Posted: 2/29/2012 10:53:12 AM EDT
| I wanted to buy a small trailer and install some deep cycle batteries and a 45+ watt solar panel to keep the batteries charged. I've seen the harbor freight stuff online and was wondering if these were any good. I have very little knowledge about solar panels. I have heard that they lose efficiency over time. Where should I start looking for information? Does anyone else have a similar setup? |
|
Batteries do wear out, and lose efficiency over time.
Solar Panels will outlast you, and will still be making electricity for your grand children. go have a look here: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/forum.php . http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/forum.php |
|
I did a HUGE amount of research on solar systems last year. I learned that there are several types of deep-cycle batteries. Some are marine batteries that are designed for starting engines and running equipment. They have high cold-cranking amps, but don't survive lots of deep cycles (500 or so). True solar batteries are designed for lots (several thousand) cycles, but are really expensive up front. The Harbor Freight 3-pannel system is fine for keeping a few batteries charged, but at only 45 watts they will not restore a battery bank in one day if it has been drained by high-wattage appliances.
I looked at installing high-wattage pannels with inverter/charge controllers, grid-tie systems, and neither could be justified financially. After all the research I ended up with a three-pannel Harbor Freight system maintaining two marine deep-cycle batteries. I installed the batteries and inverters in an old cabinet with casters. I would like to replace the Harbor Freight pannels with one or two 200 watt pannels and a better charge controller at some point. I've resigned myself to being severley limited on power availability if I ever have to rely totally on the solar system. |
|
I've installed a considerable amount of solar panels, something like 5.5 megawatts worth.
SunPower and Schott are probably your most resilient and dexterous panels. I'm close to 200 pounds with my belt on and I can stand in the center of the glass without them breaking.(not advisable) And they're meant to withstand goofball size hail at 50 mph. I've seen some take much much worse. There are tons of companies that make these things. And a handful of companies that are IN the US. They're all similar in durability, its the panel size, out put, and longevity of the electronics that's gonna fluctuate with manufacturer. Actually, take a look at Sanyo too, they make some smaller, easier to handle panels that might be perfect for your project. I'm typing on a phone and it's driving me nuts so I'll get on here later and draw up some simple plans of trailer arrays I've seen. You want the array to be "hinged" so you can tilt it towards the sun for maximum efficiency, and it allows you to lock it flat for transport. |
|
Quoted:
The panels at HF are cheap, spend more and get at least a 175 watt panel, just use golf cart batteries 4- 6 volt golf cart batteries, Xantrex inverter, 85watt Kyocera panel and a cheap charge controller has powered my weekend hunting camp for the past 5 years. Works like a charm and price was under $1000. Panels are much cheaper now. Using my Honda genny to top off the batteries after a long rainy weekend: 
Charge controller: 
panel: 
|
|
Quoted: Batteries do wear out, and lose efficiency over time. Solar Panels will outlast you, and will still be making electricity for your grand children. go have a look here: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/forum.php . http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/forum.php cheap poly-crystalline solar cells will last about 5 years, Good Mono-crystalline cells will last about 15-20 years. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Batteries do wear out, and lose efficiency over time. Solar Panels will outlast you, and will still be making electricity for your grand children. go have a look here: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/forum.php . http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/forum.php cheap poly-crystalline solar cells will last about 5 years, Good Mono-crystalline cells will last about 15-20 years. very cheap ones may but most you buy form any real company is going to have a 25y warranty just like Monocrystalline. |
| a thousand dollar nickel iron battery will last a hundred years and it can be discharged all the way down to 0 for the life of thebattery - but they cost around a 1000 bucks - for a small application (lights-radio) a couple of 150 watt on up to 300 watt panels and 2 batteries will handle the small stuff for your life time. |
| The RV.net Technical Forum has a lot of folks who have already done what you're considering doing. |
|
Quoted:
a thousand dollar nickel iron battery will last a hundred years and it can be discharged all the way down to 0 for the life of thebattery - but they cost around a 1000 bucks - for a small application (lights-radio) a couple of 150 watt on up to 300 watt panels and 2 batteries will handle the small stuff for your life time. They might do OK for that application, but nickel iron batteries are not good performers for most off-grid solar applications. They're very inefficient, have high internal resistance, and high self-discharge rates. And then there's the cost. Do your diligence before plopping down the money for some, make sure you know what you're getting. 
|
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Batteries do wear out, and lose efficiency over time. Solar Panels will outlast you, and will still be making electricity for your grand children. go have a look here: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/forum.php . http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/forum.php cheap poly-crystalline solar cells will last about 5 years, Good Mono-crystalline cells will last about 15-20 years. Nonsense. |
|
Quoted:
Wow my quotes got all messed up Slacker, Could you post more about your set up? How long does it take to drain/charge the batteries and what do you power? I've never brought the batteries below 50% discharge. I can run all my lights (6x CF) plus a radio/Cd player for several days without bringing the batteries below 50%. The panel will charge them back up in about 6-8 hrs of sunlight. It's a perfect setup, no lights needed during the day. I run all the high draw appliances from my Honda genny. Coffee pot, Microwave, air compressor etc. Only maint. I do is top off the batteries with distilled water once a month. btw, my batteries are "werker" brand and 190Amp hr each, wired series paralell to make 12volts. I used golf cart terminals to connect them together. |