Comments on: AC DC – More Than Just a Rock Band http://www.livingoffgrid.org/ac-dc-more-than-just-a-rock-band/ Info for Off Grid Homes Thu, 09 Sep 2010 05:13:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: joe bess http://www.livingoffgrid.org/ac-dc-more-than-just-a-rock-band/comment-page-1/#comment-13064 joe bess Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:57:18 +0000 http://www.livingoffgrid.org/?p=288#comment-13064 can i hang the inverters next to the solar panels and run ac back to the meter about 120 feet or must i place the inverters close to the meter? I thought there would be less loss by running ac at the longer disance. can i hang the inverters next to the solar panels and run ac back to the meter about 120 feet or must i place the inverters close to the meter? I thought there would be less loss by running ac at the longer disance.

]]> By: Dennis Brachfeld http://www.livingoffgrid.org/ac-dc-more-than-just-a-rock-band/comment-page-1/#comment-12574 Dennis Brachfeld Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:48:05 +0000 http://www.livingoffgrid.org/?p=288#comment-12574 I agree with Edison direct is simpler and more "direct", but Tessler and General Electric had a "better" bigger business model with alternating current. They did not want decentralized generation, and wanted to maintain control and distribution. I believe we are finally waking up to "power to the people", off grid independence, going back to the simpler life. I would like to learn more....."if you are green you are growing, if you are ripe you are rotting", Feel free to inform me .. dennis@aboutsavingheat.com I agree with Edison direct is simpler and more “direct”, but Tessler and General Electric had a “better” bigger business model with alternating current. They did not want decentralized generation, and wanted to maintain control and distribution. I believe we are finally waking up to “power to the people”, off grid independence, going back to the simpler life. I would like to learn more…..”if you are green you are growing, if you are ripe you are rotting”, Feel free to inform me .. dennis@aboutsavingheat.com

]]> By: Lyle Gentry http://www.livingoffgrid.org/ac-dc-more-than-just-a-rock-band/comment-page-1/#comment-8048 Lyle Gentry Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:10:45 +0000 http://www.livingoffgrid.org/?p=288#comment-8048 The time has long since passed for us to start moving away from a centralized electricity distribution model. Germany is already beginning a program to install microgenerators in private homes: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090915/sc_afp/germanyclimatewarmingtechnologycompanylichtblickvw_20090915100223 If individual homes can generate and store their own power what do we even need a grid for? And if there's no grid what advantage would AC possibly have? I forsee a day when every new home will be built with it's electricity generating and storage stystem. You won't even consider buying a new home without it any more than you would a home without doors or a roof. And with no grid to push electricity long distances through there wouldn't be any need for AC anymore. DC is cleaner, cheaper and safer. Think about how many lives will be saved each year just from avoiding accidental electrocution. The time has long since passed for us to start moving away from a centralized electricity distribution model. Germany is already beginning a program to install microgenerators in private homes:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090915/sc_afp/germanyclimatewarmingtechnologycompanylichtblickvw_20090915100223

If individual homes can generate and store their own power what do we even need a grid for? And if there’s no grid what advantage would AC possibly have?

I forsee a day when every new home will be built with it’s electricity generating and storage stystem. You won’t even consider buying a new home without it any more than you would a home without doors or a roof. And with no grid to push electricity long distances through there wouldn’t be any need for AC anymore.

DC is cleaner, cheaper and safer. Think about how many lives will be saved each year just from avoiding accidental electrocution.

]]> By: Ted Martin http://www.livingoffgrid.org/ac-dc-more-than-just-a-rock-band/comment-page-1/#comment-4650 Ted Martin Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:54:38 +0000 http://www.livingoffgrid.org/?p=288#comment-4650 I am going through the misery of finding someone to help me design a 95% dc powered motorhome. None of the solar companies are interested in discussing these possibilities with me… they want to sell gen sets and inverters. The cost of an inverted system is outrageous. I want to use dc in everything – true, it drives up the initial cost, but when you are finished with a quality dc appliance, you still have something to sell. The only people that I can get advise from are the 12vdc alternator people, and their knowledge is usually not too broad. The others are those that prefer to live like hermits. As this nice website does not seem to prohibit emails, I would like to know somewhere I could go to find some advise/consultation on how to set up such a system – even if it costs to get that advise:tkmartin1070@gmail.com I am going through the misery of finding someone to help me design a 95% dc powered motorhome. None of the solar companies are interested in discussing these possibilities with me… they want to sell gen sets and inverters. The cost of an inverted system is outrageous. I want to use dc in everything – true, it drives up the initial cost, but when you are finished with a quality dc appliance, you still have something to sell. The only people that I can get advise from are the 12vdc alternator people, and their knowledge is usually not too broad. The others are those that prefer to live like hermits. As this nice website does not seem to prohibit emails, I would like to know somewhere I could go to find some advise/consultation on how to set up such a system – even if it costs to get that advise:tkmartin1070@gmail.com

]]> By: Carole L. Vohs http://www.livingoffgrid.org/ac-dc-more-than-just-a-rock-band/comment-page-1/#comment-1466 Carole L. Vohs Mon, 09 Feb 2009 05:44:33 +0000 http://www.livingoffgrid.org/?p=288#comment-1466 Just trying to figure out if my appliances are AC or DC. I think they are all DC. I am off the grid but am having problems with my old standby Honda generator. It is 2500 amp or is it watts? and it is 10 years old. I find all the electrical jargon confusing but I am very slowly learning even at 74 years. Aren't there some government programs to help with low income folks? I really need a new generator and a larger one, maybe 3500 or more watts. I'm on SS and that's it. I wish T Boone Pickens was a friend of mine. Just trying to figure out if my appliances are AC or DC. I think they are all DC. I am off the grid but am having problems with my old standby Honda generator. It is 2500 amp or is it watts? and it is 10 years old. I find all the electrical jargon confusing but I am very slowly learning even at 74 years. Aren’t there some government programs to help with low income folks? I really need a new generator and a larger one, maybe 3500 or more watts. I’m on SS and that’s it. I wish T Boone Pickens was a friend of mine.

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