off-grid electric stove...will 12v batteries work?

[missj]

we are fairly set in a "grid down" situation.

our weak spots will be the electric stove, small electronics like walkie talkies and flashlights, and entertainment. (eventually lighting too, I guess we could run out of kerosene and candles...but I forsee running out of food long before that....)

I have invested in a boat load of rechargeable batteries like AAA, AA, DD, 9v etc and a solar re-charger...so I am not overly worried about anything except the electric oven.

The electric oven will allow us to cook indoors with good light and odor discipline, as well as our ease and familiarity of use. Also, if we can get a consistent and reliable electric stove, then we can heat water for the bath and laundry without relying on the wood-stove for that.

Unfortunately...I am an absolute infant when it comes to all things electric.

Is it possible to hook up 12v batteries to an electric stove with any reliability and consistency? I already know I can charge 12v batteries pretty easily with solar arrays...I am looking at a 60w system for about $250 that is designed for RV usage of charging solar batteries.

We already have lots of batteries (husband's business is a sort of junk-yard/auto salvage/restoration/repair shop) plus we "invested" in nice batteries for our little boys power wheels jeeps. We put a $200 Optima battery into a $200 toy figuring since they get used all the time it will keep the batteries healthy.... (as opposed to just storing them un-used)

If this is possible, what kinds of inverters and adapters and fittings would we need to buy? Is it possible to set this all up on a "dry run" without ruining the stove for use on the grid?

[graf]

Keeping batteries charged will be a chore to accomadate a stove. Have you thought about a solar generator, solar panels? Or what I would recommend if you don't have a fireplace install a freestanding wood burning stove which would help heat and be able to cook on. I have also seen wood burning kitchen stoves. Just my 2 cents.

[blacksmith]

here is two that I am looking at if that will help

www.sopkainc.com/index.php/product/alma-mons

www.woodandheat.com/?gclid=CJyrz66217ICFQXhQgodTUIAuA

[solargeek1]

You would need a MASSIVE PV array. Please see the info on the middle to bottom of the page here.
www.preparedsociety.com/forum/f16/off-grid-power-batteries-pv-panels-generators-467/
Altho from 2008 it is still true.
We just finished a 6KW array, battery power for days, and set up to go bigger.
EVEN SO, there is no way to run my electric stove.
Here are the simple solutions.
Use your wood heating stove to do any boiling, slow cooking (with proper trivets and placement on the stove), and you can buy very cheaply the Coleman camp oven that sits on the wood stove. In that, you can bake bread, do other baking etc.
Invest in small ovens like Nesco's. Those can be run quite easily during the day to make much food.
Get a super efficient microwave and master the art of using it for everything.

Here are some other articles on what you CAN run on a small system.
ezinearticles.com/?Solar-Power---What-Can-You-Run?&id=2532127

www.azsolarcenter.org/images/docs/presentations/stand-alone.pdf
This last one is very helpful.

[tjwilhelm]

Solargeek1 is TOTALLY right about the stove. Any electric appliance or device designed to produce HEAT, uses boatloads of electricity!!!

I just bought a new LED lamp that can screw into a standard medium lamp base. It produces the same amount of light as an old 60W bulb, BUT it only uses 8W of power!

Now look at your electric stove...just one "burner" on the electric range uses about 1,500W of power, for the smaller, 6" element!!! That's about the same as 200 of my new 8W LED lamps!!!

Go LPG, or get a wood burning cook stove fpr emergencies...that's my 2 cents.

[missj]

thanks everyone! those were some seriously great links and info....I am learning so much...but still feel so lost...at least I do feel like I am becoming slightly more literate.

We do have an indoor woodstove with a flat surface for cooking on top of, but it is not a "wood cook stove". Either way, we have used it during power outages for boiling water and making grilled cheese sandwiches, soups, stews and quesadillas.

We do have a 280 gallon propane tank and a propane gas grill, as well as camping/coleman grills that run off propane. I'm sure in an emergency my "mad scientist" husband could figure how to refill the smaller propane bottles from the big tank...

We also have dutch ovens and about 100 lbs of charcoal, as well as a solar oven. I guess I am being quite redundant with the "cooking methods" idea....but the wood stove is the only one we can easily do indoors.

I'm quite amazed that a microwave uses less energy than an electric oven....goes to show how little I know about electronics!

Fair enough, though...now that I know it's not practical I will re-focus my energies elsewhere...

[Dennis]

If you switch to a gas stove be sure and get one that does not have electronic ignition. They need to be plugged in to 120 VAC before they will light.

If you want to use your Coleman type stove just get a hose adapter and hook it up to your tank for the gas grill. It will last for months. Or you could run a gas line in from your propane tank and hook you portable camp type stove up to it.

Add one of those Coleman ovens that set on top of the stove and all is well.

Hope this helps.

[offtrail]

I use propane fuel for my stove.

[jimmyq]

hm, a little outside the box but since I have a few flashlights and a radio that charge off a hand crank dynamo, is there one a bit bigger that could be used to charge a 12v battery?

[thywar]

Interesting question, so I looked.. you smart guys out there.. tell me what you think about this item.

www.ebay.com/itm/PingRelay-Hand-Crank-Dynamo-Generator-Max-40W-Output-Mil-Spec-Heavy-Duty-/221130700984?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D2842111796799780551%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D221057762120%26

[jimmyq]

Interesting, thanks for the link.

[thywar]

Found another (more expensive $550)

www.windstreampower.com/Human_Power_Generator.php

[tjwilhelm]

WOW! Has anyone ever tried to crank out just 40 to 60 Watts with a pedal-powered or hand-cranked generator??? I just set up a demonstration for my students last week with a hand-crank generator and a 60W 12VDC light bulb. The biggest, strongest guy in the class couldn't keep it lit for more than two minutes! They were totally amazed at how difficult it was!

Here's a metaphor I borrowed from Dr. Chris Martenson for comparing the ability of a human to do the same work s a gasoline engine...

Keep in mind that large heavy vehicles have a relatively low gas mileage, while smaller/lighter vehicles have a better gas mileage. For this metaphor, pick a mid-range/mid-sized car that gets about 22 miles per gallon of gasoline.

Start with an empty tank of gas. Now pour exactly one gallon of gasoline into the tank. Start the car and drive it away from home until it runs out of gas and stops. It should have gone about 22 miles.

Now...get out of the car and push it back home...

Get the idea?

Same principle applies to human powered generators.

If you haven't seen this YouTube video I made a few years ago, and if you're considering a human powered generator, you might find it interesting:

[angelhelp]

Wow. I wish I'd had you for a teacher.

[blacksmith]

yeah me to the web is not bad but you are great at this