metalsmith
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Apr 2, 2017 0:02:06 GMT -5
Nicely done. My name is Solar. I've studied it for decades. Power is way cheaper than buying panels and accessories. And if they let you guys build modern nukes the enviro power guys would be doomed. No new nukes for many years to come. If I was going to take my new found obsessive compulsive hobby off line, I would fabricate an 'S' rotor wind spinner and use it to spin my tumblers directly. Prior to the electrification of rural America, there were wind driven grain grinders, water pumps and such. Same idea. They're building new nukes in the UK right now. I say 'they'. They being the French and Chinese I believe; not thought to be a good deal for the UK, but should the decision makers have the best interest of UK citizens at heart?! It guarantees power for a good part of the future and reduces reliance on overseas; I believe a good part of our gas comes from Scandi countries and Russia. I know which one of those I trust most.  |
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Post by youp50 on Apr 2, 2017 7:07:04 GMT -5
Its all about the regional economy. Prior to fracking in America, energy costs were headed up. Now natural gas is so cheap that some producers are burning the excess.
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Apr 2, 2017 13:00:21 GMT -5
Its all about the regional economy. Prior to fracking in America, energy costs were headed up. Now natural gas is so cheap that some producers are burning the excess. I think in the UK, energy costs are up by 8% this year. Therefore, it makes sense to make some (relatively cheap) provision to reduce those costs in the longer term. I don't have to go off-grid, but if the cost of solar is falling and the price of energy is going up, the break-even point just moved closer.  |
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Apr 2, 2017 13:06:50 GMT -5
Another battery tech advance. But this one should be Goodenough? Never mind Goodenough, I think I'm going to change my name by deed poll to Damnedamazing. See if it doesn't turn my life around?! |
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Hobo's Dad
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2017
Posts: 20 
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Post by Hobo's Dad on Apr 2, 2017 22:55:30 GMT -5
I'm not convinced that solar panels are better for the environment than power as produced today. Many nasty chemicals used. Hydrofluoric Acid comes to mind. Just like "green" vehicles, manufacturing the "planet saving" product often has more negative impact than making what you have last as long as you can. As I have said before the "greenest" passenger car in the world is a 1966 Volvo P1800 owned by Irv Gordon that has over 3 million miles on it. Yeah, those self righteous jackasses think the priuses (pri'i?) Make them better people. Oops that |
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 2, 2017 23:20:48 GMT -5
Just like "green" vehicles, manufacturing the "planet saving" product often has more negative impact than making what you have last as long as you can. As I have said before the "greenest" passenger car in the world is a 1966 Volvo P1800 owned by Irv Gordon that has over 3 million miles on it. Yeah, those self righteous jackasses think the priuses (pri'i?) Make them better people. Oops that I think it's Pria' I remember when the Prius owners were almost universally smug self righteous types. I think Toyota's marketing has managed to convince a lot more regular Joe Sixpack types to buy them from a "more complicated technology is better" message. Even after the fatal drive by wire throttle incidents they have done ok. They're like automotive teflon with their PR, and their ads seem to imply that the average Toyota buyer is a mindless automaton. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2017 9:03:58 GMT -5
Yeah, those self righteous jackasses think the priuses (pri'i?) Make them better people. Oops that I think it's Pria' I remember when the Prius owners were almost universally smug self righteous types. I think Toyota's marketing has managed to convince a lot more regular Joe Sixpack types to buy them from a "more complicated technology is better" message. Even after the fatal drive by wire throttle incidents they have done ok. They're like automotive teflon with their PR, and their ads seem to imply that the average Toyota buyer is a mindless automaton. They kinda did ok because of the fact those incidents were almost non existent and they paid $1 billion to the us government for the privilege of staying in business. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 3, 2017 9:45:45 GMT -5
I like solar for small applications. I have 2 marine battery power packs- each with it's own portable folding solar panel. When we camp or whatever, or lose power, it is quite enough for the router, laptop, lights, recharging, 12v fan, etc. They have come in handy many many times.
