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small, solar power generators... #7352000
09/10/21 07:55 AM
09/10/21 07:55 AM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 6,323
se South Dakota
NonPCfed Offline OP
trapper
NonPCfed  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 6,323
se South Dakota
Anybody bought a new smaller-sized solar powered generators on-line, and if so, do you like it...? I've been bulking up on "crazy times" supplies over the past year or so and maybe thinking of adding one of these to the pile. On-line prices seem to be all over the place. I'm not trying to run a whole house, I don't think this house is would be livable during the winter for possibly "long" periods of time without a big fuel powered generator that is dependent on outside resources. Looking at one of these small solar powered ones to keep some lights on, power a heat lamp or small personal fan (for in the summer), electric fry pan, etc. Just curious about anyone's experiences.


"And God said, Let us make man in our image �and let them have dominion �and all the creatures that move along the ground".
Genesis 1:26
Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: NonPCfed] #7352018
09/10/21 08:17 AM
09/10/21 08:17 AM
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,859
Indiana
P
Providence Farm Offline
trapper
Providence Farm  Offline
trapper
P

Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,859
Indiana
I go back and forth between wanting something small 1 kw up to a 10 kw system. I'm indecisive and end up doing nothing.

Been leaning towards a 10 kw grid tied with small battery backup. Figured I can get a loan and what I save on my electric bill will pay a good chunk of the payment.

Then again I could split the difference with a 5 kw with micro inverters to play with and expand later if I want.

Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: NonPCfed] #7352043
09/10/21 08:46 AM
09/10/21 08:46 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,751
Central, SD
Law Dog Offline
trapper
Law Dog  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,751
Central, SD
It always seemed like they kept the solar and wind power out of reach of most of the public over the years. You would think it would be as easy as a extended car warranty to find but it’s not.


Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!

Jerry Herbst
Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: NonPCfed] #7352086
09/10/21 09:16 AM
09/10/21 09:16 AM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 923
NW Oklahoma
O
Okie Farmer Offline
trapper
Okie Farmer  Offline
trapper
O

Joined: May 2008
Posts: 923
NW Oklahoma
Putting a panel and controller together to keep a battery charged for a fencer and putting things together for a solar water pump is all I've done. I think you could put a system together with a little electrical knowledge and careful shopping cheaper then buying a complete set up.

Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: NonPCfed] #7352090
09/10/21 09:18 AM
09/10/21 09:18 AM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 548
Bismarck Arkansas
A
Arkansas87 Offline
trapper
Arkansas87  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 548
Bismarck Arkansas
Those little ones would probably not run an electric frying pan.i couldn't find one with the wattage I wanted for anywhere near the price I was willing to pay so I built my own.less than half the price.

Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: NonPCfed] #7352100
09/10/21 09:26 AM
09/10/21 09:26 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
D
danny clifton Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
danny clifton  Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
D

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
When I was a kid, windmills and 12 volt lights were not uncommon at rural farms where electricity had been run yet. Usually mounted up on the roof and used to charge a couple batteries. These are on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Windmax-HY400-12-Volt-Residential-Generator/dp/B001CZIHH0

People used cold spring water or wells for refrigeration of milk and butter and canned all their meat and garden stuff. except in winter. Often in late winter you would see meat hung in an out building where it would stay froze till eaten. Usually a deer so it could be ate in just a few weeks.

As for me I dont want to live without A/C and freezers. All that canning takes a lot of work too. Takes less work to earn enough to pay the light bill.


Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: NonPCfed] #7352127
09/10/21 09:41 AM
09/10/21 09:41 AM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,369
Green County Wisconsin
G
GREENCOUNTYPETE Offline
trapper
GREENCOUNTYPETE  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,369
Green County Wisconsin
my brother has a 10K grid tie he has a net zero electic bill , meaning he has some bill in the middle of summer with the AC running but it evens out in spring , fall and winter.

