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[–] Wazhappenin1 0 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago 

A 10kw generator needs 30000 btu an hour just like a WAter heater. But they are pretty big, the goal would be to miniaturize it so it would fit, both the furnace and the genny in the footprint of a regular furnace. You could reclaim some heat from the exhaust through a heat exchanger and a second blower fan, during the heating season. The testing requirements to gain approval for an inside 10kw generator or any generator would be arduous to say the least.

If you can make it quiet and convert to propane supply it with a Burried 500 gallon tank. During a collapse scenario You could keep the knowledge of your little energy system from curious eyes. Of course you wouldn't want to run any lights, just a fridge and a water pump.

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[–] Morbo 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

Put more simply, a 10 KW generator would require more than 10 KW of mechanical energy input to generate the full 10 KW. There's no free ride in energy conversion. Also, miniaturizing the generator would drop its output. The size of the stator poles, windings and magnets have a direct relationship to the output power. Reduce any of these in size and you also drop the output. Physics doesn't compromise.

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[–] Wazhappenin1 ago 

Sure I used a 10 kW because that's the size I have it takes 34000 btu an hour. To run only a water pump and fridge and a few lights you could get away with a a much smaller one.

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[–] pushthis [S] ago 

But when that 10kw is used, inside the shelter, 34000btu is made. Just like a 40w incandescent bulb.

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[–] beefartist ago  (edited ago)

This is probably the single most useful comment I have ever seen on Voat. In a collapse scenario how long can you run that kind of propane setup and what are the odds of being able to refill or convert to something else? I am not trying to poke holes I really don't have any context to compare that solution to anything else.

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[–] pushthis [S] 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

For a propane generator, syngas or hydrogen can be supplemented.

Syngas from a gasifier or specialy designed woodstove. This option would best be implemented while heating an auxillary building, like a work shed or animal enclosure in the dead of winter. Syn gas could be piped in. I wpuldnt leave out a catylitic converter like modern pelletstoves use but pf course a bypass wpuld be needed.

For hydrogen one ought use magnesium hydride in pellet form in a 65-90maxpsi fiberglass(on site constructed tank) that can stay under the home but insulated from ground coldness.: the magnesium hydride acts much lile a sponge and 'soaks' up hydrogen while dropping in temp. This tank needs a PEX tubing circuit of hot water to increase the PSI asso it can be tapped/raise the PSI. This meyhod of hydrogen storage offers better safety and still great capacity.

Also petrol fuels with a carburetor change can run in propane engines,, or at least the oppisite case will

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[–] undertheshills ago 

Kerosene is the easiest fuel to make and can be made with a pretty basic setup and you can even pull it out of some plastic waste.

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[–] Wazhappenin1 ago 

500 gallons would last you a long fucking time if you are using it for a few things like a water pump and fridge. Lights would be far too dangerous.but you would have to bury it. Once it's empty it's done unless order is restored! You would need to procure a propane truck. Possible. But way to dangerous. But what a prize if you found one!

You have about 90k btu per gallon so that's 3 hrs at full capacity 1500 hours about 60 days. But that's cranking 10kw an hour. You could probably make 500 gallons last over a year if you are careful. If you are in full austerity mode which would be difficult with wife and kids much longer. The sound would be an issue so sound proofing would be imperative. Plus it's all for nought if you are forced from your home.

We use propane for cooking and I go through 20lbs which is 4.5 gallons in about a month. My wife cooks every single day every meal. So if in the good times a family of five uses 4.5 a month in the bad times cook once a day I could get 4.5 to last 3 months.

I use a small electric water heater to heat my house and when it gets below 20 I have a awesome wood stove! Got it for free! What do you use for heat?