Nick Jones Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 Windows Moviemaker. Used to come bundled with XP. Was available to download FOC, but not sure if it still is. Dunno whether it works with W10, definitely does up to 8.1 Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted February 28, 2020 Author Share Posted February 28, 2020 Hello Nick Not sure about that one I may still have a copy of XP somewhere. Roger DJI_0007.mp4 DJI_0007.mp4 DJI_0007.MP4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR5tar Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 (edited) Hi Roger, Thank you for this fascinating thread. I've had dreams of off-grid living and self sufficiency probably since being a kid in the '70s and watching the Good Life. Sadly, I'm lacking the skills and increasingly the energy to make it happen, but I can still dream and I like to read on the subject to know what is possible. Despite Tom and Barbara's fictional successes in suburbia, I imagine that a decent sized rural property is ideal for true self-sufficiency ... perhaps 3-4 acres? Just focusing on off-grid living, I suppose that would be easier in suburbia nowadays, with solar and wind power for light, heating, cooking, and entertainment. It's the water supply that does seem to me to present a challenge. A well or a borehole would be great to have, but perhaps a bit difficult in a smallish back garden. I wonder if it would be possible to drill a borehole on a property like mine. How would I find out? What percentage of your water comes from the well and what from collected, Roger? You are an inspiration. Best wishes, Darren Edited March 5, 2020 by TR5tar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil T Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Hi Darren Ref borehole as part of my job in oil and water extraction in the past you need to find geo maps to find what is possible but to give you some idea a 30mt hole today would cost you about 15k if you have good access. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 Hello Darren Basically all our water comes from the well I do have a couple of water butts to catch some rain water but usually finish up filling them from the tank supply in the summer!!! I am not sure about a bore hole in your garden but I think a well would be polluted. Solar panels would ok but a wind turbine would probably need planning permission and they do need to be well above the roof lines etc to catch good wind(remember all the hype about putting one on you chimney?) They were never going to work as the air is to turbulent and the vibration noise would drive you mad plus the chimney would probably fall down and kill you in your bed! Yes you would need 3 to 4 acres to be self-sufficient. Here is another little mod I did to our gas fire/boiler(its behind the fire) When I installed it I used a piece of single skin pipe to join the gap between boiler and flue liner so it lets heat into the room! But then I decided to box it in and installed 2 X 12volt fans at the bottom behind grills on the sides and one grill at the top facing into the room as I reasoned air being pushed past would pick up more heat and push it into the room! So any time the boiler is on the fans run(simple relay circuit as we have 24volt power all around the Cottage so 2 x 12v fans in series does the job and no electronics needed!) So my reasoning is our 70/75% efficient boiler is a bit more as some heat would go up the flue is salvaged(and it works as you can see from the thermometer hanging there!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Roger, You could be the last person in the UK to get CoVid-19! Tucked away in your enclave, you wouldn't have to meet anyone you didn't want to for.... months! JOhn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 45 minutes ago, JohnD said: Roger, You could be the last person in the UK to get CoVid-19! Tucked away in your enclave, you wouldn't have to meet anyone you didn't want to for.... months! JOhn Hello John Does that me and the Memsahib can not go to India next Wednesday???? Still if the grim Reaper is after you there is nothing you can do! Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR5tar Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 22 hours ago, Neil T said: Hi Darren Ref borehole as part of my job in oil and water extraction in the past you need to find geo maps to find what is possible but to give you some idea a 30mt hole today would cost you about 15k if you have good access. Hi Neil, I didn't know you were involved in oil and water extraction. Interesting stuff. I thought I'd probably have to get some sort of survey done, but before such undertaking a look at any geo maps available for my area could save some wasted effort and money. As it is, I don't think it's something I'd consider for me current property, especially at that sort of cost, but if as I hope I one day find a few acres well out in the sticks, I'd definitely look into it. Getting the timing right to move