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EvoQ
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# Posted: 9 Dec 2012 05:07am - Edited by: EvoQ
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I have been doing some research and thought that if there is ample water source nearby ad you have rights to this water source that hydro would most Def be the way to go to produce plenty of Electricity/Power for your Off-Grid Cabin/Property. A friend sent me to this site/manufacturer as they said they had heard good things about them. http://www.microhydropower.com/our-products/stream-engine/ This unit from the link produces 1kw and they have both a smaller and larger unit and all three seem reasonable in price for the output generated.......I'll tell you this to me; seems pretty exciting stuff as these little hydro units pack some big punch in the way of power. Now that is understanding that your property can sustain these Hydro units, in terms of water flow, and specifically elevation/drop. But wow when you can reasonably produce enough Kw per day for most appliances for a cabin. Im not talking a full sized house but this one unit produces 1kw and for the price that blows away solar doesn't it? I'm new to all this but my friends attempts at schooling me on Hydro power have about sold me for the cost vs power output. anyone have any thoughts about this ? Thnxx for imput
Q
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 9 Dec 2012 08:04am
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This guy in South America (website in perfect English) shows how he set up his own hydroelectric:
http://ludens.cl/paradise/turbine/turbine.html
He tackles a number of other hobby-projects on his site. Quite a range of skills! Be sure and check out the view from his place of the volcano erupting.
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EvoQ
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# Posted: 10 Dec 2012 04:29am
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OMG...How did you come upon this guy's site ? Some amazing stuff for sure.
It has really inspired me about Micro-Hydro-Electric-Power. I have 25+ years of Fabricating and Welding both Mig and Tig which is my specialty and I know with some Electrical help could devise a system similar to this guys.
Like you mentioned the Volcano erupting was just an awe inspiring photo. Makes one really think to want to be that close 50+? miles would be way too close for comfort. If during an eruption the wind was NOT favorable, and that huge ash cloud came downstream onto your property...OUCH !
It's people like this guy in your web link that really inspires me to move forward with my Off-Grid goals. And as far as the Micro-Hydro-Electric-Power is concerned this guy's Tiny stream just reaffirms my belief that Micro-Hydro-Power is Definitely the way to go. Blows Solar away big time, and seemingly at below the cost of even 1/10 the output that Solar could give you. There's just no way Solar dollar for Dollar can match Micro-Hydro.
Thnxx again for this info, surely appreciate it !
Q
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 10 Dec 2012 07:38am
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No problemo on the link. Started following this guy due to my electronics hobby. He sure doesn't do anything half-way! Just look at the detail level for the concrete form.
His hydro must have some pretty good year-round flow, combined with a healthy drop. I'm near the ridge top so don't have a water resource.
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EvoQ
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# Posted: 11 Dec 2012 01:52am
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Yes you are right about his skills. I found this link on one of my favorite site "Make" about someone that homebuilt a very simple 5 gallon bucket Micro-Hydro Power generator. This guy can get 1/2 Kw out of his contraption, and I bet he didn't spend hardly any money.
Yes you def need a water resource. And with that; a water resource is one of my priorities on my new land search, and ofcrouse the water rights to go with it.
Check out the the 5 Gallon Bucket Micro Hydro Power Generator Here]
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 11 Dec 2012 11:32am
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Neat link!
Fortunately water rights are such a big deal here in Ohio, but my property only has flowing water part-year. Plenty of wind, though! I might supplement solar with a d.i.y. windcharger.
http://www.mdpub.com/Wind_Turbine/
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TomChum
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# Posted: 11 Dec 2012 12:37pm - Edited by: TomChum
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Quoting: EvoQ Check out the the 5 Gallon Bucket Micro Hydro Power Generator Here]
That's cool. Here's more info on this project. It's 60 watts, from 240 feet of 2"pipe falling 90 feet. Curious what the flowrate is. This project was from way back in 2008.
Some problems with Hydro is it can plug up then freeze. It might be noisy, attract attention. Nice that it runs 24/7. Would be fun if there was enough for electric heat or cooling. If a small amount of extra heat it can be used to keep the battery bank at proper temp.
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groingo
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# Posted: 11 Dec 2012 01:37pm - Edited by: groingo
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I was all set to do a stream surface power generator, mainly because in Washington State if your stream is class two game creek or above the water is considered state property as well as some stiff environmental regulations on my stream in particular since it is used (by myself) to raise and rear Coho Salmon, talk about shooting myself in the foot especially since I was on the board that wrote the regulations!
Long story short, it wasn't the fish, State or regulations that put a stop to it, it was the stream itself which is very tempermental especially fall through spring where water flow can go from 4 CFS to 700 CFS over night.
What has really made me have to sit back and re-think was the 59 years of daily information on my stream levels from the USGS which did not paint a pretty picture and has sent me back to the drawing board again but with a solid direction thanks to the USGS stream info, I know better what to expect and can possibly design for that but for now there are easier ways to get the power I require.
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TomChum
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# Posted: 11 Dec 2012 02:09pm - Edited by: TomChum
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Groingo, you did not shoot yourself in the foot! Everybody wants clean water, clean air, wildlife around and a nice place for the grandkids. It's just "not popular" to say it out loud.
I would be disappointed if I got called out for messin with my stream though, so I do understand you brutha! I don't want to cause any trouble with wildlife, I want more wildlife around, so I'd take my lumps.
Quoting: groingo 4 CFS to 700 CFS over night.
Adds complexity to your solution!
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groingo
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# Posted: 11 Dec 2012 03:58pm
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Adds complexity to your solution!
You might call it that!
My solution I have been working on several years is the floating paddle wheel type, something that will not interfere with the fish, it worked, was simple to build but with the erratic fluctuations due to surface water runoff and the junk that floats down with it increases over the years making it a part time power contributor at best unfortunately when I need it the least.
