
There is a guy in SA that makes Steam engines and I rang him to see what the cost was to run a 10KVA Gen set, but he said the ones he makes would only drive a 1-2KVA... The one to drive a 10KVA would be huge and not financially viable! So back to a wood gasifier plans...LOL
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Post by graynomad on Jun 13, 2014 11:51:28 GMT 10
I reckon 2KVA is enough, that's all I use now to backup the solar. Do you have a link to the SA guy?
That said I also have a 7.5Kva for welding etc and it would be nice to cover that as well, but I could live with 1-2Kva.
Also as I already have petrol gennies maybe the gasifier is a good option. I'm certainly looking for ideas to reduce my dependency on petrol.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2014 14:52:09 GMT 10
I reckon 2KVA is enough, that's all I use now to backup the solar. Do you have a link to the SA guy? That said I also have a 7.5Kva for welding etc and it would be nice to cover that as well, but I could live with 1-2Kva. Also as I already have petrol gennies maybe the gasifier is a good option. I'm certainly looking for ideas to reduce my dependency on petrol. |
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overlord
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Post by overlord on Jun 13, 2014 15:10:06 GMT 10
2KVA (with a Power Factor of 0.7) would give you about 1.4KW of power which is good enough to run everyday items.
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Post by graynomad on Jun 14, 2014 9:51:20 GMT 10
Thanks for the link Gaz, they look pretty nice but I'm still unsure as to exactly what you need. They have a 1KW model that looks nice and small but then there's a photo of a huge boiler and I gather you need that as well. If so I'm still leaning towards a Stirling engine I think.
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