Wednesday, October 28, 2015

First System up and going...

In early July of this year, we finally pulled the trigger and started our solar power adventure. It was a small start, but from what we read - and from our own long term goals, we knew it would be growing.
 - Solar Panels: 3 x 100 watt panels by GrapeSolar
 - Controller: MidNite Classic 150
 - Batteries: 1 x old on hand 12V deep cycle battery (served in RV and Boat previously)
 - Inverter: Existing 500 watt and two used 'to be nameless' units (3500 and 5000 watt)
 - Cables : 10 gauge from panels to control board, 4 gauge battery and inverter supply

The largest single investment was the controller, but we got a 10% discount and it came with a coupon for a free "wiz bang Jr".

The initial plans are for the captured energy to run the green house and appliances in the garage. In the green house that is a fan in the summer and heater in the winter. In the garage it is the freezer, radio, TV and some small tools (fans, drills, battery chargers, portable lights).

With in a week, the 3500 and 5000 watt (12V) inverters went south and the manufactur would not support them. So the 500 watt inverter that we used to power the TV in the RV in the past was screwed to the wall and became our sole inverter. Also that week, the 12V battery was replaced for 2 6 Volt golf cart batteries (204 AH rating).

This is where we experianced the pendulam swings : swings from
- not enough captured energy (need more solar panels) to
- not enough ability to store energy (need more batteries) to
- not able to supply enough energy (need larger inverter, larger cables)

The nameless Inverter manufacture, after numerous emails and phone calls sent a 1500 watt 12V inverter (with out warranty). This unit works, but has a low max voltage (over 15.2) .. for now, it's what we've got and are using.

The next month, the 20 year old freezer was replaced for a new efficient unit. This one draws about 70 watts and has a much lower duty cycle.

Later that month, 4 more 100 watt panels were purchased to bring the system up to 700 watts. My first series of panels is complete. The system was installed with materials from the local hardware store: pressure treated lumber, stainless screws, brackets, ... So adding 4 more panels was easy. The system was already modular, just added 2 more 2x4x8's to the roof and mounted them, plugged them together ... and nice .. more energy to capture and use.

So how have we used this energy:
- powered fan in the green house
- run freezer in garage
- cooked from hot plate and small oven outside (ramen and pizza)
- played radio, fans, TV's
- by extension cord - ran the clothes washer, vacuum
- trimmed trees with an electric pole saw
- cut weeds with electric weed eater
- charged all flavors of batteries

Next upgrades:
The next change will be 2 more 6 volt golf batteries (2 in series put in parallel for 12 volts - 408 amp hours).

I will also be upping the Cables from 4 gauge to 3/0 or 4/0. I need to buy a crimper, cutter, connectors and the cable. Right now when the system is drawing over 100 amps, I have an unacceptable voltage drop from the battery to the inverter input of 0.3 volts.

It's been less than 4 months; it's been quite a ride; it's a lot of fun; it's very satisfying to cook and do work with energy that was captured from the sun ... Very satisfying.