Questions tagged [solar]
The solar tag has no usage guidance.
63
questions
1
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1answer
82 views
What can I use redundant/spare AGM batteries for?
In my off-grid cabin I currently have a single 258 Ah (C24) Concorde PVX-2580L battery, with a 150 Ah spare (and generator) for backup situations where the main runs flat.
As I frequently see the ...
2
votes
2answers
108 views
Options for Running High End Computer on Old Circuit
I'm preparing to build the computer of my dreams. Unfortunately, it's going to top out at 1350 Watts when running at peak performance. I live in an 80 year old bungalow and the power situation is less ...
0
votes
1answer
63 views
Proper amount of solar panels needed to charge batteries
I am working on a plan for a 24V electrical system. Based on my needs I plan to have six 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries wired up (2S3P I believe) to give me 24V 300Ah.
Assuming I need to fully recharge ...
0
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1answer
53 views
12v Off Grid System
One of my clients wants to add a refrigerator to his mobile office (sailboat) that runs off a 12v battery bank (x2 225ah deep cycle AGM) and add x2 100w solar panels and a 400w wind generator to ...
1
vote
2answers
52 views
Window AC unit LCDI tripping when powered by my solar inverter
I have a small 200w solar power system consisting of a Victron 500VA inverter (900w peak) with a 100ah AGM battery.
I just purchased a 5000BTU/4 amp window unit that draws a peak of 430w according to ...
0
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1answer
52 views
Calculating Battery Size for 2 Channel NVR Security Camera System
I need to install a security camera system on a United States 110v power circuit that is only on a night. The circuit is using an astronomical clock to turn on power and more accurately measure the ...
1
vote
2answers
88 views
Question about new inverter for solar power system
I am new to this community so I hope this is the right place.
I am looking into buying a new inverter for my off grid cabin running from solar. I would like to purchase THIS 3000w inverter. My ...
0
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3answers
209 views
Solar Power System Circuit Breaker and fuse Amps
So the question is kinda part 2 of my question about the DC Output
Today I went to Hellweg (It's like an Electronics shop in Germany/Europe). To buy a Circuit Breaker or Fuse (idk what I am looking ...
1
vote
2answers
50 views
off grid solar connecting mixed panels best options
Recently I bought a 35 watt 12v solar panel, I have a small pond 5 watt panel that supposedly is 12v as well. I wanted to combine and use both of these panels for an off grid application.
I want to ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
AC Combiner Box for Solar Project
I've been searching online for a NEMA 3R enclosure to act as a combiner for two 40 Amp, 240v circuits coming out of two solar inverters. Total combined amperage is 80 Amps. The AHJ is going to be ...
2
votes
1answer
51 views
Comparing mixed orientation solar panels to non-mixed on a Brooklyn Solar install
I'm looking for advice on choosing from two solar panel proposals. I have a historic landmark brownstone in Brooklyn with a flat roof and am looking for the most power that I can fit into the roof ...
0
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2answers
66 views
Solar air conditioning
What are your thoughts on this Rube Goldberg system I may try this spring in Wilmington, NC.
A shallow well about 15 feet to the well point; static water at 10 feet.
Water temp at 58-60 degrees out ...
1
vote
2answers
104 views
Off grid Solar What panel to use to distribute power to 2 locations Butte County California
Panels, Batteries and Inverter are all in the shop. Lighting, outlets, sprinkler system pump and well pump will be run off the sub panel in the garage. House isn't here yet but will have a 200 amp ...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
Temperature monitoring for storage hot water system (RP-2 connection)
My HWS has a secondary outlet connection I don't use, and I'd like to use it to install a thermal probe I can monitor.
HWS RP ¾ / 20 temp probe?
Does anyone know of a practical way to install a ...
0
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0answers
60 views
Connecting house battery to starter battery - cable sizing considering alternator?
I have a heavy duty 6 ton truck with 24 volt start batteries. I am building a house battery system, also 24 volts. I want to connect the house battery to the car battery with a switch, so that I can ...
0
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2answers
53 views
Status of solar-powered landscaping lights [closed]
As of now (9/2018), are solar-powered landscaping lights a sensible option?
In 5-year intervals, for the past 15 years, I've been suckered into buying solar-powered landscaping lights and every time ...
