Old low technology applied to a modern "prepper" need

[Rastus]

Water turbines.  I find those interesting my problem is I don't have running water to turn one here at home.

However...about 250 miles away in Arkansas I have a bit of land with some running water.

How small do they make those things Tab?  Are there some 25-100 amp models suitable for home?

[Solus]

Water turbines.  I find those interesting my problem is I don't have running water to turn one here at home.

However...about 250 miles away in Arkansas I have a bit of land with some running water.

How small do they make those things Tab?  Are there some 25-100 amp models suitable for home?

If you have running water with enough drop you can make a set up where a 55gal drum is at the low end and it contains a float which will rise as the drum fills with water.  At the top of it's travel, the float trips a level that opens a drain at the bottom of the drum allowing the float to descend and flip the drain close lever.  (think of how a toilet tank works).  This action can be use to pump water to a raised above ground tank which then provideds "running" water from a tap.

I was also thinking about a wind up light....similar to how the Grandfather clock weight generates the juice to run the LED bulb. 

Also, does anyone know if LED bulbs and the generator powered by the clock weight or a wind up spring are damaged by EMP?  And if so, can they be protected in a small enough package to be practical?

[TAB]

Maybe you should consider writing a book explaining that and offering suggestions. Not trying to be funny. I am serious.

most people that want "green" stuff don't care or want too know.  Almost everything claiming too be green is not.

I have said it many times, if you want too do something green, that costs you nothing, saves you money andhas a real impact...pee in the shower.

[tombogan03884]

Water turbines.  I find those interesting my problem is I don't have running water to turn one here at home.

However...about 250 miles away in Arkansas I have a bit of land with some running water.

How small do they make those things Tab?  Are there some 25-100 amp models suitable for home?

 Build a water wheel, any flow will turn it which in turn can turn the armature of a generator or turn a belt drive. if you don't have flow, or variable water levels, you can build a dam to form a holding tank that will maintain water level and put the wheel at the out flow.

[Big Frank]

If you have running water with enough drop you can make a set up where a 55gal drum is at the low end and it contains a float which will rise as the drum fills with water.  At the top of it's travel, the float trips a level that opens a drain at the bottom of the drum allowing the float to descend and flip the drain close lever.  (think of how a toilet tank works).  This action can be use to pump water to a raised above ground tank which then provideds "running" water from a tap.

I was also thinking about a wind up light....similar to how the Grandfather clock weight generates the juice to run the LED bulb. 

Also, does anyone know if LED bulbs and the generator powered by the clock weight or a wind up spring are damaged by EMP?  And if so, can they be protected in a small enough package to be practical?

I did a little reading online and the consensus is that flashlights that have different modes like strobe, low and high are controlled by a small circuit board attached to the LED that will be fried by an EMP. There's no agreement about whether LED bulbs without a circuit board attached will survive or not. Some people suggest you stock up on candles and oil lamps.

[Sponsor]

[TAB]

Just a fyi, if an emp is strong enough too fry a board... lets just say what obummer did too this country will be like 1st base for what will happen too you.

Out side of infrastructure, emp is a nonissue as the radiation you will be exposed too will be life altering if not fatal.

[PegLeg45]

If you have running water with enough drop you can make a set up where a 55gal drum is at the low end and it contains a float which will rise as the drum fills with water.  At the top of it's travel, the float trips a level that opens a drain at the bottom of the drum allowing the float to descend and flip the drain close lever.  (think of how a toilet tank works).  This action can be use to pump water to a raised above ground tank which then provideds "running" water from a tap.

Do a youtube search for Ram Pumps. Similar function.

[tombogan03884]

Just a fyi, if an emp is strong enough too fry a board... lets just say what obummer did too this country will be like 1st base for what will happen too you.

Out side of infrastructure, emp is a nonissue as the radiation you will be exposed too will be life altering if not fatal.

Not necessarily.
There are other sources of EMP besides nuke blasts.
The greatest practical concern is solar activity.
In 1859 solar flares generated EMP levels so high that telegraph operators were able to send and recieve while disconnected from their batteries.
In fact, static charges were generated in telegraph wires so strong that the poles ignited.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_storm_of_1859
 

[Rastus]

That's pretty clever Solus.  Use a flow to generate energy to lift a smaller volume.

The event in 1859 melted telegraph wires. 

Radiation will be a bad deal.  I'd like to have shelter to stay in for few weeks or longer.

[tombogan03884]

Build something earth sheltered .
10 feet of dirt is supposed to shield you from all harmful radiation.