Solar / wind combo generator.

[Robin]

I am pretty much ignorant about modern tech beyond the flintlock era, but I am interested in something like this. I don't want to power the whole house, just be able to charge battery's, and run an appliance like a refrigerator. I know there is a lot of cheap junk out there and I'm hoping someone might have some experience in these things.
Next on the list is water filtration, hah!
Robin

 

[fnfalguy]

No answer but glad to see you are alive @Robin

 

[SomeSoldier]

I am pretty much ignorant about modern tech beyond the flintlock era, but I am interested in something like this. I don't want to power the whole house, just be able to charge battery's, and run an appliance like a refrigerator. I know there is a lot of cheap junk out there and I'm hoping someone might have some experience in these things.
Next on the list is water filtration, hah!
Robin

There are a ton of calculators out there to estimate how many panels and batteries you would need for x amount of light and x amount of run time.

Last time I checked to run the whole house off solar and battery for 17hr backup in FL, was 130k. But this was a high-end setup.

 

[Jmac00]

If you call someplace like Arizona Wind and Solar, tell them the wattage you want to power, they will do all the calculations for you, AND send you a parts list. If you want inexpensive panels, SANTAN SOLAR is the place to go.

NOW!! some of the very best solar equipment is made by a German company, Victron. But, if you're looking for a grid-tie in system, Xantrex or Morningstar are excellent choices. Also check with the local power company, they may NOT let you tie in a battery backup bank. You would have to do that after the install and you got a master electrician to sign off on it. However some place will allow a battery bank? it all depends on how big a dick the municipality wants to be.

A word on small wind generators ---NO! don't bother.
I know of several people that have tried small wind generators, and two things happen.
1) in a strong wind, the blades literally tear off and land somewhere in the next county??
2) there isn't enough wind to generate any power. Why? Because the WG people will tell you "it spins at just a 2mph breeze" what they DON'T tell you is, the **cut in speed** (the wind speed necessary to create power) is 7 or 8 mph and up. that little fan maybe spinning, but thats all its doing. Its not generating shit!!

MOST !!! small wind generators do not have an electric brake. You need some kind of brake to keep the blades from over spinning and tearing the blades off in 60mph+ wind

I have 1500 watts of solar on the Escape Pod, 606Ah of Lithium ion phosphate batteries ( don't just say "lithium batteries". The anal solar people will go bat-shit crazy ) into a Victron Multiplus-II 12/3000/120-50 2x120v Inverter charger

At the hunting camp I have 606Watts of solar, into a 120v/12v Morningstar MPPT charge controller and four 6v batteries in a series/parallel circuit. The camp is completely off grid.

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[Jmac00]

There are a ton of calculators out there to estimate how many panels and batteries you would need for x amount of light and x amount of run time.

Last time I checked to run the whole house off solar and battery for 17hr backup in FL, was 130k. But this was a high-end setup.

that would also run your washer and dryer, and microwave and probably your a/c, all at the same time, THAT system is going to cost over $50K

 

[SomeSoldier]

that would also run your washer and dryer, and microwave and probably your a/c, all at the same time, THAT system is going to cost over $50K

Yes, run the whole house, no need for power grid.

 

[camper4lyfe]

Holy shit he's alive!