Alternative Energy Zoo Discussions - Zoobird2024-03-29T05:58:34Zhttps://www.zoobird.com/group/alternativeenergyzoo/forum?feed=yes&xn_auth=noSolar Pump at The Hostel in the Foresttag:www.zoobird.com,2010-08-17:2129360:Topic:280742010-08-17T15:39:49.929ZMurray Wilsonhttps://www.zoobird.com/profile/MurrayWilson
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">We had a requirement at The Hostel in the Forest <a href="http://foresthostel.com">http://foresthostel.com</a> to pump water from the lake up to the new lake garden and orchard area that we were beginning to be developed. It was troublesome to carry watering cans back and forth, the banks of the lake were steep enough to make it a struggle and various experiments with a small hand-operated lift-pump had not been…</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">We had a requirement at The Hostel in the Forest <a href="http://foresthostel.com">http://foresthostel.com</a> to pump water from the lake up to the new lake garden and orchard area that we were beginning to be developed. It was troublesome to carry watering cans back and forth, the banks of the lake were steep enough to make it a struggle and various experiments with a small hand-operated lift-pump had not been successful . After one particularly good bottle of wine I even dreamed up the idea of creating an Archimedes screw that could be rotated by hand to lift the water simply by wrapping hose pipe around a 4" piece of PVC tubing... but the maintenance issues looked daunting!</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><br/></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Ideally, we wanted a system that was expandable and could scale as the garden developed and as more trees were added to the orchard. The idea was to place two or three 50 gallon barrels up high enough to develop some water pressure and then pump the water up into the barrels as they emptied. The lift was about 20 foot from the water level in the lake to the top of the barrels, depending on the time of year and the lake water level. The system was going to have to be as simple as possible with the minimal of maintenance. </div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><br/></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">I truly wanted a stand-alone solar system as it was several hundred meters from the nearest power source but the concept of having a car or boat battery was not appealing. Traditionally, in a solar-powered system, the solar panels charge a battery, the battery is then available to run the device(s) as needed. At some point, the battery would fail and have to be replaced with the cost of a new one and the even more arduous task of sensibly disposing of the old one with all the environmental issues of a lead/acid battery. So I was determined NOT to have a battery in the system. I wanted to use the smallest solar panel to keep it cost-effective but if you simply connect the pump to a solar panel. If this was connected directly to the pump, the chances were that it would only have enough power to turn the pump in direct sunlight and even then maybe for only an hour at mid-day.</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><br/></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">I calculated the 'lift' required to get the water to the pump and 'push' required to get the water up and into the barrels. I would need about 7.5 psi to lift the water including the expected losses. Selecting a high-grade 12 volt water pump from the extensive SHUREflo series was quite simple. I found one that met the required specification and was a diaphragm pump that would tolerate a little sand and dirt should some make it up the pipe. This pump would require a 45 watt solar panel to make it work in full sunlight. </div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><br/></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">In a motor, the current represents the torque, and the voltage represents the the speed. I was prepared to reduce the speed of the pump, if I could drop the voltage and gain the benefit of increasing the current (torque). By introducing a device called a Linear Current Booster you can do just that. The Linear Current Booster boosts the current to produce the torque to turn the pump motor. It sacrifices voltage to the motor, hence the motor runs slower. This results in a motor that pumps slower in low sunlight rather than having a stalled pump.</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><br/></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Lets assume it takes 3 amps of current to produce enough torque to turn the pump. So there must be enough sunshine to produce the 3 amps of current. With the panel we are using, this will happen at around 11.00 a.m. When the panel can produce 3 amps of current the motor will start to turn, and pumping will start at whatever voltage (speed) the panel can support the 3 amps of current. With a Linear Current Booster, as the current in the motor rises to 3 amps, pumping starts. The question is how much current is required of the solar panel to support this current in the motor? If the output voltage is 1 V and the input is at 15 V, the output is 1/15th the input in voltage. For Power in = Power out (neglecting the approx. 4 % loss), the output current must be 15X the input, or conversely the panel current must be 1/15th the output. If it takes 3 amps to run the motor at 1 V it takes only 3/15 = 0.2 amps of panel current at the panel 15 V. We get about 0.2 amps from the panel at about 8:00 a.m. in the morning. So the motor starts pumping at 8:00 am instead of 11:00 am. Conversely, the solar direct will stop pumping when the panel can't produce 3 amps, say about 2:00 pm whereas the boosted motor will stop when the panel cannot produce the 0.2 amps, likely say 5:00 pm. So the motor is pumping a lot longer each day and moving a lot more water! A direct solar system would only pump from maybe 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, while the boosted motor runs from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, just at a lower speed.