Living offgrid with small solar system(s)

[Muhendis]

I just found this.

www.espwaterproducts.com/about-reverse-osmosis/

[Naam]

AH (amp hours) are used to measure the storage and not the output power of a battery or a battery bank. 480 Ah means that i can draw 48 amps for 10 hours till the bank is completely drained. a "sm@ll @George sized b@ttery", capacity e.g. 12Ah, would be empty in 15 minutes.

i know, thats why i mentioned 12/24volt booster pumps so you dont need a lot ah. Especially when during the day with a relatively small solar panel you can run it free.

About water. Is it possible to filter rainwater to drinkable water?? If possible, is it a huge investment?

1. no, you did not know. the rubbish you posted pertaining to amp hours proves it.

2. that i was in charge constructing a desalination plant did not make me a water specialist. and whatever the treatment experts told me is long forgotten. after all that was nearly 40 years ago.

[Naam]

"Reverse Osmosis" is nothing more than a posh name for a filter and UV system which will clean and/or kill all unwanted substances in your water.

You mean it's got nothing to do with reverse pressurising an osmotic membrane?

Unless there is a bit of poetic license floating about I would say No. There are three filter elements in mine and they all have different grades of filtering material two of them rattle and the third is some sort of compressed paper element through which passes the water. Let us know if I'm missing something.

reverse osmosis decontaminates water but removes also all minerals. the result is "hungry" (corrosive) water. anybody who owns an aircon can test this claim by dropping a piece of cement plaster in a glass filled with a/c condenswater.

the World Health Organisation considers removal of all minerals unhealthy which matrches the information i got many rainy seasons ago.

personally i don't care. i am a German. Germans use water to have a shower, brush their teeth, do their laundry and extinguish fires. but we don't drink it!

[IMHO]

"Reverse Osmosis" is nothing more than a posh name for a filter and UV system which will clean and/or kill all unwanted substances in your water.

You mean it's got nothing to do with reverse pressurising an osmotic membrane?

Unless there is a bit of poetic license floating about I would say No. There are three filter elements in mine and they all have different grades of filtering material two of them rattle and the third is some sort of compressed paper element through which passes the water. Let us know if I'm missing something.

The regular 3-stage drinking water filters you see around Thailand are not reverse osmosis systems - the standard recipe is a sediment cartridge (usually ceramic), then into a carbon cartridge, then into a resin cartridge. Beyond 3 stages, they normally add a post carbon filter (or two) and/or a UV irradiation lamp.

There are actual RO filters available, but as Naam notes, you need a stage after them to add back in essential minerals.

It all depends on how good, or bad, your supply water is. If it's colorless and odorless, a 5-stage filter (with one post carbon + UV irradiation) produces pretty good drinking water. If your supply is particularly nasty, it's best to consult with an expert though.

I am not a fan of RO systems.

Edited March 16, 2016 by IMHO

[George Harmony]

1. no, you did not know. the rubbish you posted pertaining to amp hours proves it.

Pls read again the above carefully before you judge.

only perhaps supposed high tec idiots design a ups while 12/24 volts pressure/booster pump easily can put up the same desired pressure using a small battery and no need 430ah.

I thought i was clear.....perhaps you did not read thoroughly my dear chief project manager. I did not speak about your current pump. As an alternative a Watertank in combination with a 12 or 24v booster pump makes your ups with a battery or battery bank of 400+ah unnecessary and you can get your desired pressure. You then can use a battery with much more less AH Edited March 16, 2016 by George Harmony

[George Harmony]

Ive asked about filtering rainwater and this guy publish on youtube few videos + a vid with prices.

Interesting and NOT boring....btw he uses a powerful dc pump driven by a battery with 45AH .... Wonderful

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YpKayMx-edQ

[TheCruncher]

"Reverse Osmosis" is nothing more than a posh name for a filter and UV system which will clean and/or kill all unwanted substances in your water.

You mean it's got nothing to do with reverse pressurising an osmotic membrane?

