Re: Any gurus on solar panels for charging batteries?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
streaker69
If I were building something for myself, I'd probably go with 2 to 4 deep cycle marine batteries hooked up in parallel with a 1500W inverter, and here's why.
If a battery goes bad, I can replace it, for about $120 with another one from a common source. I won't need to go out and try to find a specially built battery for a device such as that Jackery. Who knows where they're going to be 6 months from now. That's the problem with many of these chinese products.
You can use any solar panel with a charge controller to maintain those batteries. A 1500W inverter would be enough to run a fridge for a while, considering that the output of a normal 120VAC15A outlet is around 1800W. But normally you're only supposed to draw around 80% of the max or 1440W. If I recall correctly.
Putting batteries in parallel means that the voltage (12V) remains the same, but the current is additive.
Four 12V1000Wh batteries in parallel gives you 12V@4000Wh.
Putting batteries in series means the voltage is additive, but the current remains the same.
Four 12V1000Wh batteries in series gives you 48V@1000Wh which isn't really useful in the home environment.
All of that could be easily built and configured for much less than $1000.
This is what I do at camp. I overkill for fringe cases by using Eight deep-cycle 12V batteries with a 200w solar charger. There's a 1500w inverter for fridge and rare microwave/other-AC needs but you don't want to try to run the fridge from room temp down to cooling temp on batteries, use the generator for that. Also, I have a dual-fuel generator and 300lb of propane in various sized bottles that can store for years. There are gasoline cans that mostly fuel the ATVs/tractors/etc. and cycle through each season since they can go bad but are available in an emergency.
This of course feeds a primary 12V RV and the DC/AC conversion loss isn't as important. All lights converted to LEDs, TVs/DVD/heater-blower/etc. are all 12V. The generator runs maybe 3-4 weeks of the year, mostly during cold/overcast days..
Re: Any gurus on solar panels for charging batteries?
I don't know nothing, but I was under the impression that most commonly found Marine batteries aren't truly deep cycles (more of a hybrid).
Diehard RV battery users always recommend 6 volt golf cart batteries. (Trojan rings a bell)
@ Streaker
Yes Mr. Ohm I know W=A x V.
But you start throwing mA in the equation it's too much 🙂
Re: Any gurus on solar panels for charging batteries?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ExFlyinguy
I don't know nothing, but I was under the impression that most commonly found Marine batteries aren't truly deep cycles (more of a hybrid).
Diehard RV battery users always recommend 6 volt golf cart batteries. (Trojan rings a bell)
@ Streaker
Yes Mr. Ohm I know W=A x V.
But you start throwing mA in the equation it's too much
I never said that W = A x V, I said W = V x A :)
Sorry if the nomenclature cornfused you. :)
Re: Any gurus on solar panels for charging batteries?
https://www.turbinegenerator.org/solar/pennsylvania/
I would still keep this in mind.
Also, Lifepo discharge and recharge rates would be better than marine batteries.
Re: Any gurus on solar panels for charging batteries?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ExFlyinguy
Solar sucks compared to generators except that genny's need gas and gas storage is a royal pain in the ass (IMHO)
For what GL is looking for- I humbly opine that ~100 watt solar panel will accomplish his needs.
I purchased a folding portable 100 watt do-it-all (controller built in) unit that I throw on my RV when boondocking. It supplements the RV batteries well enough that I haven't felt the need for more.
I am math stupid. It doesn't help when they advertise some crap in Watts, and other stuff in amps...FFS
I have a gas-only generator - it is at #1 son's house, because I bought a dual-fuel (propane +gas) generator. It cost a couple hundred more, but propane does NOT go bad. You can buy propane tanks all day long on craigslist.
Keep them painted + dry and they last a long long time.
Some lumberyards and RV centers charge FAR less to refill than the big box places.
Since NW PA is gloomy all the time, I never explored solar.
Re: Any gurus on solar panels for charging batteries?
For a while I saw the prepper types were fond of using lead acid batteries designed for electric golf carts. Not sure if that is still a thing or not.
Tim
Re: Any gurus on solar panels for charging batteries?
If anyone has a gasoline generator and would like to convert it to run on propane, there are YouTube videos on how to do that. Apparently it's not hard up to about 12 hp.
I looked into doing that years ago but wound up getting a whole house Generac so I sold the small generator I had.
Google "convert a small gas engine to run on propane"
Re: Any gurus on solar panels for charging batteries?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Boots_DE
If anyone has a gasoline generator and would like to convert it to run on propane, there are YouTube videos on how to do that. Apparently it's not hard up to about 12 hp.
I looked into doing that years ago but wound up getting a whole house Generac so I sold the small generator I had.
Google "convert a small gas engine to run on propane"
https://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.p...ight=generator
3 Attachment(s)
Re: Any gurus on solar panels for charging batteries?
I'm late to the party, but I'm one of those solar/battery people. I build solar systems and lithium modules for RVs and thought I'd share some of my more fun projects:
480 amp-hour 12.8V rolling case (I have one of these in my RV and under my Ham Radio desk):
Attachment 156543
One of two 12kWh 51.2V modules for a 50-foot long 5th wheel:
Attachment 156544
and the twin 10kW inverters pushing out a 240V split phase for the rig:
Attachment 156545
There are 2kW worth of solar panels on the roof (I don't have a picture unfortunately)
I'll happily answer all things electrical when it comes to solar, batteries, and inverters :D
Re: Any gurus on solar panels for charging batteries?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ehidle
I'm late to the party, but I'm one of those solar/battery people. I build solar systems and lithium modules for RVs and thought I'd share some of my more fun projects:
480 amp-hour 12.8V rolling case (I have one of these in my RV and under my Ham Radio desk):
Attachment 156543
One of two 12kWh 51.2V modules for a 50-foot long 5th wheel:
Attachment 156544
and the twin 10kW inverters pushing out a 240V split phase for the rig:
Attachment 156545
There are 2kW worth of solar panels on the roof (I don't have a picture unfortunately)
I'll happily answer all things electrical when it comes to solar, batteries, and inverters :D
If you are knowledgeable, I have some questions for you. I have a large array on my garage roof and would like to get setup for a quick diversion of generated power to a battery bank of some sort in the event of a long term power outage. I am pretty sure that a full bank to power my house would be cost prohibitive and inefficient but I would like enough to keep my stuff charged and maybe run the TV and some LED lights, if possible. Is there an easy, cost effective way to do this?