Thread: Off grid 3 phase solar power

A significant factor for WA is line transmission losses, given the remote nature of WA and the respective location of power plants its not surprising that mini grid systems are deployed.

Had a chat to a mate who has a three phase diesel generator on his acerage, and it does seem quite economical. The generator costed him $16k to install and he runs it 6-8 hours per day and costs him around $200 per week in fuel. Which given the price of solar/battery storage at the moment it will take quite a few years before the cost of fuel/maintenance of running a diesel generator exceeds the cost of solar system.

Alternatively if you've got space install your own "mini-grid" and get the best of both worlds.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

That would be no where near enough for my house, it would be lucky to run the network and computers with everything going. What 99.9% of people think batteries will do is that they will act as a complete back up if the power goes down and that is not the case at all. Some years ago we had a bush fire go through our town and the power was off for days, during that time we had a big Honda generator hooked up and it would not start our fridge with everything else turned off. Admittedly it was running through a 50 metre extension cord but the start current for it must be very high.

Without access to the compliance plate for your fridge, I'd guess that when running your fridge would draw around 8-10 Amps, with a starting current probably 2-3 times that. The voltage drop over a standard domestic 50m extension cord is not pretty. My first guess is that the extension lead was too light for the run and current draw.

Although I am surprised that a "big" Honda generator was feeding through a single extension lead.

A modern fridge uses about 100 to 300w. I have a big Samsung fridge freezer 300+ ltr and it happily runs off a 900 w pure sinewave genny.

In my case the generator was next to the fridge, it was rated at 10A the same as a power point but it wouldn't start the fridge.

To start the fridge we would rev the genny to full speed and close the switch. It would run untill the fridge stopped and then some one would switch off the generator. Some time later, I can't remember how long, the proceedure was repeated. A real PITA but it kept the fridge cold for many hours.

Paul,
1, 2 & 3

Neighbour got 3 phase and it cost him 30k to get it to my property is another 400 or 500m

DaveTTC
The Turning Cowboy
Turning Wood Into Art

Originally Posted by DaveTTC

Paul,
1, 2 & 3

Neighbour got 3 phase and it cost him 30k to get it to my property is another 400 or 500m

DaveTTC
The Turning Cowboy
Turning Wood Into Art

Personally I would focus my efforts on moving away from 3 phase all together if I was you. Is there any reason you need so much power? Start using hand tools more, get a treadle lathe maybe
Save a fortune! You'll be happier and healthier in the long run as well.

When the world goes to s**t (which may now be sooner than we thought) it's the guys with hand tools that will come out on top in the long run. A generator will be worthless by then when all the fuel runs out and the fish n chip shops close.
Stock up on hand tools and guns I say. They will be the most useful tools you will need.

Originally Posted by Ausworkshop

When the world goes to s**t (which may now be sooner than we thought) it's the guys with hand tools that will come out on top in the long run. A generator will be worthless by then when all the fuel runs out and the fish n chip shops close.

Sounds like all the more reason to go with solar.

Until the battery needs changing or some other part needs maintenance then those solar panels will be like big flags alerting all those around that you may have a lithium battery stashed in your backyard that they all need to survive. Lol, I'm just joking around, but still, it's well worth stocking up on hand tools or any other item that you can't make yourself and requires no maintenance or reliance on mining. The lithium mines will be closed by then, or we will have sold it all off to China and can no longer control the mines in our own country. Tesla will have the left overs from them, that's if an EMP hasn't wiped out the USA by then!

I have a treadle lathe and pole lathe [emoji6]

DaveTTC
The Turning Cowboy
Turning Wood Into Art

Originally Posted by Ausworkshop

...we will have sold it all off to China...

Who will have sold it back to us so they will have all of the money and can buy this place and kick us out.

You'll be all set then. I'll walk to Horsham if I need some turning done, that's if the roads aren't covered in mobs of zombies.
That reminds me I need to contact Brendan Stemp and find out when he's getting more glue in stock.......(because he's from Horsham, not because he reminds me of a zombie, just to clear that up)

Originally Posted by Ausworkshop

Personally I would focus my efforts on moving away from 3 phase all together if I was you. Is there any reason you need so much power? Start using hand tools more, get a treadle lathe maybe
Save a fortune! You'll be happier and healthier in the long run as well.

did you see the hulking big piece of old cast iron Dave hauled down the Hume not so long ago.

From memory, Dave needs a 60kVA 3 phase generator just to get the motor to turn over.

What glue is that?

DaveTTC
The Turning Cowboy
Turning Wood Into Art

Going by the text, the glue that he's sniffing!!!!!!
Kryn