Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all

Dont know if this is acceptable or already been discussed but here is a link to a website for a partition to sign for the Feed in Tariff system, to try and make it a good groos feed in tariff

http://www.feedintariff.com.au/


Bree

Bridgette, I wish this the best. I would like to see something like this in the states.

not being able to afford solar yet, im wondering if i can couple an automobile alternator bank to this stationary exercise bike i just found?

it has large flywheel already nicely grooved for a fanbelt

if i can keep some deep cycle batts charged ill be in ok shape

my dream would be a slow turning lister single cylinder generator but for now just running a few small lights will be fine

JohnnyH,
Just how fit are you?
An exercise bike with a suitably sized generator, charging batteries would give you a lot of exercise, just keeping a small load supplied with power.
I had thought of having an exercise bike set up, powering the TV, for my wife to watch her "soapies", then reality took hold and I realised that I would have to pedal it for the 3 or so ours of the programmes she likes.

Not Fun any more

Tony

im not in bad shape for all the years of woes but not gonna win no bodybuilder awards either

maybe ill just rig it to my grain mill as a backup power supply when no fuel exist for the briggs 3hp




that might work out better as i can peddle a hopper full and rest

A little off topic, but Johnny I wanted to say I like your mill. Are you grinding corn in the pic?

How fine will it grind? I was thinking about something like that for grinding fish feed.

Also, like the alternative energy ideas and tax breaks will have to investigate further.

yes it is running in the pic. it will go very very fine. to dust really if you run it back thru again
and adjust it down a few turns. mills are fun but like AP you must fiddle with them a good bit.

and be warned ones like my contraption will surely bite. long hair , loose clothing, dog tails, all must be contained or they will leave

try gristmillexchange.com for mill info to make sure you can get parts.

i had not even thought about grinding my own fish feed. thank you brother.

I've been looking at getting my house off the grid for a while now. Batteries seem to be a big problem. I like the idea of running the place on 12v.
Why aren't there companies out there making batteries that last. And can we just make our own.

Looks like some changes to the renewable energy tax incentives on the state level. Moved from $1.49 per watt to 50% cost of system. Better than before but I think they are betting on the cost of renewables to go down. I still like it! Some rules on borrowing from my thrift that stopping me from getting big system. Can't borrow full amount until June next year because that is when I paid it off this year and I have to wait out a year
I may take out a loan for it. Tax returns will almost pay it off.
50% state and 30% federal. I guess I can pay my 20%
Take that OPEC!!!!
http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/ince ... &ee=1&re=1

This seems to be some good deals on whole systems (not installed)
http://sunelec.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1
To qualify for tax incentives make sure the systems you get are UL listed and certified and other certifications dependent on what state.
Some of that info can be found from this website:
http://www.dsireusa.org/
Click you your state some of the incentives like in Florida will make the system almost $0 cost to some profit!
I'm happy for what my state is offering and glad for you guys who can get better!

resurecting this thread as it is interesting. Biodeasil is not viable for me - would never get the permits required to make it, but I'm interested in solar and those windblue units. Anyone gridtie one of those windblue systems and what sort of equipment etc do you use? It would not be feasable for me to go off grid, but would like cheap options of lowering electric bill.

Mark

The windblue puts out 12 voltsw DC or wild 3 phase ac the later is converted to 12 dc by an rectifier they sell.. The advantage of the ac is that you may use smaller wire to connect up the pole and to your battery. Then you need an inverter to grid tie or produce ac. I use mine as 12 volt battery charge and inveret the battery to sine wave ac to run mag drive fish pumps. This is in addition to 450 watts of solar Pv. I still need buy power during cloudy low wind spells and use an Iota 15 amp charger set at 12.2 volts as backup. The mag pumps are good cheap rebuildable and reliable units but mcuh less so if run on modified AC.

Well I finally got my solar Panels

Got cables and a lightning arrestor but I didn't get the end cables, the bare wire ends that get hooked to the power disconnect on the dc side.
I sure hate to cut the pretty little connectors off.

Now the fun begins, Bill. Do you have an inverter in mind? Some grid tie inverters go dead when the grid goes down. Outback sells some that will require a battery bank and will stay on line if grid is down. Those are fed by battery and need to be the correct voltage for the battery supply. You need to know what voltage to wire the panels and battery for before you begin. The higher voltage req1uires smaller wire, copper is expensive. Keep the battery as close as possible and go for as high a voltage as practicle. What voltage do your panels provide? Are you going to get utility or state rebate? If so do they require an inspection? Are you doing your own work? Be sure they will apporve your plans.
a word of caution regarding trackers. You can spend big bucks on them and in cloudy weather they may well point away from the sun. Even when cloudy your panels will generate power if facing the sun. You will do better to rig a timer for cheap and move from east to west at local apparent noon. Even if using fixed mounts provide for flattening the angle for summer months.

I had a grid connect solar system installed yesterday, it is 2.28kw of panels and a 3 kw inverter, I plan on adding 4 more 190kw panels at a later stage and that should supply 100% of my electricity needs when averaged out over the year. Sure was nice watching the meter spin backwards for a change.