</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><br/></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Another issue was that because it take a 15 feet of pipe to reach out to some clean water in the lake, every time a cloud would cover the sun, the pump would stop and all of the water would drain out of the pipe. While the pump was self-priming, it did require a couple of minutes to suck the water back up the pipe and start to push it up to the barrels. By installing a small foot-valve and filter at the inlet to the pipe, whenever the pump stopped sucking water, the water would stay in the pipe and not drain back into the lake. So every bit of sunshine was put to use pumping and not just priming. The last addition to the design was a float valve in one of the tanks so that when the tank was full it would shut the pump off and as the water level got down a 10% of full, it would switch itself back on again. </div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><br/></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">The system was installed at the end of 2006 and has given us nearly four years of trouble-free service. A small in-line filter makes sure not too much algae gets into the pump and this is simply cleaned about once a month. The energy is free free we do not have an ugly battery issue to deal with. </div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><br/></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><br/></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><br/></div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><br/></div> Wind Powered Electricity at a big rest stop called Okahumpka in Florida!tag:www.zoobird.com,2010-02-27:2129360:Topic:233112010-02-27T14:14:04.697ZMichael Levinhttps://www.zoobird.com/profile/MichaelLevin
<p style="text-align: left;"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2310077861?profile=original"></img></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br></br></p>
I noticed a windmill at Okahumpka while driving down to Winter Park from Gainesville. I'll snap a photo on the way back up, but HOORAY! <span style="font-style: italic;">That's</span> what I'm talkin' about. <br></br><br></br>Anybody know anything about it?<br></br><br></br>The one you see above is from 37 Signals, a friendly website that has nothing to do with…
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2310077861?profile=original" alt=""/></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br/></p>
I noticed a windmill at Okahumpka while driving down to Winter Park from Gainesville. I'll snap a photo on the way back up, but HOORAY! <span style="font-style: italic;">That's</span> what I'm talkin' about. <br/><br/>Anybody know anything about it?<br/><br/>The one you see above is from 37 Signals, a friendly website that has nothing to do with Okahumpka.<br/> Gainesville Regional Utilities Pays for Solar Energy!tag:www.zoobird.com,2008-10-17:2129360:Topic:63522008-10-17T16:01:04.002ZMichael Levinhttps://www.zoobird.com/profile/MichaelLevin
<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/mikelevin/sets/72157607914571781/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2929799714_f4dd6e3fbb.jpg?v=0"></img></a><br />
<i>(Photo of Zoobird <a href="http://www.zoobird.com/profile/mycolstevens">Mycol Stevens</a> by <a href="http://www.zoobird.com/profile/MichaelLevin">Mike Levin</a>)</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.alligator.org/articles/2008/10/16/news/local/081015_solar.txt">GRU offer energy incentive:</a> Did you know that GRU currently offers a one-time rebate for installing solar panels. GRU also pays for excess energy the solar…
<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/mikelevin/sets/72157607914571781/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2929799714_f4dd6e3fbb.jpg?v=0"/></a><br />
<i>(Photo of Zoobird <a href="http://www.zoobird.com/profile/mycolstevens">Mycol Stevens</a> by <a href="http://www.zoobird.com/profile/MichaelLevin">Mike Levin</a>)</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.alligator.org/articles/2008/10/16/news/local/081015_solar.txt">GRU offer energy incentive:</a> Did you know that GRU currently offers a one-time rebate for installing solar panels. GRU also pays for excess energy the solar panels produce!<br />
<br />
This system is in place but a new system is proposed. The new system would not limit the amount of energy GRU would purchase.<br />
<br />
Under the proposed system, John Crider, GRU utilities analyst says GRU would pledge to buy all solar energy produced by households and businesses for 26 cents per kilowatt hour.<br />
<br />
Pretty cool, Id say. Question for you Zoobirds: how much are you paying right now per kilowatt hour? The "We" Campaign and Controversial "Repower America" Adtag:www.zoobird.com,2008-10-10:2129360:Topic:58482008-10-10T15:48:38.890ZMichael Levinhttps://www.zoobird.com/profile/MichaelLevin
I got an email from Al Gore's "We" campaign that caught my attention the other day:<br />
<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QmEUHeI7fzE&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><embed allowscriptaccess="never" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QmEUHeI7fzE&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" wmode="opaque"></embed> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque"></param></object>
