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electrical:solar:frugal [2017/09/22 12:12] frater_secessus [system sizing] |
electrical:solar:frugal [2018/06/16 22:17] frater_secessus [Making do with tiny solar setups] |
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+ | This page is more about making do with what you already have than about about what to buy if you are [[electrical: | ||
===== system sizing ===== | ===== system sizing ===== | ||
- | Large solar installs are can be useful but are overkill (in size, output and expense) for many campers. | + | Large solar installs are can be useful but are overkill (in size, output and expense) for many campers. |
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- | ==== increasing supply ==== | ||
- | |||
- | * Angle your panels to the sun if possible. | ||
- | * Avoid shade | ||
- | * keep the panel clean | ||
- | * ensure there is room under the panel for cooling breezes to flow | ||
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- | |||
- | |||
- | |||
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- | ==== reducing load ==== | ||
- | |||
- | test | ||
- | * Get used to turning loads off when they are not in active use. Add switches if necessary to prevent “parasitic” draws. | ||
- | * turn down brightness on tablet, phone, TV, and laptop screens. | ||
- | * cook and heat with propane instead of electricity | ||
- | * Inverters | ||
- | * minimize the use of inverters by using 12v appliances and adapters when possible | ||
- | * turn inverters off when not in use | ||
- | * size the inverter to meet the needs of your biggest loads. | ||
- | * use MSW unless your intended uses need PSW; MSW have lower parasitic draws. | ||
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===== charge controllers ===== | ===== charge controllers ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | You can eek out a bit [[electrical: | ||
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===== batteries ===== | ===== batteries ===== | ||
+ | First off: box store marine, dual-purpose or "deep cycle" batteries are [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | There is no magic way to increase the limited // | ||
+ | Drawing them down to only 80% State of Charge (also written as [[electrical: | ||
+ | If you don't have a spare battery you can even [[electrical: | ||
===== converter ===== | ===== converter ===== | ||
+ | {{ https:// | ||
+ | If you have an adjustable 12v power supply around you can make it into a dumb converter. In this pic the " | ||
+ | For deep cycling: | ||
+ | For shallow cycling: |