What to Grow ??

[Brent S]

just an fyi for ya, 1000 watts is = to 1kw/per hour, a typical solar panel (the bigger ones like you find on a house) run at 240 or so watts per hour, so you'd need at least 5 of those + one 1200watt (1.2kw) inverter. seeing as how a typical house (depending on electricity bill) runs off of a 6kw solar system (6000watts), id say your grower is a bit extreme in a shtf situation, however, not entirely useless. though the main point of a grow light, is to keep "sun" (irradiation) on the plant throughout the night, for that you need battery packs to collect the energy throughout the day, to distribute the power to the grow light during the night. this process would mean needing 1+ more panels, and possibly a larger inverter, so you can supply the grow light power during the day and supply the batteries for the night at the same time (unless you use the real sun during the day that is). then to top it all off, you'd need the knowledge of how to hookup/run/operate/and maintenance the whole thing. solar is awesome, just not to sure its convenient for a 1000watt grow light.

Krimes right, I've been looking a lot at solar, and it is a great setup, but it's not a simple or inexpensive deal. It's really easy to set a simple system to run your household lighting. (Using energy efficient lamps, like led) The problem is when you want to run the other things. The fridge alone needs a sizeable investment, in batteries and panels and inverter, but if you want to cook, heat your water, and the holy grail of a/c, now you're talking a twenty thousand dollar investment or more. I'll post what setup I start out with, and that's after I do all the other preps I feel are more practical, so I'm going to be lucky to get the lights over to solar. But I guess that's a start.

 

[Brent S]

I think marijuana will be a valuable commodity when SHTF. Good idea. Have you thought about solar power?

Do you have a couch I could crash on at some point?

I do think marijuana will be worth growing as a medicinal product if you don't have medical access. And yes, there will be plenty of people wanting it for recreational use as well.

 

[Krime]

Krimes right, I've been looking a lot at solar, and it is a great setup, but it's not a simple or inexpensive deal. It's really easy to set a simple system to run your household lighting. (Using energy efficient lamps, like led) The problem is when you want to run the other things. The fridge alone needs a sizeable investment, in batteries and panels and inverter, but if you want to cook, heat your water, and the holy grail of a/c, now you're talking a twenty thousand dollar investment or more. I'll post what setup I start out with, and that's after I do all the other preps I feel are more practical, so I'm going to be lucky to get the lights over to solar. But I guess that's a start.

if you have any questions, just ask, its actually what I'm in college for atm. we just pretty much went over how to size equipment. battery pack are only needed if you go off grid really. heres a clue for you though: if you learn how to do it yourself, you can reduce that price by probably over half. that $20k system probably only cost the company $8k-$9k (yes, even with labor), to go completely off grid though, you're gonna spend a lot more than $20k. I believe those battery packs cost bout as much as the panels lol.

 

[Brent S]

if you have any questions, just ask, its actually what I'm in college for atm. we just pretty much went over how to size equipment. battery pack are only needed if you go off grid really. heres a clue for you though: if you learn how to do it yourself, you can reduce that price by probably over half. that $20k system probably only cost the company $8k-$9k (yes, even with labor), to go completely off grid though, you're gonna spend a lot more than $20k. I believe those battery packs cost bout as much as the panels lol.

I will definitely ask for specific help, thanks! Sounds like a pretty good subject/field to go into as it is going to become more and more mainstream as oil becomes scarcer. Here's a calculation for you, I have a 10 amp fridge which is energy star, and a chest freezer that I'm not sure of the amperage, it's energy star also, so let's say it's ten amp as well. I also want to run the lights in the house, but all are either led or at least compact fluorescent. How big of a system do you think I need? I know the compressor motors need more power to start up than when running, and there's the plus that they only run part time or rest after cooling down the unit. I believe the light count is thirteen, at an average of 23 watts each. I want a battery bank for the system as a backup, and plan to use 6volt deep cell 'golf cart batteries'. I'm guessing at a 2500 watt system with 4 batteries wired in series for 12volt. I'm also going to experiment with a water wheel and a car alternator to see if I can add a 24hr charger setup from the creek. I'm not sure about compatability from a 12v automobile alternator to the battery system being charged by the solar cells. I also have an issue with the small creek being a little far from the battery location. It's approx. 125 feet away, maybey 150. I ultimately want to build on the setup to try and run most of the house, so whatever I go with I want it expandable. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks, Brent.

 

[Krime]

I will definitely ask for specific help, thanks! Sounds like a pretty good subject/field to go into as it is going to become more and more mainstream as oil becomes scarcer. Here's a calculation for you, I have a 10 amp fridge which is energy star, and a chest freezer that I'm not sure of the amperage, it's energy star also, so let's say it's ten amp as well. I also want to run the lights in the house, but all are either led or at least compact fluorescent. How big of a system do you think I need? I know the compressor motors need more power to start up than when running, and there's the plus that they only run part time or rest after cooling down the unit. I believe the light count is thirteen, at an average of 23 watts each. I want a battery bank for the system as a backup, and plan to use 6volt deep cell 'golf cart batteries'. I'm guessing at a 2500 watt system with 4 batteries wired in series for 12volt. I'm also going to experiment with a water wheel and a car alternator to see if I can add a 24hr charger setup from the creek. I'm not sure about compatability from a 12v automobile alternator to the battery system being charged by the solar cells. I also have an issue with the small creek being a little far from the battery location. It's approx. 125 feet away, maybey 150. I ultimately want to build on the setup to try and run most of the house, so whatever I go with I want it expandable. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks, Brent.

