Home made solar panels provide free electricity…
This is my small solar power set up that I am using to power my lights and TV at night. Easy to make, cost less than $1000 US. It uses (1) 65w solar panel, (1) 16a charge controller, (1) 1200w inverter, and (8) 6v, 220 a/h golf cart batteries. Will run for approx 2 days without being charged.
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@skippy3840 Ah and the puns continue, the solar powered guy uses the “dark” ages in an example…excellent work
Good job on the solar stuff! I’m just getting started myself. Anything you would have done differently had you had to do it all over again?
@helloman1976 Yes, I did, just to make sure that you don’t think that I am in the dark ages and still watching a B&W!
My only question is, did you actually just say “Color TV”? lmao
@cruz47144 Actually, I have taken the 2 amp AC charger out of the system because I never used it! The panels charge the bank nicely. I switch the inverter on at dark every day and turn it off when I wake up the next morning, leaving at least 1 outside light on all night. The rest of my interior lights and TV are on timers so they shut off after I am asleep. I have wired 1 more room to run from the batteries and am running some computer equipment in the daytime now also.
Running your 4 amp charger how long does it take for your battery bank to recharge? How long do you run your devices? Are you anticipating running 12 volt DC CFB in the future?
Thanks
@cruz47144 Because my system is 12v and I am using 6v batteries, I have to connect each pair in series, then connect the pairs in parallel. When you connect in series, the voltage is additive, and when you connect in parallel the amps are additive. Hence the 660ah for 6 batteries. I connect the leads to opposite sides of the battery bank so it charges across the bank to help with even charging. Yes, I could incorporate another inverter, but don’t need it at this time.
If your batteries are 220 AH each. Why do you only have 660AH? Why not 1320 or 6X220= 1320? One more question how does your charger controller not know when one of the three banks is fully charge? Should you have three seperate controllers to protect each bank? Couldn’t you incorporate another inverter? Thanks
@CrashTestDummies09 No, it does not draw much. All of my stuff is set on timers, so when I am sleeping the lights and TV kick off automatically, then the inverter idles until I get up in the morning and turn it off. I would not suggest leaving it on 24/7 though as it would probably wear out the inverter fans. I only run mine when I am using it.
Does that inverter draw a lot off the batteries just running with nothing plugged in? Can you leave it on 24/7 or will it take too much power?
Get ready for the hassle. Make sure you keep those clean alteast twice a week or you will waist all your money on the panels.
@taineasy I have 6v batteries but a basic 12v system. So, to get to 12v each pair of 6v batteries is wired in series to make 12v, then each 12v pair is paralleled to another 12v pair and so on. Basic wiring system.
@donvee2000 It was a little weak, so I have upgraded to a total of 200 watts of charging capacity. I was never using the AC charger, so I removed it from the system entirely. Now I actually have more power than my lights and TV can use every night so I added another room to my circuit for additional stuff. My batteries consistently discharge about 25% every night and are now almost 4 years old with no issues.
I did not know you can run a batch of batteries in series and parallel at the same time. What is the advantage of having the dual set up? Where do you get info on this type of wiring? I have 6 12v 100ah batteries but they are in parallel only.
Very nice, but is the 60 watt panel enough to charge your batteries? A 600 ahr system needs approx 300 watts of solar charging. (you should never discharge your batteries more than half way, this will shorten their life spans. Your probably charging the batteries mostly with your AC charger.
can u detail the conection from the solar panel to what kind of cable ???
thanks for u video was good!!
@MrEnergyCzar Interestingly enough, that is on the list for one of my spring 2010 projects! I am trying to find a “donor” water heater right now.
@skippy3840 If you are in Florida, people are making solar batch pre-heaters down there…there is a good video on a guy in florida doing just that, its saved under my last playlist…
@MrEnergyCzar Thanks. This was my first system, and although I have expanded it the basics you see in this video are still there. I mostly use this system to provide 100% of my nighttime lighting and TV. I am now working on building my own panels and removing more items from grid power in the daytime. Your videos have given me some great ideas also. Being in sunny Florida helps also!
@MrEnergyCzar Thanks. This was my first system, and although I have expanded it the basics you see in this video are still there. I mostly use this system to provide 100% of my nighttime lighting and TV. I am now working on building my own panels and removing more items from grid power in the daytime. Your videos have given me some great ideas also. Being in sunny Florida helps also!
art…
@VicStorm54 Yes I could. I have added a couple of batteries and changed the panels so now I am getting even more free power. See my video #4.
Looks fantastic, could that system run a refrigerator if thats all you had on it?
nice set up and a good video
Thanks for taking the time to explain things in detail.You have a nice set up.Please continue to share your knowledge;;
@reddog694uk I am using 6volt, 220 ah deep cycle batteries. They are a little over two years old now and going strong.
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