April 24 2008
By DanB, Section Homebrewed Electricity Posted on Thu Apr 24th, 2008 at 08:15:45 PM MST
mostly shameless advertising

It's been a while since I've posted much here.  Not a lot new really, we're still somewhat recovering (wishing we were still there) from Nicragua and getting ready for a workshop for MREA (midwest renewable energy association) in Wisconsin (mid may).  It's sold out - should be fun/busy.  Today George is busy building a new 17 foot wind turbine, we're bringing the finished metal work to Wisconsin and we'll finish that there. For fun we built another 7 foot wind turbine, just like Rich's and Dan Finks.  Those seem to be working out very well, Rich never turns his off and he gets most of his energy off it.  (he's only got about 40W of solar to back it up).   On his site it's looking like he probably averages about 30 - 40kWh/month from it. Today I put this one on ebay for $1/no reserve! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190217400018 So mostly this posting is about shameless advertising...  We added these cool new 30 amp DPDT knife switches to our product line here . And these larger 60 amp ones here We also recently got a bunch of 'Doc Wattson' meters. I also added some new books from Pixyjack press, one on careers in renewable energy and quite a fun one about Hydrogen, 'Hydrogen: Hot Stuff Cool Science'. At any rate, we're keeping busy and having fun!

April 24 2008 | 15 comments (15 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: April 24 2008 (3.00 / 0) (#1) by TomW on Thu Apr 24th, 2008 at 04:09:20 PM MST (User Info)

Just to add to the shameless pimping of Forcefields products: I got one each of these knife switches and a Doc Wattson from Dan. The switches are far better in quality than the pictures reveal. Nice, heavy ceramic on the base  and handle. Solid and very good wiping action on the switch blades. Haven't had time to connect them into the system yet but will soon. About then I will be posting a Diary on my spring progress. The Doc Wattson was dead simple to set up. Black wire on Source side to turbine negative[s], Black on Load side to batteries. Red on Source side to batteries [meter power]. Hook it up and it just does its thing. Its not built for those myopic folks like myself or it would have 2" display characters. Guess I will find a nice fresnel lens so I can read it from a bit further away. TomW "Education consists mainly of what we have unlearned."--Mark Twain

Re: April 24 2008 (3.00 / 0) (#13) by windspeed on Sat Apr 26th, 2008 at 03:46:12 AM MST (User Info)

so you dont use the red on load side windspeed [ Parent ]

Re: April 24 2008 (3.00 / 0) (#14) by TomW on Sat Apr 26th, 2008 at 06:15:28 AM MST (User Info)

speed; Well, if I did, I would have mentioned it, so no. It is pretty simple really. It measures current on the black wire and is powered by the red wire. This is a well known trick that allows you to use 1 ground for 2 measurements without need for switching pairs of contacts. You can use it like "jumper cables" between source and load, too if thats important to you to see 4 wires in use. I read all the info I could find. Trust me, it only needs 3 wires. Tom "Education consists mainly of what we have unlearned."--Mark Twain [ Parent ]

Re: April 24 2008 (3.00 / 0) (#2) by Jon Miller (Fieldlines 'at' otherpower 'dot' co 'dot' uk) on Thu Apr 24th, 2008 at 05:40:25 PM MST (User Info) http://www.otherpower.co.uk

Good to see, Increasing and diversifying your stock is good. Wish you all the best.   Jon M www.otherpower.co.uk "I am certainly not a perfectionist, the thing is to know where you can take short c

Re: April 24 2008 (3.00 / 0) (#3) by Jason Wilkinson (jason_wl48@hotmail.com) on Thu Apr 24th, 2008 at 06:57:35 PM MST (User Info)

Hi, i was wondering can one of those "knife switch" be used as a " transfer or change over swich" ? the reason, i've got my entire "outside lights" of the house on the turbine, disconnected from the rest of the house wiring. should the inverter fail or some other problem one of the kids or the wife could just throw the switch to be connected to the grid again     Jason

Re: April 24 2008 (3.00 / 0) (#4) by TomW on Thu Apr 24th, 2008 at 07:36:00 PM MST (User Info)