Unless there is a bit of poetic license floating about I would say No. There are three filter elements in mine and they all have different grades of filtering material two of them rattle and the third is some sort of compressed paper element through which passes the water. Let us know if I'm missing something.

reverse osmosis decontaminates water but removes also all minerals. the result is "hungry" (corrosive) water. anybody who owns an aircon can test this claim by dropping a piece of cement plaster in a glass filled with a/c condenswater.

the World Health Organisation considers removal of all minerals unhealthy which matrches the information i got many rainy seasons ago.

personally i don't care. i am a German. Germans use water to have a shower, brush their teeth, do their laundry and extinguish fires. but we don't drink it!

But you just said that you use the drinking water produced by Nestle, Singha or Chang. These brands, except MAYBE Nestle but I've never seen it in Thailand anyway, don't produce mineral water, so guess what you're drinking.

[Muhendis]

Ive asked about filtering rainwater and this guy publish on youtube few videos + a vid with prices.

Interesting and NOT boring....btw he uses a powerful dc pump driven by a battery with 45AH .... Wonderful

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YpKayMx-edQ

Excellent find George but rainwater is normally quite boringly tasteless. Perhaps some minerals could be added?

You guys might like to comment on this?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_3x2O5rLRc

[George Harmony]

Impossible as a genset.

This is more real:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iKhXmPqm7og

ram pump generates electricity. If you can circulate the waste water its ok.

[George Harmony]

The regular 3-stage drinking water filters you see around Thailand are not reverse osmosis systems - the standard recipe is a sediment cartridge (usually ceramic), then into a carbon cartridge, then into a resin cartridge. Beyond 3 stages, they normally add a post carbon filter (or two) and/or a UV irradiation lamp.

I tested filtering the well water with my tiny dc pump before it was connected to my watertank. Added one filter + ceramic later. But i gave it up to reach drinkable water by adding uv and possibly other filters.

Its now clean and i think suitable to wash dishes and to shower.

Can you imagine that this tiny pump dc 2.1amp sucks the water from the well, filter it and push it up into my water tank. All free when the sun shines

[Naam]

But you just said that you use the drinking water produced by Nestle, Singha or Chang. These brands, except MAYBE Nestle but I've never seen it in Thailand anyway, don't produce mineral water, so guess what you're drinking.

i did not talk about mineral water but about water to which minerals are added when decontaminated by reverse osmosis as suggested by he WHO. the result does not warrant the name "mineral water".

tasty water (i have been told) is produced by breweries but i'm not able to judge because (as already mentioned i don't drink water). i use water only in my coffee or as icecubes in fruit juices, soft drinks, soups and that without involving supercapacitors.

[Naam]

"Reverse Osmosis" is nothing more than a posh name for a filter and UV system which will clean and/or kill all unwanted substances in your water. The system also has its own mini pump so the flow rate is good. I don't know if it has a @uper capacitor but I expect there is one somewhere.

By the way my Grundfoss only needs to run for 30 seconds to get the pressure up which is good because the motor is rated at 1100 Watts.

what's the size of your pressure tank?

[Crossy]

"Reverse Osmosis" is nothing more than a posh name for a filter and UV system which will clean and/or kill all unwanted substances in your water.

You mean it's got nothing to do with reverse pressurising an osmotic membrane?

Unless there is a bit of poetic license floating about I would say No. There are three filter elements in mine and they all have different grades of filtering material two of them rattle and the third is some sort of compressed paper element through which passes the water. Let us know if I'm missing something.

Evidently you missed the sarcasm.

I know perfectly well how RO works, you are missing the RO unit itself (which usually has its own high pressure pump) and possibly a post-carbon filter. Please post a photo of your "RO" filter.

[Muhendis]

"Reverse Osmosis" is nothing more than a posh name for a filter and UV system which will clean and/or kill all unwanted substances in your water. The system also has its own mini pump so the flow rate is good. I don't know if it has a @uper capacitor but I expect there is one somewhere.

