Coal Stoker and Generating Electricity- Off Grid

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 6:40 pm

I don't know what the regs are in you area, but that seems like a rip off. I can't see why you can't dig the trench as far as possible, and have them lay the conduit & wire, then backfill.

Regardless of the electric, there are advantages to building a house with a low heat load (well insulated), and use LP for hot water and backup heat. A hand fired stove can be the main heat source if the layout of the house is a good match.


 
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CoalisCoolxWarm
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Other Heating: Oil Boiler

Post by CoalisCoolxWarm » Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 6:41 pm

lzaharis wrote:Living by the road sounds better now I bet.
Never happen ;)

Springs are common around here. Ours is in the 150yr range we figure. We run a backflush filter and UV filter, just to be on the safe side.

Trencher? If you look at the anthracite maps and see the giant stone field...that's us! LOL.

More like dozer and backhoe for a solid week. Stones the size of SUVs are common. Only required to go 24" deep here, but usually go at least 3ft.

Case 580k and JD455 and JD450 are the "weapons of choice" :D

We'd have to put a pedestal about halfway for pulling the line, they said. I don't know if they'd break the line there, or pull it in two parts.

My buddy is a "give the shirt off his back" kind of guy. I'd donate any equipment or time needed on my end, which is why it's a shame they won't let us do the work. I've put in several under ground services, but always after the transformer, customer end- never the primary.

There used to be a "ISDN-Anywhere" program in PA that capped how much a customer had to pay for ISDN service. I've been looking, but didn't find anything like that for electric service?

 
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CoalisCoolxWarm
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Other Heating: Oil Boiler

Post by CoalisCoolxWarm » Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 6:44 pm

Rob R. wrote:I don't know what the regs are in you area, but that seems like a rip off. I can't see why you can't dig the trench as far as possible, and have them lay the conduit & wire, then backfill.

Regardless of the electric, there are advantages to building a house with a low heat load (well insulated), and use LP for hot water and backup heat. A hand fired stove can be the main heat source if the layout of the house is a good match.
That's what I was thinking! I found a document that said pretty much that, from 2008. Maybe because it is primary?

Wisdom in the efficiency comment ;) But this isn't his "house," it is a temporary old mobile home with poor insulation so he can live there while saving money up and prepping the site and eventually building a (log house?) onsite.

First thing I said to him: "Super-insulate" ;)

 
coalnewbie
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Post by coalnewbie » Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 6:50 pm

Hmmm, so let me get this straight. Your idea is to run a Lister CS6/1s (two actually one for back up). They run forever, burn just about anything. Of course, you would an need an expert that has played with them for years and knows all the ins and outs, oh right that is me. Great idea, oh WAM, I have 2 connected in the tractor shed. Running two ST 5kw heads and have run the farm for a week on nothing else. Yes, everything is here on the coal board if you search. Great idea, and yes lots of folks have been before you. Perfectly practical!

utterpower.com

Get the book ... George knows everything

Attachments

100_0895.JPG

Two Lister CS6's

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100_0896.JPG

Two 50 gall tanks of an old truck, one diesel and one any old crap I can burn in them.

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100_0898.JPG

ST5 head - 4kw power

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Last edited by coalnewbie on Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 9:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 7:01 pm

Why would you run a primary line all the way to the house? Have them run it across the road, and then he can take ownership from there. My dad did exactly that with his house.

 
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McGiever
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Post by McGiever » Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 7:02 pm

CCXW,
Yes, there is exactly the inverter which does all that and more...I own a pair of them and the mode you need is one of four different modes...I am using a different mode using grid-tied w/battery backup and send surplus solar back on the grid for credit to use at a later time or day...solar panels, battery bank, utility grid and propane generator all synchronized in one user friendly controller. :)

 
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CoalisCoolxWarm
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Post by CoalisCoolxWarm » Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 7:25 pm

coalnewbie wrote:utterpower.com

Get the book ... George knows everything
Nooooo! Not the RED pill! {Salute to the Matrix}

Looks like the book is only Kindle. I don't have Kindle :(

Sounds like a great setup you have! If you were a bit closer, I'd have to come buy you a coffee ;)

