I need 120v at my place in the country?

Question

I am trying to create electricity for my cabin. It is completely wired and I understand just enough about electricity to get started and I understand all the dangers. I have a gas powered gen. but I don't want it to run constantly so the best way for me to go or at least that I want to go is by creating a functioning battery back. I already have a low voltage switch that will start the gen. when the batteries get too low. So my question then, do I have to convert to AC or will my lights and light kitchen-ware work off of the DC?

Answer 1

I don't know which country you're speaking from. It appears that all your equipment is in DC mode or wired up to a battery pack.

In India where I live and where power cuts (stoppages) are rather frequent, people use a device called 'Inverter'. It is a battery back-up; when the power goes off the supply line, Inverter gets switched on to battery (inside in it) to generate the line supply voltage (230 V AC) at line frequency (50 Hz). When the supply is restored (when line is 'ON'), the battery gets trickle charged from the line, so you are never out of power of your specifications.

I think you can import one from this country. Your specifications should be

120 V

60 Hz(if you are in America)

Load or Current drain in Amperes - this you can arrive at by adding up total wattage of your equipment and divide it by 120V.

You may not be able to run an airconditioner (230V/13A or 120V/27A) without a battery that'd be humongous; but you can run lights, fans, TV and small appliances (fractional HP).

Answer 2

Here are a couple of links to sites  that deal with a generator /batt./inverter system you describe , They give spec's and recommend products

http://www.oasismontana.com/Generator-fe...

http://www.newenglandsolar.com/catalog_p...

Answer 3

Most lights and kitchen work only on AC. Some items in campers use DC from batteries but I don't think that would be practical for your house.