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1 Site Search - Quick Index | 2 The Realities of Purchasing On-Line | 3 Why Do Business With Us? | 4 Distributor of IOTA Engineering, Quick Cable and Anderson SB products | 5 Photovoltaics,Batteries, Cable and Wire | 6 Lumen Outputs of Compact Flurescent and Incandescent Lights | 7 Lightning Arrestors | 8 DC Lights | 9 DC Fluorescent Lights | 10 DC Fluorescent Floodlights | 11 DC Screw-in Compact Fluorescent Ballasts & Tubes | 12 DC Screw-in One Piece Compact Fluorescent Lights | 13 DC Indoor Flood, Ceiling and Cabinet Fluorescent Lights | 14 Portable & Emergency Fluorescent Light by Flexcharge | 15 DC Fluorescent Ballasts | 16 Charge Controller Musings | 17 DC LED Lights | 18 Light Bulb Socket Adapters | 19 Thinlite Indoor Lights | 19 A - Thin-Lite Heavy Duty Truck Dome Lights - Fluorescent | 20 Thinlite Outdoor Lights | 21 Thinlite Replacement Ballasts | 22 Thinlite Replacement Lens - Diffusers | 23 Thinlite DC Lighting Products | 24 DC Lighting | Glossary of Alternative Energy Terms | 25 Parallel Battery Bank Information | 26 What we sell and why. | 27 Amps Volts and Watts | CHARGE CONTROLLERS | 28 Morningstar Charge Controllers & Others | 29 Photovoltaic Module Wiring | 30 Wind - Hydro - Solar Charge Controllers by Flexcharge | 31 Water and Air Heating Diversion Loads for Charge Controllers | 32 Maximum Power Point Tracking Charge Controllers | 33 Solar Converters, Inc. Charge & Lighting Controllers | 34 SES Flexcharge Charge Controllers | 35 Flexcharge Charge & Lighting - Load Controllers | 36 Solar Converters Special Solar and Battery Charging Equipment | 37 TriMetric and Flexcharge Battery System Monitors | 38 Timers,Linear Current Boosters,Photoswitch,Relay,Switches | 39 Battery Desulphator | 40 Solar Converters, Inc. Products | 41 Flexcharge Products | 42 DC Circuit Breakers | 43 DC Circuit Breakers to 80 volts | 44 DC Fuse & Circuit Breaker Types & Installation | 45 UL Listed DC Breakers up to 125 volts | 46 Cathodic Protection Controllers by Solar Converters | 47 Our own alternative energy systems | 48 DC Fuses, Holders & Fuse Blocks | 49 Class T- DC Fuses & Fuse Blocks | 50 ANN - ANL - CNL DC Fuses & Fuse Blocks | 51 Inverter Cable and Overcurrent Protection Guide | 52 Adapter Bushings for Lugs and Battery Connectors | 53 Copper Buss Bars by Deltec Co. | 54 Low Voltage D.C. Lighting Tips | 55 Your On-Line Privacy | 56 Connectors & Strain Relief Fittings | 57 Power Distribution & Splicer Blocks | 58 Cable and Butt Splices & Connectors | BATTERY POST & TERMINAL CONNECTIONS, ADAPTERS AND BATTERY ACCESSORIES | 59 Battery Post Marine Conversions & Terminal Extensions | 60 Battery Post Connectors Conversions Adapters Repair | 61 Battery Terminal - Cable Lug Covers & Protectors | 62 QuickCable Cable Lugs & Heat Shrink Tubing | 63 Compression Connectors - Lugs | 64 Heavy Duty Cast Copper Connectors - Lugs | 65 Copper Connectors - Lugs by Quick Cable - MAXX | 66 Magna Lug Heavy Duty & Fusion Lugs by QuickCable | 67 Anderson SB Connector quick connects | 68 Anderson SB Accessories | 69 Anderson SB Parts | 70 Anderson SB Connector IndustraCrimp tool by QuickCable | 71 Overview of Our Photovoltaic Systems | 72 Iota Battery Chargers / Converters and others | 73 Adapters, Plugs, Sockets, Cords & Extensions | 74 Electric Vehicle Power Supplies Converters by IOTA Engineering | 75 DC to DC Voltage Converters & Dimmers by Solar Converters | 76 Transfer & Generator Start Switches, Distribution Panels | 77 Stranded vs Solid Wire in low voltage systems | 78 IOTA Engineering power products | 79 QuickCable Tools, Cable Crimper, Cutter & Stripper | 80 Battery Boxes | 81 Power Vent Battery Box Fans by Zephyr Industries | 82 DC to DC Voltage Converters | 83 IOTA Transfer Switch & TriMetric 2020 Features | 84 IOTA Engineering DLS Battery Charger Features | 85 Lighting Systems | 86 Practical Alternative Energy Applications | 87 Portable and Emergency Power Systems | 88 Custom Cables | 89 Our Customers Systems | 90 Specials | 91 IOTA Transfer Switch Views and Schematics | 93 | 94 Battery Wiring Diagrams | 95 Battery Condition and State of Charge Charts | 96 Order Form | 97 Backup Power? | 98 Energy Expectations | 99 Power Needs Worksheet | 100 Efficiency | 101 Wire Loss Chart | 102 Solar Insolation Map / Chart | 103 Utility Inter-tie | 104 About Us | 105 Statement of Policy & Warranty/Returns | Contact Us | MPPT Charge Controllers - FAQ | Battery Equalizer/DC Autotransformers - FAQ | Constant Voltage Pump Drivers - FAQ | Linear Current Boosters - FAQ | Information | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NEWS-info links | Home Power Articles | R | P | A | B | C | D
97 Backup Power?
HOW RELIABLE IS YOUR POWER?