Another addictive topic...now I'll never sleep :P


 
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CoalisCoolxWarm
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Coal Size/Type: Anthracite Buckwheat
Other Heating: Oil Boiler

Post by CoalisCoolxWarm » Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 7:28 pm

Rob R. wrote:Why would you run a primary line all the way to the house? Have them run it across the road, and then he can take ownership from there. My dad did exactly that with his house.
"It's too far" was the response when I asked the same question. I suggested putting the meter out close to the road with a disconnect (that's the primary objection I hear about with these long drops, no way for fire to disconnect the power between meter and panel box) and we'd run the rest of the way.

May be a possibility to split the distance?

 
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CoalisCoolxWarm
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Coal Size/Type: Anthracite Buckwheat
Other Heating: Oil Boiler

Post by CoalisCoolxWarm » Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 7:29 pm

McGiever wrote:CCXW,
Yes, there is exactly the inverter which does all that and more...I own a pair of them and the mode you need is one of four different modes...I am using a different mode using grid-tied w/battery backup and send surplus solar back on the grid for credit to use at a later time or day...solar panels, battery bank, utility grid and propane generator all synchronized in one user friendly controller. :)
Cool! Got a link/pic? :D

 
coalnewbie
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Coal Size/Type: Rice,
Other Heating: Heating Oil CH, Toyotomi OM 22

Post by coalnewbie » Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 7:34 pm

Another addictive topic...now I'll never sleep :P
Good, now you know how I felt when I bought my first coal stove. Someone here will get a pdf version for you. Don't give up. The nicest thing is you are off the grid! You would be amazed at the crap this engine runs on. I got a 10 gall drum of soy oil from the local Jap restaurant and it ran better as the injector was better lubricated and with no loss of power. So great, stay up all night and then let us get serious.

 
coalnewbie
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Joined: Sat. May. 24, 2008 4:26 pm
Location: Chester, NY
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: LL AnthraKing 180K, Pocono110K,KStokr 90K, DVC
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Invader 2
Baseburners & Antiques: Wings Best, Glenwood #8(x2) Herald 116x
Coal Size/Type: Rice,
Other Heating: Heating Oil CH, Toyotomi OM 22

Post by coalnewbie » Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 7:38 pm

This is THE book

http://www.utterpower.com/bill-rogers/

Here is the acid test



Did you wet your pants? You are hooked.

Psst, you don't need a Kindle there is an Amazon free app , now you are chit fresh out of excuses.

 
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CoalisCoolxWarm
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Other Heating: Oil Boiler

Post by CoalisCoolxWarm » Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 7:51 pm

I installed Kindle for PC and bought the book. I hate the Kindle reader app.

I paid for it, would sure appreciate a PDF that I can read and print better.

Oh, and it's my buddy who is going off-grid. I'd like too, especially after this last electric bill with a bit of A/C in the camper :shock:

I missed National Pike this year. First time in a while :(

 
coalnewbie
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Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: LL AnthraKing 180K, Pocono110K,KStokr 90K, DVC
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Invader 2
Baseburners & Antiques: Wings Best, Glenwood #8(x2) Herald 116x
Coal Size/Type: Rice,
Other Heating: Heating Oil CH, Toyotomi OM 22

Post by coalnewbie » Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 7:56 pm

and off down the rabbit hole he goes.... life will never be the same. The bad news is I don't have a clue what National Pike is.. :(

 
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CoalisCoolxWarm
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Post by CoalisCoolxWarm » Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 8:04 pm

coalnewbie wrote:and off down the rabbit hole he goes.... life will never be the same. The bad news is I don't have a clue what National Pike is.. :(
http://www.nationalpike.com/

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Wed. Aug. 31, 2016 8:14 pm

CoalisCoolxWarm wrote:
Rob R. wrote:Why would you run a primary line all the way to the house? Have them run it across the road, and then he can take ownership from there. My dad did exactly that with his house.
"It's too far" was the response when I asked the same question.
Well then, what is the max you can do before it is "too far"?


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