| |
181. Posted: 28 Jun 2015 23:15 - Member's Projects and Photos / My project
Julie, I will make some of those too. I may buy some of the tin ones too, in the forest service brown color. OK, the well with solar panels are installed (removed when I am not there, they are heavy, I need to figure out something else maybe???) And my marker signs are up. I bought a brand new po...
|
182. Posted: 28 Jun 2015 12:38 - Off-Grid Living / solar questions
... be able to use the existing wire. I don't know how your dad wired the 220 down to 120. I assume he was sending two 120 legs? Then just hook the inverter 120 into one of the legs. Most of us on solar also run small portable gennies that plug into the panel. Sometimes on a switch. It's not hard to be your own manual transfer switch. The advantage of switchi...
|
183. Posted: 28 Jun 2015 12:19 - Off-Grid Living / solar questions
... an eye on the Victron equipment now coming to the North American market. the european mfcts are really benefiting from a larger market base and providing proven top quality gear. They have an easy solar all in one out now. Literally a solar charger, inverter, charger, transfer switch even the ac distribution box all in one box. how easy is that. Plug your p...
|
184. Posted: 28 Jun 2015 09:41 - Off Topic / So NOW I'm starting to worry....
...i imagine the auzzies have quite a few practical ideas about dealing with hot temps and drought. one technique I noted recently to keep water fresh is to put an air bubbler in. hooked up to a small solar panel and run during the day might be enough. and a simple sand filter for water does wonders according to the UN.
|
185. Posted: 27 Jun 2015 19:14 - Off-Grid Living / solar questions
Good information- I'm still a way from doing a solar installation, and it seems like they keep refining the electronics with each new generation of equipment, so by the time I buy perhaps all inverters will have refined power factors a...
|
186. Posted: 26 Jun 2015 19:13 - Off-Grid Living / solar questions
...you can leave the wiring from the generator shed to the cabin the same. You will need an inverter in the gen shed to convert the battery power from DC to AC. You just need to have designed a standard solar system with panels, charger, batteries and inverter. But, if you plan to switch the power source from solar to generator, you will also need a trans...
|
187. Posted: 26 Jun 2015 19:02 - Off-Grid Living / solar questions
...r but i have a cabin i currently run with generator power and from the generator shed to the cabin is 220v then the cabin has a breaker panel where it becomes 110v and i have been thinking of doing a solar panel system for the cabin and i'd like to use the same wiring from the generator shed is there a way this is possible ? what would i have to d...
|
188. Posted: 26 Jun 2015 19:02 - Off-Grid Living / solar questions
...r but i have a cabin i currently run with generator power and from the generator shed to the cabin is 220v then the cabin has a breaker panel where it becomes 110v and i have been thinking of doing a solar panel system for the cabin and i'd like to use the same wiring from the generator shed is there a way this is possible ? what would i have to d...
|
189. Posted: 25 Jun 2015 09:08 - Off-Grid Living / Well......whaddaya know? (Pump)
Steve, I will take complete photos this weekend. I have it in and it works great (2.8 gpm pump rate using sun) they forgot to include the included solar brackets. They shipped them to me, so it will be installed and I will take photos. Its all in place, fenced enclosure. I will trim it out with switch this weekend and give you guys a...
|
190. Posted: 20 Jun 2015 05:43 - Off-Grid Living / Solar Generator with lithium battery
..., etc. I've actually found some small cabins for very reasonable rent year-round that include hot water, sewer, and trash but not electric. So I could get somewhat accustomed to cabin living and solar power use if I bought one of these systems and started using it. Then, when spring comes and I can start building, I can use this little system in the RV on my land, too, while buil...
|
191. Posted: 19 Jun 2015 16:22 - Off-Grid Living / Solar Generator with lithium battery
...kaging". what I didn't like is, as MtnDon mentions, the components. A no name 2500 watt inverter. on a 1.3kw battery. that's pretty extreme. they also don't mention what kind of solar controller is included, or even if there is one. This makes this product a stay away from situation. My take on this would be a balqon 2kw or 160 amp hr 1500 a good quality 30/45 a...
|
192. Posted: 19 Jun 2015 09:09 - Off-Grid Living / Solar Generator with lithium battery
...you could do Way Better than that ! In my opinion, these packages are way overpriced because they are targeted at the consumer/user as a quick turnkey solution. Just like the "Coleman" Solar kits which are premium priced ($400 for their 100w panel) which is a Head Slap price... For 2500.00 you could get a BIG RV/Camper Solar kit an...
|
193. Posted: 19 Jun 2015 08:28 - Off-Grid Living / wiring for solar and back up generator....HELP!
I don't know what your budget is like but there are solar generators that are designed to hardwire into the electric panel and include everything. Panels, charge controller, etc. Like this: http://www.bepr...
|
194. Posted: 17 Jun 2015 17:23 - Off-Grid Living / 12V Outhouse Fan
...xhaust pipe is 2-1/2" outer diameter PVC. My grand plan is to put a small but adequately powerful 12V fan at the top of the exhaust pipe and connect it to a small 12V battery charged by a small solar panel, which I can also use to power a light. Can you help me realize my dream? I have been told I should get a computer exhaust fan, the cheapest option. But I...
|
195. Posted: 17 Jun 2015 11:30 - Off-Grid Living / Is this used solar system a good value?
If you could get it for $1100, I would do it. $.50/ watt on the solar and you are giving him 400 for the CC. Good deal for each of you. That racking, he needs to throw it in on the deal as it is damaged. Those panels are 24 volt gri...
