I'm thinking about getting a solar panel (upto about 60w) and an inverter, battery etc and maybe using it to power phone chargers, laptop recharger etc.
The question is, does anyone have any experience of using solar panels in this way and can I for instance use it to power a ps2. Would I need a larger panel for something like that?
I would like to power the electric kettle as that seems to be a major user of electric but seeing as that draws so many watts I think that is out of the question.
Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.
Anyone using a solar panel?
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Num3
- PureBasic Expert

- Posts: 2812
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It's all a question of how many watts you need supplied.
A set of 2 panels can power a small refrigerator, a tv and a couple of ligths all at once.
Also get a pure wave inverter, not the false wave ones, they are more expensive, but they make a real cycle waves and not ones that look like a saws and that ruin sensitive equipment like the tv, and PC's ...
Best way to know what's needed is to talk to couple of suppliers, explain what you need to power and note their advices.
There are some solutions in the market that once you reach the panels limit get auxiliary boost from the land lines, so you spend much less power. (40% power from panels + 60% from land line)
These solutions started a huge war with the power companies, because when you make power you don't need you're injecting it to the power companies grid lines, and you should get a refund, because your not consuming but producing. The EU is thinking on passing a law on this subject and that started the war.
A set of 2 panels can power a small refrigerator, a tv and a couple of ligths all at once.
Also get a pure wave inverter, not the false wave ones, they are more expensive, but they make a real cycle waves and not ones that look like a saws and that ruin sensitive equipment like the tv, and PC's ...
Best way to know what's needed is to talk to couple of suppliers, explain what you need to power and note their advices.
There are some solutions in the market that once you reach the panels limit get auxiliary boost from the land lines, so you spend much less power. (40% power from panels + 60% from land line)
These solutions started a huge war with the power companies, because when you make power you don't need you're injecting it to the power companies grid lines, and you should get a refund, because your not consuming but producing. The EU is thinking on passing a law on this subject and that started the war.
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WishMaster
- Enthusiast

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- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2005 7:13 pm
- Location: Franconia
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My Dad has a solar boat powered with 6 panels and running with a 24 Volts Motor 
Visit www.sceneproject.org
I know you can get systems that feed all the electric they make into the national grid and you get paid for this and then you just use and pay for elsectric in the normal way but these systems cost between £9000 and £25000, the government will give a 50% discount (at least that is what I read somewhere) but this is still overkill for what I want.
Just wanted to power a few things with as little outlay as possible, don't want to have to wait for 10 years before the system has paid for itself.
@Num3, I think you're right, I will have to talk to some suppliers and see what they say. Thanks.
Just wanted to power a few things with as little outlay as possible, don't want to have to wait for 10 years before the system has paid for itself.
@Num3, I think you're right, I will have to talk to some suppliers and see what they say. Thanks.
I have a lil 50w Panel at home.
Powering some USB toys, a Halogen Lamp , Battery recharger.
Does pretty decent if you remember to switch off the power-hungry devices.
Charging a 120 AH Accu with it.
Well for teh toys you want it should be fine
( bought mine a few years ago for the same reason - and to play with it )
Thalius
Powering some USB toys, a Halogen Lamp , Battery recharger.
Does pretty decent if you remember to switch off the power-hungry devices.
Charging a 120 AH Accu with it.
Well for teh toys you want it should be fine
( bought mine a few years ago for the same reason - and to play with it )
Thalius
"In 3D there is never enough Time to do Things right,
but there's always enough Time to make them *look* right."
"psssst! i steal signatures... don't tell anyone!
"
but there's always enough Time to make them *look* right."
"psssst! i steal signatures... don't tell anyone!
@Thalius, thanks for the info.
I have been trying to get more info, from what I have read it seems like a fully charged car battery would power a small colour telly for about 12 hours so I would of thought powering a PS2 for a couple of hours would be ok.
Also been looking at proper inverters, not the modified ones, seems like I can get a 180 watt one for about £70 so that's not too bad. Just need to source the panel for the cheapest price.
I have been trying to get more info, from what I have read it seems like a fully charged car battery would power a small colour telly for about 12 hours so I would of thought powering a PS2 for a couple of hours would be ok.
Also been looking at proper inverters, not the modified ones, seems like I can get a 180 watt one for about £70 so that's not too bad. Just need to source the panel for the cheapest price.
AFAIK the amperage is very low and the voltage as well ... Approx 0.5 Volts/ squared cm... Don't buy a solar panel, build one with copper oxide 
http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2005/1/5/51211/79555
http://www.juliantrubin.com/fairproject ... cells.html
[Edit]
Oh, and i can get 15000 Volts from 12 Volts... If you need a good inverter (not sure if it works for your need though, you may fry your stuff) contact me. I currently use it to draw 10 cm electric arcs

[not my picture]
http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2005/1/5/51211/79555
http://www.juliantrubin.com/fairproject ... cells.html
[Edit]
Oh, and i can get 15000 Volts from 12 Volts... If you need a good inverter (not sure if it works for your need though, you may fry your stuff) contact me. I currently use it to draw 10 cm electric arcs

[not my picture]
None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. (Goethe)