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Post by youp50 on Apr 4, 2017 9:34:28 GMT -5
I like solar for small applications. I have 2 marine battery power packs- each with it's own portable folding solar panel. When we camp or whatever, or lose power, it is quite enough for the router, laptop, lights, recharging, 12v fan, etc. They have come in handy many many times. How do you get AC from your battery? |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 4, 2017 9:43:12 GMT -5
I like solar for small applications. I have 2 marine battery power packs- each with it's own portable folding solar panel. When we camp or whatever, or lose power, it is quite enough for the router, laptop, lights, recharging, 12v fan, etc. They have come in handy many many times. How do you get AC from your battery? The power packs have a user interface with outlets and usb ports. So do the solar panels. |
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Getta Grip
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2016
Posts: 81
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Post by Getta Grip on Apr 4, 2017 12:32:01 GMT -5
How do you get AC from your battery? The power packs have a user interface with outlets and usb ports. So do the solar panels. I use an inverter. They change the 12V DC to 115 V AC. Here's a link to some Harbor Freight inverters. Just as a point of reference, 750 Watts = 1 horsepower. www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=inverter |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 4, 2017 12:35:48 GMT -5
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Post by rockpickerforever on Apr 4, 2017 13:55:35 GMT -5
We have a solar panel on the top of our Weekend Warrior. Can go to the desert for an unlimited amount of time, do not need to run the generator to charge the two 6 volt deep cycle batteries. Inside lights, water pump, fans, heater blower. As long as the battery is not old, and is full of electrolyte, no issues. We have a switch to disconnect the panel, usually only turn it on to top off the batteries before going somewhere. It has a sensor to stop when it is charged, but it still seems to overcharge. Will evaporate the electrolyte away. HOWEVER, if I want to run the microwave/convection oven (pizza, popcorn, etc), have to run the genny. That's another story. |
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,434
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Post by Wooferhound on Apr 13, 2017 18:57:01 GMT -5
Lets assume that you want to use equipment that totals 120 watts power usage. Pulling 120 watts from a battery will be 10 amps. Due to the inefficiency of the Power Inverter you will lose 10 percent more so you will actually be taking 11 amps out of the battery. You want to use the equipment for about 3 hours, using 11 amps for 3 hours equals 33 amphours. Most car batteries are about 35 amphours but aren't designed for deep usage like this. It will take about 8 hours of full Sun to charge a 35 amphour battery with a 60 watt panel. but I would recommend at least 70 amphours of batteries to run 120 watts of equipment and 2 days of full Sun to charge it enough to run the gear for 3 hours. Here is my 150 watt system that runs everything without an inverter timmythy.home.mindspring.com/re-power.htm |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 20:13:38 GMT -5
Lets assume that you want to use equipment that totals 120 watts power usage. Pulling 120 watts from a battery will be 10 amps. Due to the inefficiency of the Power Inverter you will lose 10 percent more so you will actually be taking 11 amps out of the battery. You want to use the equipment for about 3 hours, using 11 amps for 3 hours equals 33 amphours. Most car batteries are about 35 amphours but aren't designed for deep usage like this. It will take about 8 hours of full Sun to charge a 35 amphour battery with a 60 watt panel. but I would recommend at least 70 amphours of batteries to run 120 watts of equipment and 2 days of full Sun to charge it enough to run the gear for 3 hours. Here is my 150 watt system that runs everything without an inverter timmythy.home.mindspring.com/re-power.htmThat is awesome Tim. Thanks. Because i am considering building an off grid lapidary shop, this was valuable. Thanks again! |
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on May 30, 2017 3:42:46 GMT -5
Just as a point of reference, 750 Watts = 1 horsepower. Cool ... so my 1/3 hp motor should run directly from 250 Watts. At present I have 60 Watts; assume 10% drop off due to inverter and cable that gives 50 Watts and I'm being conservative. So for every 5 hours of daylight I should be able to run for 1 hour. If only they would run on darkness instead of sunlight - I tend to want to cut more in Winter when the nights are longer.  |
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on May 30, 2017 4:31:07 GMT -5
I stumbled across this youtube video and with a careful bit of ebaying have secured all the components inc 12- 240 v transformer and circuit breaker for around £85. I just need a battery now, which I need to research before choosing a 2nd hand car battery or a new 12v leisure type but comes in at £15 - £22, so all in for under a ton (£100). I've added a 12 amp hour battery for £22 10m cable £10 enough to link present and a future panel MC4 connectors £3 SubTotal £35 Original spend £85 Total to date £120 for 60w solar panel I can expand this system with some MC4 branch connectors £6 Additional solar panel at cost ~ Wattage Additional charge controller ~ solar panel output A second inverter (300w needed & first was 150w) £17 (same cost as the first) - is included in real cost of project but not needed to recreate this. Just waiting on this to arrive now, so this is the only thing delaying the project now. The panel is wired and has charged the battery. |
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Jun 1, 2017 1:04:36 GMT -5
Added a book - the Complete Idiot's guide to solar power  I even screwed that up... I wanted the 'for Dummies' series  But even then you can get Solar-Power-Demystified gratis! |
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Jun 2, 2017 16:04:12 GMT -5
I'm now working on a laptop that was charged through the day and now I've spun the solar panel around and it is keeping the battery charged from the room-light.
A pic to follow tomorrow when I hope to hook up a tumbler / grinder
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Post by spiceman on Jun 2, 2017 22:32:59 GMT -5
10 years ago I was a very serious bass tournament fisherman. Fishing from fist light to sunset. I bought a solar panel made to charge the batteries while your fishing.
It worked great sometimes but the position of the panel in relation to the sun is very important.
I have thought about adapting the panel to run a rock tumbler but too much trouble with very little, if any benefit.
They do make telescopes that will move with rotation of the earth but too much cash to justify the investment.
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