Jason; The double pole double throw one can switch 2 wires between 2 separate circuits. Such as 2 lines from a turbine switching between batteries and a dump load or short for parking. As far as using it to switch AC circuits, I didn't see any UL approval on it so its certainly not going to meet code for AC. From a purely "can it do it?" angle, it probably can. I hesitate to just say "yes" not knowing your knowledge of electricity and circuits. I would use it to switch between AC sources but I have decades of experience in several electrical fields and the confidence to know what is going to work and what is not going to work. Tom "Education consists mainly of what we have unlearned."--Mark Twain [ Parent ]

Re: April 24 2008 (3.00 / 0) (#7) by Ungrounded Lightning Rod on Thu Apr 24th, 2008 at 10:20:19 PM MST (User Info)

With those exposed knives just below the handle (even if they're hard to touch) I bet it couldn't ever get UL approval for anything over 48 volts anyhow. I don't know if knife switches are allowed in lower voltage systems.  I suggest you talk to your local code inspectors to find out if they'll allow this switch in a code-approved DC installation in the way you plan to use it.  No UL might mean no code signoff, which means no fire insurance, even if the switch would be better than the stuff you can buy for the big bux. (On the other hand if they WILL allow it for 50 volts and below I'd MUCH rather have that shroud than an exposed knife switch.  Much less likely to have a nasty short if something gets dropped on it.) [ Parent ]

Re: April 24 2008 (3.00 / 0) (#10) by Jason Wilkinson (jason_wl48@hotmail.com) on Fri Apr 25th, 2008 at 11:51:01 AM MST (User Info)

Thanks guys, guess i'll have to go the expensive route as a "change over switch here cost over $400.00 bds here [ Parent ]

Re: April 24 2008 (3.00 / 0) (#5) by DanB (danb@*no spam*otherpower.com) on Thu Apr 24th, 2008 at 09:26:03 PM MST (User Info) http://www.otherpower.com/

Notice the first picture.  Goerge is making lots of sparks.  How do we explain the energy coming from Morwen russian wolf hound dogs mouth?  (look carefully at the first picture)

Re: April 24 2008 (3.00 / 0) (#6) by TomW on Thu Apr 24th, 2008 at 09:38:59 PM MST (User Info)

Dan; You are pretty funny. Really. A simple sunbeam sneaking in under the door might cause a similar phenomenon. Or not. Tom "Education consists mainly of what we have unlearned."--Mark Twain [ Parent ]

Re: April 24 2008 (3.00 / 0) (#8) by wooferhound (tim((NoSpamAt))wooferhound.com) on Thu Apr 24th, 2008 at 11:17:40 PM MST (User Info) http://wooferhound.com

Son of Godzilla W o o f -={( [ Parent ]

Re: April 24 2008 (3.00 / 0) (#11) by Old F on Fri Apr 25th, 2008 at 06:11:58 PM MST (User Info) http://www.oldf.homestead.com

The  beam is coming from  sonic dog bone she holding to weld the pipe on the floor An her dog house is bigger on the inside than it is on the out side She has been hanging with K9 Old F   [ Parent ]

Re: April 24 2008 (3.00 / 0) (#12) by ghurd on Fri Apr 25th, 2008 at 06:21:49 PM MST (User Info)

I wonder how often George's family tells him he needs a haircut. I hear it twice a day, and mine is short! G- [ Parent ]

Re: April 24 2008 (3.00 / 0) (#9) by Boss (brians.outfit(at)gmail.com) on Fri Apr 25th, 2008 at 10:13:28 AM MST (User Info) http://www.outfitnm.com

I noticed the complete disinterest by the dog to what George is doing. I often have to yell at my dog when I'm arc welding to avert his eyes, he gets the same look. No energy flows out of his mouth that I ever noticed, but then I am wearing a helmet Brian Rodgers

Re: April 24 2008 (3.00 / 0) (#15) by blueyonder (windwoodgood at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sat Apr 26th, 2008 at 05:11:38 PM MST (User Info)

looks like it must be super dawg.  with its super cold breath (icy cold)   its walking round the workshop  cooling the hot sparks that otherwise might start a fire .   not like my dog who like to sprinkle a bit water every whare.  just in case. its a ill wind that dos no good

Login

Make a new account Username: Password:

Total Views

226 Scoop users have viewed this posting.

Related Links

· magnet · http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA PI.dll?ViewItem&item=190217400018 · here · 'Doc Wattson' meters · Also by DanB