well ****, that's a crapload of math.....thaaaaanks haha, but seriously, heres how youd need it (estimating) it all comes down to electrical mat, with your fridge n freezer, I need amps and watts, amps n volts, etc, I need at least 2 to do the calculations on those. going off of what I know about panels, that most are between 240-250 watts, the lights= 23x13=299watts/per hr so you would need to cover that with panel watt, using the larger panels, that would be 2 panels, but they DO make smaller watt panels, + inverters and your ac/dc wiring. (first let me remind you, im still IN school lol, im not an expert, but I do know a bit). again, with the batteries, I need a combination of watt/amp etc, however I CAN tell you, that I believe using a 2500watt (2.5kwh) system on 4 12v batteries will not work, that's way too much power n not enough batteries to hold it. youd likely fry your system and or mess up your batteries. you have to think, if 2500watts n you're setting it up for 110v that breaks down to 22.72 volts per battery. car alternators don't quite work as well as one might seem, an average car alternator runs at about 5200rmp, that's a grip of turns and its hard for it to do, BUUUT, and DC motor is an alternator too, just find a smaller one. I hope ive helped some.

 

[Brent S]

well ****, that's a crapload of math.....thaaaaanks haha, but seriously, heres how youd need it (estimating) it all comes down to electrical mat, with your fridge n freezer, I need amps and watts, amps n volts, etc, I need at least 2 to do the calculations on those. going off of what I know about panels, that most are between 240-250 watts, the lights= 23x13=299watts/per hr so you would need to cover that with panel watt, using the larger panels, that would be 2 panels, but they DO make smaller watt panels, + inverters and your ac/dc wiring. (first let me remind you, im still IN school lol, im not an expert, but I do know a bit). again, with the batteries, I need a combination of watt/amp etc, however I CAN tell you, that I believe using a 2500watt (2.5kwh) system on 4 12v batteries will not work, that's way too much power n not enough batteries to hold it. youd likely fry your system and or mess up your batteries. you have to think, if 2500watts n you're setting it up for 110v that breaks down to 22.72 volts per battery. car alternators don't quite work as well as one might seem, an average car alternator runs at about 5200rmp, that's a grip of turns and its hard for it to do, BUUUT, and DC motor is an alternator too, just find a smaller one. I hope ive helped some.

Yeah, I did spit out a lot there. I knew I needed to pull the freezer out to get to the label but that's easier said than done. I'm not worried about frying the batteries as I read about a charging regulator that protects them, but I do need to figure out how many are required to run the two appliances overnight. During the day I should just need a little more than I need to run them so I can recharge the batts for the evening again. I guess you need to oversize as well since not every day is clear and sunny, and there's only a few hrs of optimal generation as morning and evening don't give as much power. I know a guy that's had a 27k system installed with batteries, and I want to go over and look at it for ideas I haven't thought about yet, I'll let you know what he's got. It would be nice to have enough money to have someone design and install one for me, but not a real possibility. I'll figure out the sizing with some help and research, but even then, it will take me 4 or 5 yrs to get a decent setup.

 

[Krime]

Yeah, I did spit out a lot there. I knew I needed to pull the freezer out to get to the label but that's easier said than done. I'm not worried about frying the batteries as I read about a charging regulator that protects them, but I do need to figure out how many are required to run the two appliances overnight. During the day I should just need a little more than I need to run them so I can recharge the batts for the evening again. I guess you need to oversize as well since not every day is clear and sunny, and there's only a few hrs of optimal generation as morning and evening don't give as much power. I know a guy that's had a 27k system installed with batteries, and I want to go over and look at it for ideas I haven't thought about yet, I'll let you know what he's got. It would be nice to have enough money to have someone design and install one for me, but not a real possibility. I'll figure out the sizing with some help and research, but even then, it will take me 4 or 5 yrs to get a decent setup.

well, if you find out exactly how many kw/perhr you want let me know. I could also tell you how to find the zenith point to find your optimal sun light if you want. when you're ready, if you want, kick me the info. as far as a charging regulator, ive never heard about that, but its something ill look into, and probably ask my teacher on Monday lol

 

[Brent S]

I'm new, have not read this thread,
With that being said... I got a 1000 watt lamp for a mj grow but haven't used it yet
i always thought it would be worthless if **** went down... I'm not wasting generator juice on that when the sun is out... but if it goes black like I think it will, well all it does is make me worry... I'm going to go run drills with the family.
MM

The 1000w metal halide light is great for plants, but regular fluorescent light will work on plants and are a lot less wattage. I thing a lot of commercial operations use metal halide, but it's a lot more practical for a small setup to go with fluorescent, both in operating costs and initial setup.

 

[Dani]

I put some potatoes that had grown eyes into the greenhouse today. Was about the only productive thing I did all day. This was the second day I missed work from the snow and ice, and it was just too cold to be out in it. Looks like it thawed enough today though to make it out of the driveway so I'm back tomorrow.

Old wise tale is to make sure your tater are planted by the 14th. I normally set aside my spouted taters too and just cut them with an eye and let them dry for a couple days and then just plant in the ground in borrows. Fill in as they grow.

 

[Brent S]

Old wise tale is to make sure your tater are planted by the 14th. I normally set aside my spouted taters too and just cut them with an eye and let them dry for a couple days and then just plant in the ground in borrows. Fill in as they grow.

I did not know they could dry out and still be ok. I planted some in the greenhouse that had sprouted in the kitchen pantry and just put the cut eyes right in the ground. They were doing well until we hit 23deg. a couple nights ago and most of the new growth wilted pretty bad. I still have a bag of potatoes with lots of sprouts, so will wait a couple weeks before trying again, although like I said not all look like they were hurt.