[RE-wrenches] PV powered music festival

Kelly Larson solarwrench at asis.com
Sat Apr 30 15:48:24 PDT 2011


Hi Carl,

You can't backfeed a generator.  I think it blows the voltage  
regulator?  And the output is often too dirty to connect to.

Here is a place for controls.  If one could control the loads well,  
you could accommodate solar fluctuation.  But alas, until then, we can  
stick to our battery backup, where the genny will back off when the  
batteries are full-ish.

Blessings,
Kelly

Kelly Larson
Electrical Engineer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
ISPQ Master Trainer
CA C-10 # 868189
SolarKelly at asis.com


On Apr 30, 2011, at 4:35 PM, Carl Emerson wrote:

> Great discussion.
>
> Why not backfeed into the generator and reduce fuel costs?
>
> Carl Emerson
> Free Power Co.
> Land line +64 9 473 4286
> Mobile +64 22 630 9689
> Email   emerson at freepower.co.nz
> Web   www.freepower.co.nz
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of  
> Kelly Larson
> Sent: 1 May 2011 9:16 a.m.
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] PV powered music festival
>
> Wow!  What an great discussion!  Nice documentation, Dan.
>
> I have powered part-solar, part-generator, part grid-powered events
> for several years.  It's problematic.  Few have a clue how much power
> and energy they use.  If they use to much it makes the electrician
> look real bad.  I walk around on my rounds and check everything
> regularly.  It's a big job.  Some of what I learned that hasn't been
> mentioned (or much):
>
> ALWAYS have a genny on hand to cover anything Murphy throws in.
> (...of Murphy's law)  A failure at a public event is hard to recover
> from.  Size it to cover everything PLUS battery charging.  A dead
> battery is worthless to you AND degrades the bank for future use.
> When the music's loud no one will notice, (or turn it on over night
> for recharge).
>
> Taking along a TED 5000 would be real helpful in figuring out what
> uses what.  The TED is pretty versatile, and records the data, (but
> takes a little figuring, so use it before the event).
>
> A clamp on ampmeter is an essential tool.  (Remember, most clamp on
> ampmeters are AC only).
>
> Watch the extension cords.  They can easily be undersized and often in
> poor repair.  In the past I've used big #10 SO cables to get power out
> to where it will be used to address this.
>
> An IR temp gun or thermal camera can help keep quick tabs on what is
> getting hot, which can be especially nice during headliners.
>
> Take the time to stand out front and educate about energy and
> renewables.  Have fun with it!  Have flyers that list resources for
> energy efficiency and energy conservation, as well as renewables.  I'd
> love to have a meter with a big readout that says how much power is
> being used with a running total of energy.  Project for the future...
>
> Blessings,
> Kelly
>
> Kelly Larson
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
> ISPQ Master Trainer
> CA C-10 # 868189
> SolarWrench at asis.com
>
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