I have decided I want to get a steam engine, so I can power my home in the case of long term power outages. Before I get lectured about gasoline generators, solar panels and wind mills… I have considered those options, and I have decided a steam engine is the best long term option for emergency power, and it is not especially fragile.
I have searched the internet, but I only see mostly steam engine toys. I want something a little more substantial.
I don’t need constant power, just for a few hours every week.
Where can I get a steam engine that is of good quality, but won’t break the bank? I don’t want bottom of the line, but probably cannot afford top of the line either.
I want something that will work and last, but is a good value. I don’t have an unlimited budget.
I live in Houston, Texas if it helps.
Thanks.
My father knows how to weld…. I can probably convince him to help with welding, or at least teach me. Neither of us have an arc welder though, so I would need to rent one.
I don’t really want to make my own boiler. I don’t trust my or his skills enough not to do it wrong and create an exploding boiler hazard. I prefer a professionally made boiler that has been tested properly… not too fond of shrapnel accompanied by boiling water… not fun, especially in an already emergency when this would be in use.
I don’t know how power from steam engines is…. so I don’t know how big it needs to be.
I just want to cool my house on especially hot days, warm it on especially cold night, and generate power for a hot shower once a week. (with cold water showers in between, of course)
Our generator (gasoline) is 10HP, so probably about 10HP…. I don’t know how steam engine power is judged though…. I am kind of uneducated in 19th century technology.
Are you sure the Jensens are not toys? The pictures look like the size of a toy train set.
On the second link, they sell “castings”…. is that a complete engine?
I am not sure the last link is even selling anything.
I want to get this stuff professionally made… making my own sounds fun, but in an emergency, I don’t want some poorly made thing I put together falling apart when I need it most.
I looked through my recently received copy of NorthernTool’s catalog earlier today…. I have not seen steam engines in there yet.
I think this technology is probably a little outdated for most places to make any money off of them. More of a specialty item, it seems.
Just FYI…..
Wind mills require wind, too hit and miss.
Solar panels wear out after a few years. If my emergency comes near the end of their life, they might wear out during my long term emergency.
Gasoline generators, of course require gasoline. Gasoline has been in short supply in most recent disasters.
Steam engines don’t wear out quickly, they require easily found fuel for power. They might not be as efficient for every day use…. but from my research, they are easiest to operate under a wider range of situations than other emthods.
