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Solar Power Trailer

Power Generator for travel trailer - alternative energy kinds like biodiesel or hydrogen or solar?

We have a 27' older travel trailer we've parked in the woods. There is no water, no power, no electricity. We'd like to turn this old dinosaur into an experiment in off-the grid cottage (start off with trailer and build around it). One thing is a power generator. Does anyone know if biodiesel (i.e. vegetable oil) portable generators exist or if perhaps hydrogen generators? This would be a back up to a solar panel hooked up to the trailer battery. Also looking into how to build a well and septic system. Links to books or examples of websites or other resources would be nice. Piece of land we have is in Quebec. P.S. not sure which category to put this in, there's nothing on alternative energy.

Hello,

I find your question very cool as alternative fuels are one of the hot topics of our times.

Ok, I'll list the most popular alternative fuels and some chunks of information and useful links alongwith them:

1- CNG i.e Compressed Natural Gas.
In India's capital city Delhi, the public transport vehicles have switched to CNG. It not only helps reduce pollution but, also is good for the economy. Your country, Canada is one of the largest producers of natural gas in the world.

I think you folks might try switching to CNG. I recommend CNG if you have a nearby retail CNG gas-station. CNG cylinders might also be available there.

Here are a few useful links:

1] Info on Natural Gas in Canada

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/fuels/natural-gas/natural-gas.cfm?attr=8

2] Technocarb Equipment Ltd.- Alternative Fuel Power

http://www.technocarb.com/news.htm

3] FIBA Canning Inc.- Another company pioneering the Natural gas buisness

http://www.fibacanning.com/FIRSTS.htm

4] Very useful info on CNG and its market

http://www.transoceangas.com/

5] Canada's initiatives with the "Green Gas"

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/04/canada_funds_hy.html

6] You want fuel cylinders? Check this link out:

http://www.dynetek.com/

7] A forum for starters

http://www.ngv.org/ngv/ngvorg01.nsf

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2- Biodiesel
An excellent choice for alternative fuel this one. I didn't need to research much about it as there is a website called biodiesel-canada.org on the internet. Here is the link:

http://www.biodiesel-canada.org/

You can find almost everything you might wanna know there.

Here is another site with awesome info on biodiesel and ethanol-

http://www.greenfuels.org/biodiesel/index.htm

A useful link from greenfuels.org -

http://www.greenfuels.org/biodiesel/pandf.htm#f

Unfortunately, I don't think biodiesel generators exist as it is produced from organic activities e.g. decaying of leaves etc. You'll have to buy the cylinders from biodiesel stations.

Here is some more info about this :

http://www.thevarsity.ca/media/storage/paper285/news/2005/02/03/Science/Biodiesel.Canadas.Future-850736.shtml?norewrite200606021946&sourcedomain=www.thevarsity.ca

If you are intersted in trivia, here are some biodiesel facts :

http://www.canadacleanfuels.com/biodiesel.html

http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/cars/biodiesel/emissions.html

Now, if you'd like to "brew" biodiesel in your own backyard, here is a web-page you'll love :

http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/biodiesel.htm

If you like researching, Wikipedia is the place to start :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiesel

(Just click on the external links under the article)

And if you'd like to see some papers and books about biodiesel, here is the link:

http://web.missouri.edu/~pavt0689/biofuel.html

An advice: Please, be sure that the use of biodiesel has been approved by the manufacturer of your vehicle.

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3. SVO - Straight Vegetable Oil
Dancingrabbit.com has some useful info on unmodified Veg oil which is used mixed with other fuels. Here is the link:

http://www.dancingrabbit.org/biodiesel/

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4- Hydrogen
I am afraid, Hydrogen (as an alternative fuel) too might not be available through generators. You'll have to go to fuelling stations like this one to run your vehicle with Hydrogen gas :

http://www.h2.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=158&Itemid=58

Here is the ultimate website for some who wants discussion papers, CDs, accesibility, info, etc on Hydrogen as an alternative fuel, check it out :

http://www.h2.ca/

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Here is a great online journal about alternative fuels:

http://www.greencar.com/index.cfm?content=links

You might also be interested in alternative fuels other than those listed above. Here is a list of some other interesting alternative sources of energy :

* Electricity,
* Ethanol,
* The p-series,
* Propane,
* E85 (E85 is an alcohol fuel mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, by volume) and
* LNG (Liquified Natural Gas).

