Living offgrid with small solar system(s)

[IMHO]

IMHO. The model I use isn't a like woodpecker. If I drain the solar plate then refill, the air just rushes out till the device is full then a few drops hit the roof.

Sorry, I should clarify - when hot water hasn't been used for a couple of weeks already (as is sometimes the case with my guest house system), gas pressure builds up and gets released by the valve - that's when it sounds like a woodpecker

[George Harmony]

Nothing to do with solar heaters or systems but perhaps a little bit about living as much as possible offgrid, some fruit trees planted by nabors while i was abroad.

Life can be wonderful ...

[Naam]

Nothing to do with solar heaters or systems but perhaps a little bit about living as much as possible offgrid, some fruit trees planted by nabors while i was abroad.

Life can be wonderful ...

one can clearly see and feel that off-grid grown fruit looks and tastes much better than fruit grown on-grid.

what next? off-grid 12V DC sex better than 3-phase AC sex? a 12V Lamborghini PV-charged? a photovoltaic housemaid? a self-cooling PV beer bottle? a raving and ranting 12V Kaaskop?

[George Harmony]

Hahahhaha @naam

How abt next a solar powered trike to go shopping short distances.

[Naam]

Hahahhaha @naam

How abt next a solar powered trike to go shopping short distances.

with afterburner?

[Jing Joe]

@Naam Hi. Not sure of your application. Were you referring to a non return valve? = "check valve" ?

I have 8psi header tank and when steam/air accumulates in the head of the solar plates, the float in the air release device at that head, sinks to release air via a needle valve till it floats and seals when refilled.

There is no pressure buildup in my case needing to force against an adjustable spring, its always at 8psi.

Have and open mind to use your method if possible because they cost about AUD$70.

non return valve? = "check valve" ?

yes! any additional explanation on top what i wrote required? the continous pressure in your system should be sufficient to release air only and close when water rises to the valve.

what you have to make sure is that the valve is mounted at the highest piping point. if your storage water temp is 80ºC or more then a green coloured check valve should be used. they are slightly more expensive.

i also experimented with tiny vacbreaker-valves (another penny item) used in Germany to evacuate air from hot water radiators. but the amount of released air was by far too small.

Danke Naam. Ah Ha; misunderstanding; The usual concept of a non-return-valve (above) has a spring keeping it closed to water and air in only one direction.. (rather like a diode eh?) I use one to stop night time reverse cycling of my hot water system. Took out the spring and have a brass doughnut shaped gravity weight instead. It got blocked once in winter and the birds loved to sleep on the collectors. The "check-valve" design you mentioned allows air both ways and water only one way because conversely the spring holds it open -- sounds like very good design thanks. I would guess there is a round disc in there of a suitably large diameter that would just allow a certain volume of air through a gap. Its not really a pressure thing at all until the inrush of water starts and the relative higher density/viscosity then pressurizes the disc and associated neoprene seal forward, shutting it, opposed by the calculated spring pressure A very different approach but very clever. Your excellent picture of it mounted on the radiator thanks.

The actual water pressure at the top of my solar collector plate would only be about half that of the 8psi header tank because of elevation on the roof so what an interesting spring compromise needed to make one work, An informative learning experience thanks.

Like I quoted "you can learn something every day and if you don't then you are not paying enough attention".

[Jing Joe]

Nothing to do with solar heaters or systems but perhaps a little bit about living as much as possible offgrid, some fruit trees planted by nabors while i was abroad.

Life can be wonderful ...

one can clearly see and feel that off-grid grown fruit looks and tastes much better than fruit grown on-grid.

what next? off-grid 12V DC sex better than 3-phase AC sex? a 12V Lamborghini PV-charged? a photovoltaic housemaid? a self-cooling PV beer bottle? a raving and ranting 12V Kaaskop?

To think I imagined this topic would fade with George having learnt and shared as much as we could.

Naam your imagination is boundless.

[Jing Joe]

Hahahhaha @naam

How abt next a solar powered trike to go shopping short distances.

Not so out of the question.

Battery electric bikes here is Oz are now up around the 1 kw and authorities are getting concerned to limit them to 250W

BTW my 12v electric tuk-tuk (work-horse/mini tractor from an old petrol ride-on mower) just for home use will be recharged by its roof panel.

The motor could yet be an older auto larger starter motor with different field windings. May buy a motor though.

