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Thread ID: 111642	2010-08-05 05:30:00	Anyone here into DIY solar energy?	braindead (1685)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1124764	2010-08-05 05:30:00	I've been doing a lot of reading and I'm ready to begin building a 60 watt panel for a start. Wondering what sort of panel brand is best in the long term and where to buy the regulator for it? Any pointers appreciated...thanks.	braindead (1685)
1124765	2010-08-05 05:38:00	You will need a LOT more than 60 watts if you want to build your own sun ... ;)	fred_fish (15241)
1124766	2010-08-05 06:49:00	I plan to start small and to stand really close to it :)	braindead (1685)
1124767	2010-08-05 07:51:00	what are you looking to run off it? i run a really small one but i know someone who runs their house off solar. theres quite a few places that sell all the gear. one trap for DIY is there is still a lot of old tech floating around thats not worth buying.	tweak'e (69)
1124768	2010-08-05 07:59:00	what are you looking to run off it? i run a really small one but i know someone who runs their house off solar. theres quite a few places that sell all the gear. one trap for DIY is there is still a lot of old tech floating around thats not worth buying. aye and if hees within 100kmh of the sea make sure all the exposed componets are TRULY marine rated, some of the ones on the first gear bought for my boat claimed to be and wernt. my boat has 2 80watt panels and never has any problems. :)	angry (15305)
1124769	2010-08-05 08:53:00	Thanks tweak'e. I plan to run radio, low power ham radio transceiver, lights. That sort of thing. For when the world ends :) Good point about old technology. I've seen a lot of new solar panel innovation but it hasn't trickled down to consumer level. What brand are you using on your boat angry?	braindead (1685)
1124770	2010-08-05 09:03:00	Thanks tweak'e. I plan to run radio, low power ham radio transceiver, lights. That sort of thing. For when the world ends :) Good point about old technology. I've seen a lot of new solar panel innovation but it hasn't trickled down to consumer level. What brand are you using on your boat angry? now I have to go and look From memory BP (as in petrol) marine.	angry (15305)
1124771	2010-08-05 09:59:00	We used to have 2x80 watt BP panels, can't remember the brand of regulator, sorry. This was when we lived up in the bush near Karamea, no mains within 2 Kms. The valley we were in then was notorious for being cloudy more often than nearly anywhere else in the district, yet we had lights, water pump, TV, video player and in summer a small fridge. In two years we only had to charge the battery bank twice with the back-up generator, that I built out of an old Toyota alternator and a Briggs and Stratton 3.5 hp upright petrol engine. On both occasions the sun came out the very next day, typical!	KarameaDave (15222)
1124772	2010-08-05 10:09:00	Thanks tweak'e. I plan to run radio, low power ham radio transceiver, lights. That sort of thing. For when the world ends :) Good point about old technology. I've seen a lot of new solar panel innovation but it hasn't trickled down to consumer level. places still try and sell on/off type regulator. even PWM are considered obsolete. MPPT (i think it is) is the latest and greatest. not to sure if you can get it in small controllers tho. shading is a big enemy of solar panels. only need to shade a small part of it to drop output right down. this can be worse if series wiring solar panels (to increase voltage out). things like wind blowing branches across the face of the panels can drop power by a lot. being covered in leaves is worse. if your runs are going to be long consider 24v panels or pairing 12v or even paring 24v panels. high voltage but lower current for the same power. means less loss over distance and use of thinner wiring.	tweak'e (69)
1124773	2010-08-05 10:37:00	The main thing in my humble opinion is the regulator, you need a smart one that works out sun rise and sunset, the input from the panels AND OTHER SOURCES and the output from the reg. These smart chargers stop battery sulpidation and can vary the current so the cell charge is so totally maxed out then it reduces the current. They also stop the reverse current flow at night. I have a smart reg in my camper its a beautiful thing to watch the voltages and currents change as it does its thing.	prefect (6291)
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