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To: PA Engineer
It looks like you're built and improving the system then.

"Was going to go with a permanently installed NG generator, but went with a "portable" 10KW multi-fuel."

I was unaware of those and did a search. That appears to be a great choice.

"I have the NEC manual as toilet reading. ;-)

Good. We keep that around and read it to confirm what's found in how-to information elsewhere (e.g., MC4 connectors for PV modules). We'll probably go high voltage (72V) for installing our larger array on sheds (copper prices, newer MPPT controller design, etc.) with a 24V battery array (Sundanzer DC fridge and freezers sold not far from here). ...will probably use a little voltage converter (step-down transformer) for running the low-wattage pumps for the solar-radiant heating system. ...running 12V for the RV situation in the meantime.

"The final area I will be working on is "packet ham radio". After all of this we will be literally "prepped" for a throw the switch scenario."

That's a good part of a radio system, IMO. But it is slow, so I'll be pairing some very old style mail and browsing packages with it. AX.25 does work for the essentials, and there are some free patches to the Net here and there. It'll be a way to get the distant news, if things ever degenerate so much.

...which is possible. Quite a few wireless Internet carriers are expected to close, if the economy sinks much lower. ...worse, if anything more destructive occurs.

"Here is an interesting site for some home security ideas. This item you may want to consider. I consider it necessary for a worst case scenario."

Thank you. I'll search statutes here, to make sure that it's a go in this State. ...probably is in most states with a safe, alarm-only setup. That would scare some bad boys away. ...played with those a lot in my Army specialty in the Guard, BTW. ;-)

We're installing camera systems with software motion detection--cheap with free operating systems and the like. They'll auto-upload to remote servers. Some pretty decent cameras that will do starlight or near (very low lux) can be had for about $100 now, but they need to be sealed and covered against weather. The infrared cameras are a pain (use too much power for us, pick up too much dust, moths, etc.).

"If there is a worst case situation and I consider that only if the grid goes down, we have enough Helios (12-85watt in storage) to provide water and keep the deep freeze going. In this part of Western Pennsylvania, Solar and wind are not economical. We are truly sun deprived and the wind seems to always come "all at once"."

I don't know of anything else for your climate, offhand, except maybe wood-fired steam engines for driving alternators. That's very expensive, though, due to dangers and regulations on steam engines. But they do work.


136 posted on 05/08/2011 8:42:32 PM PDT by familyop (cbt. engr. (cbt), NG, '89-' 96)
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To: familyop
We're installing camera systems with software motion detection--cheap with free operating systems and the like. They'll auto-upload to remote servers. Some pretty decent cameras that will do starlight or near (very low lux) can be had for about $100 now, but they need to be sealed and covered against weather. The infrared cameras are a pain (use too much power for us, pick up too much dust, moths, etc.).

I am working on that "literally" now. Do you have an opinion on the Lorex system.

I have found that the new motion sensors are pretty amazing. They are cheap, battery powered and the receivers can be programmed by tone for each location. The changes over the past year have been pretty amazing. The range of the new models will allow me to cover the majority of approaches (woodlands) to my property. I should add a ditto for the motion sensing LED spotlights. They use 3D cells and the batteries last over a year. I have installed them at the barn, woodshed, and two on the rear tree line.
140 posted on 05/08/2011 9:39:32 PM PDT by PA Engineer (Time to beat the swords of government tyranny into the plowshares of freedom.)
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