I don't know if this pays for everything in full in how many years , but it sounded like it was close given rebates and such.

for less than a good size battery bank he bough a 8K generator and has a generator switch over for all the freezers , refrigerators , well , lift pump and the furnace

he runs less than a day a year on the gas generator , so batteries wouldn't be worth it


America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: NonPCfed] #7352141
09/10/21 09:49 AM
09/10/21 09:49 AM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 6,323
se South Dakota
NonPCfed Offline OP
trapper
NonPCfed  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 6,323
se South Dakota
Thanks for all the comments and ideas. The typical rural larger solar panels/power system wouldn't fly in this piece of suburbia being set up during normal times. But if times aren't normal, then probably who cares. If we had to relocate to a more "doable" position, then a rural solar panel system would certainly be part of the plan. I should kick my brother in the butt to add one to his rural place. He has a decent sized diesel generator, but of course that's only as good as long as a person has fuel.

I have a off-gridder friend who is the hired hand of a farmer I know. He has a larger rural solar panel but still needs to augment his "cabin" with a small gas generator, off which the the most recent one used has crapped out on him. He lives less than a mile of a place that has a huge power consumption to run its digital storage and dissemination system. They have some seriously sized back-up diesel generators. I smile at the 21st century irony of his living conditions and their power consumption. Then again, their "pocket book" is infinitely (or so they think) larger than his...


"And God said, Let us make man in our image �and let them have dominion �and all the creatures that move along the ground".
Genesis 1:26
Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: NonPCfed] #7352293
09/10/21 01:04 PM
09/10/21 01:04 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,536
Sandhills Nebraska
G
Gary Benson Online shocked
trapper
Gary Benson  Online Shocked
trapper
G

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,536
Sandhills Nebraska
Even a small one to charge a phone could be useful.
Lots of ranchers are putting in solar pumps to replace windmils. It seems to make sense to them and ranchers aren't foolish men.


Life ain't supposed to be easy.
Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: NonPCfed] #7352298
09/10/21 01:13 PM
09/10/21 01:13 PM
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 303
Sandpoint Idaho/ Whitesboro TX
C
cbat Offline
trapper
cbat  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 303
Sandpoint Idaho/ Whitesboro TX
Most electric companies are required to buy your unused electricity if you run a solar setup. If you are hooked up to an electric grid that is.


The real Wally
Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: NonPCfed] #7352332
09/10/21 02:01 PM
09/10/21 02:01 PM
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,859
Indiana
P
Providence Farm Offline
trapper
Providence Farm  Offline
trapper
P

Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,859
Indiana
Solar wholesale has some folding panel kits that look interesting and may do what you want?

I just emailed them for a quote for my home. Other than thay I know nothing about them.

Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: Gary Benson] #7353264
09/11/21 04:38 PM
09/11/21 04:38 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 923
NW Oklahoma
O
Okie Farmer Offline
trapper
Okie Farmer  Offline
trapper
O

Joined: May 2008
Posts: 923
NW Oklahoma
Originally Posted by Gary Benson
Even a small one to charge a phone could be useful.
Lots of ranchers are putting in solar pumps to replace windmils. It seems to make sense to them and ranchers aren't foolish men.


The controller I bought has USB ports that you can charge from, if I ever seriously needed to I probably couldn't get to it.

Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: cbat] #7353274
09/11/21 04:45 PM
09/11/21 04:45 PM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,054
midland, michigan
M
midlander Offline
trapper
midlander  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,054
midland, michigan
Originally Posted by cbat
Most electric companies are required to buy your unused electricity if you run a solar setup. If you are hooked up to an electric grid that is.

But many dont have to pay you the same rate per Kw that you pay them...a scam in Michigan

Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: midlander] #7353296
09/11/21 05:11 PM
09/11/21 05:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,446
Houghton Lake, MI
strike2x Offline
trapper
strike2x  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,446
Houghton Lake, MI
The paperwork required and the insurance you must carry make Solar hooked to a grid a bunch of wasted money.


