Solar power and/or wind power anyone?

Is anyone successful with this? Has anyone looked into Power 4 Patriots?
I would like to start dabbling with alternative energies. Hoping to get some
proper direction.

if you want a good low cost DIY setup you can get an alternator from a diesel engine used in 18 wheelers, build yourself a large windmill fan attached to the alternator either directly or with a belt and run it to a battery bank made from several car batteries, bigger the better. You've got an instant power source..obviously this is just a crude idea of the direction you can go if you want a cheap alternative energy souce

HankDank said:

if you want a good low cost DIY setup you can get an alternator from a diesel engine used in 18 wheelers, build yourself a large windmill fan attached to the alternator either directly or with a belt and run it to a battery bank made from several car batteries, bigger the better. You've got an instant power source..obviously this is just a crude idea of the direction you can go if you want a cheap alternative energy souce

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i hear treadmill motors work pretty good for this too

now just so you know this is not a super efficient alternative using a vehicle alternator without a pulley system to up the RPM but it will generate electricity none the same. If i were to build one using an alternator of course id use a pulley system (same concept as multi speed bicycle of course) to get the RPMs up but it can be done. This was just really a concept to show you the directions you can go for a cheaper alternative but there are tons of info out there to show you how to build low cost wind power generators

I've looked and it's quite an initial investment to be able to run anything of significance. Also I'd wonder how productive solar would be in the up and for how many months a year. Wind on the other hand maybe a better alternative of the two. Either way, from my research, you'll be throwing down some good coin and waiting a while to make your return of it.

cephalopod said:

I've looked and it's quite an initial investment to be able to run anything of significance. Also I'd wonder how productive solar would be in the up and for how many months a year. Wind on the other hand maybe a better alternative of the two. Either way, from my research, you'll be throwing down some good coin and waiting a while to make your return of it.

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Your post is the closest one describing what I've felt about it myself. I've heard several people say solar in the winter is actually decent also. Now it's still bright, but when it's not daylight til after 8am and then dark at 5;30 there's only so much light you can grab. lmao. I thought the initial investment would have put it out of my league as well. Building it all, is the way to go though.
The power4patriots site has me plotting on trying out both solar and wind. I don't think I'll be able to be completely off grid anytime over the next few years, but I'd love to take
a nice chunk out of that enormous power bill. lmao. Most people I talk to are very interested about alternative energy, but don't know shit about it. I had no idea wind turbines were so basic.

Glad you just need to hang a few more lights to help cover the bill lol just kidding. I'll have to check out the patriots for power. I have a couple friends that have made their own solar panels, but I think it was more like a personal project to them than anything else. I discussed it with them and was told where they sourced their components from, but still it all seemed be too much. I guess if I need my roof re-shingled, I'd look into putting solar shingles on the south face. I've even looked at ng and lp generators, again just can't produce it as cheaply as it can be delivered for. Nice Dreams though.

Also, we run a TED unit (the energy detective) to monitor costs and it's very nice, but makes me feel guilty when looking at my carbon footprint.

For retirement is where its at. Off grid is a complete game changer!!
Win or lose, I'll build some shit and check it out.
This summer is toward driveway, well, septic, and having power ran to back of property.
Next spring nice greenhouse will be up and alternative energy will be at top of the list.

Power4Patriots. That's a long ass, redundant video. Not sure if it's a rip off or not. Lots of good and bad reviews.
I haven't been online that much and as usual making a thread on a topic is the quickest way I now of finding out about a topic.

cephalopod said:

Nice Dreams though.

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You would probably do better up there with wind. There is crazy tax incentives still, I found
this http://michiganwindturbineandtower.com/#/bergey/4537963695

http://www.wholesalesolar.com/gridtie.html
Down on the bottom of the page they have the prices. Prices have dropped dramatically
the last 3 years. 12kwh for 18000 for on grid at your latitude it may take a while to get your
money back on it.

I'm doing geothermal soon, and had looked at wind and solar briefly. I visited a couple of forums that said the tech is still has payback in terms of decades.

It might be worth it for the stealth.

Geothermal has a shorter payback, especially if the alternative is propane

I'd like to put the panels together, vs. buying complete kits.
The markups are insane. Hearing about buying the shit and assembling them
is why I want to try it out. If I build one and it works, I can sell 20, no problem.

this otta get you started....its not that expensive to build the cells.....and theres tons of different ways and info out there...this has been around awhile...definately the way to grow....i mean go-

this is just one link...theres a lot out there
http://www.ehow.com/how_5894708_build-photovoltaic-solar-panels.html#page=1

--be sure to look at the link to how to build individual cells


...as far as wind...slumdoggy dog is right there lots of incentives and tax breaks and you know how many farms have a windmill on them.....
--find an old farm that doesnt use the windmill for anything and disassemble and use the tower for your fan

....you can use water too...


chk out solar powered magazine....lots of good stuf

....f you have kids you can hook the tV\ballasts to a bicycle so if they wanna watch it they have to peddle....that way they get exercise and help pay the mortgage...or get some monkeys

I just found this http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/ Their electricity rates are like 3x ours, they have to do this stuff.
It is probably easier to find stuff on forums where people are not trying
to sell you shit.

I have a pdf somewhere around here I can try to dig up for the blueprints for a wind generator. Typical size is 10' span, can't remember how much it puts out but it is more efficient than an alternator design. You have to make the rotor with the magnets and wind the coils, but it all looks doable. I don't live in the country yet, was saving these plans for future moves.

All great info everyone. Thank You. I'm way the fuck up here, I figure the more self sufficient I am, the better.
All within reason, of course. lmao.

thats me and the wifes ultimate goal. we are as self sufficient as we can be now in the city but we got a 10yr plan we r workin g towards which does include geo thermal and solar. self composting toilets live stock greeenhouse and the whole nine yards. won't be a cheap endeavour by any means but thats where any and all extra $$$ is going...savings. property taxes and insurance are the only bills we want to have. like i said ...10yr ultimate goal

mrbungle79 said:

thats me and the wifes ultimate goal. we are as self sufficient as we can be now in the city but we got a 10yr plan we r workin g towards which does include geo thermal and solar. self composting toilets live stock greeenhouse and the whole nine yards. won't be a cheap endeavour by any means but thats where any and all extra $$$ is going...savings. property taxes and insurance are the only bills we want to have. like i said ...10yr ultimate goal

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im right there with you brother