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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2018 3:56:01 GMT
Let's Cross Connect with Solar Power ForumsWhy haven't we done this before? We are in the age of renewable energy. There are renewable power forums. The ALPB Puts You in Touch
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Post by End80 on Feb 14, 2018 17:46:23 GMT
A basic solar power setup is really an extremely simple thing to do. I suppose a more advanced system intended to power an entire household or something gets a lot more complicated, but if you're just wanting to power a low-power radio set-up, it consist of nothing more than a panel, a battery, a little charge controller, and maybe (in some cases)an inverter too... Fifteen minutes of your time to put it together and you're done. -Wala.. you're off-grid.
It's just as simple to set up on a camper or boat and provide power for a small fridge, tv, radio, fans, lights, and even weekly use of an electric apartment sized washing machine (I've experimented testing the power consumption) All done with basically just one 100watt solar panel and a battery (and an inverter for the fridge and washer). Solar has gotten to be a lot cheaper than it used to be, and it's surprisingly simpler than I expected.
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Post by Druid Hills Radio on Feb 14, 2018 17:49:30 GMT
A basic solar power setup is really an extremely simple thing to do. I suppose a more advanced system intended to power an entire household or something gets a lot more complicated, but if you're just wanting to power a low-power radio set-up, it consist of nothing more than a panel, a battery, a little charge controller, and maybe (in some cases)an inverter too... Fifteen minutes of your time to put it together and you're done. -Wala.. you're off-grid. It's just as simple to set up on a camper or boat and provide power for a small fridge, tv, radio, fans, lights, and even weekly use of an electric apartment sized washing machine (I've experimented testing the power consumption) All done with basically just one 100watt solar panel and a battery (and an inverter for the fridge and washer). Solar has gotten to be a lot cheaper than it used to be, and it's surprisingly simpler than I expected. It would take practically nothing to power a Rangemaster or similar transmitters. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2018 17:58:46 GMT
Show Some Empathy
End80 brags: "Fifteen minutes of your time to put it together and you're done. -Wala.. you're off-grid."
Sure, easy for you, because you've been there and done that.
But for me, who knows that power accidents start fires and batteries explode, I am very timid.
Also I do not have confidence that I will be sold the best solar panel at the best price, I think maybe I'll be sold an inferior model at an inflated price.
With electronics I know where to buy with confidence, but with solar I don't know what companies to trust.
With electronics I can follow a schematic. With solar I have no schematic.
You can't go around making fun of me because I am ignorant on solar! Suppose I made fun of your haircut!
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Post by Druid Hills Radio on Feb 14, 2018 18:05:41 GMT
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Post by End80 on Feb 14, 2018 18:31:13 GMT
Carl, You are a lot more technically adept than me, believe me when I say it's simple - it's simple! Here's a 100watt solar panel/charge controller package for $169 www.amazon.com/dp/B00B8L6EFA/ref=asc_df_B00B8L6EFA5370964/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B00B8L6EFA good price, but you can actually beat it a little by shopping around). Renogy is the same brand I went with because it is by far the most popular amongst full-time RV'ers and live-aboard boat people. They insist Renogys are much more rugged and efficient.. That panel is also the "monocrystalline" style which is the most efficient and does not require direct sun as much as some other styles do.
I have 2 Renogy 100watt and also a 10watt which I had bought originally just as a trickle charger for my sailboat. I do know first hand that they are a lot better than one of those Harbor Freight 100 watt panels (they are junk).
Your right Druid, just to power a Rangemaster you could get by with just a battery and 10watt panel, but then you also have to consider your audio source, processing gear and/or laptop, etc.. Not that they will consume a great deal more, but I doubt a 10watt panel could keep up with keeping the battery charged.. Maybe 50watt?? - but I would go at least 100watt just because it wouldn't cost that much more. 
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2018 18:50:01 GMT
Wonderful!
Mucho gratias End80 and DHR!
Those charts and links will get me activated and by using the information it will be possible to make further plans! The time is now to start letting go of the grid.
Power generating station now in the plans!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2018 22:40:38 GMT
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Post by End80 on Feb 15, 2018 3:06:32 GMT
I wanted to post this link earlier but couldn't find it.. This was one of the first articles I ever read about a solar power setup - I had particularly like this one because it was not presented in a technical manner.. In fact he didn't really know what he was doing himself and had recruited help to install his small-scale solar setup for his off-grid homestead on some island somewhere. The way he describes it step by step was very clear to me and made the whole idea seem way more realistic for me to accomplish.
