Battery backup
From Cornburning
Some stoves, such as the Surefire, have optional battery backup units that allow fires to keep burning in case of a power outtage. This option is aproximatly $365.
But there are many companies that also make equipment that will allow for similar systems to be built for whatever stove you own.
To start though, you need to have a basic understanding of Batteries
And then a deeper understanding of Charging Batteries
SEC America, LLC - engineering and marketing company specializing in power conversion equipment. [ P.O. Box 2266 South Burlington, Vermont 05407 - Phone:(802) 865-8388 ] Site: http://www.secamerica.com/ss_sentry.html
You will need four 90AH Marine batteries to run the typical corn stove for eleven hours of a typical day. However, that being said, larger stoves and colder days could dramatically shorten that run time. This figure is for running the stove alone. Running additional parts of a heating system, such as the water pumps in a hot water boiler, will require much more available power.
It takes about 10 times the amps off of the battery to make get the output the same amps out of the inverter.
A Qudrafire Castle takes around 3.6 amps to start to start and less than less than 1.6 amps when when running on high. You should not need to consider the staring current in the run time but it nedds to be considered when determining the size of inverter needed.
If a 400 watt inverter would work for this stove 3.6amps x 120 volts is 432 watts for starting.
That means that the draw from the battery will be about 36 amps for starting and 16 amps for running.
A 90-amp hour marine battery should last me for about 5 hours when you consider the loss from the inverter. Two batteries will run more than twice as long because when they are getting low it will take longer before the 10volt shut down on the inverter voltage is reached as half of the current will be coming from each of the batteries.
Product Optima Battery Sizing by Johnson Controls: http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/bg/BatteryBasics/bb_right_battery.htm
Multiply the Amps by the Hours to determine the Amp Hours, or AH, required.
Equipment Current Draw (Amps) x Time(Hours) = AMP Hours
Product Optima Battery Sizing by Johnson Controls: http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/bg/BatteryBasics/bb_right_battery.htm
Multiply the Amps by the Hours to determine the Amp Hours, or AH, required.
Equipment Current Draw (Amps) x Time(Hours) = AMP Hours
Then you will need a power inverter to convert the DC current of batteries into AC current required by the stove.
Other inverter/charger options: Solar "top off" charger http://www.batterystuff.com/solar-chargers/SE-2.html http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002PEPFO/qid=1142893034/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/103-2583638-2042266?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=hi&v=glance&n=228013 http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/193/p/htc/pt/30/product.asp GP-TS 30 amp relay, inverter cord & receptacle for splitting sources: http://www.gpelectric.com/pages/products/inverterAccessories.htm $Pure Sine Wave$: http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/68/p/655/pt/30/product.asp
Other Inverter Options: http://www.donrowe.com/inverters/vector_1500.html http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2006032013435780&item=6-927&catname=electric http://shop.altenergystore.com/itemdesc~product~Xantrex+X1500+Backup+Power+System~ic~XANBU%2D1500~eq~~Tp~.htm
Tekris Power Model XATS-1 Automatic Transfer Switch $219 When used with the Xantrex XP1500 Power Pack or any other inverter, it provides an automatic back up supply. Rated at 15 amps continuous. http://tekrispower.com/inverters/product_info.php/products_id/124
Power generating systems such as the Generac Power Systems backup generators will automatically start to restore home power within seconds.
Build Your Own UPS
Pickup an old used UPS with the output wattage you need, usually not that old just that the batteries went dead. Wire in a marine battery or two and you have a sophisticated backup unit with AC utility backup and power loss switch.
Directions: http://www.butkus.org/ups/ups.htm
Battery Wiring
How Do I Wire My Batteries For Different Voltages?
There are two major terms in battery wiring: series, and parallel. Parallel wiring keeps the voltages the same, while increasing the capacity. Parallel can be described as positive to positive, negative to negative. Here is an example of paralleling four batteries in a 12volt system.
Series connecting increases the voltage in a system, while capacity of the battery bank remains the same. Here is an example of series connecting four batteries together to create a 48volt system, and a 24volt system. Then paralleling the 24 and 48volt banks with another 24 and 48volt bank to increase capacity.
