Could This Be Your Next Power Conditioner?

Tom,

You know how I feel about your system. The question I have from a standpoint of not wanting to disconnect fromt the power grid: Can I successfully use similar car batteries and use a charger? More specifically, If I were charging a battery and then using that battery to feed another (like jump starting a car) battery powering a system, would the first battery filter out the line grunge pretty well?

Pat, the charger will do just fine on one or more batteries, but you should disconnect the charger during play to eliminate any noise from the charger. You can just shut it off when you play, and turn it back on after you are done, to recharge the batteries for the next session. This method allows anyone to use batteries for power, whether they are on the grid or not. However to power any 120VAC items, you need a special power inverter that makes a perfect sine wave, and a perfect 60Hz frequency. Studer makes inverters like this, and I use one on my preamp. It works beautifully, and is noise free, even on my high efficiency Lowthers which will clearly reveal any noise coming through.

Twl-

I read the prior thread on going off the grid and was intrigued then, and the article Buscis2 referenced reinforced that. I just bought 120AC of unimproved land in the Blue Ridge mountains in VA where I plan on putting up a timberframe as a weekend retreat from DC. Can you recommend any good reading on the subject? At this stage I'm pretty flexible in terms of design. I have to have gas to cook with (can't stand cooking with an electric range) so I can avoid some major electric drain there. On the other hand, I'm not sure I'm willing to give up my ARC VT100s or my Salvatore espresso machine, so I may be in trouble on that score.

The article referenced consumers selling excess power back to the electric company--that seems particularly interesting concept for a w/e place. Plus, that means you are presumably connected to the grid so you have some backup if there is some Noah's ark-esque forty days of rain.

Where does one get started?

The least expensive and most reliable way to "get off the grid" would be to use a small motor/generator set. Usually these are used to generate DC power from a 110VAC line (for example 400VDC which some military equipment uses), but there is no reason why a 115 VAC generator couldn't be used. Of course many people in rural areas have gas or diesel powered 115VAC generators. What I suggest is similar except powered by an electric motor.

Edesilva, in the link I provided, there are many sources of solar power info. On the right hand side of the page, click on "Solar Energy And Sources For Solar Products". There is a wealth of info there regarding getting started. Also, check with the local power providers in the Virginia area concerning incentives and/or rebates available for the initial installation.