Solar BACK UP kit not full time OFF –GRID ?
BACKUP CHARGING ?
There are a lot of us who (A) cannot afford to live off grid, the cost of an extensive solar array plus chargers and deep cycle batteries is prohibitive. (B) don’t want to live off grid but still would like to see in the dark after power cuts even extended period power cuts, these folks like me would like to have at least enough light available to sit and read a book, or potter in the workshop, finish cooking a meal or find their way around the house at night. IE they want a BACKUP lighting / power system to sustain them possibly for months if TSHTF but they don’t want to live entirely disconnected from the mains grid supplies.
This got me looking at what is available that could help us on limited funds and in places where a full dollar / wind setup may not be feasible or affordable.
I have found that by buying a £40 solar battery top up charger from Halfords for example that is 12 VDC and 6 watts, I can connect it without using an expensive battery to one of these “ Canister†12VDC power hubs ( £20). Basically the thing is designed to plug into the fag lighter sockets and its outlets can give you up to four more car fag lighter type outlets (round sockets things) for charging PMR or Ham radios, CBs, flash lights AND between 2 and 4 USB ports feeding 5 volts for recharging CELL PHONES, LAPTOP PCS, I Phones, and any other items of kit that are designed to be rechargeable from a USB port.
That mini set up in itself if it passes the scrutiny of the more electrically competent types such as Highland Al or Lightspeed may offer a viable option for the budget conscious prepper.
BACKUP LIGHTING ??
Next moving onto BACK UP Lighting, on the same web sites I have been looking it there are now decent quality kits and lighting devices that charge up by solar power to INTEGRAL battery cells and provide decent white LED lighting supplies for off mains sheds, workshops and garages.
Many of these SOLAR SHED LIGHT KITS come with 2 or 4 low voltage LED lights that will work for hours at a time on demand. These “ shed kits†are ideal as emergency backup lighting systems for the budget conscious prepper who could just as easily install the LED lights in the home for use during power cuts or outages??
I have even seen 12 VDC solar power water pump kits for garden ponds, they could be used by the budget conscious prepper to move captured rain water to your filter or storage containers elsewhere on your property, or just to top up your cold water tank ??
So providing I’m not barking completely up the wrong tree with my very limited knowledge of electricity I’m hoping that an affordable solar powered BACKUP system may be an option some of us could adopt.
I like the idea of simple self contained stand alone systems and hope this concept may be practical
Can anyone please advise me?
Posted to both forums for advice
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/store...ogId=10151
http://www.sunshinesolar.co.uk/khxc/gbu0...A500P.html
http://www.sunshinesolar.co.uk/khxc/gbu0...w/SSL.html
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/390496648...80&ff14=83
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