Off grid power

**ducati** · 25-Oct-13, 19:20

I'm establishing an off grid power lecky supply for my home and would be interested to talk to and get advice and experience from others in the same position. I'm very keen to add micro hydro to the Wind /Solar mix and I think I have a good site for it. I'd be really grateful if anyone who has experience of this could get in touch if they are interested in sharing their knowlege.

**Phill** · 25-Oct-13, 20:02

Did Carwyn the Kazakhstani not come through with those nuclear fission rods? Davey the fence reckons they were the business.

**ducati** · 25-Oct-13, 22:45

Originally Posted by Phill

Did Carwyn the Kazakhstani not come through with those nuclear fission rods? Davey the fence reckons they were the business.

Yes but when I dropped them in a bucket of water (as per the instructions), translated from Kazak?, they went out.

**tonkatojo** · 26-Oct-13, 11:42

Originally Posted by ducati

I'm establishing an off grid power lecky supply for my home and would be interested to talk to and get advice and experience from others in the same position. I'm very keen to add micro hydro to the Wind /Solar mix and I think I have a good site for it. I'd be really grateful if anyone who has experience of this could get in touch if they are interested in sharing their knowledge.

Have a word with planning as to what you can and cannot have, also "lecky" company as to what you can and cannot have any where near their stuff.

**ducati** · 26-Oct-13, 12:17

Originally Posted by tonkatojo

Have a word with planning as to what you can and cannot have, also "lecky" company as to what you can and cannot have any where near their stuff.

Planning, none of their business! Lecky stuff, nowhere near (that's kinda the point).

**mi16** · 26-Oct-13, 15:39

Originally Posted by tonkatojo

Have a word with planning as to what you can and cannot have, also "lecky" company as to what you can and cannot have any where near their stuff.

It aint got jack to do with the leccy companies

**Pollaidh** · 26-Oct-13, 17:45

If you're thinking of using wind/solar you'll require an inverter and quite a lot of battery storage. The wind turbine and solar cells will top up the batteries and then you can use the power from the batteries without spikes and dips in supply... Not ideal, but due to the variable nature of these generating options pretty much a requirement. Micro hydro can produce a more constant supply if done correctly. Check out Hugh Piggot online he is probably the best person in the field in the north of Scotland, I used to utilise his services at a property in Glen Affric - totally off grid

**outsidethebox** · 26-Oct-13, 17:48

I would second Hugh Piggot, if he don't know I don't know who will...

**Anfield** · 26-Oct-13, 18:57

I would get one of the many "specialists" in to give you you a written quotation as to what you need, then just source the parts yourself.

**mi16** · 26-Oct-13, 19:04

Originally Posted by Anfield

I would get one of the many "specialists" in to give you you a written quotation as to what you need, then just source the parts yourself.

I should imagine they will be a bit smarter than that, they may well give a quote but to divulge the components and connection details without the order would be madness

**Pollaidh** · 26-Oct-13, 19:18

Hugh has build your own designs (wind turbine recipe book) with step by step instructions and certainly used to run courses at his home in Scoraig in how to build a turbine from scratch (my dentist attended one years ago). He travels all over the world to impart his knowledge. Sure you have to pay, but if you're confident and reasonably practical you should be able to follow his instruction manual, with pointers from his web site, or even advice through e-mails. The man is pretty much a genius.

**Westward** · 26-Oct-13, 19:58

Originally Posted by Anfield

I would get one of the many "specialists" in to give you you a written quotation as to what you need, then just source the parts yourself.

Lol! well said.

**Westward** · 26-Oct-13, 20:00

Originally Posted by Pollaidh

Hugh has build your own designs (wind turbine recipe book) with step by step instructions and certainly used to run courses at his home in Scoraig in how to build a turbine from scratch (my dentist attended one years ago). He travels all over the world to impart his knowledge. Sure you have to pay, but if you're confident and reasonably practical you should be able to follow his instruction manual, with pointers from his web site, or even advice through e-mails. The man is pretty much a genius.

he's also extremely busy and you could wait months for a reply from an email.

**Pollaidh** · 26-Oct-13, 20:09

Aye, he's a man in demand and for very good reasons, having worked with him before I know you have to plan ahead and fit in with his schedules, but I'd never use anyone else

**ducati** · 26-Oct-13, 20:17

Originally Posted by Pollaidh

If you're thinking of using wind/solar you'll require an inverter and quite a lot of battery storage. The wind turbine and solar cells will top up the batteries and then you can use the power from the batteries without spikes and dips in supply... Not ideal, but due to the variable nature of these generating options pretty much a requirement. Micro hydro can produce a more constant supply if done correctly. Check out Hugh Piggot online he is probably the best person in the field in the north of Scotland, I used to utilise his services at a property in Glen Affric - totally off grid

Thanks for that, I will. We do have wind turbines, solar panels, batteries etc. I'd like to utilise the fall in the land and a small stream to augment with hydro as I think it will be particularly useful in the winter when the stream is fuller. I have a spare turbine from a crash and burn episode I might be able to use. I'd like to find a design for a small high speed water turbine.

**Pollaidh** · 26-Oct-13, 20:35

When I last saw Hugh (2010) he was doing some work with micro Hydro too. He put forward a proposal for a system in the property at Affric. I also know there are some very innovative designs for turbines out there at the moment, but most of my experience is with wind and solar. Good luck it'd be interesting to know how you get on.

**ducati** · 27-Oct-13, 08:44

Originally Posted by Pollaidh

When I last saw Hugh (2010) he was doing some work with micro Hydro too. He put forward a proposal for a system in the property at Affric. I also know there are some very innovative designs for turbines out there at the moment, but most of my experience is with wind and solar. Good luck it'd be interesting to know how you get on.

Thanks, half the fun is doing it yourself. The other half is keeping the fridge going!

I've had a look at Hugh's website, very informative. Not sure I'd go to the extent of making my own blades from wood. You can get carbonfibre ones these days for just a few £s.

**ducati** · 27-Oct-13, 23:32

I've found a 2000-4000w water turbine from the states that might fit the bill. Cost about £100 for the motor and another £40 odd for the vanes. It is a Pelton type made by Motenergy. Anyone tried one?

http://www.motenergy.com/hydro-power-products.html

**ducati** · 27-Oct-13, 23:57

Hey, we could start an off grid club. Bring your own candles!

**Alrock** · 28-Oct-13, 00:42

Originally Posted by ducati

I've found a 2000-4000w water turbine from the states that might fit the bill. Cost about £100 for the motor and another £40 odd for the vanes. It is a Pelton type made by Motenergy. Anyone tried one?

http://www.motenergy.com/hydro-power-products.html

Since I'm paying a fixed amount for my water could I run that off my cold water tap?

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