| A recent evening of conversation over a few | | | | Don't forget an inexpensive voltage meter so |
| cups of coffee with several like minded | | | | that you can monitor the load that is being placed |
| survivalists prompt me to attempt to devise an | | | | on the solar generator. This is not an absolute |
| economical solar charging system. My goals in this | | | | essential however, it is highly recommended. |
| project are to decrease my current electric bill by | | | | You have finally assembled all the parts that you |
| employing an alternative means of providing | | | | will need to build the unit and it now becomes |
| necessary lighting for my home. | | | | necessary to consider where you will place them. |
| When I originally began thinking about this project | | | | I would suggest a small dog house type structure |
| I considered one of two sources as a means of | | | | or a shed where you can store the batteries and |
| generating this required electricity. One source | | | | monitor their activities. Batteries will require |
| was by use of wind while the other was with | | | | weekly maintenance at any rate and it's always |
| solar cells. Wind power was desirable for the fact | | | | nice to have everything arranged neatly in its own |
| that it would provide charging ability even in the | | | | place. Naturally the panels will be mounted on the |
| dark of even. However, due to the lack of an | | | | roof of your home. |
| abundance of wind in our area I made my | | | | Use the wiring diagrams that is supplied with your |
| decision in favor of solar power. Perhaps in the | | | | solar panel for the manufacturer knows best in |
| future I will consider a wind generator for | | | | this regards. Make certain that your solar panel is |
| supplemental winter use. | | | | wired accordingly to match the nominal voltage |
| After making up my mind to build a solar | | | | rating of the solar charge controller as well as |
| powered generator system I laid out the basic | | | | your batteries. Don't try to save a few dollars by |
| framework for a small system along with a rough | | | | eliminating the charge controller. This unit |
| process for achieving my desired end results. I | | | | automatically prevents overcharging of the |
| figured a cost of about approximately $300 to | | | | battery and acts as a safety device. When |
| $350 for a small functioning unit. When I say a | | | | connecting your system together make certain |
| small system I am not kidding you. If the | | | | you observe the proper polarities at all times. You |
| proposed 20 watt solar panel were to receive 5 | | | | will destroy the controller if it is hooked up |
| good hours of sun per day it would generate 100 | | | | incorrectly. |
| watt-hours of electrical energy. Now, suppose you | | | | After laying out these plans for a homemade |
| are using a 12 Watt CFL light bulb. That would | | | | system, I chanced upon a kit that is slightly more |
| provide you with the capacity of 8 hours of light. | | | | powerful and costs approximately the same |
| The brighter 25 watt units would last you for 4 | | | | amount. The kit does not include batteries |
| hours only. Since we use batteries to store the | | | | however. The kit of which I speak is the |
| solar energy we would be effectively storing | | | | Sunforce 50044. This is a 60-Watt kit that has |
| about 400 watts at a time. | | | | everything already included for you. The kit is |
| Solar panels can be picked up at just about | | | | designed for use in cabins or homes as a backup |
| bargain prices these days. A 12 volt solar panel | | | | power source. When assembly is completed the |
| can be had for approximately $150 to $175 | | | | unit can withstand winds of up to 50 miles per |
| dollars. Along with the panel you will need a charge | | | | hour. Included in the kit are four of the company's |
| controller. An effective one would be the | | | | 15 watt panels complete with a mounting frame, |
| SunGuard 4 ampere unit. These are readily | | | | a 200 watt inverter, the 7 Amp charge controller |
| available around the internet at a low cost of $25 | | | | and all the associated writing and installation |
| dollars or less. | | | | hardware. |
| Let's take a few minutes to talk about batteries. | | | | Incidentally it doesn't matter which you use, |
| A 32 amp-hour battery similar to those found in | | | | whether you create your own from scratch or |
| our automobile could run $60 or so, however, if | | | | purchase the kit both are well capable of |
| you are trying to build an efficient system you | | | | operating a laptop or one of many small |
| may wish to consider the higher quality deep | | | | appliances and not just light bulbs. |
| cycle batteries. Although they may initially cost | | | | Since this will be an ongoing experimental project I |
| you upwards of $250 dollars each they will long | | | | plan to initially start out with recording my daily |
| outlast the usual car battery. | | | | electrical consumption for light bulbs. I will track |
| Your next item of interest will be a DC to AC | | | | what wattage is being used and when they are |
| power inverter. A simple one with a capacity of | | | | turned on and off. This will give me a usage |
| 175W would be sufficient. You will likely spend | | | | figure. In many cases the wattage of bulb being |
| about $30 dollars for this type of inverter. If you | | | | used is usually too large and results in a waste of |
| are considering DC lighting only you may not even | | | | energy. I will follow up with another ongoing |
| want to include this in your list of parts. | | | | report next month. |