Edited March 14, 2016 by Jing Joe

[Naam]

Its not really a pressure thing at all until the inrush of water starts and the relative higher density/viscosity then pressurizes the disc and associated neoprene seal forward, shutting it, opposed by the calculated spring pressure

ladies and gentlemen... we have a winner!

[Naam]

The usual concept of a non-return-valve (above) has a spring keeping it closed to water and air in only one direction.

i was breaking my head for some time how to solve a problem that bothered me. to heat my pool (indoor never any sun) i installed 48m² (300% overkill) of solar panels.

initially my pool pump was running dry for several minutes pumping air. that problem i solved with a bypass giving the pump an ample amount of water while filling the panels but the noise and splashing of water in the pool area (our alternate living room) mixed with air was still bothering me and also my dogs.

that's when i thought of a solution which we called in Africa "n-word rigging" and came up with the ½" 50 Baht check valve.

Edited March 14, 2016 by Naam

[George Harmony]

Nothing to do with solar heaters or systems but perhaps a little bit about living as much as possible offgrid, some fruit trees planted by nabors while i was abroad.

Life can be wonderful ...

one can clearly see and feel that off-grid grown fruit looks and tastes much better than fruit grown on-grid.

what next? off-grid 12V DC sex better than 3-phase AC sex? a 12V Lamborghini PV-charged? a photovoltaic housemaid? a self-cooling PV beer bottle? a raving and ranting 12V Kaaskop?

@naam, i like tasty food like indonesian dishes and not so much "kaas". Such dishes is usually in combination with cooked rice. Since you detest solar power, its perhaps beyond your immagination that you can cook electric with only a 50wp panel using also super capacitors.

Enjoy the this vid

[Muhendis]

what next? off-grid 12V DC sex better than 3-phase AC sex? a 12V Lamborghini PV-charged? a photovoltaic housemaid? a self-cooling PV beer bottle? a raving and ranting 12V Kaaskop?

What a brilliant idea. A peltier effect jacket would be the solution. Just imagine those instead of the foam rubber things you get from the beach bars. Powered by umbrella's/sun shades with flexible solar material..........

[George Harmony]

Like this one....great .....

[George Harmony]

Talking also about lamborghini who was in indonesian hands before. Now indonesia developped an electrical car with a reasonable sportslook. Ofcourse this car can be charged by pv panels @naam

http://www.retailnews.id/car-industry-interested-in-developing-indonesian-electric-car/

[Naam]

@naam, i like tasty food like indonesian dishes and not so much "kaas". Such dishes is usually in combination with cooked rice. Since you detest solar power, its perhaps beyond your immagination that you can cook electric with only a 50wp panel using also super capacitors.

Enjoy the this vid https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7F-F8tnUSsM

Ge@rge,

-i don't care too much about Indonesian dishes. for my taste they are not spicy enough and they contain too much rice and not enough protein.

-i do not detest solar power but i am a poor man who can't even afford a photovoltaic system that can supply power or starting amps to 10% of the electric gadgets in my home and garden.

-once i win the lotterie jackpot making me as rich as you are, i might consider changing to PV from grid.

-my imagination is huge but i'm not interested how rice is cooked with super capacitors. asking our cook what she thinks about cooking rice with super capacitors her answer was "i never heard of this Farang dish but i can check on youtube where i found quite some recipes for food you like."

-when i asked my wife about capacitor cooking she answered with the question "it's only 16.40hrs and you went after the portwine bottle!?"

[Naam]

Talking also about lamborghini who was in indonesian hands before. Now indonesia developped an electrical car with a reasonable sportslook. Ofcourse this car can be charged by pv panels @naam

yawnnnnn...

[IMHO]

Talking also about lamborghini who was in indonesian hands before. Now indonesia developped an electrical car with a reasonable sportslook. Ofcourse this car can be charged by pv panels @naam

http://www.retailnews.id/car-industry-interested-in-developing-indonesian-electric-car/

I imagine Bugatti's lawyers are watching that car with interest

[Naam]

Talking also about lamborghini who was in indonesian hands before. Now indonesia developped an electrical car with a reasonable sportslook. Ofcourse this car can be charged by pv panels @naam

http://www.retailnews.id/car-industry-interested-in-developing-indonesian-electric-car/

I imagine Bugatti's lawyers are watching that car with interest

most probably a concept car, all foam and froth powered by a 12V windshield wiper motor with 1/3 horsepower.

[George Harmony]

This one looks like a lamborghini, also made in indonesia.