Anyway, this article still remains to be one of my favorites about setting up low cost solar, there is some additional information in the comments, and some related articles elsewhere on the site too:
learn.eartheasy.com/2012/07/our-simple-diy-home-solar-power-system/
(by the way, although that article is only 6 years old, he says a setup like at his house could be set up for less than $1,000, but the way I figure it, now in 2018, basically the same as he did could be set up for less than $500, and if was just for a transmitter/studio probably less than $200 - actually, even less than that - I bet it could be less than $100, it really depends on your studio set-up)
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Post by End80 on Feb 15, 2018 3:43:20 GMT
There is a thing going on with the big electric companies trying to find ways to detour people from going the solar power home route.. In some states, like Florida and Texas I think and others, it is a requirement that solar power homes must also be connected to the power grid. At first glance this sounds good because the home owner actually gets paid by the power company for any excess power collected which is not consumed (the percentage of that rate has gone down in recent years however), but the big cavet to that was revealed during recent hurricanes which caused many downed powerlines, so everyone was with out power for extended periods of time -- INCLUDING THOSE ON SOLAR POWER! The problem was that it was made illegal to run the solar homes which were also connected to the grid because it caused safety issues for the electrical company who were repairing the downed power lines..
In other words, it is illegal for you to use your solar power when the electrical grid goes down!!
There was a big deal about this in the last couple years, there was a lot of groups fighting the electric companies to try and change the law.. I'm not sure what the final outcome was.
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Post by End80 on Feb 15, 2018 4:56:10 GMT
Uh... Just one more comment.. If you really wanted to simplify things you could buy a all-in-one solar generator but you still need to buy a solar panel(s) which just plugs right into it. This little unit might do the trick depending how much power your studio components require, it's is only $130 from Walmart; www.walmart.com/ip/Pure-Outdoor-PowerCache-220-Power-Generator/107274178 These kind of units are very convenient, but really you end up paying considerably more this way. It's cheaper and usually more efficient to just buy the individual components separately and cobble it all together yourself: -- However this unit does have a 120watt pure sine wave inverter built in.. so maybe it's not a bad way to go..
On my boat I didn't use a solar generator but instead had cobbled the individual components together, it was easy and worked great. But I do have a 1500watt solar generator at home by Yeti (much larger than the unit shown above), it was convenient but an unnecessary expense, if I were to do it over I would have gone the cheaper route of buying individual components.. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2018 13:27:10 GMT
Survival Mode
End80 hits upon a situation that requires serious thought: "It was made illegal to run the solar homes which were also connected to the grid because it caused safety issues for the electrical company who were repairing the downed power lines."
I became aware of this problem during reports about the hurricane in Florida... to repeat: Solar powered homes connected to downed power lines cause active electricity on the lines that can injure or kill line workers.
That's when I decided my solar power plant should be isolated from the grid... but I didn't know that it is illegal in some states to do it that way. I'm not sure about the local laws.
Besides keeping the radio station live, heat in these Arctic winters can be essential to remaining alive, and for an oil-filled heater around 2kW leaves slight headroom, some lighting is advisable.
During super-hot summers a small air conditioner and refrigerator are the most basic necessities.
People tend to think about emergencies only after they are already happening. It would be nice to be prepared in advance.
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Post by Druid Hills Radio on Feb 15, 2018 15:24:36 GMT
Thanks for sharing this info Mr.End80!
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Post by End80 on Feb 15, 2018 16:32:21 GMT
Survival ModeThat's when I decided my solar power plant should be isolated from the grid... but I didn't know that it is illegal in some states to do it that way. I'm not sure about the local laws. A small scale solar array is quite different then having your whole house wired for solar. There are no legal concerns involved if just setting up for your station or other individual limited setups. |
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Post by Boomer on Feb 15, 2018 19:53:07 GMT
This is a really interesting article all together, a different from the radio we always think about, but in the same do-it-yourself spirit. It's taking something that big companies feed us and doing our own small version of it, and it comes with the same threatened feelings on their part as radio does.
I'm impressed that over 100 watts can come from a panel that looks like it's 4 x 3 feet.
That site really is a nice read, and I picture the author living his quiet life off the grid with lots of time to think about how to tell his stories clearly.
As for power from a solar install being fed back into the grid, wouldn't it have a failsafe to cut off the feed if the power grid went down?
Boomer
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