Wish I had more time to trap....
Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: NonPCfed] #7353300
09/11/21 05:15 PM
09/11/21 05:15 PM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 381
Vernal, Utah, USA
Dan Barnhurst Offline
trapper
Dan Barnhurst  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 381
Vernal, Utah, USA
We put solar panels on the roof last year. The system is tied to the grid and is engineered to be net-zero over a years time. The electric company gives us credits when we use less than we produce and we use those credits in the heavy use months. The system is guaranteed to produce that amount of power for twenty five years.

The federal government is currently paying 25% of the installation cost (this would include reroofing your house if it's needed at the time of the system installation) and the state also kicked in a couple thousand. There were two plans to choose from: buy the system outright at a reduced price or finance it with the company.

If you finance with the solar power company you pay them a monthly payment calculated to be the average monthly payment you currently pay ( based on your past years bills) until the cost of the system is reached - about 8 years. The solor company takes over any bills from the electric company.

To us it was a no brainer. If your bill stays at your current average bill for about 8 years and then the system is payed for and your power is free for the rest of the life of the system (25 years guaranteed), why would you not do it? Especially since we all know the rate the power company charges will just keep increasing during that 25 - 30 years.

If there is a power outage we will continue to have power when the sun is shining. And we have a generator for backup. We chose to buy our system outright at the reduced price.

Last edited by Dan Barnhurst; 09/11/21 05:29 PM.

Sneak the pan under his paw!
Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: NonPCfed] #7353305
09/11/21 05:21 PM
09/11/21 05:21 PM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 381
Vernal, Utah, USA
Dan Barnhurst Offline
trapper
Dan Barnhurst  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 381
Vernal, Utah, USA
There are a lot of solar power companies to choose from and some do not have good customer reviews. So if you consider getting a system do your homework and check reviews and better business bureau complaint history before choosing one.


Last edited by Dan Barnhurst; 09/11/21 05:32 PM.

Sneak the pan under his paw!
Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: NonPCfed] #7353417
09/11/21 07:59 PM
09/11/21 07:59 PM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,787
Asheville, NC
C
charles Offline
trapper
charles  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,787
Asheville, NC
My last generator was a 12 kw Honda. Not enough.

Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: NonPCfed] #7353625
09/12/21 05:56 AM
09/12/21 05:56 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,536
Sandhills Nebraska
G
Gary Benson Online shocked
trapper
Gary Benson  Online Shocked
trapper
G

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,536
Sandhills Nebraska
Amish can't use electricity but have some kind of a gas that they use to burn lamps. Camper refrigerators run on propane but I don't know how much they use.


Life ain't supposed to be easy.
Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: NonPCfed] #7353636
09/12/21 06:45 AM
09/12/21 06:45 AM
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 6,190
Kansas
Pawnee Offline
trapper
Pawnee  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 6,190
Kansas
I have a buddy that just did a 12k for his house with batteries and all the fixings for around $9,000 I’m thinking about doing one minus the batteries but can figure out where to put the bank of panels and keep the wife happy. She works hard keeping the yard in tip top shape and isn’t wanting a 40’ foot bank of panels messing it up. I can do 10k for around $7,000 not counting my labor. Take a look at altE energy on the web. They have good costumer service and will help you design a system.


Everything the left touches it destroys
Re: small, solar power generators... [Re: Gary Benson] #7353675
09/12/21 07:59 AM
09/12/21 07:59 AM
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,859
Indiana
P
Providence Farm Offline
trapper
Providence Farm  Offline
trapper
P

Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,859
Indiana
Originally Posted by Gary Benson
Amish can't use electricity but have some kind of a gas that they use to burn lamps. Camper refrigerators run on propane but I don't know how much they use.



Our Amish use electric. They have solar and generator's. They are limited to the size of their inverter. They can not be grid tied. It's hard to run coolers for the business without electricity.

Now lights in the store are rechargeable battery power and the celling fans and other appliances run on compressed air. When the generator is on the compressor fills a large tank to run that air system the rest of the day.

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