Not more of this "on topic" orthidoxy! If you ask me much of the "off topic" 
mail is people cmplaining about other people being off topic.  You should 
read Stationary-Engine@indiana.edu  at the moment! 
That is relevant to homepower because I am looking at a comparison beteen 
diesel, gas, stirling and steam engines of different types to use as solar 
backup.  Yes, I even own and exmple of each!!!
The rave about modems is also relevant to Homepower because of the great 
problems of telephone answereing systems in RAPS -  hangup  power of 
inverters as well as arguments about earths.  The idea of using a modem and 
laptop which is always on as an alternative has many dvantages. I have been 
studying cheap/lowpower/ low performance comms devices for another reason.  I 
install DISTRIBUTED RAPS systems - Say 20 kWh/day spread over say  kilometre 
and 10 houses.  You get efficiencies of scale and diversity, and we use an 
analogy of the internet - a random topology of 100 volt  +/- 30 feeders to 
distribute the power.  It is called MICROGRID  and it has been very robust, 
cost effective and socially acceptable.  Optimising backup generator fuel is 
important however hence my interest in an  intranet to manage the system, 
modulated on the feeders with some sort of packet driver.
Anyway, keep in touch
Kali (wind engineer) 
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