By the way my Grundfoss only needs to run for 30 seconds to get the pressure up which is good because the motor is rated at 1100 Watts.

what's the size of your pressure tank?

I should have called it a diaphragm or bladder tank. It's size is 14 litre.

[Naam]

"Reverse Osmosis" is nothing more than a posh name for a filter and UV system which will clean and/or kill all unwanted substances in your water. The system also has its own mini pump so the flow rate is good. I don't know if it has a @uper capacitor but I expect there is one somewhere.

By the way my Grundfoss only needs to run for 30 seconds to get the pressure up which is good because the motor is rated at 1100 Watts.

what's the size of your pressure tank?

I should have called it a diaphragm or bladder tank. It's size is 14 litre.

that's not much. by the way, whether it's diaphragm or air cushion, the tank is known globally as pressure tank. tell a Thai plumber you need a diaphragm tank and watch his reaction

A Pressure Tank is a critical part of your water system. It makes life easier for the well or booster pump by preventing rapid and unnecessary pump motor cycling. It also helps provide a constant pressure level in your home between pump cycles.

[Muhendis]

N@@m:

"that's not much. by the way, whether it's diaphragm or air cushion, the tank is known globally as pressure tank. tell a Thai plumber you need a diaphragm tank and watch his reaction "

What's a Thai plumber?

The cycle time of the pump is something like 30 seconds on and 90 seconds off with one tap fully open. There are some pressure switches in the pump terminal box which could be used to adjust the cycle times but I don't want to fix something that's not broke.

The Grundfoss came with the tank already fitted which was good for me in those days 'cause I had no idea how such things were supposed to work.

Edited March 17, 2016 by Muhendis

[Naam]

The cycle time of the pump is something like 30 seconds on and 90 seconds off with one tap fully open. There are some pressure switches in the pump terminal box which could be used to adjust the cycle times but I don't want to fix something that's not broke.

pump is either overdimensioned or pressure tank underdimensioned or on/off gap to close. gap can be easily adjusted. there might be also an adjustment for each of the three stages.

[George Harmony]

Ladies & gentlemen & @naam

Hehehe joking @naam.

I needed a new handphone powerbank and thought why using only for underway??

Just for fun i ordered online and

Today received:

80.000 mAh powerbank

Usb to usb connector with 4sockets and switches

Tv receiver to connect to any monitor or laptop

Usb led lamp with cable 5 watt

Usb table reading lamp with 27 leds

Mpg player

Usb fan and tablet i already had.

So my future desk will be usb powered, thats 4.5-5+volt except for my laptop.

When im using my laptop in the evening i want also follow the news on tv. For a better quality screen i perhaps later will buy a car monitor

This powerbank i ofcourse charge with solar panel.

What you want more? Low power consumption gadgets incl tv for at your desk. And if im underway i carry my 80000mAh samsung UPS with me....or is it a powerbank...hehehehe

[Crossy]

I wonder what the real capacity of that power bank is.

Time to pop the lid off and have a look.

[Naam]

What you want more?

i don't want to live like a caveman

[Naam]

I wonder what the real capacity of that power bank is.

Time to pop the lid off and have a look.

@George's problem is that he still does not know the difference between amps and amp hours.

another problem is that he believes what is advertised on ebay or amazon where wild claims concerning various products are published.

a simple google search would educate @George how many milli@mps to 1 @mp and that the toy he holds in his hand can't possibly have that capacity.

[George Harmony]

In germany they say: Bei uns ist alles besser. Aber mit mir ist es alles anders @naam.

Think @naam read too fast that he even mixed up a fishpond with a swimming pool.... Never mind @naam...if you want we discuss further in deutsch so you understand "besser".

I know that the real ah is not 80000. Ive seen reviews on boring youtube. No more than 30.000mah.

You tell me naam. How many hours can i run on 30.000mah all these gadgets??? You must ofcourse know how many amp or watts each draw. Is it so difficult to calculate how many hours gadgets can run with a certain ah battery or mah battery....@naam.

