On the back of this UPS, there are several 15 amp and 20 amp circuits.īut I didn't want to just plug in a device or two. Typically, there are several outlets in the back of the UPS to which you would directly plug in devices such as computers and monitors that you would want to keep running in a blackout. The UPS already came with a standard 120V electric cord to plug into the wall. I would need several special connectors and power cables to make my "Poor-Man's Smart-Grid" work. In fact, we hooked up this UPS to Tom's osiliscope and found that it made better AC power than he got in his wall outlets from the power utility! Higher quality UPSs, and specifically ones sold for use with computers create a very smooth AC sine-wave. Cheap ones only create "Square-Wave" AC power, which doesn't work well for battery chargers, computers, and electric motors. There were no batteries with it, and it had several dents and missing screws, but the electronics functioned properly.īy powering the UPS on wall-power, I could charge my 48V electric motorcycle, and by running it from the motorcycle, I could create AC power to take my detached garage, or even my house, OFF-GRID! PS: Keep in mind that not all UPSs are the same. Sure enough, in a few weeks, I got a call, and headed over to his shop to collect a rack-mount 2200-watt, 48V UPS which would have been used in a computer server room. Of course I already had the batteries - in my electric motorcycle. He said yes, but that the batteries are always dead, that's why people throw them out. I asked him if he ever gets any 48V UPS to recycle. I called up my buddy Tom, who happens to run a computer recycling company. So, when I needed a new charger for my motorcycle, could I just use a UPS? And if so, could I use it as a power inverter as well? The answer in both cases is YES! It's both a DC to AC Power Inverter (typically converting 12VDC to 120VAC) AND it's a battery charger (usually low power 12VDC.) When power comes back on, the UPS recharges the 12V battery inside it, so that it's ready for the next time it's needed. In case of a power outage, the UPS instantly kicks over to battery power, giving you some certain small amount of time to continue using your computer, or at least save your work, and shut down the system. It's typically a box that you plug into the wall, and then you plug your computer into it. You may have a UPS on your home or work computer. Power cables and connectors (typical hardware store components)Īn electric vehicle - in this case, my electric motorcycleĪt the heart of this system is an uninterruptible power supply, or UPS. On the other hand, what about a PERSONAL Smart-Grid? A small-scale concept of the Smart-Grid could be designed using little more than hardware-store parts and salvaged materials. For example, what if I can't drive as far as I need to in my electric car, because my neighbor was simply being extra-wasteful with his energy use? How much money will it take to set up the Smart-Grid, when we have continually shrinking budgets in government, and much infrastructure that is already behind on repairs and maintenance? The way I see it, the Smart-Grid is a great CONCEPT, but has a number of issues. A great deal of infrastructure is required for the Smart-Grid, as well as standardization between vehicle manufacturers, utilities, and interconnected equipment. Electric vehicle owners will be compensated through special electricity pricing for being part of the program. At any time that the grid has sudden demand (or a sudden drop in supply) electric power is instead PULLED from the vehicle's battery pack to meet that demand. The Smart-Grid requires smart, bi-directional meters, and electronic components that can either charge an electric vehicle OR pull power from it as needed.Īt night, an electric vehicle owner charges their vehicle from wall power. One element of the smart-grid we often hear about is using power from the batteries in an electric vehicle to supplement power to the grid. The "Smart-Grid" is an interesting concept, which has potential to stabilize the electric grid, due to either times of high demand or the variability of renewable energy sources, through the use of automated equipment, turning devices on and off remotely.
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