Posts by withaveeay@mastodon.social
(DIR) Post #AE5esAyGBRLKRHvkBs by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2021-12-05T10:03:40Z
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@fitheach I meant to add that it may come as a surprise how much sun power we actually get. We get most of our off-grid power from the Sun, over the year. The only exceptions on the 6 weeks either side of the winter solstice. By the beginning of February, we no longer depend on the small wind turbine (and when there is no wind for several days, a small generator) to top up the batteries.
(DIR) Post #AE7XhPDcYl6k4yx744 by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2021-12-06T07:52:43Z
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@fitheach It's hard to say exactly, but during the 3 winter months, less than a quarter or so comes from the sun, and during the depths of winter, we say we get nothing. But for a good 6 months of the year, we don't need wind power at all. The remaining 3 months, the combo of wind & sun works.I only measure input on a weekly basis & don't keep records. Perhaps I should.Part of the reason for not being exact is that input is different between solar and wind. 2/..
(DIR) Post #AE7Xty7Wcc6Fnf5kDQ by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2021-12-06T07:55:00Z
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@fitheach 2. Solar output is managed by a controller, so as the batteries approach full charge, the output is curtailed. The wind charger puts all its output into the battery bank, and the excess is then managed by a different controller - the charger needs the battery bank to absorb all output.So you can't really compare total output directly.
(DIR) Post #AEAiQJxx50dzsPXtEu by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2021-12-07T20:37:01Z
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@fitheach All electrical power yes. The DC runs through an inverter, and it's "normal" 230v in the house. Heating is solid fuel, cooking propane.I do know one off-grid person whose system is large enough to cook and even heat the house with his turbines and solar panels, and a monumental battery bank.
(DIR) Post #AEAjZqWfUZ1FQ5tDwe by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2021-12-07T20:49:57Z
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@fitheach We run a 24v system, although we should have gone for 48v. Losses aren't high - inverters can be up to 94% efficient.There are some things I'd now do differently if we were starting again, like 48v, but yes, I'm happy. I'd like a little more wind power for winter.Some blog entries here: https://www.vasten.co.uk/blog/index.php?category/Off-grid-power
(DIR) Post #AEAjg7fef0LQKc5OSW by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2021-12-07T20:51:01Z
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@fitheach Oh, "is it cheaper". Not cheaper than metred 'lexxy, but 4x cheaper than the extortionate amount SSSPD wanted to connect the house.
(DIR) Post #AEC205Ix9ymn7M5zQe by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2021-12-08T11:51:05Z
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@fitheach Again, re "Is it cheaper?"This in this morning: "Shocking: UK electricity tariffs are among world's most expensive"https://www.theregister.com/2021/12/07/uk_tariffs/
(DIR) Post #AEEq4p3IOjTwBR91KS by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2021-12-09T20:21:38Z
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@JonathanMBR Tick-tock for wildebeest?
(DIR) Post #AEdTF2TYJuKBr9Otwe by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2021-12-21T17:33:32Z
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@JonathanMBR Happy Solstice from 58°N. Today we had just 6.5 hours of daylight:Sunrise - Sunset: 09:05 - 15:33
(DIR) Post #AEdVb3FOKd8CWpOvFA by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2021-12-21T15:13:47Z
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Would Madam like some diesel with her view, or a view with some diesel?Lochinver, this afternoon.
(DIR) Post #AHHc3zXebtSddjwm1Y by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-03-10T21:59:12Z
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The moon tonight - Lumix TZ80 - 720mm, slight crop
(DIR) Post #AHuq4jeExAzBxhS59E by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-03-29T16:16:25Z
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The first lamb in Assynt (that we know about anyway.) We saw it the day before, and it was so small, and the mother looked so disinterested, that we did not think it would survive.
(DIR) Post #AI2Bq5N3Sqpw5XYKoq by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-04-02T09:19:55Z
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Morning yoga - this is the Buried Beak pose
(DIR) Post #AIEWyWwTsz7lXZ9ybI by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-04-08T07:59:28Z
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Offgrid battery replacement: Today's required preparation.I need to build a new platform to raise the battery bank from the floor. The old one is sized for the old bank. It'll be easier to make a new one, and take all the old stuff out.The platform helps to insulate the batteries thermally, and makes maintenance easier, though that will be less of a problem with the new, tall batteries.
(DIR) Post #AIEWyXjOx6FvzI32qu by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-04-08T08:05:15Z
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But the biggest problem will be my DIY busbar, a length of copper pipe, to which the various inputs, outputs and management systems (ammeters, voltmeters etc) are attached.The new battery bank will not need quite as, er, serious, a structure, but I can't yet envisage how the new batteries will fit in the shed. So there is little I can do as preparation to replace or re-do this lot. I know it looks a mess, but eventually, needs must, and connections must be connected.
(DIR) Post #AIEWyYt0erXHZNYET2 by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-04-08T08:01:46Z
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I may also have to relocate some of the control units. The top switch in the picture is the electrical brake and isolator for the wind charger. Below that is a battery desulphator, a thing I thought was a gimmick, but 14 years experience suggests it really does work.
(DIR) Post #AIEa4ni8kju19D8LnU by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-04-08T08:50:42Z
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@fitheach It's not the whole system we're replacing, just the batteries. Batteries have a finite life and the capacity falls away over time. We're a year away from absolutey having to replace the existing bank, but the way prices are going, we decided it made financial sense to bring the purchase forward. Re all the additional changes, that's just because these are very different to the existing bank.
(DIR) Post #AIEabACefAF2Akq2rY by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-04-08T08:56:36Z
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@fitheach Yes,
(DIR) Post #AIEb2bmyCwzjXxuZ7o by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-04-08T09:01:32Z
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@fitheach In order:Wind, solar.Dunno, we're off-grid.Plenty.More in-depth answers probably on my blog: https://www.vasten.co.uk/blog/index.php?category/Off-grid-power
(DIR) Post #AIEbDvPrZfcxbaV1ZQ by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-04-08T09:03:36Z
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@fitheach Re your question 2, in all the years we've been off grid, we've not yet spent the capital SSEPD wanted to connect us to the grid, years ago, so would be higher now. No idea re ongoing costs.