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Project Journals => User Journals => WooferHound => Topic started by: WooferHound on January 21, 2012, 10:57:48 pm

Title: 150 watt Solar Power System
Post by: WooferHound on January 21, 2012, 10:57:48 pm
I have documented my 150 watt Solar Power System on my personal webpage
This page will be updated often as I make improvements
You can find it here . . .
http://timmythy.home.mindspring.com/re-power.htm

While you're there visit my Photo Gallery .  .  .
Title: Re: My 150 watt Solar Power System
Post by: oztules on January 22, 2012, 03:33:01 am
Nice complete system.... and gads I'm uglier than you.


...........oztules
Title: Re: My 150 watt Solar Power System
Post by: Cornelius on January 22, 2012, 04:24:24 am
I've got a similar built stand for my panels, and i have one 2"x2" on each side of the stand with hinges mounted on the top. At the bottom frame, i have several holes where i can bolt on those 2"x2" in different angles, according to the seasons.
(http://mwlmf.net/albums/solcelle/100_2799.thumb.jpg)
(A large pic here: http://mwlmf.net/gallery/solcelle/100_2799?full=1 (http://mwlmf.net/gallery/solcelle/100_2799?full=1) )
Title: Re: My 150 watt Solar Power System
Post by: WooferHound on January 22, 2012, 09:59:09 am
Cornelius
Nice setup there. I have been thinking about making the same adjustment mechanism as you are using.
Maybe when the weather warms up.
Title: Re: My 150 watt Solar Power System
Post by: Cornelius on January 22, 2012, 10:23:51 am
As those panels makes a decent sail (i've added one 120W panel since the pic was taken), i've mounted a soft metal strip (the kind with lots of holes) over each hinge as an extra safety and for some peace of mind.
Though, a severe enough storm would probably rip those off too, if the hinges get loose... ;)
Title: Re: My 150 watt Solar Power System
Post by: rossw on January 22, 2012, 02:43:41 pm
As those panels makes a decent sail (i've added one 120W panel since the pic was taken), i've mounted a soft metal strip (the kind with lots of holes) over each hinge as an extra safety and for some peace of mind.
Though, a severe enough storm would probably rip those off too, if the hinges get loose... ;)

Two thoughts spring immediately to mind.

1. Is a piano-hinge viable in this circumstance?
2. How about a couple of decent battery braids, solidly attached either side? (the woven, flexible, flat copper strips)
Title: Re: My 150 watt Solar Power System
Post by: Rover on January 22, 2012, 03:12:59 pm
Agreeing with Ross on the piano hing, or even a door hinge... they re meant for frequent use etc.

You could try a pipe in pipe sleeve, or even a gate hinge .. little more robust.

For the gate hinge look fo the ones for a metal fence.. typically a lower portion that is nothing more than a spike , and the upper is pipe reciever.

Rover
Title: Re: My 150 watt Solar Power System
Post by: Cornelius on January 22, 2012, 03:59:03 pm
I agree that a bigger hinges would be better; not because they're stronger, but because the fasten holes would get farther from the edges of the wood. Now i use hinges that are 1"x3" (folded), which makes the screws positioned only 1/2" from the edge of the wood, and the screw dimensions are limited on smaller hinges.
Using bigger hinges, and machine screws with large washers and nuts instead of wood screws would be good. :)
Title: Re: My 150 watt Solar Power System
Post by: rossw on January 22, 2012, 04:15:40 pm
because the fasten holes would get farther from the edges of the wood.

One of the few times I've done this, I used "strap hinges". They let you get quite a way from the edge.

I just posted on my "mini-solar" beginnings. (http://www.anotherpower.com/board/index.php/topic,162.0.html) Seems many of us start out with similar setups!
Title: My solar power is working perfectly
Post by: WooferHound on July 15, 2012, 04:49:02 pm
I haven't been doing any RE projects lately, so I guess the news here is that everything is working perfectly according to design.
The Ghurd 2 stage dump controller is running exactly as intended
My new (december) batteries are kicking butt
the two T-105 batteries power lasts for many days without Sun
My 9 Harbor Freight Panels are still putting out about 7 amps
using the power all I can
I'm actually finding that it is hard to use this much power when you are using the 12 vdc straight off of the battery. Maybe I should get an inverter big enough to run my refrigerator in case I have another tornado induced power outage like last year.
Title: Re: 150 watt Solar Power System
Post by: Wolvenar on July 15, 2012, 09:40:53 pm
You might be shocked how fast a fridge will draw those batteries down.
Title: Re: 150 watt Solar Power System
Post by: madlabs on July 16, 2012, 09:25:30 am
As to hinges, the pipe in a pipe type works great. I made a set up like this for my panels. I hinged it in the center, on the edge of a shipping container. Nice and easy to adjust.

Jonathan
Title: Re: 150 watt Solar Power System
Post by: WooferHound on July 16, 2012, 03:17:59 pm
You might be shocked how fast a fridge will draw those batteries down.

Fortunately it's a newer refrigerator and my Kill-a-Watt meter says that it pulls 200 watts, no idea of the surge.
So 200 watts is a little less than 20 amps from the batteries. I think I could run the frig for an hour or so during the brightest time of the day and still keep the stuff in the freezer from thawing. This was my biggest problem during the outage last year that lasted 5 days.
Title: Re: 150 watt Solar Power System
Post by: rossw on July 16, 2012, 06:02:31 pm
I think I could run the frig for an hour or so during the brightest time of the day and still keep the stuff in the freezer from thawing.

I think you might be surprised/shocked/dismayed at how quickly your fridge will thaw out without a lot more running than just an "hour or so" a day.