Off Grid Living

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3. Fuel Cells for the Home | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan ...
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I've had my home in Pacific Northwest off grid for 9 years. I use wood stove for heating exclusively, and propane for oven/stove until it gets really cold out then use the wood stove for cooking too. So, if wood is free or cheap, I suggest you look into wood heating. If you have reaction to smoke, you can also run a wood boiler outside and use for heat and hot water inside the home, without the affects of burning inside your wood stove. I have a battery bank with a 5000W continuous invertor for AC needs, and run lights, microwave, and occassional hair dryer used by the wife. I don't have any DC lights, with the 9w CF bulbs it doesn't save the system much to go DC lighting. My Ham radio and other radios are off DC. I also have propane lights. My fridge is AC/DC/propane, and I usually run it off propane although a few years back when it was $3.50/gal I flipped the fridge switch to DC. I have solar panels that charge the battery bank and a controller that allows direct DC feed to DC panel for the radios, etc. I have heard of fuel cells, however, for the cost 9 years ago I went with lead acid, and taking care of them they are still at about 70%. I am replacing the battery bank in the next few months, and am currently researching fuel cell, gel cell, lead acids, etc.

So I can presume that you do not have an electric welder? Just kidding. After hurricane Wilma, I had decided to go with large solar water heater, propane generator, cloths dryer and oven. Now the wife does not want propane in the house. I did buy an 85 gal Marathon electric water heater. It has the highest efficiency rating I could find. I now have to reinstall the solar panels on the new roof and connect to the water heater. I was hoping to find someone here that can show me the connections for this. Do you have a diagram for converting a non solar water heater for use with solar?

GE was advertising them a few years back, the price range at that time was 7 to $8,000.00 US.

I just installed a heat pump with a solar assist and it cost over $11,000.00 (Lennox), I think the payback on the solar is a wash with life expectancy, my boys and their mother are confirmed tree huggers so the payback is immaterial.

The unit itself is 19 SEER without the solar and rates at 20 with the solar.

Agree, I have not found any heat pump/air cond units that are financially viable when powered with solar, even solar assist. Fortunately I don't need air cond in my home in the northwest ! We do have to manage our electrical loads, taking care to use the large pieces of equipment one at a time instead of all at once, but that was a very easy transition. My whole system cost $8,000 nine years ago, and a routine monthly electric bill was $350 at our previous home. We would have had to trunk in a new electrical service line because there wasn't, and still isn't, any near our forest property. So, installing solar system was somewhat out of necessity, but also certainly out of cost savings / cost avoidance. Other advice is, each situation is different so analyze the total cost of a system, and future replacements compared to your present cost of elec.

the Otherpower.com is a good site for off grid living.

Actually I do have an electric welder! I have a 5000w gen-set that has 110/220 outputs, so I still use electric tools when needed. I don't weld much, as I took one class in high school in the 70s and have gotten by with personal repairs since then. Would like to weld more now and have more time too, and have needs on the ranch from time to time for welding. I can run my gen-set for 8 hours on 4-5 gal fuel, depends on the loads I place on it.

I was trying to make a joke about your solar panels powering the welder. I guess I missed the target. Welding seems to be more of a participant sport than other skills. When the fuel (gasoline?) starts to get a little old, just fire up the welder, and try writing your name in different languages. After a while, you will be comfortable enough to do crossword puzzles with it. Good luck.

Exactly! The fuel does get old, as I don't weld much now and don't have need for the gen-set very often - but now I have an idea to burn off the rest of the fuel prior to winter with your excellent crossword puzzle idea! Maybe I should get into welding art and sell really ugly welded junk for thousands of dollars to those who appreciate art...

Florida has a program called "Art in Public Places" You might try selling some scrap, junk, left over parts, of your valuable artwork this way. It might make you very rich give you a feeling of satisfaction. Art work can be very fulfilling. (think way over priced crap)