Portable Solar Energy Power Stations

Portable solar energy power stations may sound, to some, like a dream. They can think of many places where portable solar would be useful, such as the RV they love to take camping, or the boat they use for long fishing trips. They cannot imagine, though, that portable solar energy power stations actually do exist.

Portable solar energy power stations have many practical uses, which we will discuss later, but what is portable solar power?

Description of Portable Solar Power

Portable solar power is energy generated from sunlight, the generator being of a size and form that can be moved readily from place to place.

Most portable solar power units use photovoltaic panels (PV panels) in one way or another. Some are amazingly small, and can be carried in a pocket, while others must be moved on a flat-bed trailer or truck.

Examples of Portable Solar Power

You may already be using portable solar power without realizing it. The following are examples of different sizes and styles of portable solar power.

1. Pocket calculators have been using portable solar power for years. Expose the calculator to sunlight, and it stores solar power for use. You can then carry this solar power into a field or up a mountain track.

2. Garden lights, or lights around a swimming pool now use portable solar power. If you want to rearrange your lights, or you decide to carry one as a flashlight, the portable solar power goes with you.

3. A multipurpose portable solar power unit is the fold-out solar panel that can be carried in a case the size of your day planner. Wherever you take it, you can open the panel to charge your cell phone battery, GPS, or other similar "gadget" you carry.

4. "Powerfilm" products are paper-thin PV panels - further examples of portable solar power. These products can be easily carried to charge almost all Lithium, NiCad or NiMH batteries. You can recharge batteries for boom boxes at the beach or while camping. You can recharge your digital camera or camcorder while on a hike. As long as you have sunlight, you have portable solar power.

5. Flexible PV panels, rugged and durable, give portable solar power for hikers and campers. This portable solar power can be rolled up like a sleeping bag, and then set up anywhere. You can drop it, step on it, dampen it while crossing a stream - and it will still give you power.

6. Larger portable solar energy power stations can consist of one or more photovoltaic panels (PV panels), simple wiring for the input jack, and a battery - sometimes referred to as a power pack. A commercially-produced portable solar power unit like this may also include a small fluorescent light, and a connection to your vehicle's cigarette lighter plug.

Examples of Innovative Portable Solar Power

Portable solar energy can, as we said, be carried with you. It can provide electrical energy when you travel to a remote third world village on business. It can provide military units with necessary electrical energy while they are on the move. It can power a small heater in a winter camping tent, or provide a reading light for campers. It is valuable and convenient.

As our demand for that value and convenience increases, portable solar power is becoming more innovative. Portable solar power is being added to clothing and backpacks. It is being added to handbags. You need never worry about cell phones, laptops or other electronics going dead again. Portable solar power is yours to use, anywhere, free.

Did you know about these products? Some are experimental, but others area on the market.

1. If you want "lady-like" portable solar power, you might choose the "Power Purse" as a lovely accessory. This purse is more than an accessory, though. It can power up small electronics. Designed by Joe Hynek in a handbag competition, this little black bag is covered with laminated portable solar power panels. It has a short plastic handle, and can easily be carried anywhere. Imagine the possibilities.

2. But a purse is not always appropriate. If you're stuck in the middle of nowhere, in a field, you might be happy to have the "Juice Bag" backpack on your shoulders. A Juice Bag is a worldwide patented portable solar power backpack. Flexible ballistic nylon solar panels make it lighter than solar bags with stiff glass solar panels. Take off your Juice Bag when you need to recharge items such as cameras, cell phones, or GPS units. It generates electricity in both direct and indirect sunlight.

3. Portable solar power is also available in a cozy jacket with multiple pockets. Hikers, military personnel, and travelers can fill the pockets with cell phone, GPS, laptop, camera, and other electronic devices. Then slip the 3 ounce portable solar power panel into a special holder on the back of the jacket, and you can generate energy for your electronics.

Portable solar energy power stations make use of these ideas and more. They may be large enough to generate sufficient electrical power for a small village, or small enough to be carried by a child. Whichever it is, portable solar power is definitely "on the go" in many places and in many ways.

About the Author

© 2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about portable solar power at
http://www.solar-energy-connection.com
. Anna has also posted articles on that site about portable solar power for homes. If you want basic information about
solar power on cars
, you won't want to miss her article on the subject.