Let me live like a caveman without needing a ups with 430ah battery bank and have my own luxury. One poster lived for a week with a genset in an apartment. Lets say it is 2 weeks. Can your ups handle your stinky stinky water supply or do you have to be a stinky cause you then cant even shower anymore.....

Edited March 17, 2016 by George Harmony

[IMHO]

Ladies & gentlemen & @naam

Hehehe joking @naam.

I needed a new handphone powerbank and thought why using only for underway??

Just for fun i ordered online and

Today received:

80.000 mAh powerbank

Usb to usb connector with 4sockets and switches

Tv receiver to connect to any monitor or laptop

Usb led lamp with cable 5 watt

Usb table reading lamp with 27 leds

Mpg player

Usb fan and tablet i already had.

So my future desk will be usb powered, thats 4.5-5+volt except for my laptop.

When im using my laptop in the evening i want also follow the news on tv. For a better quality screen i perhaps later will buy a car monitor

This powerbank i ofcourse charge with solar panel.

What you want more? Low power consumption gadgets incl tv for at your desk. And if im underway i carry my 80000mAh samsung UPS with me....or is it a powerbank...hehehehePS_20160317124041.jpg

Let me guarantee you right now, there's no way that thing in the picture is a 296Wh battery bank (3.7v x 80,000mAh).

[IMHO]

I know that the real ah is not 80000. Ive seen reviews on boring youtube. No more than 30.000mah.

Keep going down... no way it's 30Ah. No way.

[Crossy]

This is a 54Wh (3Ah @ 18.5V) LiPo battery pack http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9488__Turnigy_3000mAh_5S_30C_Lipo_Pack.html

It is 140 x 40 x 30 mm and weighs 430g (about 1lb).

At 3.7V that would equate to about 15,000 mAh

EDIT It would run your 5W LED light for about 10 hours.

[Muhendis]

"Reverse Osmosis" is nothing more than a posh name for a filter and UV system which will clean and/or kill all unwanted substances in your water.

You mean it's got nothing to do with reverse pressurising an osmotic membrane?

Unless there is a bit of poetic license floating about I would say No. There are three filter elements in mine and they all have different grades of filtering material two of them rattle and the third is some sort of compressed paper element through which passes the water. Let us know if I'm missing something.

Evidently you missed the sarcasm.

I know perfectly well how RO works, you are missing the RO unit itself (which usually has its own high pressure pump) and possibly a post-carbon filter. Please post a photo of your "RO" filter.

Crossy. Is this really an RO filter?

[Crossy]

RO filters.jpg

Crossy. Is this really an RO filter?

Yup, looks like it

The important bit (the RO membrane) is the horizontal cylinder on the top.

[George Harmony]

It would run your 5W LED light for about 10 hours.

Right...

This "caveman" intend to use these gadgets in the evening for average max 2-2.5 hours. During the day its all free, including a laptop, without draining any battery. The reading lamp have also a buildin battery.

[Naam]

In germany they say: Bei uns ist alles besser. Aber mit mir ist es alles anders @naam.

One poster lived for a week with a genset in an apartment. Lets say it is 2 weeks. Can your ups handle your stinky stinky water supply or do you have to be a stinky cause you then cant even shower anymore.....

if power is off for two weeks these three generators would charge my batterie banks without any problems and i'd be waiting most probably in Singapore till somebody phones and tells me "power is back!"

[TheCruncher]

In germany they say: Bei uns ist alles besser. Aber mit mir ist es alles anders @naam.

One poster lived for a week with a genset in an apartment. Lets say it is 2 weeks. Can your ups handle your stinky stinky water supply or do you have to be a stinky cause you then cant even shower anymore.....

if power is off for two weeks these three generators would charge my batterie banks without any problems and i'd be waiting most probably in Singapore till somebody phones and tells me "power is back!"

cars nov13.JPG

Wow, you must be really, really rich. Your last name isn't Trump by any chance?