Wood gas generator

[Gekkibi]

While it has been mentioned in some threads, I was unable to find a dedicated thread for it.

In real ife it is possible to operate a generator by heating wood or charcoal and channeling the fumes to the combustion engine of the generator. This would allow us to have more reliable source of electricity even after the power is cut and you have consumed all the gasolene you have managed to find. To balance things out it would have to create dangerous gasses, it should be a fire hazard and it should require increased amount of maintenance due to tarring.

It's also possible to use it in cars (but we cross that bridge when we finally get the vehicles...).

Things like these should be a reason why every post-apocalyptic group should have at least one engineer with them.

Yay or nay?

[danny_is_dude]

Sounds like an interesting idea. I wouldn't mind it being in the game.

[Landor]

an... interesting idea...

perhaps also being able to build a thing to collect methane from a compost pile and use that as fuel for things?

this is another point i would like to see expanded on, is more ways to generate power.

windmills, solar panels, steam engines, i dont know. just somthing, perhaps renewable, or more efficent for higher level electricians to be able to operate.

heck, not even for power, just ways to be able to produce and use mechanical energy, like using a manual pump to get gasoline out of the underground tanks at gas stations after the power is gone.

[Gekkibi]

We just need the compost first (devs, hint-hint... :P).

Right now I'm against solar panels because it's too reliable and doesn't require maintenance. Its flaw is limited output, but that's not simulated in Project Zomboid. Houses either have elecricity or they don't. So one panel would power a cabin or a huge industrial complex (where the player has carried all the televisions, fridges and ovens in Kentucky...). Wind power has the same problem, except it would require mechanical maintenance.

[Landor]

Originally posted by Gekkibi:

We just need the compost first (devs, hint-hint... :P).

Right now I'm against solar panels because it's too reliable and doesn't require maintenance. Its flaw is limited output, but that's not simulated in Project Zomboid. Houses either have elecricity or they don't. So one panel would power a cabin or a huge industrial complex (where the player has carried all the televisions, fridges and ovens in Kentucky...). Wind power has the same problem, except it would require mechanical maintenance.

whenever i do farming, i waste so much produce, i keep wishing i could compost it.

there is the limited output, but there perhaps would also be getting parts to repair them. i dont have any experence in this, but i imagine that solar panels need very specialist parts, which could be both rare, and need high skill to use.

a wind turbine could use simpler parts, but due to its nature it would be under more stress, ecspecialy in storms, it could also have the issue of if its not well maintained, it could make a lot of noise to attract zeds.

however, yes, if we ever have more ways to produce power, we will needs to have both ways to disconnect stuff, connect specific things, and have a proper power system.