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51
General Discussion / Re: Posting Images
Last post by SparWeb -
There is a button above the new post dialog box that says "insert an image" which might be working now. 
I tried it yesterday and the image didn't show up.  I've used it now writing this post, and it might be working.
(I can't be sure until after I click to submit this "Post".)
It should appear right below:
52
General Discussion / Posting Images
Last post by SparWeb -
Please be patient folks, as the new forum gets set up (and the new users get used to it).

we can include images in our posts, when we need to.  To post an image, use the "add files by dragging & dropping or selecting them" at the bottom below the new post dialog box.  This will insert the image at the bottom of your post in thumbnail size.  Users will click on the image to see it full size.

Once things get rolling I would like to see more functions enabled, so that images can be inserted in-line with the text.
53
Wind Power Machines / Re: Interfacing wind turbines to the grid
Last post by SparWeb -
Have your wind turbine charge batteries, like it does right now.  Use a dump load battery charger to spill the excess power, but instead of a resistor bank like we both have, use a grid tie inverter (simple, maybe micro inverter) hooked to the dump load instead.  There would be some confusion of the mppt tracking of the inverter, but otherwise i think it should work. 

LOL
Consider your cobwebs shaken out!  I left just enough tantalizing hints that you picked up on my train of thought, didn't I?  A very similar thing has been on my mind lately.
I have progressed from a basic circuit analysis, to a diagram, and now I'm starting to consider the code I'd need, because I'm going to use a microcontroller as the brains of it.

The Sol-Ark has many inputs: PV, Battery, Generator, and Load.
Actually, Load is bi-directional, meaning it can supply 240VAC back-up loads and it can accept inputs too.  You can even connect your generator to the Load terminals, even though it's got a Gen hook-up right beside it.  Load functions like like it's another grid-tie interface.  It's designed to allow micro-inverters to be hooked up, expanding the possible PV array options connected through the Sol-Ark to include combinations of either or both DC and AC solar panels.

So that got me thinking...
54
General Discussion / Re: AI
Last post by Bruce S -
Here at work, the MUST use the latest Win version that stays updated , unfortunately, is the route we must go since the Dispatch vendor only has their software working with Windows.
The W11 version's AI stuff is so embedded in it we (IT) have to resort to using PowerShell scripts to find and remove them every time an update gets loaded.
In a home-based system, this might not be a big issue for a while, but the CPU and memory hits these hooks starts showing up in speed losses pretty quickly. Our Workstation are no slouches either, even the GPU's though no bleeding edge , are some pretty good ones.
Any unfortunately, none of the WINE based apt's I've tried in Linux distros work well enough to move even the field based tablets over to a good distro.

Cheers
Bruce s
55
General Discussion / 3D printing files
Last post by Bruce S -
In the past year, I've been accumulating files that I send to a friend's 3D printer to test them out.
My purchase of a nice 3D printer as a Birthday Present to me :-), went south when we had to replace the faithful van.
However, I do still have the SRTs and all of them are marked as free by the inventor/maker.
I might try to load them here along with a link to the maker's U-tube account.
He's no longer among the living , but I did get explicit answers from him and later his brother about sharing these, to the affirmative.
I was a one point trying to get him to join as a member to the old forum, but when that started looking shaky I opted to stop bugging him about it.

Since they're up on "thingiverse" I could merely post his user account name so anyone can grab them.

Cheers
Bruce 
56
Wind Power Machines / Re: Interfacing wind turbines to the grid
Last post by bigrockcandymountain -
I'm feeling like my brain has gone to rot without fieldlines to challenge it.  It's good to read a post that makes me think. 


Here is my feeble attempt at a solution.  It is in no way correct or advisable, but might actually work. 

Have your wind turbine charge batteries, like it does right now.  Use a dump load battery charger to spill the excess power, but instead of a resistor bank like we both have, use a grid tie inverter (simple, maybe micro inverter) hooked to the dump load instead.  There would be some confusion of the mppt tracking of the inverter, but otherwise i think it should work. 

There was a guy (toysforwatts) i think on youtube.  He did a bunch if chinese turbine testing.  He used a small battery and a grid tie inverter (very cheap one)  to export the energy back.  I think it was just battery voltage that triggered the export, and the battery was only big enough to smooth out the surges in power.  It boiled a lot. 
58
Wind Power Machines / Re: Interfacing wind turbines to the grid
Last post by MaryB -
efficiency losses of around 15-20% but you COULD grid tie the inverter and use a separate charger to charge batteries that is grid powered. My charger is 90% efficient so whatever the grid tie inverter losses would be added to it.
59
General Discussion / Hi All
Last post by ClockmanFr -
Good to see a reboot of Fieldlines.

I do have a few PDF files i would like to post on this forum.
OzInverter book 1st Edition, a selection of Ozinverter 2nd edition chapters, basic Energy creation docs as PDF,s, AC Coupling PDF's. Etc.

The Modern version for DIY of the PLANTE lead acid 2v cell will also be published here. Sadly all the last info on the old Fieldlines forum is probably lost.

My move from France to Wales was completed end of Sept 2025. But how the heck to find all my stuff amongst 400 packing bpxes and tons of machines has been very hard.  Plus building my new workshops, Chem labs and facilties has been very hard. Plus getting my house 12 rooms presentable is also hard work.

I keep finding bits of my good old very large memory and fast systems PC has also been hard, hopefully in 7 days i will be back operational.

I have been working with the Facecloth IFLA group who have been a  very helpfull group of guys and gals.