Comments on: Solar Power Installation Update http://www.techienation.com/solar-power-installation-update/ "If all the worlds a stage, then the TECHIE must be god" Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:37:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: DigitalMind http://www.techienation.com/solar-power-installation-update/#comment-49 DigitalMind Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:10:42 +0000 http://digitalmind.servehttp.com/techienation/?p=38#comment-49 Sharon and Calvin are using Compact Fluorescent Bulbs. 13 Watts. (Light equivalent to a 60 Watt old fashioned light bulb) In their case it's not even an option to use the old filament bulbs. I think LED's are even better than the compact fluorescent bulbs they're using, but the problem with those is that the light is more of a beam. (It lights one spot well, but not so well all around it) You pretty much have the same amount of solar panels as they do, (They have 2 X 15 Watts) but the difference is they use it everyday. It has been a couple of months now, and it's still going strong, but it seems to be going down ever so slowly. They need ATLEAST another 15 watt panel to keep from discharging I would say. I think they're considering the Generator though to charge the batteries which will help alot. Also, they have 2 kick-ass Deep Cycle 6 volt 225 amphour batteries, which is probably more power than you have in your Marine Battery, and therefore needs more solar panels just to stop the natural discharge of the batteries. (with nothing plugged in!) Thanks so much for all the comments Ed ! Sharon and Calvin are using Compact Fluorescent Bulbs. 13 Watts. (Light equivalent to a 60 Watt old fashioned light bulb) In their case it’s not even an option to use the old filament bulbs. I think LED’s are even better than the compact fluorescent bulbs they’re using, but the problem with those is that the light is more of a beam. (It lights one spot well, but not so well all around it)

You pretty much have the same amount of solar panels as they do, (They have 2 X 15 Watts) but the difference is they use it everyday. It has been a couple of months now, and it’s still going strong, but it seems to be going down ever so slowly. They need ATLEAST another 15 watt panel to keep from discharging I would say. I think they’re considering the Generator though to charge the batteries which will help alot.

Also, they have 2 kick-ass Deep Cycle 6 volt 225 amphour batteries, which is probably more power than you have in your Marine Battery, and therefore needs more solar panels just to stop the natural discharge of the batteries. (with nothing plugged in!)

Thanks so much for all the comments Ed !

]]> By: Ed http://www.techienation.com/solar-power-installation-update/#comment-47 Ed Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:24:22 +0000 http://digitalmind.servehttp.com/techienation/?p=38#comment-47 A year or two ago, I bought a set of Coleman solar panels (from Costco). Three panels (12W each)in a box with a regulator and a pile of wire. In full, straight-on, sunlight with an inverter I can power my laptop. My experience has been that the angle of the panels really does make a difference. In my case I use these when we're camping. For years prior I only had one panel laying on the roof of our camper. That was enough to keep my one marine battery charged for some modest lighting use in the evening and running a small fan for moving air over the fins of my propane fridge. The biggest improvement I made (beside getting the 3 matched panels), was switching filament bulbs to LED's. What is your sister using in their house? A year or two ago, I bought a set of Coleman solar panels (from Costco). Three panels (12W each)in a box with a regulator and a pile of wire. In full, straight-on, sunlight with an inverter I can power my laptop. My experience has been that the angle of the panels really does make a difference. In my case I use these when we’re camping. For years prior I only had one panel laying on the roof of our camper. That was enough to keep my one marine battery charged for some modest lighting use in the evening and running a small fan for moving air over the fins of my propane fridge.
The biggest improvement I made (beside getting the 3 matched panels), was switching filament bulbs to LED’s. What is your sister using in their house?

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