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 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 = Prius/UPS Prius batteries: V 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 Lauder 14