Powering My House From My Car not vice-versa

Powering My House From My Car (not vice-versa) Internet Cowboy Un-Conference Jackson, WY 7/16/11 by Gary Lauder 1

Problem Statement • Put in solar PV in 2001 due to rolling blackouts – When Enron was gaming the system • Done for backup power, so included batteries – Much more complicated than standard • Past decade's grid reliability has been excellent • Power drain to maintain charge state significant • Time to replace batteries, so decided to: – Use fewer batteries so would not last the night – Add generator to sustain power when w/o sun 2

Generator issues • • • Natural gas supply likely cut in big earthquake Diesel tanks can leak, need refilling, smelly Where to locate? (noise, refueling, space) Was pondering problems. . . Unrelated activity: gave short TED talk in 2010

Similar idea • I was contacted by someone (Richard Factor) who had similar idea:

Pri. UPS • • • His web site was www. Pri. UPS. com = Prius/UPS Prius batteries: 200 -230 V Feed into voltage converters to 48 V feeds into existing solar inverters

Some Soldering Involved

Voltage Conversion Box

Orange Cables Connect to Cars

4 Inverters convert 48 V to 120/240 V

Installed Connector to Car's HV Battery

Thermal IR Image of Conversion Box Wires

Stats • Tested at 3 KW/car (more than I need) • I think I can double that output/car • Uses 1. 7 Gal. /hour = to driving at 31. 5 MPH, so tank lasts 7+ hours if operated full bore • If gas costs $4. 00/Gallon • Using Pri. UPS costs $1. 59/hour • Cost of electricity is $0. 55/KWH • With less power consumption, rate of gas usage declines • Many thousands of $'s less than traditional gen.

Thank You! Gary Lauder Gary@Lauder. Partners. com 14