0
votes
2answers
239 views
Use a solar light inside
I have a solar light with motion detection that works fine outside. I'd like to know if I can use it inside as well. I want to place it on the windowsill of my clerestory window so that it charges ...
0
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0answers
49 views
Solar panel not charging battery
I have a small PV system for my shed. Just setting up and testing at this point.
90W panel
MPPT T20 charge controller - 20 AMP
120ah 12 volt battery
Only one led light connected to load.
I am not ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
Good Solar Path LEDs for cloudy weather [closed]
I live in Seattle, where its usually rainy/cloudy for 8 months of the year. Do solar path LED lights make sense? If yes, could I have a recommendation?
This was suggested to me:
https://www.lowes....
0
votes
2answers
82 views
Any ideas for how to use solar to offset electricity in an apartment? [closed]
I have 2 solar panels and a deck that is east and south facing, so it gets plenty of sun. I've been trying to see if there's a way to use those to help offset electricity in an apartment. Any ideas ...
0
votes
1answer
157 views
Advice on adding a LPG Gas Boiler on Central Heating System with a Hot Water Storage Tank heated with Solar Panels
I am from Kathmandu, Nepal, and presently trying to install a central heating system in my house using Solar Water Heater.
Background:
Winter days in Kathmandu lasts about 130 days a year. Minimum ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
energizing both elements of electric hot water heater
I'm considering using an electric hot water heater (EHWH) with upper and lower heating elements as an electric diversion load. This EHWH would be for pre-heating the water bound for the standard HWH....
5
votes
2answers
785 views
Do I need to upgrade to a 400A panel with solar?
I'm getting solar installed with some powerwalls. As it stands I'm going to have my entire house backed up.
However, I plan to add two EV chargers in the future and I don't want these backed up.
The ...
1
vote
0answers
79 views
Off-Grid Garden Irrigation Pump/Plumbing Question
I am trying to design a system for irrigation of a garden area that has no access to grid electricity, but does have a 24V solar system. There is a spring/seep with a tank at relative elevation 0. ...
0
votes
2answers
50 views
Over voltage protection to prevent appliances from burning
I have recently installed a solar energy system at my home, I am currently looking for a protection device that could protect my inverter and other appliances from burning if an over voltage (let's ...
0
votes
2answers
65 views
Solar for particular electronic equipment
I am living in a rental house. Earlier i had an idea to install solar panel for whole house but the cost is very high and other problem is if i am going to shift the house I want to move solar ...
1
vote
2answers
89 views
Solar powered routers and security cameras [closed]
I would like to put a web cam at the end of my driveway, but don't want to run any new wire (plus it is at least a hundred yards). I know that there are solar powered security cameras, but I don't ...
0
votes
1answer
59 views
How to calculate theoretical long-term projected savings for a DIY solar powered fridge? [closed]
I went on energystar [dot] gov and used their product finder to find the lowest "annual energy use" compact refrigerator. For my use, that turned out to be the FURRION - FCR43ACA-BL which has an ...
2
votes
1answer
645 views
Is there a type of interlock (transfer switch) that can be used for a generator OR solar panels?
For a new house, I've decided to install two breaker panels, one for critical loads like the well pump, lights, refrigerator and certain outlets, and a second for heavy and non-critical items like the ...
0
votes
1answer
187 views
Solar powered thermal ballast - is it feasible?
My living room gets plenty of sun from big, west facing windows. As the cold weather is approaching, I wanted to make a device that leveraged this exposure to sunlight to store some energy and slowly ...
1
vote
1answer
866 views
Solar Water Heater Exchanger Removal, Glycol Removal
I have an old Reynolds Solar Hot Water Heater and would like to uninstall/remove it safely. All my solar panels were removed years ago but the tank is still here. COLD and HOT lines leading to solar ...
2
votes
1answer
73 views
Can I convert a 12 volt DC device that uses a 240v transformer, back to 12 volt?
I have a small snack bar/kitchen trailer that I need to convert partly to 12 volt.
There is a 12 volt dc water pump 5.2amp and an LED strip light 12volt 5.2 amp - both of these devices currently have ...
2
votes
1answer
593 views
Charging a battery with a solar panel
I want to light a cabin.
I have the following:
75w 12V Coleman solar panel (two bare wire ends)
Large car battery from a Jeep
Even larger (boat?) battery - an Optima Yellowtop 34/78
50/10/2A 12V ...
