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electrical:solar:frugal [2017/07/24 02:30]
frater_secessus [system sizing] 		electrical:solar:frugal [2017/10/15 22:12]
frater_secessus [converter]
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-====== Frugal solar ======+====== Making do with tiny solar setups ======
  
-FIXME [this is a dump of a reddit post I made;  will clean up later. fs]+[this is a dump of a reddit post I made;  will clean up later. fs]
  
  
 ===== system sizing ===== ===== system sizing =====
  
-Get used to turning loads off when they are not in active use.  Add switches if necessary to prevent "parasitic" draws. +Large solar installs are can be useful but are overkill (in size, output and expense) for many campers.  [[http://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:solar:builds|100w and similar]] installs can work  
 + 
  
 Reduce the size of your solar install (panels, batteries) by running your loads [[electrical:solar:nonessential|when the system has power to spare]], not when it is trying to charge back up.  Reduce the size of your solar install (panels, batteries) by running your loads [[electrical:solar:nonessential|when the system has power to spare]], not when it is trying to charge back up. 
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-==== reducing supply ====+==== increasing supply ====
  
 +  * Angle your panels to the sun if possible.  If hard mounted, face them to the south.
 +  * Avoid shade
 +  * keep the panel clean
 +  * ensure there is room under the panel for cooling breezes to flow
  
  
  
-=== reducing load === 
  
-test 
  
 +==== 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   * Inverters
     * minimize the use of inverters by using 12v appliances and adapters when possible     * minimize the use of inverters by using 12v appliances and adapters when possible
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     * size the inverter to meet the needs of your biggest loads.  Oversizing wastes power because bigger inverters have more parasitic draw.     * size the inverter to meet the needs of your biggest loads.  Oversizing wastes power because bigger inverters have more parasitic draw.
     * use MSW unless your intended uses need PSW;  MSW have lower parasitic draws.     * use MSW unless your intended uses need PSW;  MSW have lower parasitic draws.
 +
  
 ===== solar panels ===== ===== solar panels =====
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 +FIXME
 ===== converter ===== ===== converter =====
  
 +FIXME
electrical/solar/frugal.txt · Last modified: 2020/10/11 23:48 (external edit)

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