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nicalisa
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# Posted: 11 Dec 2012 09:13pm
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OMG that is perfect for us especially in the winter. We have a crazy supply of water that we run in from about 900 feet above us......
I think that I am in love!
have to tell the hubby that I know what his next project is!
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TomChum
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# Posted: 12 Dec 2012 12:09am - Edited by: TomChum
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Quoting: nicalisa especially in the winter. We have a crazy supply of water that we run in from about 900 feet above us......
That's a lot of fall. You can get significant power from 900 feet.
If it freezes up there can be lots of problems, in the best case just no electricity until it gets warmer again. A worse case freezing might break up some of your system. The wires from the powerplant to the cabin have to be big wires if they are long - if you don't want to listen to a noisy powerplant. They are loud - often you can hear the sound on the YouTube vids. If you can put the powerplant underground in a little concrete bunker that is a pretty good situation, for freeze protection and theft protection too. Or if your powerhouse puts out 230VAC directly you could go a long way (to the cabin) with that voltage. If this stream is already noisy then it might not be any problem.
Hydro has lots of benefits but there are some good reasons people put up with intermittent solar (quiet and no moving parts). But solar can be unattractive to look at, otherwise you need (again) large expensive wires to get the power to the cabin. Then again you might like the look of solar panels. Not me I'm on this classical kick so I don't like to see them.
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EvoQ
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# Posted: 12 Dec 2012 04:51am
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Hydro Power all depends on the Water/Stream/River situation. If it is seasonal and of course the freezing issue. If however you do not have these issues then Hydro in my opinion is an excellent source of Large amounts of power at reasonable prices. Even in a Winter time situation Electric Power usage should fall off a good bit. Surely, most everyone uses wood heater as they are so efficient. Hydro Power is all about the Water and your access to it.
I know in my case I am seriously looking at Hydro Power, having getting access to a decent sized stream with nearly average constant flow.
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Anonymous
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# Posted: 12 Dec 2012 05:56am
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so....
what if you have a large river, but it has a slow flow? I suppose I'm really asking what happens when a large volume of water is travelling down a very slight decline (very small fall) ?
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groingo
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# Posted: 12 Dec 2012 11:34am
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Quoting: nicalisa OMG that is perfect for us especially in the winter. We have a crazy supply of water that we run in from about 900 feet above us...... I think that I am in love! have to tell the hubby that I know what his next project is!
Depending on what your rate of fall is over the 900 feet, you may have enough to run both the generator and supply your water from the same pipe provided you can give the generator an unobstructed outflow.
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EvoQ
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# Posted: 12 Dec 2012 09:54pm
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Here is an Excellent explanation of Water Flow and Pump Head Link HereThis will give you a very good determination of your situation is viable for Hydro Power.
Just remember these new Micro Hydro units do not need much of either so check the manufacturers info first before your determination. Moreover a 1-2 Kw output from such small devices is amazing for what is invested.
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TomChum
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# Posted: 13 Dec 2012 11:08am - Edited by: TomChum
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Hi EvoQ, I like the concept of micro-hydro too. If you can find a place with significant fall, you may have power to burn.
Here's a link to an online micro-hydro calculator that lets you input the fall and the flowrate. It's a little grumpy but still useful. I've found better micro-hydro calculators on other sites, but this one lets you put the wire-length from the generator downstream back up to your to cabin.
1.6 gallon per minute (....per minute! This is a trickle ! )
falling 250 feet, thru a 3/4" pipe 1000 feet long
---- produces 39 watts at the generator!.
39 watts 24/7/365 is a decent amount of power from a trickle of water. Its the same as 190 watts of solar (5 hours per day, 365 sunny days a year). But its noisier, and has moving parts, and it can freeze.
To comprehend 1.6GPM, consider that a garden faucet at your house, full open, might put out 5 gallons per minute. 5 GPM, falling 250 feet could produce 100watts. Not really enough for electric heat, but that's a lot of power for a cabin when you get it 24/7/365. More than 350 feet of fall is a lot and adds complexity and cost, for example, you couldn't use plastic piping and you need much more expensive turbine parts. 900 feet of fall, for example is almost 400psi, pretty much un-usable.
If you're seriously interested, download this Micro-Hydro Excel spreadsheet from RockyHydro it's much better.
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EvoQ
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# Posted: 13 Dec 2012 06:36pm
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Thnxx for these links and comments. I am Def going this route. For my circumstance Micro-Hydro is the Awesome Answer to my Electricity needs.
I plan on living half the year in the Mountains and in the winter time I head down to my Houseboat in the Keys.
I won't have to worry about the winter time freeze and lack of water. Also I intend on putting the Micro-Hydro Plant inside a building with plenty of sound deadening insulation. Or as I have seen someone else dug down and placed his Micro-Hydro plant below ground so all he had to worry with was the top/lid.
I recently came across a very small turbine power plant that you suspend in the water of a semi-fast flowing river or creek. I believe a Japanese company are producing these. When I saw it I was fascinated and thought to save the link in case others be interested.
This Micro-Turbine suspended into the water would be Ideal for some people that do not want to run pipes/etc. or also have issues with local ordinances concerning trapping and re-routing the water supply. Anyone with access to a semi fast flowing waterway could benefit from this device. I'll go and find it and post up the info.
But "TC" you are so very correct, Micro-Hydro produces a much more efficient supply of Electricity, much more so than Solar ever could in the pound for pound dollar for dollar issue.
Solar is awesome, but it will be a long time still until we perfect a way to more efficiently Catch the Sun's Powerful Energy. Someone might know better than me, but I saw somewhere a new PV cell based on Copper, was supposed to be 50% more effective in harnessing energy and much-much cheaper than the typical and current day PV
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