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Living in Southeast Asia, one of the things that tend be "normal", dependent upon the area you reside in, is power cuts. In Cambodia, that pretty well seems to be just about everywhere, with the exception of jails and prisons, which seem to never have mains failures.
As some here may already know, just over a year ago, I purchased my first Honda EU-20i Inverter Generator. (The model similar to the EU-2000i, which is sold in the US. The 20i models offer different AC output voltage, than the 2000i units in the US. 230vac, rather than 115vac.)
Anyway, I just checked the output, for the first time in a while. No better time than when mains power is down, I say. It is generating 230vac, at 50hz, right on the money. Honda quality, for sure. The generator's output voltage is cleaner and definitely stable, unlike the mains voltage coming in from the power grid. When I test it, the mains voltage comes in anywhere from 200 to 247 volts. The cycles have varied from about 47 to 54, as far as I have seen to date.
I am happy that modern appliances can handle power from the grid that isn't quite, up to snuff. I'm much happier that I can hear myself think, while my generator sits just outside the window, quietly sipping fuel like a Jack & Coke, rather than sounding like a screaming banshee and sucking down petrol at a rate of four liters per hour. You see, the little Honda Inverter has an "ECO" mode, which allows it to automatically adjust its output, dependent upon the load it automatically detects. So, it runs quiet under a lesser load; louder under a heavier load.
The load comes in at 1.0 amperes, exactly. So, 230 watts is what it is providing for the apartment. That is with 2 fans running, as well as various lighting, a Samsung Inverter Refrigerator, and two UPS units powering a modem / router, a desktop computer, a large (32") monitor, and a computer speaker system.
230w (current power needs) / 1600w (continuously rated output) = 14% load. Heck, it may run 12 or more hours, on a single tank of fuel.
While the little guy will not power heavy draw appliances like a water heater, a kettle, an oven, or the (old style) air-con compressor, it will run everything else in the apartment.
At the farm, the same sized generator powers a number of lights (at least three-hundred watts currently, I'm sure) - both inside and property perimeter, fans, a water pump, another Samsung Inverter Refrigerator, and my UPS which powers the network modem, computer, speaker system, and a monitor.
2,000 watts may not seem like much when it comes to a generator. But, for the "bang for the buck" I get by having the insurance, I have zero complaints. If anyone is interested, last years price, anyway, was $888 USD per generator, out the door.
An oil change will take 40 centiliters (~13.50 oz) of fresh oil. The petrol tank has a capacity of 3.6 Liters (~.95 gal). I am not sure of the total run time. Probably no more than about 4 or 5 hours at full throttle, I would guess. But, imagine it will run about 8 to 10 hours at the current load I have on it.
I have to say, whether here or at the farm, life is much better, knowing you have alternative energy sources available. Sitting in this kind of heat with no air circulating whatsoever? That would be a major drag.
I was actually surprised at something that happened, prior to coming here. Chan and I were talking about our immediate housing issues to sort. We were discussing the various options we have, regarding construction of a dwelling. One that came up again was a container modified to our liking. She mentioned an interest in learning more. So, I contacted the fellow whom had given me a quote late last year. She agreed that we should try to meet with him since we would be in town. He was available, so we did.
Now, she seems pretty sold on the idea because it is a one stop shop, the completed unit is much cheaper than a brick and mortar house, it can be built, delivered, and setup on site before rainy season hits again, and delivery is reasonably priced. The only thing we need prepared on our end is, electric, water and sewerage lines to be attached when the unit is set in place on the pre-poured foundation.
At the moment, we are still under $3,000 USD in negotiations.
Back in 2012, I posted THIS THREAD, regarding prices on batteries. (Keep in mind, this was 3.5 years ago, when I was living in Sihanoukville.) The following quoted bits of text were the prices I got at the time. The text underneath each of the quoted texts is what I received two days ago. (I had someone ring the first supplier for me. A buddy emailed the second supplier. Anyway, on to the prices then, and now.
Price in 2012:
Price in 2016:
RITAR: 12 volt, AGM sealed battery.
100 amp hour $125
150 amp hour $187
200 amp hour $250
1 year warranty.
Amazing how the price is so much lower now? You think he was trying to screw me? Yeah. Me too.
Price in 2012:
Price in 2016:
EB130, 130AH deep cycle battery. Current price is $148 USD, shipped to Battambang.
The second panel came in today. Now, the array will be at 270 watts, 24vdc, more than enough to keep my electronics running during power cuts. Actually, I could keep it running 24 / 7 off this system, with no problems.
The panel set aside for mounting after arriving at home.
The pole mount, prior to the second panel being added.
After the second panel was added.
New input voltage with 2 - 12vdc, 135 watts panels in series - 27.0vdc.