|
196. Posted: 17 Jun 2015 09:30 - Off-Grid Living / Is this used solar system a good value?
After having spent almost a year shopping out my solar system and looking at far too many vendors in US & Canada. I can tell you that if your in the States and spending up to 1500.00, you can do better than what this fellow is offer...
|
197. Posted: 16 Jun 2015 22:25 - Off-Grid Living / Is this used solar system a good value?
Personally, I'd say if everything works as it should, you didn't do too bad at all. My rule of thumb, when I was shopping solar was that if you can find panels for less than a buck a watt, you're ok, and of course, the cheaper the better. That controller new I'm guessing was pushing...
|
198. Posted: 16 Jun 2015 22:15 - Off-Grid Living / Is this used solar system a good value?
I just bought a little piece of property that is off-grid, and I'm going to be building a small cabin. My neighbor is selling his 7 year old solar system (he just installed a bigger system). It consists of 8 Mitsubishi 180 watt panels (PV-MF180UD4) and a 60 amp Outback charge controller (MX-60-MPPT) and an alum...
|
199. Posted: 16 Jun 2015 17:12 - Off-Grid Living / wiring for solar and back up generator....HELP!
...39;m ready to start wiring my small cottage/cabin with guys coming on Thurs. Though they are not electricians both have wired homes that passed inspection. The problem is they've never wired for solar and I want to be certain I understand correctly to offer input. I will have three lights, using LED bulbs, a 32 in LED flatscreen tv, total of ten outlets (though only using one for ...
|
200. Posted: 16 Jun 2015 08:35 - Off-Grid Living / creeky's 2015 solar system vs a gas generator
...atch up on your charge. plus they are far more efficient charging. None of this lead acid >55% charge efficiency at 90%. What your panels output is what goes into your batteries. So it makes your solar panel set look a lot larger. really changes the off grid solar equation. sony's home battery is lfp. and bosch is making an...
|
201. Posted: 15 Jun 2015 09:26 - Off-Grid Living / creeky's 2015 solar system vs a gas generator
creeky's amazing off grid solar system 2015 edition Remember: this is top of the line everything 1000 1kw solar panels 1000 solar controller 750 stuff (combiners...
|
202. Posted: 14 Jun 2015 10:40 - Off-Grid Living / Tesla doubling PowerWall's storage, keeping price the same!
gary o. no offense. but if you calculate the cost of your gas. you could buy a solar system.... twice just in the first 5 years. hear me out. Now, I'm guessing storage costs will fall. but solar panels have not gone to .25/w....
|
203. Posted: 14 Jun 2015 08:29 - Off-Grid Living / Tesla doubling PowerWall's storage, keeping price the same!
couple of good points here. but i planned for system expansion. I put in the mnpv6 instead of the 3 combiner box for instance. that way when I put in the second solar controller I was all set. also. your solar controller can easily be oversized. doesn't cost much more. um. pizza dude just did that. he has 300 watts s...
|
204. Posted: 12 Jun 2015 09:19 - Member's Projects and Photos / Cabin Build underway 2015
...; 4" (3 2x4 sheets) of Styro-SM. Pair of 10mm REBAR and 6x6 wire mesh. TO-DO: Install 1/2" Radiant-Pex for the Powerhouse. Doing that as "future planning" as I want to setup a solar panel on the roof that can heat the Propylene Glycol. Based on material from BuildItSolar.com I'll be plumbing in all the PEX this weekend, I...
|
205. Posted: 12 Jun 2015 04:15 - Off-Grid Living / Tesla doubling PowerWall's storage, keeping price the same!
...ouse and marveled at how much storage space there is and how I'd never fill it! Ha, famous last words! I don't think I want to do that, at least not now. Starting smaller, getting used to solar, and figuring out my needs might be a good thing to do in the beginning so I don't overbuy. I could always use the smaller batteries later with small panels as ...
|
206. Posted: 10 Jun 2015 13:42 - General Forum / tri star ts-mppt-60 controller
My solar panels((3)230w) are now in place and all components are connected. I bought a decent 8x16' enclosed trailer have all components stored inside, panel...
|
207. Posted: 5 Jun 2015 01:31 - Member's Projects and Photos / Starting over again, does a small cottage count?
...r lines dug and pipes on site. This week will pick up vinyl for flooring, lumber for walks and loft, insulation and dry wall. Let the fun begin. I will be trying to figure out installation of a small solar setup, 1-2 100 watt panels, 2 deep cycle batteries, charge controller and inverter. I have a generator for backup. I've been gathering ideas here a few years, h...
|
208. Posted: 3 Jun 2015 20:23 - Off-Grid Living / Solar Planning for this spring.
I think your system looks great but a little out of balance. Your Batteries are my concern. With your current system of 2000 watts of solar, you are going to be charging at C/4.9. Most Flooded Lead Acid batteries like to be charged/ discharged at c/8-c/12 with c/10 the optimum. Give Rolls a call or look at the data she...
|
209. Posted: 1 Jun 2015 02:43 - Off-Grid Living / Need Cost effective Solar Advice
... French press coffee for me! I've found some really cool products, too, that do double-duty, such as a lighted medicine cabinet with motion sensor night light that runs on regular batteries and solar lamps with little built-in solar "panels" that also charge cellphones! I'm on a limited budget, too, and I don't want to spend ...
|
210. Posted: 31 May 2015 23:54 - Off-Grid Living / Refrigeration -- building an ice box?!
OK, since I have WAY too much time on my hands these days, I've been thinking about how best to prioritize my solar panel output while I wait for the Tesla Powerwall to be widely available and accessible to us off-gridders. The biggest power user for me would be the refrigerator....
|
|