At first glance, do not be surprised if someone expected Selo is the Lamborghini. But apparently, there is no part of Lamborghini that is attached to the Selo body. Tatar said, in the early stages where the chassis frame made by hand, not take away from the framework of other existing cars. Then the aerodynamic body was designed and built with a carbon fiber materials.

Electric engine that drives the car is fitted at the rear. This machine is capable of producing power of 130 kW that can drive this car with a power of 150 hp. Power from the engine is channeled to the rear wheels through a four speed automatic transmission system. As the car's mover, power derived from a battery with a total power of 650 volts. "Theres's one battery produces about 3.2 volts. So in one car, there are more than 100 units of the battery, stored in the back and the front," said Tatar. Until now, the car battery can last about 6 hours. Recharging the battery from empty to full, takes about 4 hours.

http://www.trussty.com/2013/12/the-next-indonesian-electric-sports-car.html?m=1

Whish i could afford it and charge with pv panels...wow.....

[Naam]

As the car's mover, power derived from a battery with a total power of 650 volts.

[Naam]

Until now, the car battery can last about 6 hours.

and that without supercapacitors!

[George Harmony]

i do not detest solar power but i am a poor man who can't even afford a photovoltaic system that can supply power or starting amps to 10% of the electric gadgets in my home and garden.

You made me curieus @naam. What kind of electric gadgets? Is it possible to posts some picts.

For a swimmig pool is this a solution:

[Naam]

i do not detest solar power but i am a poor man who can't even afford a photovoltaic system that can supply power or starting amps to 10% of the electric gadgets in my home and garden.

You made me curieus @naam. What kind of electric gadgets? Is it possible to posts some picts.

For a swimmig pool is this a solution:

for example... 19 aircons and 7 water pumps.

[Naam]

to make it simple George without too many confusing details. my electricity consumption during the "peak demand" four months is ~4,000 kWh per month. the other eight months around 3,000 kWh per month.

as you are an expert please tell me how many m² of PV-panels, inverters, battery banks and miscellaneous accessories i would need and how much would be the total cost.

[TheCruncher]

@naam, i like tasty food like indonesian dishes and not so much "kaas". Such dishes is usually in combination with cooked rice. Since you detest solar power, its perhaps beyond your immagination that you can cook electric with only a 50wp panel using also super capacitors.

Enjoy the this vid https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7F-F8tnUSsM

Ge@rge,

-i don't care too much about Indonesian dishes. for my taste they are not spicy enough and they contain too much rice and not enough protein.

-i do not detest solar power but i am a poor man who can't even afford a photovoltaic system that can supply power or starting amps to 10% of the electric gadgets in my home and garden.

-once i win the lotterie jackpot making me as rich as you are, i might consider changing to PV from grid.

-my imagination is huge but i'm not interested how rice is cooked with super capacitors. asking our cook what she thinks about cooking rice with super capacitors her answer was "i never heard of this Farang dish but i can check on youtube where i found quite some recipes for food you like."

-when i asked my wife about capacitor cooking she answered with the question "it's only 16.40hrs and you went after the portwine bottle!?"

Sounds as if the purpose of super capacitors goes way over your head, same as the purpose of a 50 Baht check valve went over your head for years.

[TheCruncher]

As the car's mover, power derived from a battery with a total power of 650 volts.

What's so funny about that, never heard about batteries in series?

[Naam]

Sounds as if the purpose of super capacitors goes way over your head, same as the purpose of a 50 Baht check valve went over your head for years.

quite right you are because the 50 Baht check valve is mounted approximately 8 meters above my head. not since years (plural) but only one year (singular).

no super capacitors anywhere over my head as rice is cooked in our kitchen the conventional way which is (i believe but i'm not sure) a ricecooker.

is there any other (not so) intelligent technical input or judgment that we can inspect from you? don't hesitate, we are all friends here. büllshit amuses us.

[Naam]

As the car's mover, power derived from a battery with a total power of 650 volts.

What's so funny about that, never heard about batteries in series?

you must be a renowned electrical eggsburt to accept the layman's statement "power of volts".

note: voltage is not power. case closed!

[George Harmony]

19 aircons and 7 water pumps.

Aircons i can imagine if you have many rooms. But, 7 waterpumps??????

Do you have a guesthouse??

I shall look up a quotation from a solar company for a house of a fam member of mine in jakarta who has 9 bedrooms and 12 aircons. If ill find it i will post it here.

[Naam]

a free lesson on "voltage and power":

a car ignition coil produces up to 30,000 volts. that's enough to generate a spark to initiate combustion in a motor but not enough to propel a vehicle.