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electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2020/05/11 11:51]
frater_secessus [AC, DC, Amps, and Watts] |
electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2020/06/24 20:13]
frater_secessus [battery] |
| ===== how solar power works ===== | ===== how solar power works ===== |
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| Solar power uses [[electrical:solar:panels|solar panels]] to convert sunlight into electricity. This power is usually stored in a [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|deep-cycle "house" battery]], which is seperate from the vehicle's starter battery. Electricity from the panels is fed to the battery by a [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controller]], which keeps the battery [[electrical:12v:charging|optimally charged]] and powers any [[electrical:12v:loads|loads]] (things that consume power). | Solar power uses [[electrical:solar:panels|solar panels]] to convert sunlight into electricity. This power is usually stored in a [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|deep-cycle "house" battery]], which is separate from the vehicle's starter battery.((unless combined using [[electrical:12v:alternator#isolators|an isolator]], or running a [[electrical:solar:shallow_cycling|single-battery setup]])) Electricity from the panels is fed to the battery by a [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controller]], which keeps the battery [[electrical:12v:charging|optimally charged]] and powers any [[electrical:12v:loads|loads]] (things that consume power). |
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| The most beginner tolerant and value-for-money battery bank is two **6v deep cycle flooded((you can/must add water periodically))"golf cart" batteries** [[electrical:12v:parallel_serial|wired in series]] to make 12v. This will provide 200+ Ah (amp-hours) of rated capacity.((100+ Ah of usable capacity)) This bank gives Bill one normal day's use and and about a half/day of of reserve (ie, a day with no charging). A set of golf carts like this will be sufficient for most needs and does well with 200-500W of solar panel. Deep cycle batteries are typically [[electrical:depth_of_discharge|discharged no lower than 50%]] as this is a good usability/lifespan compromise. 50% DoD is about 12.2v for lead-acid chemistries. A [[electrical:12v:lvd|Low Voltage Disconnect]] can help prevent deeper, damaging discharge. | The most beginner tolerant and value-for-money battery bank is two **6v deep cycle flooded((you can/must add water periodically))"golf cart" batteries** [[electrical:12v:parallel_serial|wired in series]] to make 12v. This will provide 200+ Ah (amp-hours) of rated capacity.((100+ Ah of usable capacity)) This bank gives one normal day's use and and about a half/day of of reserve (ie, a day with no charging). A set of golf carts like this will be sufficient for most needs and does well with 200-500W of solar panel. Deep cycle batteries are typically [[electrical:depth_of_discharge|discharged no lower than 50%]] as this is a good usability/lifespan compromise. 50% DoD is about 12.2v for lead-acid chemistries. A [[electrical:12v:lvd|Low Voltage Disconnect]] can help prevent deeper, damaging discharge. |
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| Yes, they should be vented. No, not everyone does. | Yes, they should be vented. No, not everyone does. |
