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Post by Ausprep on Nov 12, 2013 10:05:46 GMT 10
Hi Members! Following on from my 40watter thread, heres my bug-out/portable solar set up. It comprises of 2x 170W portable kits. I have disconnected the 15A reg's they come with and hooked up a 50A reg as i have wire these panels to be run as singles or together if needed. Together they are capable of 340W or just over 28Amps which is more than enough to recharge my gel battery at a reasonable rate. FYI: This is our old camper in the background. Attachments:
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Jason
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Post by Jason on Jul 2, 2014 22:03:20 GMT 10
Mate what would something like this cost to setup? Battery included?
Im after something that can run a battery charger, keep the phone and laptop charged and perhaps run a radio.
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Frank
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Email: frank@ausprep.com
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Post by Frank on Jul 3, 2014 0:00:48 GMT 10
Nice setup. Have recently been looking into getting a portable solar set-up. Looking at getting a dual battery system in the landcruiser for a start then a portable solar setup to keep batteries charged for extended periods
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Post by Ausprep on Jul 3, 2014 8:16:23 GMT 10
Mate what would something like this cost to setup? Battery included? Im after something that can run a battery charger, keep the phone and laptop charged and perhaps run a radio. With solar, it really depends on the requirements you have and what you need to run from the battery. With what you have stated, a small panel would be more than sufficient say 80W. The panel needs only to replace what your pulling from it. Running a mobile phone charger, a laptop and a battery charger (?) your only pulling low amps. The key is to get a panel that can replace power at a higher rate than what your drawing. My camper has 3x 12v outlets, a 12v electric water pump, led lighting, battery and water monitor. On the front I have mounted a 50W panel ($40 new posted from eBay) and running all these items from an AGM 100a/h battery, this panel is sufficient. Any more pull on the battery, I have to get my portable setup out though. Where are you going to be mounting this setup for use? If your putting it into your shed, something like an N70Z 4wd battery will be fine, it needs to have sufficient ventilation though. If its concealed or going inside, inside a vehicle etc, go for a Gel or AGM battery. Panel wise, the bigger the better obviously, BUT this is not always a viable option, especially if you need to move around with it. I always say that a 120 to 150w single panel is sufficient for most applications. Based on this, you will need: 100a/h AGM or Gel battery - $320 to $380 depending on where you buy. 120W Fixed Panel - $154.00 (get in quick for this one, save 60 odd%) www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mono-Solar-Panel-Home-Power-Generator-Battery-120W-Charging-Kit-/121099110356?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item1c3211c7d430A Solar regulator MPPT - $184.00 www.ebay.com.au/itm/Powertech-MPPT-30-amp-NEW-MODEL-Solar-Regulator-Charge-Controller-30A-12V-24V-/400696028742?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item5d4b582e46Cabling, I always would use 6G twin core, so a few meters of that, approx. $3-4/M Inverters for 240V is where the big $$ is, my advice try to find a way to survive on 12v lol. You can get almost anything these days in 12V. Portable set ups are a cheaper option. You can get a 160W portable kit with a built in 15a reg for under $250. Both portable and fixed have there pro's and con's www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-160W-Folding-Solar-Panels-Kit-Portable-12V-Camping-Caravan-Battery-Charger-/131213151471?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item1e8ce9ccefGive me a bit more detail on what your thinking, fitment wise and ill give you some ideas on what I’d do |
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Post by graynomad on Jul 3, 2014 13:32:24 GMT 10
Wayne has given the good oil here so I won't add any tech details, just show a pic of my last Cruiser  The two 120-watt panels lived on the roof but could be detached to be angled towards the sun and/or placed out in the sun if camping in the shade. Such a system works well, we lived off this for 3 months on one trip, with 2 fridges, laptop, battery chargers etc. |
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Post by Ausprep on Jul 3, 2014 13:35:46 GMT 10
My current W.I.P is a 110W roof rack mounted feeding a 110a/h battery via a 30A reg. in the tray of my Hilux.
Will post some pics when i can.
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Jason
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Post by Jason on Jul 3, 2014 22:24:58 GMT 10
Once again mate you have come up with the goods! Im all for portable as it give more options if I need to get out in a hurry. I would probably go with a roof mounted unit similar to Rob that could be taken down and angled to the sun when camping, that I could then transfer to the camper when I get around to that. The above 160W unit looks pretty good - that would just mean I need to grab a battery? The AGM's seem to get a better wrap than Gel - what are your thoughts on that? Seems to depend on the intended use again? |
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Post by Ausprep on Jul 3, 2014 22:29:26 GMT 10
Agm batteries have a greater tolerance when it comes to discharging.
Gels dont like going flat so keeping the above 12.9v is important. AGMs don't mind as much. I keep mine around 13.9 at all times.
Agm gets my vote.
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Post by Ausprep on Jul 4, 2014 8:52:23 GMT 10
AGM (absorbed glass mat) is a special design glass mat designed to wick the battery electrolyte between the battery plates. AGM batteries contain only enough liquid to keep the mat wet with the electrolyte and if the battery is broken no free liquid is available to leak out.
Gel Cell batteries contain a silica type gel that the battery electrolyte is suspended in, this thick paste like material allows electrons to flow between plates but will not leak from the battery if the case is broken.
More often than not AGM Batteries are mistakenly identified as Gel Cell Batteries. Both batteries have similar traits; such as being non spillable, deep cycle, may be mounted in any position, low self discharge, safe for use in limited ventilation areas, and may be transported via Air or Ground safely without special handling.
