New worksop shed: propane generator or solar power?

[hemmjo]

There is no way to get an adequate solar system to run machines for $500.

[Floradawg]

You're right. I don't think this would work for him, but I have often thought that for someone in an off the grid setup or possibly other applications one could power machines with treadmill motors. They could be run with deep cycle SLA or some other battery and a solar setup could continually recharge the battery at a relatively low current. I'm not sure the cost of a suitable solar setup for that but batteries get expensive quickly. Also unless it's a one person operation, which his isn't, for multiple machines a dedicated system for each machine would probably be best. One person could route the power for each machine as it is used. This is an idea that some may find useful or possibly interesting.

Okay with a treadmill motor being a high voltage DC motor this would not be a practical solution. There are some 36 volt, 48 volt, etc. DC motors available that are sometimes installed on go-karts and other vehicles which would be better. Speed control is simple also.