PV Gap

Jeffrey Said:

I have a 5kw Coleman generator. The engine is no longer running. is it possible to run it using solar power ?

We Answered:

You could do it without violating the laws of thermodynamics, but it would not be a practical project. A new engine for your generator is not expensive, and then you could use it as a backup generator to charge your solar batteries when the weather does not cooperate.

It sounds like you need some basic instruction in solar electric systems and how they work. Try an internet search on "solar electric system."

Good luck.

Juan Said:

Solar power generator?

We Answered:

You do not need a generator!!!! What you need is Solar Panels and a place store the energy you don't use at night.

Ivan Said:

solar power?

We Answered:

The question is not too clear, as solar chargers are in fact d/c power as is the batteries they charge. To get a/c power from the system you will need an "inverter", and they come in various sizes, watts that is.
The amount of time will also depend on the batteries used, as they are all not the same. Reserve amps will be the determining factor to look at.
There is a formula published by the makers of these inverters that will give approximate running times, and most can be found through Google under the manufacturers brand name.

Roland Said:

Can a generator use solar power and partial energy produced used to run itself?

We Answered:

Any amount of energy fed back to the input of the source that produced it would be less than the amount of energy required to produce the fed back energy in the first place. The reason for this is because the generator`s efficiency (output/input) is always less than one because of losses caused by friction or flaws in design.

Unless you could supply enough energy from the solar source alone to satisfy the input energy requirements of the generator then it would be more energy conservative to store the energy from the solar source and time share it`s use with the energy from the generator than to waste energy in a feed back scheme that causes the generator`s efficiency to be even less than it was originally. Of course if you do that then you will have to have another energy source to drive the generator. The whole objective is to get the most output with the least input and your idea is certainly worth consideration. It has probably been considered in one form or another by every engineer that deals in this sort of thing but it just flat will not work. It is very hard not to talk in circles when discussing this subject so I hope you was able to bear with me.

Elaine Said:

How much it would cost for wind power generator ?

We Answered:

Starting from $ 700, Wind Power Generator has a versatility of uses. The wind turbines below are used worldwide for battery charging, home power, and water pumping applications, and range from 400 to 65,000 watts.

Wind Turbines start producing power at 7.5 mph wind speed, and increase their output through 45 mph winds. Higher wind speeds require the blades to be slowed down, to protect the equipment, but are very effective in wind speeds between 7.5 and 45 mph.

Peggy Said:

Are the sun's rays more powerful at higher altitudes?And would a solar power Generator produce more power?

We Answered:

Yes, because at a high altitude, the sunlight would pass through a thinner atmosphere . This means that the atmosphere would scattered less energy away.

Vicki Said:

How do you build a solar power generator?

We Answered:

You buy the components after you figure what you are trying to power, how much power it requires, how much you can afford and how much area you have to work with.

Are you generating power to sale on the grid or power something at home? Will you need the power at night or on cloudy days? These questions will tell you if you need storage batteries or not.