solar V elect company

[fxst]

Just got our quotes for power to our bush block. The elect co (2 poles SWR line & transformer)approx $32k but then still need electrician to supply 50m underground cable from pole to dwelling and wire it up.
Solar Co using the info supplied give us 4kw/hr day with some (1/2hr) charging top up in inclement weather (not too often here) and factoring in our existing wind genny (AirX 24v) with all fittings inverter,regulator, dist box fuse box cabling to fuse box etc (still need electrician to wire up dwelling as it will be all 240v because of the high cost of low power white goods) $22.8K No prize guessing which way I am going
All my WW & metalworking tools run off an existing genny so as the time used isn't that often it is cheaper than adding more solar at the moment. Basic tools Scrollsaw drills etc will run from the solar supply.
Now final paint jobs for the town house and its on the market
Pete

[Daddles]

The other option is a small wind generator. Sure, it'll only provide 12v but if the weather is horrid enough to knock out solar, it's probably windy and 12v lighting beats candles (may not drive the lathe though)

Richard

[journeyman Mick]

............and factoring in our existing wind genny (AirX 24v) ..........

The other option is a small wind generator.....

I say son, pay attention son.....


Mick

[Daddles]

Didn't see that word hidden in the middle Mick. See I was right wasn't I ... which is scary. Only the truly insane think that I know anything about electickery

Richard

[DavidG]

because of the high cost of low power white goods

For a 24v fridge which uses 1200wh per day it will cost $3k+

For a std 240v fridge which uses 1200Wh per day will cost $820.

There are now some std fridges which are more efficient than the specialist fridges.

Also go shopping at here as I think the solar quote is a bit high.

You could always wire low voltage and put the inverter at the load end.
One behind the fridge driving fridge and kitchen low power loads.
One for the entertainment gear.
One big one, moveable, for microwave or washing machine.

[RETIRED]

Peter, don't forget that you can get very large gas fridges too.

My brothers place ran on all solar and his fridge was fantastic.

[journeyman Mick]

Friends of mine ran gas fridges until they got a RAPS set up, they said that the fridge was pretty expensive to run on gas, but then we're paying a bit over $100 per 100lb cylinder.

Mick

[DavidG]

I heard that a gas fridge uses a 40k bottle of gas in 3 months.
That is $400+ per year and gas fridges are not cheap.
It worked out cheaper, in my figures, to add an additional solar panel and use an electric fridge (385 Litre)

To fill in the blanks.
I am currently in the planning stage (about to go to council) for a rural house and have had the same power questions and finally decided on a combination of wind and solar with a backup genny.

The other problem is the poor reliability of council supply in the rural areas. One storm and the power is off for hours if not days.

The biggest saving is to do it all your self up to the output side of the inverters.

[Grunt]

I struggling with the same issues. I get plenty of wind where I am but I plan to have 100's of trees on the block and in time some of these will get quite tall. From reading of Wind power you need to have the wind mill at least 10 metres above the tree line.

I'd get good quality power but I want to be self-sufficient in just about everything.

Chris

[fxst]

Peter, don't forget that you can get very large gas fridges too.

My brothers place ran on all solar and his fridge was fantastic.

we looked at that and like Journey bloke said now runs at $100 a quarter for gas. We will add more panels if need be. Just bought a 40gallon solar hotwater sys from Woomera...Just put up and the houses were demolished. Saved heaps there and my plumber mate is helping to fit it for me.
Say hi to Julie from Liz
Pete