I got this email today with some very useful information. So I thought the AWRM forum was the best spot for it.
RD6
Electric has become a necessity in modern day life. While it is possible to a pre 1900 life style, it becomes very inconvenient.
First may I suggest you check out:
http://www.homepower.com/home/ They put out a GREAT magazine. I subscribed to it for several years and have kept all my back issues.
GENERATORS:
The common thought is just go out and buy a generator and your electrical problems are over. Well if you have a 1,000 gallon fuel tank and plenty of money for fuel that may work. Large generators will consume 1 gallon an hour or more of fuel. At $3.30 a gallon for gas or $4.00 for diesel that gets expensive real quick.
I own a 2,000 watt Home-light generator. Ohms law tells us watts divided by volts = amps. So 2,000 divided by 110 volts (household current) = 18.18 amps. This is about what you have on one standard circuit (or breaker) in your home. This means running on generator power you should be able to fill any of your needs at one given time.
IMPORTANT EXCEPTION: If you have your own WELL for water you will need a generator with a 220 volt out put. This may be true for heating needs, if you do not have a wood stove.
You will not want to run your generator 24/7. First it is to costly and second these generators were not designed for constant use. The ideal situation is to have a "mini power plant". Your generator will "manufacture" your electric. Batteries will STORE that electric. And an INVERTER will convert that stored 12 volt DC electric back into 110 volt AC electric.
BATTERIES: There are two common storage batteries, one like in your car. But these are poor type batteries for our use, but will and can work short time for emergencies. What we want is a "DEEP CYCLE MARINE or GOLF CART" battery. Golf cart batteries are generally 6 Volt so you will need a minimum of two. Or use (as I have a large 12 volt Marine battery) these are designed to run electric boat motors. The important thing here is the battery be of "DEEP CYCLE" type designed for maximum discharge and repeated recharging.
THE PLAN: My home has a family room connected to my kitchen for an overall area 11 ft. x 28 ft. that I can close off to the rest of the house. On the hottest day, I can cool that area with my garage 8,000 BTU air conditioner. This will require I have my generator running. At the same time I can plug in my refrigerator / freezer while recharging my deep cell battery. I have purchased two "under counter" 14 watt florescent lights and a 20 inch fan, plus computer and TV can all be run off the battery via the INVERTER. The idea is to run the generator ever two to 4 hours as needed for cooling (or heating via electric space heater .. I live in FL) at that time recharge my battery. While the generator is off supply my lighting and fan and communication needs via battery / inverter.
SAFETY: VERY IMPORTANT.... if you do not want to DIE only operate your generator OUTDOORS! Carbon monoxide WILL KILL YOU. NOTE: Your battery will put off explosive and flammable HYDROGEN GAS while being recharged. Keep it OUTSIDE away from open flames or other source of ignition.