Powering My House From My Car(not vice-versa)

Internet Cowboy Un-ConferenceJackson, 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 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:

PriUPS

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

Some Soldering Involved

Voltage Conversion Box

Orange Cables Connect to Cars

4 Inverters convert 48V to

120/240V

Installed Connector to

Car's HV Battery

Thermal IR Image of Conversion Box Wires

Stats• Tested at 3KW/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 PriUPS 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 LauderGary@LauderPartners.com

14