powering my house from my car (not vice-versa) internet cowboy un-conference jackson, wy 7/16/11 by...
TRANSCRIPT
Powering My House From My Car(not vice-versa)
Internet Cowboy Un-ConferenceJackson, WY 7/16/11
by Gary Lauder
1
Problem Statement• Put in solar PV in 2001 due to rolling blackouts– When Enron was gaming the system
• Done for backup power, so included batteries– Much much more complicated than standard
• Past decade's grid reliability has been excellent• Power drain to maintain charge state significant• Time to replace batteries, so decided to:– Use fewer batteries so would not last the night– Add generator to sustain power when w/o sun
2
Generator issues
• Natural gas supply likely cut in big earthquake• Diesel tanks can leak, need refilling, smelly• Where to locate? (noise, refueling, space)• Was pondering problems...• Unrelated activity: gave short TED talk in 2010
Similar idea
• I was contacted by someone (Richard Factor) who had similar idea:
PriUPS
• His web site was www.PriUPS.com• = Prius/UPS• Prius batteries: 200-230V• Feed into voltage converters to 48V• 48V feeds into existing solar inverters
Some Soldering Involved
Voltage Conversion Box
Orange Cables Connect to Cars
4 Inverters convert 48V to
120/240V
Installed Connector to
Car's HV Battery
Thermal IR Image of Conversion Box Wires
Stats• Tested at 3KW/car (more than I need)• I think I can double that output/car• Uses 1.7 Gal./hour = to driving at 31.5 MPH, so
tank lasts 7+ hours if operated full bore• If gas costs $4.00/Gallon• Using PriUPS costs $1.59/hour• Cost of electricity is $0.55/KWH• With less power consumption, rate of gas usage
declines• Many thousands of $'s less than traditional gen.