(word processor parameters LM=8, RM=75, TM=2, BM=2) Taken from KeelyNet BBS (214) 324-3501 Sponsored by Vangard Sciences PO BOX 1031 Mesquite, TX 75150 There are ABSOLUTELY NO RESTRICTIONS on duplicating, publishing or distributing the files on KeelyNet except where noted! January 3, 1994 OFFGRID.ASC -------------------------------------------------------------------- Since most of us here at KeelyNet are intensely interested in becoming totally power independent, I felt the following information might be of use in understanding just what are the electrical requirements to run your house. It is one thing to dream of the day when we will finally be able to build or buy a system to run our vehicles or power our homes. It is another to get down to "brass tacks". A one time purchase or lease that could be easily maintained and supported for years of reliable operation is the goal. This information will show you some of the realities. -------------------------------------------------------------------- The following text and specifications are taken from the W. W. Grainger and McMaster Carr catalogs. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Typical Electric Tool and Appliance Wattages Equipment Running Watts Maximum VA Light bulb (100W) 100 100 Radio 150 150 Fan 200 600 Television 400 400 Refrigerator (conventional) 400 1200 Furnace fan - 1.3HP w/blower 600 1800 Vacuum cleaner 600 1800 Sump pump - 1.3HP 700 2100 Refrigerator/freezer combination 800 2400 6" Circular Saw 800 2400 Floodlight 1000 1000 1/2" Drill 1000 3000 Toaster/Coffeemaker 1200 1200 Skillet 1200 1200 14" Chainsaw 1200 3600 Water well pump - 1/2HP 1400 4200 Hot plate range (per burner) 1500 1500 10" Circular Saw 2000 6000 Water heater (storage type) 5000 5000 Electric oven 10000 10000 -------------------------------------------------------------------- An electrical generator must be properly sized for the load it will be called upon to handle. Electric motors are particularly difficult for a generator because starting an electric motor requires 2 to 3 times its nameplate rating or wattage. Page 1 While electricity supplied by an electric power company has essentially infinite SURGE capacity (limited only by the circuit protection provided), a generator is limited by the engine horsepower and intertia of the rotating parts. Thus, a current surge of short duration can be supplied by a generator, but with a current demand of longer duration such as a heavily loaded motor starting a high inertia system, can overload a generator possibly damaging both the generator and motor. A 3450 RPM air compressor motor is a prime example of this type of load. For this reason, when determining the power your generator is to provide, it is important to calculate electric motor requirements at 3 times the running watts to compensate for the surge needed to start the motor. With this in mind, the following guidelines can be helpful in selecting the right size generator for your application. 1. Total the wattages of all small appliances, tools and light bulbs to be operated at the same time. Most appliances have labels showing wattage (if volts and amps are given, volts X amps = wattage). For example, you may wish to operate the following equipment. Electric heater 1000 Watts Eight 100 Watt light bulbs 800 Watts Total 1800 Watts 2. Next determine volt-amperes (wattage) requirements of electric motors to be operated (e.g. furnace blower motor), remembering that the starting requires 2 to 3 times the nameplate or running (rated) watts. Thus, if running watts of the motor is 600, multiply the number by 3 to determine the maximum VA needed. Running = 600 Watts Starting = 600 X 3 = 1800 Max. VA The starting (max.) VA can also be determined by referring to the motor code listing which indicates starting KVA per horsepower. 3. Total watts and VA in Steps 1 and 2 to get the total requirements: Running Starting Step 1 1800 W 1800 VA Step 2 +600 W +1800 VA 2400 W 3600 VA +25% +600 +900 3000 W 4500 VA 4. To allow for anticipated future needs or use of extra equipment, add 25% to the total load as in Step 3. 5. See performance data charts at the bottom of each generator listing for the unit that meets your total load criteria. For example, a generator that provides at least 4500 max. VA (No. 4W108) produces 4600 VA and 4000 watts which meets the load required by the example above. A 3000 watt generator should not have enough max. VA to start the electric motor load. Page 2 NOTE: If more than one motor is to be started, start ONE MOTOR at a time and always start the LARGEST FIRST. If trying to take the entire load of the generator from a single receptacle, be sure ampere rating of receptacle is not being exceeded. NOTE: Make sure that extension cords used with generators are properly sized for load and cord length. Otherwise, excessive voltage drops and generator loading may result and CAUSE excessive heating of portable power tools. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Motor Code Listing Code KVA/HP | Code KVA/HP | Code KVA/HP A 0-3.15 | H 6.3-7.1 | R 14.0-16.0 B 3.15-3.55 | J 7.1-8.0 | S 16.0-18.0 C 3.55-4.0 | K 8.0-9.0 | T 18.0-20.0 D 4.0-4.5 | L 9.0-10.0 | U 20.0-22.4 E 4.5-5.0 | M 10.0-11.2 | V 22.4 & UP F 5.0-5.6 | N 11.2-12.5 | G 5.6-6.3 | P 12.5-14.0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- Recommended Extension Cords for use with Generators and Portable Electric Tools It is important to use extension cords of adequate current carrying capacity when utilizing a generator to operate portable electric tools. Undersized cords result in excessive voltage drops and additional power plant loading. This also causes excessive heating of the portable tool because voltage drop reduces tool capacity. Ampere Rating Wire Gauge @ Cord Length 50 foot 100 foot 150 foot 2 18 18 18 3 18 18 18 4 16 16 16 5 16 16 16 6 16 16 14 8 16 14 12 10 16 14 12 12 14 14 12 14 14 12 10 16 12 12 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------- In any power generation system, you have several options. You can generate power AS YOU USE IT, you can store the power in a battery network and convert it with the use of inverters (DC to AC) to run your appliances. We all would like to see some kind of virtual flux/ZPE tap, however, until such technologies are a reality, we have other options. The energy used is still the same, regardless of how it is generated. Personally, I think the first systems must be hybrids, using a combination of several technologies. So, as an experimenters startup pack, I suggest you download the file GARRETT1.ZIP which contains the patent and .GIFs for the Garrett Electrolytic Carburetor as used to run a 4 cylinder automobile engine in the 30's here in Dallas. Page 3 The basic principle is to convert water to hydrogen and oxygen, mix it with air and explode these intermixed gases to drive an off the shelf engine. The idea is to provide the motive force to turn a generator, that charges the batteries, then an inverter converts the DC to AC as it is necessary to run the house. And we can use the battery reconditioning technology that applies a 3.3Mhz frequency to the electrodes (3.3Mhz is the sulphur NMR frequency) to cause the sulphates to redissolve into the battery acid. Anyway, hope you get the point and will share your experimental results with all of us here at KeelyNet! -------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have comments or other information relating to such topics as this paper covers, please upload to KeelyNet or send to the Vangard Sciences address as listed on the first page. Thank you for your consideration, interest and support. Jerry W. Decker.........Ron Barker...........Chuck Henderson Vangard Sciences/KeelyNet -------------------------------------------------------------------- If we can be of service, you may contact Jerry at (214) 324-8741 or Ron at (214) 242-9346 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 4