tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post4907940395647384229..comments2024-03-29T09:08:47.702-04:00Comments on The Silicon Graybeard: A Solar Cell Backup Power System - 4SiGraybeardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-6929710307844311092012-03-05T19:03:37.215-05:002012-03-05T19:03:37.215-05:00Zendo Deb, it's not clear from the Amazon link...Zendo Deb, it's not clear from the Amazon link I posted that the battery I was referring to is an AGM battery. Northern Arizona Wind&Sun has a <a href="http://www.solar-electric.com/unba35amseag.html" rel="nofollow">more descriptive page that</a> shows it's a sealed AGM, shippable by UPS, which means it can't leak. I haven't bought any battery yet - still looking at options. <br /><br />The rest of it, I'm pretty wired on, thanks.SiGraybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-61944208332821656852012-03-04T23:40:58.160-05:002012-03-04T23:40:58.160-05:00SG,
For a small system such as this, making it po...SG,<br /><br />For a small system such as this, making it portable is an excellent idea. If we ever actually settle somewhere, I'm thinking of doing a much larger system that is trailer-built (perhaps on a 20' unit), to be able to use it at rental property without getting into a fight over "improvements to the property" that cannot be removed.RegTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-6058192330778636212012-03-04T21:59:09.993-05:002012-03-04T21:59:09.993-05:00Couple of comments.
1. I don't like sealed le...Couple of comments.<br /><br />1. I don't like sealed lead batteries. Regular lead-acid batteries take a bit of maintenance, but only a bit of distilled water now and then. They last longer than the maintenance free. If you really must get zero maintenance batteries, get gels or AGMs. Though you will need a charge controller - they are VERY sensitive to over charging and shouldn't be connected to the panels directly. For my money, you can't beat 6-volt golf carts. They stand up to deep discharges, are not too heavy. Have decent amp-hour ratings. <br /><br />2. When the temperature is anywhere near 60 degrees F, the temperature of the panel will be above 60 degrees F. Above that and the watts produced fall off from the rated power. In Florida in the summer... Also if you really want full power you need to track the sun. That would mean at least moving your stand/cart every couple of hours.<br /><br />3. If you do a search on DIY generator, you will find a site with plans and parts for turning a small gas engine (say from a power edger - or from Harbor Freight) and an alternator into a handy dandy 12-volt quick recharger. Even the small ones will put out 50 amps or more. Not as a replacement for the solar, but as an adjunct. Personally I am also looking into a small 5 to 10 HP steam engine for the same thing. <br /><br />If you are going to be without power for an extended period of time (after Andrew, most of Miami was without power for a couple of weeks) you are definitely going to want to consider low-power broadcasting.Zendo Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00094772654735415974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-78511135663493612432012-03-04T21:28:28.951-05:002012-03-04T21:28:28.951-05:00Not a problem - spending OPM is probably the most ...Not a problem - spending OPM is probably the most addictive thing there is. Just look at congress! <br /><br />Since the two smaller panels are here already, I'll keep going with them, but I like the idea of two batteries: charge one and use the other. <br /><br />Thanks!SiGraybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-64266564989344827332012-03-04T20:06:41.740-05:002012-03-04T20:06:41.740-05:00If I may freely spend your money, I would suggest ...If I may freely spend your money, I would suggest the following items to increase your system's usefulness (the following links are descriptive, not prescriptive, and I earn no money from any purchase from the linked sites):<br /><br /><a href="http://store.sundancesolar.com/60wafrsopa.html" rel="nofollow">Sundance Solar's 60-watt 12-volt panel</a> (at a per-panel cost of $189, this panel is about $20 cheaper than three of your linked 20-watt panels)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.apexbattery.com/group-u1-40-solar-battery-solar-batteries.html" rel="nofollow">Two 50AH deep-cycle batteries</a> (this combination will allow you to run your amateur radio rig for over 48 hours per battery, while your PV system replenishes the other battery)<br /><br />Note that my proposed additions to your suggested backup system both increase your radio uptime and give you some flexibility in powering other needed devices.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com