You can prepare for rolling blackouts, earthquakes, storms - even that car knocking over a power pole at the end of the street.
AT HOME:
You are left in the dark, no lights, no radio, no television, no computer, no refrigerator, no fans and no blower for your furnace.
AT WORK:
The lights are out and so are your computers, printers, fax machines and credit card terminals. There is work to be done and sales to be made, but how is it going to get done? NOTE: UPS (uninterruptable power supply) units for computers are designed to maintain power long enough to close and save files - not to continue work.
Let's turn from the negatives and create some positives by taking control now.
We offer reliable back-up power for those with smaller needs (units that can easily be carried by one person) to larger systems than can be permanently mounted in the home or work place.
WHAT CAN A BACK UP POWER SYSTEM OPERATE?
Indoor lighting, outdoor lighting, refrigerators, security equipment, alarm systems, computers, office equipment, communications equipment, radios, furnace system blowers, television and some water pumping.
NOTE: many pieces of computer controlled machinery (machine shop equipment, materials handling and process equipment) utilize higher voltage and amperage but still require 120 volt a.c. for the controls and to store control data.
We stock small systems and can design and deliver a larger system sized to fulfill your power requirements.
There are basically two types of a.c. (alternating current) produced by back up power systems.
>The first is a modified sine wave which will operate most loads.
> The second is a true sine wave (like the power company sells you,) it is required to operate many types of sensitive electronic equipment (such as laser printers, battery chargers and test equipment) and will give better performance when running high fidelity sound equipment. Motors will also run cooler.
A quality sinewave inverter can power medical equipment such as ventilators
and oxygen compressors / oxygen generators.
WHAT IS A BACK UP POWER SYSTEM MADE UP OF?
BATTERIES: used to store power, the more battery capacity you have, the longer it will run your loads. Sealed gel cell type batteries can safely be used indoors. Conventional types must be stored in a safe enclosure to protect against gases which are produced when they are being charged.
INVERTER/CHARGER: the inverter changes the direct current (d.c.) power in the batteries into alternating current (a.c.) which can be used by your loads. The charger maintains the battery power levels before a blackout and replenishes them when service is restored by the power company. Small systems use a seperate charger and inverter while larger systems combine both functions.
POWER TRANSFER SYSTEMS: these choose either the inverter or the utility power to supply your loads (appliances, lights, etc.) Some mid-size systems are designed to plug into the wall outlet, and the loads plug into the system so power will be supplied by either the utility company or batteries. These systems switch from utility power to back up in milli-seconds to ensure continuity of service and prevent data loss. The larger systems connect to the service entrance and perform the same two functions - isolate the inverter output from the utility lines (for safety) and supply power to critical loads when incoming power fails.
CONNECTING CABLES AND BATTERY ENCLOSURES: some larger systems (like the Ready Power System) combine the batteries, charger/inverter and safety devices (controls) in the same enclosure.
ALTERNATIVE CHARGING METHODS: photovoltaic (solar panels) readily interface with these systems for long term use. An engine driven generator can be coupled to the system to handle heavy loads when necessary.
copyright by John Drake Services, Inc.
The following is a comparison of solar electric and gasoline/propane/diesel generators for emergency, stand-by and remote location power needs.
COST:
$ 300.00 and up, depending on the $ 450.00 and up depending on
number and size of panels and wattage, engine type and design.
batteries.
WEIGHT:
Panels weigh 5 to 25 pounds, batteries Weight is 50 to 250 pounds or
weigh 20 to 80 pounds, components are more depending on output and
easy to move. type of starting system, may be
difficult to transport.
MAINTENANCE:
None required on solar panels other than Oil changes are required,
cleaning with a damp cloth (life span on gasoline or other fuel must be
panels is over 20 years,) sealed batteries (a fire hazard,) modern gasolines
require no maintenance other a trickle will last 3 to 4 months before
charger, conventional batteries require going bad (can be extended to
small amounts of distilled water. several months with a chemical
stabilizer.)
EASE OF USE:
Parts are modular and are easily handled, Heavy, bulky, noisy and may be
no noise or fumes. difficult to start and use. Must be
left outside when operated.
POWER OUTPUT:
Produces 12 volt d.c. (many lights and Produces plenty of power
appliances are available,) requires an (especially for heavy loads) while
inverter to run conventional loads, limited fuel supply lasts and can run from
output, power production is dependant 2 to 8 hours on a tank of fuel
upon the size of both panels and batteries depending on tank size, engine
along with available sunshine. 24 volt size and amount of power being
equipment is also available. used.
SUMMARY:
Both types of power sources have a place in a plan for emergency back-up or remote location environments. For long term needs lasting over 24 hours, solar panels would probably be best suited because of the fuel storage, noise and maintenance issues when using a generator.
copyright by John Drake Services, Inc.