Thermoelectric Generators

[Chip Fetrow]

Well, most people don't prepare at all.  Not at all.  I basically feel  
they deserve to freeze or starve.

They don't even have a dozen AA cells in the freezer or 'fridge.

You have got to wonder.

I have only a 2 kVA Honda Inverter generator.  It runs mostly  
everything I need except the HVAC.  Still, I have had neighbors come  
buy to ask to plug in cell phone chargers.  I not only allow it but I  
give them an outlet strip.  I allow as many to plug is as appear.  I  
have dozens of outlet strips as a result of decommisioning a radio  
network, so iI could likely accomidate a hundred chargers.  It would  
be a real mess on the front porch.  I don't recall more than six  
plugging into the generator.


I plan to get a 40 kVA generator for the entire house.  Of course, my  
wife and I need to become employeed, a problem for both of us right  
now.  However once we have jobs and don't have to worry about the  
bills, I will install a 40 kVA generator and put two or three 10  
Ampere outlets on it for those living closest to us.  Hey, they need  
to live with the noise, even though I plan to buy a low noise gen-set.

They can plug in there 'fridge or some other low load.  If they want  
to plug in something larger, the breaker will trip.

HEY, IT IS FEE.  Get over it.

--chip

On Dec 10, 2012, at 1:00 PM, tacos-request at amrad.org wrote:

> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:56:26 -0500
> From: Richard O'Neill <richardoneill at earthlink.net>
> To: Tacos AMRAD <tacos at amrad.org>
> Subject: Thermoelectric Generators
>
> "They were actually using these in NYC shelters to charge things like
> cellphones after Sandy. They apparently work pretty well."
>
> Mark,
>
>  So, these devices do have some practicality after all, at least in  
> an urban environment - following a major calamity. Can you direct me  
> to any links that describe their use following Sandy's passage?  
> Personally, in that sort of situation I'd place far higher priority  
> on obtaining shelter, potable water and food than recharging a cell  
> phone. My, how times have changed. I suppose these devices are now  
> considered essential for urban folks used to a daily reliance on them.
>
>  I can see where such a puny power source such as this could be a  
> life saver for those otherwise unprepared for an infrastructure  
> collapse. Few really are. However, the fact that these devices  
> require three to five hours of burn time to recharge a cell phone  
> seems pitifully inadequate for all but the most dire circumstances -  
> which did exist for so many for far longer than they ever expected.  
> The Boy Scout motto about always being prepared is still good advice.
>
> Richard