Wiring and batterys

Poor Mans Electric

Use care when doing any type of wiring. Follow your inverter directions.
I like to use deep cycle marine battery's. They seem to hold a charge longer
and charge up faster.Below are several battery wiring configurations 12v-48v and depending on your inverter which will most likely be of the 12v variety your battery's should be wired as such. to wire the inverter to your house I recommend that you get two heavy duty plugs and some 10 gauge wire that has 3 wires within a casing. The colors should be black, green, and white. Black is the hot lead white is the neutral lead and green is the ground. Note in your electrical box where the main power lines come in, fashion your wires coming out your inverter accordingly. In a perfect world try to have your motor run on propane because it is cheaper than gasoline. Pay attention to your electrical usage so you do not completely discharge your battery's and good luck. 
PS on a smaller scale you can run your internet the with a setup that is similar only without the motor. I have included a picture of that as well.

Power Plants 2

Poor Mans Electric

Power Plants 2:

Within the last post, motors and alternators were discussed. Also generators and battery chargers were also mentioned. Correlating with the last post I am posting a couple of photos of both ways to achieve your power plant. Notice the inverter mounted on the wall and the bank of battery's.

You may find these photos interesting.

Power Plants

Poor Mans Electric

Power Plants:

Depending on your electrical needs, space available, and more importantly,how much money you wish to spend your power plant may consist of several items. The design and configuration is up to the individual but some key components are a small 6 hp motor a automobile alternator, pulley, belt, and something to mount your equipment on. You may want to purchase a generator and battery charger and avoid having to assemble your parts either way will achieve the same results.With the exception of the motor you can purchase the parts to build your own generator. They make a bracket that you can adapt to your motor so you can add your car alternator. ACE hardware carries the 4" pulley that will also be required.

THE INVERTER

POOR MANS ELECTRIC

The Inverter:

The DC To AC Inverter is the most important piece of equipment that your power plant will use.
Special consideration needs to be taken when selecting a power inverter. Every appliance has a 
Watt rating and as one assumes so does the inverter. When selecting an inverter, one has to
decide what appliances are going to be hooked up to the inverter. For example, a typical
refrigerator is rated at 750 watts @ 6.0 amps- A TV may be about 350 watts depending on the
size and specifications. Remember, you cannot exceed the rated watts of the inverter: The above 
listed inverter will handle up to 2000 watts not 4000. The 4000 watt rating means it will handle a 
surge up to 4000 watts. You should do your homework when selecting an inverter.

Theory

Poor Mans Electricity

Theory:

The price of electricity is ever on the rise, however electricity can be generated in multiple ways that can be considered comparable in price to the ever hungry power companies. For instance there is solar power, wind power, and water power, just to name a few.

Solar energy is free with the exception of the initial investment which can cost thousands of dollars. Wind power also has start up costs well into the thousands of dollars. Although these options will eventually pay for themselves over time, it does not solve an immediate need if one is financially strapped.

You can build a generator and buy all the necessary items for under $800 and have the same electricity that the power companies provide. This system can be used to augment your current (no pun intended) electrical system or you can expand until eventually be off the grid entirely.