is the difficult bit ... don't want to leave it so long that I'm too knackered to work on the property, but cannot move just yet as I have too much tied up in the area I'm in. 21 hours ago, rogerguzzi said: Hello Darren Basically all our water comes from the well I do have a couple of water butts to catch some rain water but usually finish up filling them from the tank supply in the summer!!! I am not sure about a bore hole in your garden but I think a well would be polluted. Solar panels would ok but a wind turbine would probably need planning permission and they do need to be well above the roof lines etc to catch good wind(remember all the hype about putting one on you chimney?) They were never going to work as the air is to turbulent and the vibration noise would drive you mad plus the chimney would probably fall down and kill you in your bed! Yes you would need 3 to 4 acres to be self-sufficient. Thanks Roger. A borehole or a well, on the right property, does seem to best bet then. I'd definitely want solar panels on the next property and if there was space a turbine too, perhaps. What percentage of your power comes from those two sources, do you know? Lots of 3-4 acre smallholdings for sale in Wales that look appealing to me. I always thought that a mill house with a working waterwheel would be perfect for generating electricity, but such places would no doubt be behind my budget. Darren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted March 6, 2020 Author Share Posted March 6, 2020 Hello Darren It is difficult to say but we only run the generators for about 200 to 250 hours a year and they would be charging the batteries at a rate between 80Amp and 10Amp depending on the level of charge in the batteries. I made 2 solar panels in the early days when they were VERY EXPENSIVE! I bought the cells loose and seconds(bits broken off) I then made a simple jig to hold them to solder them together. I then had 2 pieces glass cut to size and tempered. I then put a blob of silicon on each cell and pressed one sheet of glass onto them. When it had cured I lifted it out of the jig and put spacers to hold the second sheet off the cells. I then filled the gap all around with silicon except about 1" were the cables come out. I then waited for a good sunny day and positioned them in the sun to get really hot and drive out all the moisture then sealed the gap. They seem to have a bit of moisture in them now but they are about 20 years old!!!! but they still make the odd amp or two. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR5tar Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 9 minutes ago, rogerguzzi said: Hello Darren It is difficult to say but we only run the generators for about 200 to 250 hours a year and they would be charging the batteries at a rate between 80Amp and 10Amp depending on the level of charge in the batteries. I made 2 solar panels in the early days when they were VERY EXPENSIVE! I bought the cells loose and seconds(bits broken off) I then made a simple jig to hold them to solder them together. I then had 2 pieces glass cut to size and tempered. I then put a blob of silicon on each cell and pressed one sheet of glass onto them. When it had cured I lifted it out of the jig and put spacers to hold the second sheet off the cells. I then filled the gap all around with silicon except about 1" were the cables come out. I then waited for a good sunny day and positioned them in the sun to get really hot and drive out all the moisture then sealed the gap. They seem to have a bit of moisture in them now but they are about 20 years old!!!! but they still make the odd amp or two. Roger Impressive that you made you own solar panels, Roger. I bought a 100W solar panel a few years back, mainly with the intention of learning how to set it up. Then a lot of TR jobs took my focus off it and it's sat in the garage. However, having read your thread, I dusted it off yesterday and having misplaced the charge controller I bought at the same time, I got myself another. It's a 30A controller, which if I have understood what I've read, should be fine for this little project. Anyhow, I've made a little trolley for the batteries and the controller, so I'm now getting ready to wire it up. Fun to experiment! Darren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted March 6, 2020 Author Share Posted March 6, 2020 Hello Darren A 30A controller will be way over the top you will only get about 5 to 6amps @ 12volt MPPT type are the best as they match the output to the batteries so you get a few more amps This will explain it. Probably not worth it for one panel! https://urjos.com/mppt-charge-controllers-what-is-mppt-and-its-advantages/ All our panels are 80watt you can get them for as little as £60 now I think when we bought our first 4 they were £200 + each!!!! I bought 4 more a few years back for less than we paid for one! Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR5tar Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 Thanks Roger. I'll take a look. I can always send the one I bought back, and get a 10A MPPT one instead. Learning on the job, as always! Darren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted March 6, 2020 Author Share Posted March 6, 2020 Hello Darren I think you will find the MPPT type are a lot more expensive so may not be worth it for one panel? I have one of these going spare if you are going to increase your panels it was working when remove but I did a whole system upgrade a few years ago when the original Inverter burnt out https://solarconduit.com/shop/blue-sky-solar-boost-50l-no-display.html Probably a bit over kill for you? Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR5tar Posted March 9, 2020 Share Posted March 9, 2020 Hello Roger, I've had a read up on the MPPT type charge controllers and see what you mean in terms of efficiency. Much better. I could be interested in that controller you have going spare, but for the moment I'm just dabbling with this small system. Once I've played a bit and got a better understanding of how things work, I'll certainly think about building a larger system. It would become more urgent if we moved to the sort of property I'd like, but that's a little way off yet. Best wishes, Darren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted August 9, 2021 Author Share Posted August 9, 2021 Hello All A bit of an update and a 24volt alternator question Well as I said earlier the old 8-1 generator had burnt out. I was thinking of buying another generator this time I liked the look of a Perkings unit @ 7Kw it is a nice 3 cylinder diesel running at 1500rpm and water cooled. I was at the point of placing an order £4800!!!!!! then I thought one last look at the old 8-1(we have been together for 46years!) well I managed to repair the starting circuit(2 sets of windings so it is a Starter and Alternator) But had no luck with the AC side so then I had a thought why not just fit a 24volt Alternator to it as most of the running time is just to charge the batteries I had a good look around and bought a 24volt 80amp one of a type that is fitted to Volvo trucks brand new delivered for £78.50 I have removed on of the vee belts so I can drive it from the Starter/Alternator pulley that runs at 1500rpm and a 3 to 1 ratio pulley so it is running at 4500rpm which according to the makers site would give about 78amps. Now the question because it starts making power before the Engine is up to a speed were the mechanical govenor takes over and opens a micro switch to drop the starter contactor out it is taking longer to get up to speed and I recon the Alternator is spinning at about 3500rpm which means the the starting current is still being applied which may cause trouble long term? At the moment it is wirered so the Aternator excitation circuit is powered on at the same time as the starting contactor via a 3 to 4w lamp. What I want to know is if I altered the wiring so the Alternator does not get the excitation power until the starter contactor drops out(easy to do as another contactor operates.) But both the Aternator B+ and B- are connected all the time would the Alternator be damaged by in effect switching it on at 3500rpm? To me it is only the same as turning on a very large load on in your car when it is running at speed! Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 Well outside my area of expertise but....... I'm pretty sure I've seen dire warnings about the risks (to the alternator) of spinning alternators without excitation voltage. That said, I have done it a few times without melting anything...... Many modern cars (going back to Fords in the late 90s even) had external controls and an extra wire to vary charging loads via ecu control, but I'm not sure how it was done in electrical terms, or whether it could be applied to what you have. Is it as simple as reducing the the excitation power? Probably not...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 This auction is selling ABB REACT 2 LI-ION 4KWH BATTERIES. https://www.bidspotter.co.uk/en-gb/auction-catalogues/robson-kay/catalogue-id-ro10307/lot-0130d3e2-f273-4283-be9d-ad9500b642d1 Any use to you or other off-gridders, Roger? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted September 3, 2021 Author Share Posted September 3, 2021 Hello John I think the voltage range would not be suitable (170 to 575 Vdc) Most systems use 12v or 24v or 48vdc Are these electric car type batteries? Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 No, specifically intended for PV storage http://www.frankensolar.eu/download.php?file_uid=f7897cf0-61fb-0694-2550-f7c8ebea0552 but the batteries are only part of an integrated system intended for direct connection to PV panels by the looks one of these https://www.bidspotter.co.uk/en-gb/auction-catalogues/robson-kay/catalogue-id-ro10307/lot-59fca831-9c50-4ff7-809c-ad9500b642d1 plus one, two or three of the batteries….. And the panels of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted September 3, 2021 Author Share Posted September 3, 2021 Hello All I think I will stick to a simple system I understand and seems to have worked for us for the last 10 years! Its a bit like having the latest phone/car/etc not sure it makes sense? But probably just me being an old fart! Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted October 15, 2021 Author Share Posted October 15, 2021 Hello All I thought I had better order some Gas oil(Red Diesel) for the generators(honest) I thought the minimum order was 1000lt and we could only fit about 700lt in the tank so I asked the lad! at the fuel depot and he said 500lt was the minimum order! Then I asked the price(I made shure I was sitting down(a good job it is 75p per lt + 5% vat) Last time I bought some it was about 50p/lt (2019) So I told him just the 500lt and perhaps it will be cheaper next time I need some? It makes me think perhaps a few more second hand solar panels may be cheaper? Its not that I can not afford it its just that I was born in a different era and economy was normal(I like to think of it as value for money) which most younger people do not understand!) Roger ps still the gas tank is full and the log store is full(and old garage doors to cut up yet)so when the oil arrives we will be set for the seige!(the Memsahib has been stocking the store cupboards for the last 12 months!) I have lots to do on cars etc and perhaps we can take Spitty to Spain again(booked for Jume!) We had a run out on Wednesday and had lunch at Toddington Station and Tiffin later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrookster Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 1 hour ago, rogerguzzi said: Then I asked the price(I made shure I was sitting down(a good job it is 75p per lt + 5% vat) Last time I bought some it was about 50p/lt (2019) So I told him just the 500lt and perhaps it will be cheaper next time I need some? So long you have enough to pass the winter period, as I cannot see prices dropping any time soon! I bought some 28sec oil end of September, as my tank was low. This was before the gas prices went bananas, but during the "petrol crisis". 2110 litres at 51p/litre! Dread to think what the price is now! In fact, just checked, 59p/litre! And thats only two weeks difference. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted October 15, 2021 Author Share Posted October 15, 2021 8 minutes ago, thebrookster said: 28sec oil Hello Phil Is that kerasene? no good for Diesel generators! Still I think I make electric as cheap as the grid from what I see of prices! but we do not use much no things left on etc Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrookster Posted October 16, 2021 Share Posted October 16, 2021 3 hours ago, rogerguzzi said: Is that kerasene? no good for Diesel generators! Yup. However, will work fine in a diesel generator so long as you add an oil additive. Kerosene doesn't have the lubricating properties of diesel fuel (also known as 35sec fuel) so it tends to damage fuel pumps etc. 3 hours ago, rogerguzzi said: Still I think I make electric as cheap as the grid from what I see of prices! but we do not use much no things left on etc Aye, and the way things are moving in the UK, I reckon I might not be that far behind you in Off-Grid production! My electric bill has nearly doubled in the last month (my old supplier was one of those that went bust). Given my usage now rates at roughly 3000kwhr per year (SWMBO still working from home), shouldn't be that hard to produce that much electric surely? Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted October 16, 2021 Share Posted October 16, 2021 Bought heating oil in August…… 42p/l. Was still under 40p/l in July…… was too slow!! Just been looking at electric consumption and production numbers for this house. Since we had a new meter fitted in Dec 2014 until yesterday our daily consumption has averaged 8.4 KWh. Since we commissioned our 4KW solar panels in March 2015 until yesterday, daily production has averaged 10.07KWh. That’s production not export, though I have no figures for what proportion we have managed to use in house. Not enough clearly! I get 14.33p/KWh FiT for the 50% of production. I now have to pay 20.87p/KWh for 100% of import…… Which has gone up very steeply of late, not helped by a previous supplier going belly-up in the spring. Though at least they had the good grace to die early giving me time to escape Scottish Power and fix a new deal before things got really ugly. Contemplating battery storage….. quite pricey for a worthwhile amount. Especially if you want something island capable…. Which I would consider an advantage. Don’t trust the current shower of cretins to keep the lights on reliably and what could be more frustrating than sitting in the dark when you’ve got a full battery?! Run an old and simple diesel genny on a mixture of kero and used engine oil, Africa style! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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