Smart guys, SOLAR

[skeets]

I was looking through some HF adds, and looked at their solar panels. Knowing very little about the technology, I was wondering, 2 different types of panels, some with all the stuff and other with no controllers and stuff, at the same rating and the same price almost. What is the difference, between them? Years ago we had a wind turbine set up at camp for nothing more than shyts and giggles that charged a 12 volt battery, why I have no idea, who set it up or why. It was damaged from a winter storm and scraped. But now I want to try something different, since the power company at camp is some what less than reliable any more. I know HF stuff might not be top shelf but a place to start, a learning curve if you will

 

[bearbait]

I was looking through some HF adds, and looked at their solar panels. Knowing very little about the technology, I was wondering, 2 different types of panels, some with all the stuff and other with no controllers and stuff, at the same rating and the same price almost. What is the difference, between them? Years ago we had a wind turbine set up at camp for nothing more than shyts and giggles that charged a 12 volt battery, why I have no idea, who set it up or why. It was damaged from a winter storm and scraped. But now I want to try something different, since the power company at camp is some what less than reliable any more. I know HF stuff might not be top shelf but a place to start, a learning curve if you will

You need to give more info skeets, where are you planning on installing it and what and how much are you needing it to run with it? If it's a your home and I'm thinking we're close to the same age it may not be feasible. When I looked into it a few years back they told me it wouldn't' be worth it because of my age, (yep the one two punch) however everything is changing fast now so best to check into it.

 

[Russell King]

Some are at household 115V and others are at 12 or 24 volts. The solar panels are all DC power output and can be arranged for different (12 or 24) DC output. For AC power you will need some electronics (inverter) to get to AC and increase the voltage.

If all you want is lights then I would use some 24 volts LEDs, a suitable 24 volt solar panel(s) and some 12 volt batteries (lithium ion) wired to 24 volts. There are some electronics needed to protect the batteries and solar panel but that is basically a battery charger (but for 24 volts). That is basically what I use for my gate opener with some signal lights involved.

 

[Tughill Tom]

Depends on what your looking to power up. I had one that ran a 12 water pump to my camp and another that ran a 120v inverter for lighter charging loads and radios.

 

[jimh406]

Grok knows more than me.

https://grok.com/share/bGVnYWN5LWNvcHk%3D_b50fd8e2-8493-4595-be62-00f03ad879cb

 

[Sidekick]

Depends on how much power you want, how much you want to spend, and how reliable you want it. I'm playing with 10-550 watt bifacial panels on a trailer, a 12000 watt EG4 inverter and 45 kw of 48 volt batteries now. Started off as a replacement for our 12kw gas generator due to many power outages and now supplies half our house power. I have it in a shed. Diysolarforum.com has good information to get started. Black Friday will have great prices on most lithium batteries. Remember that lower voltages require bigger wires.

 

[skeets]

Yep I would never live long enough to recoup the out lay of a home system thats for sure. So basically, enough to charge a couple batteries, for a couple LED lights, maybe a laptop, and charge the handy talkies and an inverter for a AC broadcast radio. I just dont want to haul a generator up and back and the new one is going to stay home! And the Coleman lamps work but get to be a PIA at my age. So no big draw for power, just a few little things

 

[xrocketengineer]

Just to give you an idea, I put this together in a hurry for my sister after hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017 so that she could run her fridge, charge phones and have a few LED lights. I did not know anything about solar power so I watched a bunch of Youtube videos and read anything useful about the topic from the internet. She was without power for over a year.
I could get everything but the batteries in the main land. The 4 panels were 136 watts each and measure 216 in. long X 1.5 in. wide.

They were originally intended to be installed (bonded) on metal roofs but they were shipped rolled up and that made it perfect for direct shipping to PR. The AGM batteries were obtained from a Batteries plus store in PR, luckily, since it was next to impossible to source things locally after the hurricane.

The Epever MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) Charge controller and the 2000 Watt inverter were delivered to me so that I could prewired them before shipping (kind of like a kit with instructions). Then my nephew in PR could connect the panels and the batteries. It worked right off the bat! The whole thing was a little over $2000.

 

[Sidekick]

This was my first cart that I built to play with solar that has run the lights in my shop for over a year. Also ran fridge, freezers, internet, and tvs during outages. 5 kw battery and a little sun worked great.

This is the trailer I modified for the panels to keep them portable.

This is converting my wife's golf cart to run on solar. Haven't had to charge it in 2 years

A little sunshine can run a lot of things

 

[xrocketengineer]

On the other hand, a Solar Generator might be the ticket for you. It is portable, it can charge with AC, it can charge with the car and from solar panels. All is integrated, battery, battery charge controller and inverter. The only thing that you might want to add are solar panel extension cables, to keep the unit in the shade and the solar panels use standard connectors.
I own one of these units, however not like the one like this with the latest LiFePO4 batteries that have a longer life.

 

[Russell King]

On the other hand, a Solar Generator might be the ticket for you. It is portable, it can charge with AC, it can charge with the car and from solar panels. All is integrated, battery, battery charge controller and inverter. The only thing that you might want to add are solar panel extension cables, to keep the unit in the shade and the solar panels use standard connectors.
I own one of these units, however not like the one like this with the latest LiFePO4 batteries that have a longer life.

That is a really good idea! Thank you for pointing out that type of system, I know they exist but would have never thought of suggesting it but it sounds just about perfect.

I guess the panels could be roof mounted with the other part in a lean to at the side of the cabin so it could be connected to the cabin wiring by plugging into the correct points. I assume it could be inside also but not sure if hooking it to solar panels and charging inside the cabin would be a good deal.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Just to give you an idea, I put this together in a hurry for my sister after hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017 so that she could run her fridge, charge phones and have a few LED lights. I did not know anything about solar power so I watched a bunch of Youtube videos and read anything useful about the topic from the internet. She was without power for over a year.
I could get everything but the batteries in the main land. The 4 panels were 136 watts each and measure 216 in. long X 1.5 in. wide. View attachment 165413 They were originally intended to be installed (bonded) on metal roofs but they were shipped rolled up and that made it perfect for direct shipping to PR. The AGM batteries were obtained from a Batteries plus store in PR, luckily, since it was next to impossible to source things locally after the hurricane. View attachment 165415 View attachment 165414 The Epever MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) Charge controller and the 2000 Watt inverter were delivered to me so that I could prewired them before shipping (kind of like a kit with instructions). Then my nephew in PR could connect the panels and the batteries. It worked right off the bat! The whole thing was a little over $2000. View attachment 165417

Nice use of those old sh1tty scuba weights in your top pic!!!!!……


After accidentally dropping one on my SIL’s toe, I scrapped them all and bought the soft weights.

I hate those damn things.