Got a solar panel!

Discussion in 'Off Grid Living' started by Cabin Lady, Dec 26, 2016.


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  1. Cabin Lady

    Cabin Lady Monkey

    OK. I will take it out of the box later and get a picture. :)
     
  2. oil pan 4

    oil pan 4 Monkey+++

    I have found that vehicle alternators are actually not that great for charging batteries. They will provide 10 or 20 amps, but the alternator makes a lot more heat when doing this for extended time.
    Another option might be to rig something up so anytime you go for a drive you can charge the battery.
    The increased engine speed and air flow under the hood allows for better air flow through the alternator so it doesn't burn up.
     
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  3. Cabin Lady

    Cabin Lady Monkey

    I took a picture of the back of the panel but have trouble uploading here. Strange. 1482853780759-1539498578.
     
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2016
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  4. Cabin Lady

    Cabin Lady Monkey

    I would not know how to do that. :) I also don't want to carry a battery in and out of the truck all the time. I want it simple. :)
     
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  5. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    True story AZ. Presently at my BOL in northwestern AZ where a snow storm blew through this weekend. I have a travel trailer with an inside toilet but a few years back built an outside privvy as well. This morning there was a choice as to which one to use. Here's a photo of the outside privvy. The choice was easy.
    IMG_20161227_084816506.
    :lol:
     
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2016
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  6. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    AFF, just give me a holler the next time you want to use that mean, cold outside toilet. I will go outside with a propane torch and warm it up for ya, okay? :D
     
  7. Cruisin Sloth

    Cruisin Sloth Special & Slow

    Thank you for the picture of the specs
    I would use this panel with a AGM battery times 2 (7amp 12vdc) type and use it to charge the phone or any other 5Volt USB unit & alos have it charge the computer VIA a buck converter . this can only be done on sunny days & one at a time , after that has all been charged . Now If you do buy a DVM , I would not use a Charge Controller while charging , they rob power on very small system .
    See with a meter you can figure out the time all says its charged.
    I know your in Canukland & what I just typed makes no sense, but this is easy for me . Get a DVM and we can do some testing and learning , it's very easy .
    The batterys for that panel are used in alarm systems & APC computer backup units :
    NPP 12V 7Amp 12 Volt 7Ah 7.5Ah 8Ah AGM Deep Cycle Battery With F2 Terminals | eBay
    [​IMG]
    This way this battery will not leak acid on you..

    Sloth
     
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  8. Cabin Lady

    Cabin Lady Monkey

    Hahaha yes you're right. Doesn't make sense to me and I'm Dutch! Lol. So it would be best for me to get the battery in the picture? My son works in alarm systems. He might can get me one.
     
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  9. azrancher

    azrancher Monkey +++

    That's a nice outhouse, painted camouflage, without a front door....
    Rancher
     
  10. duane

    duane Monkey+++

    Have a greenhouse and I often use the battery like a large capacitor instead of for storage. Can run a drill, saw, etc that use a lot more watts than the panel puts out, but only run for short periods of time. Have to be careful not to run the battery down to far. Also have loads, fans, pumps, etc, that only occur when the sun is shining. and don't need to use nearly as much when the sun isn't shining. Really multiplies the effective use of the panel. If you learn to live with it, a couple hundred watts of panel can make a real difference and that is multiplied if you use the RV type stuff that is designed to run off of 12 volts and not lose the conversion losses.
     
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  11. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    If your son works with alarm systems - installations, etc., he probably can get you all of those you need. Definitely check with him before you buy one at a battery dealer.
     
  12. oil pan 4

    oil pan 4 Monkey+++

    How often are you charging your battery?
     
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  13. Cabin Lady

    Cabin Lady Monkey

    You mean of my phone? Once a day, sometimes in between. Depending on how much I use my phone. The 3 laptops I charge my phone with, I charge those twice a week.
     
  14. oil pan 4

    oil pan 4 Monkey+++

    I meant any lead acid batteries.
     
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  15. Cabin Lady

    Cabin Lady Monkey

    Oh. Hahaha. Sorry. I don't have a battery yet. Have to get one to connect with my new solar panel. Can't wait for that! Independence! Finally. Well. At least for charging my phone.
     
  16. azrancher

    azrancher Monkey +++

    I suspect that she will be charging her battery (ies) whenever the sun is out, that's what charge controllers are for, she will need to learn how far she can discharge the battery bank and then recharge it the next day, or know what the weather will be the next day or several days and keep the battery just for light and wait to charge the laptops when there will be a sunny day.

    I'm grid-tied so I don't really care.

    Rancher
     
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  17. Cabin Lady

    Cabin Lady Monkey

    I probably won't use any laptops. I do everything on my phone so it's mainly to charge phone and have a good light.
     
  18. Cruisin Sloth

    Cruisin Sloth Special & Slow

    Buying a DVM & learning basics stuff MAKE'S YOU Independence! Finally.
    other than that your still throwing darts for dream .
     
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  19. Cabin Lady

    Cabin Lady Monkey

    Well, I am living my dream for 1.5 year now. I learn very slow when it comes to electricity and such. Plus I have to save money too, to buy the things I need for solar set up. Little steps and I will get there. :)
     
  20. Cruisin Sloth

    Cruisin Sloth Special & Slow

    YOUR FIRST should be a cheap DVM , But yes your right, dutch & need to learn . Waste your money , because every question asked here will be one YOU CAN'T ANSWER ! I'm Done !

    Sloth
     
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