<br />
"Dear Mike,<br />
<br />
Did you notice the ads after last night's presidential debate?<br />
<br />
ABC had Chevron. CBS had Exxon. CNN had the coal lobby. But you know what happened last week? ABC refused to run our Repower America ad -- the ad that takes on this same oil and coal lobby.<br />
<br />
I sent a letter asking ABC to reconsider their decision and put our ad on the air, but still we haven't heard back more than a…
I got an email from Al Gore's "We" campaign that caught my attention the other day:<br />
<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QmEUHeI7fzE&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QmEUHeI7fzE&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never"></embed><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param></object>
<br />
"Dear Mike,<br />
<br />
Did you notice the ads after last night's presidential debate?<br />
<br />
ABC had Chevron. CBS had Exxon. CNN had the coal lobby. But you know what happened last week? ABC refused to run our Repower America ad -- the ad that takes on this same oil and coal lobby.<br />
<br />
I sent a letter asking ABC to reconsider their decision and put our ad on the air, but still we haven't heard back more than a week later. I think they need to hear from all of us. Can you help? Please send a message to ABC and tell them to air the Repower America ad this Friday on 20/20. Just click <a href="http://www.wecansolveit.org/ABC">here:</a><br />
<br />
<br />
We're working to get 100,000 public comments to ABC before 20/20's next airing.<br />
<br />
Our Repower America ad has a clear and simple message -- that massive spending by oil and coal companies on advertising is a key reason our nation hasn't switched to clean and renewable sources for our energy.<br />
<br />
Here's the script of the ad:<br />
<br />
The solution to our climate crisis seems simple.<br />
Repower America with wind and solar.<br />
End our dependence on foreign oil. A stronger economy.<br />
So why are we still stuck with dirty and expensive energy?<br />
Because big oil spends hundreds of millions of dollars to block clean energy.<br />
Lobbyists, ads, even scandals.<br />
All to increase their profits, while America suffers.<br />
Breaking big oil's lock on our government ...<br />
Now that's change.<br />
We're the American people and we approve this message.<br />
<br />
You can view the ad on the ABC petition page,<br />
<a href="http://www.wecansolveit.org/ABC">here</a>.<br />
<br />
As our country faces deep economic problems, we need to be able to have an honest debate about the root causes of our problems. As Al Gore has said, "We're borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the future of human civilization. And every bit of that has to change."<br />
<br />
As oil and coal backed groups outspend even major party committees in this political year, it's outrageous that ABC would deny our ad. Let ABC know what you think. Just click here.<br />
<br />
Thank you,<br />
<br />
Cathy Zoi<br />
CEO<br />
<a href="www.wecansolveit.org">www.wecansolveit.org</a> "<br />
<br />
And, today I got this email:<br />
<br />
"...What an unbelievable response! In just 24 hours, more than 100,000 folks sent messages to ABC in support of airing our Repower America ad (see below for more information). But we still haven't heard from ABC.<br />
<br />
There are only a few hours left before the next airing of 20/20. Let's work to get another 50,000 public comments by then.<br />
<br />
Will you help? Just go to:<br />
<br />
<a href="www.wecansolveit.org">http://www.wecansolveit.org/ABC</a><br />
<br />
===<br />
So, you can make up your own mind, of course. I wanted to bring this up here on Zoobird in the Alternative Energy Zoo! Building an energy producing wind turbinetag:www.zoobird.com,2008-08-06:2129360:Topic:31462008-08-06T18:16:16.302ZMichael Levinhttps://www.zoobird.com/profile/MichaelLevin
<img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2310076728?profile=original"></img><p><a href="http://www.mdpub.com/Wind_Turbine/index.html">How I home-built an electricity producing Wind turbine
It was easy. You can do it too:</a> <i>"Several years ago I bought some remote property in Arizona. I am an astronomer and wanted a place to practice my hobby far away from the sky-wrecking light pollution found near cities of any real size. I found a great piece of property. The problem is, it's so remote that there is no electric service available. That's not really a…</i></p>
<img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2310076728?profile=original"/><p>
<a href="http://www.mdpub.com/Wind_Turbine/index.html">How I home-built an electricity producing Wind turbine<br />
It was easy. You can do it too:</a> <i>"Several years ago I bought some remote property in Arizona. I am an astronomer and wanted a place to practice my hobby far away from the sky-wrecking light pollution found near cities of any real size. I found a great piece of property. The problem is, it's so remote that there is no electric service available. That's not really a problem. No electricity equals no light pollution. However, it would be nice to have at least a little electricity, since so much of life in the 21st century is dependant on it.<br />
<br />
One thing I noticed right away about my property is that most of the time, the wind is blowing. Almost from the moment I bought it, I had the idea of putting up a wind turbine and making some electricity, and later adding some solar panels. This is the story of how I did it. Not with an expensive, store-bought turbine, but with a home-built one that cost hardly anything. If you have some fabricating skills and some electronic know-how, you can build one too."</i></p>