 Portability is always and issue with remote power. Batteries and fuel are heavy and potentially dangerous cargos which makes them generally difficult to move around. Solar and wind power are great ways to reduce the number of batteries needed and extend fuel supplies. In general, the longer you will stay in a remote location, the more attractive solar and wind power become.
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Portable Power Systems
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Written by Denson Smith
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Friday, 01 September 2006 |
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Remote power systems are power storage/generation solutions that will work in places where access to the power grid is expensive or unavailable. Remote power applications include: - Camping power
- SUV power
- RV Power
- Job Site Power
- Industrial Power
- Emergency Power
Requirements for remote power systems for backpack camping, SUV's, RV's, job sites remote industrial power and emergency power are very similar. The main difference is in the scale and type of components: - Sufficient - A good way to design a remote power system is to decide on your maximum power requirement and work backwards to choose components.
- Efficient - You can only take so much fuel with you and transporting it is a big logistics problem. Devices that use less power or generate power more efficiently save fuel.
- Lightweight - The less components weigh the more power it is practical to transport.
- Small - The smaller components are the more practical they are to store and move.
- Durable - Components and fuel storage must be shock resistant and resistant to the elements
- Reliable - The fact that you are remote means you can't run out for a replacement.
- Cost effective - The overall system must be cost effective for the desired job.
Short term remote power only needs a good storage component. Longer term solutions need both power storeage and power generation. The greatest callenge of remote power generation is a fuel source. This is why solar, wind and hydro powered systems are so popular for remote applications.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 10 September 2006 )
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Portable Power Systems
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Written by Denson Smith
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Wednesday, 30 August 2006 |
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Camping Power, Remote Jobsite Power and Emergency Power The goal of this project is to set up a system for camping and remote jobsite use in a Honda Element (or any SUV) that will double as an emergency power system. I chose a Honda Element because it has a lot of cargo space for the overall size and weight of the vehicle. It also has the advantage of having lots of little extras for remote use such as an option for a tent structure that attaches to the back of the vehicle and seats that fold back to make two pretty decent beds. 
The system is based on a portable solar power system with a small gasoline generator and special battery to store power from either. This type of system is charged by your vehicle's electrical system while you are running and a photovoltaic solar panel or gasoline generator when you are stopped. 
solar panels This system has deep cycle high capacity batteries that are designed to be deeply discharged. If you use a regular car battery it will wear out very quickly, so; only use the deep cycle batteries when your engine is off. It is fine to run the system with your vehicle's electrical system when your engine is running so long as you don't pull more than the rated wattage from the "cigarette lighter" power outlets..
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 16 September 2006 )
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