Water power

I was wondering how long it would be before somebody posted something like this. (only 7 posts in).

There is imagery that has FAR more resolution than Google Earth.

We can see a garden hose in your yard from about 1,000' up and our cameras aren't that expensive compared to what the state and feds use.

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"Do you believe in the devil? You know, a supreme evil being dedicated to the temptation, corruption, and destruction of man?" Hobbs
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my thought also, better get your ducks in a row with the correct departments.
most places you have to get a permit if you can.

one issue with such a sit up is dissolved gases in the discharge, think nitrogen mostly.

heres a thought though, most place's riparian rights allow the harvest of water by the land owner for their use. my idea is a series of ram pumps and a tower. it does not need to be real tall Pelton wheels are very good with low head. the rams are not terribly efficient but if you have enough drop and pumps you could pump a good bit of water with no power input except the streams flow.

I think you could work out a suitable system. again though the discharge will be a issue with the environmental/conservation department.

I know you posted no fish are in this "steam" it has to be part od a water shed though and flows somewhere.

perhaps for the discharge a retaining pond or cistern that can then be used for irrigation.

On the show that I linked to they did not dam the stream, they just diverted a part of it down a sluice and onto the wheel and then fed the water back into the stream.

We keep talking about a windmill pump into a well and up into a tank and then onto a wheel.

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From what I've read, you generally don't want a dam. That avoids imperial entanglements... If instead you use a small weir and divert PART of the flow, then usually no one complains.

Pipe size. Larger IS better. Pipe walls have friction, and as noted, flow (current in electrical parlance) is restricted by smaller pipe sizes. Pressure (or voltage in electricity) is unaffected as long as there isn't any appreciable draw on the system. Once the turbine is using water, then water pressure will drop.

as i was told as a child the satellites can read typed words on paper if they happen to be looking

I'm not looking to hide anything.

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“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater.
III

Now really, What kind of attitude is that? What's the point of living off grid, growing your own food, composting in giant quantities if we can't get one over on the man. At least make some moonshine.

I know nothing from experience in this area, only from reading, but I'm looking forward to seeing the system you come up with. Could be another classic thread.

Well, Ryan, if I did as many in these threads would like, and spend all of my time--and it would take all of mine, or anyone's, time-- researching the latest restrictive and intrusive legislation involving whatever activity I might choose to pursue next, then rest assured that all movement would cease, forever.
If those do-gooders who recommend adhering strictly to the letter of statute in any matter involving homesteading or self-sufficiency were to put their money consistently where there mouths are, every one of them would have a job at McDonalds and live in a high rise apartment. Current political climate has been long tailored to eliminate the self-responsible, hopefully forever. Don't ever be duped into even hoping otherwise.

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“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater.
III

I hear you there. The county has told me NOT to do everything I have done on my 1 acre. I put in my septic, micro hydro system, grey water system, built my cabin all while they said it can't be done. I said watch me. I am off grid, have both 24 volt microhydro and 12 volt solar. I built everything here, cabin, shop, greenhouse, gravity spring, root cellar, spring house, barn, pond and chapel. I raise most of what I eat and wander the woods for the rest. Take what I need and leave the rest to anyone else that wants to do this. I don't know anyone close that homesteads, this county does not approve but they can't stop anyone that wants to....James

Forerunner , I'm not sure where you are at in IL but the good news is the farther from Chicago and Saint Louis you are the less interference you are likely to have with your plan

I'm pretty close to right smack between the two.

__________________
“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater.
III

That phrase is honestly inspiring. I know from your extreme composting thread that when you choose to do something, you DO it. That's why I look forward to seeing how this turns out, no doubt in my mind that you'll do it, and not after wasting 10 years asking 40 different government agencies for "permission." Being on totally flat land with no flowing surface water, I'll have to enjoy this one vicariously for now.

If I had the flat land to contend with, I'd set up a small wind operation.
It can be extremely simple, and even fairly close to the ground.
Google Savonius rotor, and think 55 gallon drum.
3 quarters to one full kilowatt have been accomplished with just that and a smallish alternator.
A shop grinder and/or small grain mill could also be readily so powered.

__________________
“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater.
III

I thought about that, but I'm not usually any where near close to home (either out of the country or several states away).

My parents can't climb a tower and I don't want them have to deal with either getting someone to climb or lower the tower.

I really don't want to be climbing towers either

I think either the hydro (if possible) or a serious upgrade to their (and my future barn/shop/garage) Solar system will be in the works. They only have 225 watts as of right now--I'm thinking 1500 plus a charge controller upgrade. I could get by with another 300-500 so for the shop (plus another inverter, batteries, etc)--I just need enough for a water pump and igniters for a (backup--primary wood) overhead propane radient system. They have a onan genset for the house. Would probably buy a PTO genset for the shop if I aquire a Welder, etc.

Silver...you might not have looked at the Savonius design.....
It can stand on the ground in an open space, or, up ten feet on a nice deck/platform (think, summer grilling out ) or fifty feet up if you're into tower engineering.
I'm in a bowl, of sorts, down here, elst I'd have built one years ago.
55 gallon drum, torch, alternator and some bearings and welding stock, good to go.

__________________
“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater.
III

Is there a certain kind of alternator that works best with wind or water set ups?

Not to my knowledge. The only issue I've come across is that you don't want to over tax a small alternator charging a large bank of batteries. Physically larger alternators are good for the simple physics of dissipating heat during an extended charge.
High amperage alternators, such as 140-190 amp, say, out of an ambulance or semi tractor, make especially good charging system components for their size and power output. Engine/water power/wind requirements aren't so much determined by the size of alternator charging as they are by the size of the bank to be charged and how low you allow the bank amperage to drop before recharging.
Now, you ask about alternators.... there are lower speed dynamos that can be built that are more efficient at putting out an adequate charge, over time, than alternators, altogether. Such units can be built out of heavier materials for greater durability and heat dissipation, as well. Alternators are just rather cheap and plentiful at the moment, comparatively.
Does that answer more questions than it generates ?

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“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater.
III

That was great. A new direction to look in - Dynamos. If they last longer and do a better job then they are cheaper. Thanks