AGM Batteries outsell Gel Cell by at least a 100 to 1. AGM is preferred when a high burst of amps may be required. In most cases recharge can be accomplished by using a good quality standard battery charger or engine alternator. The life expectancy; measured as cycle life or years remains excellent in most AGM batteries if the batteries are not discharged more than 60% between recharge.
Battery Tender Plus Gel ProfileGel Cell Batteries are typically a bit more costly and do not offer the same power capacity as do the same physical size AGM battery. The Gel Cell Battery excels in slow discharge rates and slightly higher ambient operating temperatures. One big issue with Gel Batteries that must be addressing is the GEL CHARGE PROFILE. Gel Cell Batteries must be recharged correctly or the battery will suffer premature failure. The battery charger being used to recharge the battery(s) must be designed or adjustable for Gel Cell Batteries. If you are using an alternator to recharge a true Gel Cell a special regulator must be installed.
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Post by Ausprep on Jul 4, 2014 8:53:52 GMT 10
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Post by graynomad on Jul 4, 2014 10:02:17 GMT 10
Something else to think about, if you have room for 2 aux batteries you can wire them in parallel for normal use but swap the wires around to get 24 volts for welding in the field. Something that's saved my bacon a few times, well at least allowed me to to repairs in the middle of nowhere.
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hago
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Post by hago on Jul 27, 2014 15:23:43 GMT 10
ausprep-how many of those set ups would I need in the back yard to run the house do u think?  |
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Post by Ausprep on Jul 27, 2014 17:21:53 GMT 10
ausprep-how many of those set ups would I need in the back yard to run the house do u think? The panels wont run your house, a battery set up would. The solar would simply recharge said batteries. There are many variables when talking solar, firstly what kind of power you are dragging from the batteries. |
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hago
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Post by hago on Jul 27, 2014 23:41:54 GMT 10
I,m pretty sucky when it comes to amps and watts.Not alot though i,d be guessing.no fridge.one old t,v.washing machine.the house is newish so all lights are the long burners.not the latest ones the ones before.I,m extremely diligent with power usage.hot water set up seems new.i use library or phone for most technology stuff.Still waiting on our first bill.all the meters are new so i have absolutely no idea what i,m looking at as it continuously changes.So each battery holds so much replenished by panels.though said batteries can't get below a certain point of charge.so basically i need enough batteries with inverters(that's what gives me my usable current yeah)and two or however many panels to keep each battery level above said point.is that the basic crux of my solar needs?Then just run them into.....the house through a mother board.....ohhhh i suck at electricity stuff.getting zapped as a kid threw me.in both aspects.ha ha.I,ve definitely got the room in the back yard.i think i should perhaps get a small portable set up and see what that,ll run then just keep adding them.aesthetics isn't a big issue for me.solars a great thing.absolutely brilliant.I hate the fact like banks and everything else they keep bending us over yelling us where about to get reamed and everyone's appalled but that's it.how far before revolution i wonder?maybe that,ll be the shtf.anyhoo i really enjoyed those links and solar set ups guys.they seem to run a fair bit for the out lay.Thats my idea of beautiful homes and gardens.massive rain water tanks and every surface coveted in solar panels.gezz it,d shite the council off something fierce too.specially when the razor wire goes up.ha ha ha.Just joking bout the razor wire.I prefer punji pits.
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hago
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Post by hago on Jul 28, 2014 0:07:42 GMT 10
MONO 240W Folding Solar Panel MONOCRYSTALLINE Portable Kit 12v 24MONO 240W Folding Solar Panel MONOCRYSTALLINE Portable Kit 12v 24v
i don't think i did that right at all guys/gals.but would that be enough to stick outside the lounge and get me started do y,all think?i know solar doesn't pack a huge punch till you get lottsa panels batteries and converters and most importantly knowledge but i gotta start somewhere.looks kinda small but i spose the more watts the quicker the battery is gonna charge.I swear this is about the only thing in manual life that i know little to nothing on.solar is just the bees knees as far as renewable and free power.well eventually free.Wheres those doggone zombies when ya need em.
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overlord
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Post by overlord on Jul 28, 2014 13:03:47 GMT 10
Just remember to monitor your batteries (most inverters have a cut off) and make sure that they do not go below 50% regardless of battery type.
So that technically means, a 100Ah battery is good only for 50Ah.
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hago
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Post by hago on Jul 28, 2014 14:04:14 GMT 10
So i,m better off having spare batteries'?or is that less batteries and more panels.So if i keep all batteries up at say 60%for argument sake then everything should run fine yeah.?to do that i,d need......I,m starting to see it now.Those new panels seem to grab alot of the suns power and my back yards better than alot of peoples roofs.geographically speaking.I do need an inverter though don't i?O have researched this vaguely a while back but all the amp,watts and such backward forward conversion frustrated me a bit,plus i really had nowhere to actually do it back then.might pop off to the library for some pdf scouting.
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overlord
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Post by overlord on Jul 30, 2014 11:36:30 GMT 10
If you are planning to run off-grid, you have to make sure that your battery capacity is more than twice your requirements for 24 hours. If you can go for 36, the better. This is to compensate for rainy days and cloud cover.
In addition, make sure that your panel capacity can charge your batteries within a 5 hour period. (I know that the sun is up at least 11.5 hours and it is bright around 8 but you never know about the weather).
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