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Location: What Will You Do When The Power Goes Out?
Discussion: Power inverters
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Legion12 |
Power inverters
Apr 8 2008, 5:44 PM EDT
When the lights go out I use a power inverter. It runs off a 12 volt battery and I'v powered Lights for 5 days at ren faires with out any trouble. Also recharges cell phones nicely. A 12 volt battery is easy to find and rechargeable.
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Talon12 |
1. RE: Power inverters
Apr 10 2008, 2:50 PM EDT
The cost is very reasonable, starting at 30$ and up from there. Batteries are going to be easy to find. The one we have now can be hocked to more than a single battery. Through a solar battery charger on top of that and you now have free power.
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sporezombie |
2. RE: Power inverters
Apr 13 2008, 9:20 AM EDT
I did use a battery charger and hook it up to a solar panel where the zombies couldn't get it and if the solar broke I did go with a human powered charger. Think a bigger version of the hamster wheel power
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DaveBall |
3. RE: light sorces
May 15 2008, 9:06 AM EDT
I have purchased 3 solar lanterns, and 6 solar out door lights to use as back ups when the power goes out. I also will pick me up some power converters, I have a small one I use for camping but I think im going to get a couple larger ones. Propanes a good idea too. Im also going to rig up a generator bike from an exercise bike, ive ordered the generator. Not just for power but to keep in shape while held up along with my bowflex.
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StrykerPez |
4. RE: light sorces
May 15 2008, 7:12 PM EDT
There are plenty ways to spin a generator... wind, human, water, engine, etc. However, the problem lies in that the average generator is designed to spin at 3600 rpm exactly to produce the 60hz sine wave in American AC power. Some use gearboxes to achieve 3600rpm generator arbor speeds but allow a lower input speed (for use on tractor PTOs for example). If spun at a lower speed, a generator will still produce power, but it won't be 120v and the frequency will be off wave. It will light a standard incandescent bulb, probably not a fluorescent though, and will spin solid state motors at a lower rpm but I wouldn't try to run anything with IC circuits or controls (computer, radio, tv). Now if your electronic device uses a AC to DC adapter (black chunky thing that goes in the wall) to charge its batteries, then you could use that. An option to provide constant 120v 60hz power to sensitive electronic devices is to use a battery backup (found at any electronic retailer). Get several of these, link them in parallel, and you will have power even if the sun is behind a cloud or the person pedaling your generator bike gets tired, or you switch off your engine powered generator to avoid detection. On another note, a 12 volt (nominal voltage, actual voltage is closer to 14.4v) alternator pulled out of a car can be spun at variable rpms if you find one with an internal voltage regulator (most newer alts). Raid a parking lot near your stronghold, pull several alternators, all the batteries, and the headlights and taillights off the cars. Build vanes from metal debris lying around and attach your makeshift propellers to the pulleys of the alternators. Mount these contraptions on the roof of your stronghold. Run a hot and a ground wire to the batteries that are connected in parallel (more amps, same volts). Then run wires around your base and connect the headlights outside as emergency search lights and use the red taillights inside to preserve night vision.
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iamMetaluna |
5. RE: light sorces
May 15 2008, 10:42 PM EDT
Not a good idea for several reasons. Gas, noise, etc... Setting up at a gas station would also draw people who'd slit your throat for the gas you have. Creative, but not a feasible plan.
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Chainsaws+me |
6. RE: light sorces
Jun 14 2008, 10:39 PM EDT
You do realize, of course, that the condition you are creating has ABSOLUTELY NO HELPFUL EFFECTS TOWARDS BATTERY LIFE. The is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY to create energy using two batteries. In fact, the condition you are creating actually will deplete your power supply quicker (Because electricity has to flow through wires to actually go anywhere, and wires, not to mention batteries have a small yet still relevant resistance value, you are using electricity when you hook a battery up to another battery. This also happens when you try to hook up a battery to itself to recharge the battery. What you are really doing is creating a short-circuit, which quickly depletes your energy supply.)
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