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27 October 2013, 23:28
(This post was last modified: 27 October 2013, 23:37 by Nix.)
I'm NOT political so DON'T correct me!
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I'm NOT political so DON'T correct me!
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28 October 2013, 11:34
(This post was last modified: 28 October 2013, 11:36 by NorthernRaider.)
Nix thanks very much for the feedback and advice it will be very useful to many of us, One point though for me and a few others in particular is I want to built and uber simple system that does not have a battery in the system, A direct charge from a PV panel through a hub to the device if you will. Like the sort of devices you can get that directly charge I phones from a clip on mini PV panel.
I'm not looking to STORE the energy generated you see, I want a system I can set up in minutes when the sun is out or the skies clear to directly charge devices.
Can you advice on the best way of achieving a battery free system, the kid next door has a PV panel as an integral part of his school rucksack which he uses to top up his I pad as he walks to school, its that route I'm looking for to begin with.
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Seperately Ta again for showing the shortcoming in the off the shelf water pump, so again I would like to find a panel and pump that will lift water at least 2 meters to 3 meters even if its only a steady trickle during daylight hours.
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I'm looking for self contained ( integral battery) solar powered rechargable LED lights that can be stored away quickly then deployed if TSHTF, I storngly desire keeping all three systems as self contained seperate systems.
Thanks again
NR
Ooops forgot to mention I already have 1 x 80 watt monocystaline panel, 10 amp charge controller and leads to play with, it would be nice if there was a way of utilising that panel into the direct charge battery free system if possible.
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NR - if you already have an 80W panel and 10A controller, you're practically there tbh. Unless you go for a mini usb solar charger, I'm afraid you have to connect a battery, even a really small 12v one, to the controller for it to initiate properly and get a reference voltage. This should prevent an over voltage situation with whatever is attached. Small 2.1ah alarm back up batteries might do the trick for you. Otherwise, you may consider a 10W panel with diode option that will give a direct connection of about 0.9A on a good sunny day? Problem with these is that the voltage range on a lot of 12v solar panels can go up to 17v and could damage an attached unit that doesn't like anything above 12v - 13v eg some cctv cameras where a regulated supply is an absolute must! I suppose, thinking about it, if you did have one of these 10W trickle charge panels and connected a 12v car power adaptor it may regulate some of that voltage range for you as it would have to cope with a vehicles higher charging voltage as well. Without trying it myself first I wouldn't really like to recommend it though.
Personally, I'd play safe and go for a small alarm battery to utilise what you already have and connect your hub to that. The battery should act as a voltage regulator and get everything working properly. Don't think of it as stored energy but as an essential part of the system. If it needs to be portable, there's a good range of light weight flexible pv panels that roll up but are more expensive.
The above set up should also provide enough energy to power a suitable 12v pump to shift some water. It'll simply be down to finding the right pump with enough oomph to satisfy your 3m height criteria.
I'm NOT political so DON'T correct me!
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Nix thanks very much for the clear and concise advice, I will gladly take it, I will go find a 12VDC battery and use that as as you describe.
Thanks
NR
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Out of curiosity, would a solar panel need to be in a Faraday cage in the event of a large EMP?
A major part of survival is invisibility.
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Excellent question, I doubt it but the controller and inverter might benefit from EMP protection due to their pcbs!
I'm NOT political so DON'T correct me!
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