3
votes
2answers
831 views
Multiple grid-tie (non-micro) inverters
This is a question that just occurred to me. Assume you have multiple grid-tie solar PV inverters connected to your home load center. What would happen if, while in operation, you were to open the ...
0
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2answers
100 views
How does a roof replacement impact recommended timing of solar panel installation?
I just found out that I should replace my (currently asphalt shingle) roof in the next year. I am also interested in evaluating the feasibility of installing photovoltaic and/or solar hot water panels....
3
votes
1answer
174 views
Offgrid L14-30 connector to solar generator
I have a small off-grid cabin in the woods that I recently purchased. The previous owner had a L14-30 generator connector installed on the outside of the cabin and wired it with normal 120v outlets 4 ...
0
votes
1answer
70 views
Rig a 10W DC solar panel to feed back into house power?
I have one of these: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/retired/9759
Is it possible to rig it up so it is providing general power for my house albeit in very low capacity?
How would I do so?
2
votes
0answers
47 views
Combining a solar collector with photovoltaics
Our house has 10 solar collector panels, each 1 by 2 meters, installed around 20 years ago. By now their polycarbonate covers are breaking down due to the elements, and we've thought about the ...
0
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0answers
29 views
Solar Water Heater issue
I have a solar hot water heater, and one of the pipes in the crawl space starting leaking. I have shut off the pipes thru crawl space and just running off the electric for now.
The pipe with the run ...
1
vote
3answers
223 views
How can I economically switch between two home power sources?
We're researching low cost solar power systems, and we stumbled across a company out of Tx, offering a system that allows you to switch individual circuits between your service lines and solar. Sounds ...
1
vote
2answers
172 views
Will this solar charger work with my solar panel setup?
I recently bought some used solar panels that are about 25 years old, because I got a great deal on them. They have some odd operating values, which is confusing me as to which solar charger will work ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
PVC solar 2" pipe joints degrading from ultraviolet…something I should anticipate more of?
I've had leaks develop from the pipe joints on my 2" main PVC lines that feed solar network for pool heating. Tech pages say pipe should be painted white but will that do anything for the couplers? ...
1
vote
1answer
122 views
Making a Solar Power Battery Backup Unit
Ok, so this is a small battery backup unit.
I want to just start small and see if I can get the idea working.
I'll buy this 20 watt solar panel with charge control
http://www.amazon.com/20W-12V-...
0
votes
1answer
3k views
Solar panel to DC heating element to pre-heat water before on demand water heater
I'm looking to possibly buy an Craigslist water heater($120), replace the heating element with a DC unit(12V), and power it with a 100 watt solar panel (12V). On an 40 to 80 gallon insulated tank ...
1
vote
2answers
290 views
Switching to LEDs: 12v LEDs on existing transformer or remove transformer and use 240v LEDs - Which is better?
I have +/- 50 10w halogen lights running on transformers at 12v. I want to switch these to LEDs.
Some quotes are coming in with keeping the 12v transformers and getting 12v LEDs and some are on ...
1
vote
1answer
55 views
Using solar to heat water
I am designing a compact home on a high elevation in Colorado. There will be a finished basement apartment on a concrete slab and I was thinking of spiraling PVC pipe through the slab to heat it. ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
Is Solar Heating of Pool worth it? Especially after Time of Use (TOU) electric rates are introduced?
I'm thinking of getting solar heating for my pool. We're in San Diego and the cost would be about $6000. Currently, I don't heat the pool at all as it's prohibitively expensive with natural gas. I ...
2
votes
1answer
158 views
Sizing electrical wire from Solar Panels
Our home has a 200 AMP main service disconnect and a 200 AMP sub-panel inside the house. The barn is about 200 feet away with a small sub-panel and is currently fed by a an overhead 8/3 wire. I plan ...
3
votes
3answers
135 views
Photovoltaic installation: does it make sense (or is possible at all) to get a bigger inverter than the power output of the installed panels?
We are going to install a PV in our offices. Our actual needs would be satisfied by an installation of about 4kW, so that ~16 panels of 250W. It's going to be a central-inverter, grid-connected ...
2
votes
1answer
753 views
Why does the Tesla PowerWall operate at 350v - 450v?
According to the Tesla website the new Powerwall operates at 350 to 450 volts? Why such a high voltage when most solar battery banks operate at 48V?
