Power Sources in the Field

[Sapper]

For those of you that go out into the field for long periods of time (4 days or more at a time) what do you use out on the bush for power? We all know how much car batteries weigh, solar panels are expensive (well at least those that push enough power to run a small electric sump pump are) and those smaller batteries just don't last long enough.

Do you pack large batteries? Small batteries? Solar panels? or do you rough it the entire time your out there with nothing more than a few small batteries to run your flash lights at night?

Has anyone tried building a water wheel using a car alternator to charge a car battery that they have brought out? 

The reason I ask is because there are a couple things I like to bring with me.

XM Satellite Radio Receiver - For the evening when the days work is done.
Radio - To play the XM Satellite Radio
12V Sump Pump - for the finishing sluice I'm building

At the end of the day, these devices will run out of power as I suspect a 12V Marine Batteries will fail within a day or two - especially since the recirculating finishing sluice I'm building is set and forget for the most part and will run for a couple hours non stop with a little maintenance every 15 minutes or so (Oh yes, I have an ingenious design coming up )

[goldseekr]

Solar panel to charge the battery in either the camper or travel trailer,,4000w generator with built in battery charger pretty much covers all our power needs,but then we can be on our claims for 2-3-4 months.

[garyww]

Battery technology is improving all the time and there are some pretty good  units available nowadays. The best place to look for info on lightweight units is the canoe and kyak sites of all places. On the other hand I'm wondering why a person who's in the bush for extended periods of time needs power to begin with but I do understand that each individual has their own unique requirements so I'm not saying that in a negative way.

[ramdmc]

If you have a good current, you can go for a micro hydroelectric generator. Some good info Here Check out their online store, they have some overstock units at a decent price. IF you have the current, then micro hydroelectric is dead reliable, does not stop, charges through the night, all day long till you pull it out of the water.

Good luck

RC

[juu907]

  think you missed the link rc. like to see what you came up with.   jerry

[ramdmc]

Click on the "Here" it's a hyperlink

[juu907]

  well time for new glasses. your link takes you to my neighbors whom i have known for over 30 years and are good folks to deal with. they have been working in remote areas for a long time in many different areas including the drilling of remote wells and mineral exploration including core drilling. thanks   jerry

[ramdmc]

Np, that was what I found from a quick web search, I know other systems are available and range in power output/size. You can't beat these micro hydroelectric generators for reliability, and if you're working near a river/stream, it's a no brainer. The only downside is you need a fairly fast current so you may have to get creative about where you place it.

I was first introduced to these units when I rented a cabin in the middle of nowhere that had all it's power provided by one the size of suitcase.

GL

RC

[garyww]

I guess the original poster wasn't to serious about actually having to live in the boondocks without modern trappings.

[nite hawk]

I was talking to a fellow who works on car alternators for a living, and he was saying that the GM /ponitac altenators for generating electricity for a very small alternative electrical system are the best, as they have a charge controller in them. Now the newer ones may be all computerized, so they may not work as well, don't know. The fellow that I was talking to had put together a few wind systems for people out in the bush, and he said that the car alternators have to move at approximately 1500-1700 RPM to generate electricity. They were using planetary gears to up the spin speed of the altenators to make them work. You can buy low revolution alternators on the internet that have been re-worked but from what I have seen they can be pricey.
On the old treadmills there were magnet motors, and I have been told those can be used to generate a small amount of electricty to charge a 12 volt battery.
   Also, one needs a deep cycle battery instead of a starting battery to withstand all the dis-charge and re-charge that is needed to run a very small alternative electrical system.
If one can find them,( without ripping a hole in the wallet ) the golf cart batteries or mine car "loky" batteries that pulls the muck cars underground work quite well, and are very durable..
Nite Hawk