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electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2022/04/12 20:59]
frater_secessus [How solar power works] |
electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2022/04/12 21:13]
frater_secessus [How much solar do I need?] |
| ===== 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 electricity goes into [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controller]], which keeps the battery [[electrical:12v:charging|optimally charged]]((or attempts to!)) and powers any [[electrical:12v:loads|loads]] (things that consume power). It goes like this: | Solar power uses [[electrical:solar:panels|solar panels]] to convert sunlight into electricity. This electricity goes into [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controller]], which keeps the battery [[electrical:12v:charging|optimally charged]]((or attempts to!)) and powers any [[electrical:12v:loads|loads]] (things that consume power). The controller extracts the exact amount of power your batteries+loads demand and no more: in effect the controller is //pulling// rather than the panels //pushing//. |
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| | Overall it is arranged like this: |
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| panels -> controller -> battery bank -> loads | panels -> controller -> battery bank -> loads |
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| Excess 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]])) In broad terms... | Power is stored up in a [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|deep-cycle "house" battery]] during daylight and the power is pulled back out at night. The house battery is electrically 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]])) In broad terms... |
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| > "Think of the batteries as a bucket of electricity. It's possible to pour water from multiple sources into a bucket at the same time, and also to do that while water is leaking out of the bucket." -- MarkSF((https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f14/multiple-sources-of-dc-voltage-being-fed-to-battery-bank-246008.html#post3335865)) | > "Think of the batteries as a bucket of electricity. It's possible to pour water from multiple sources into a bucket at the same time, and also to do that while water is leaking out of the bucket." -- MarkSF((https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f14/multiple-sources-of-dc-voltage-being-fed-to-battery-bank-246008.html#post3335865)) |
| This question usually means "how much //power// do I need?" and involves **making power**((solar, [[electrical:generator|generator]], [[electrical:12v:alternator|isolator]], [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]], etc)), **storing power**(([[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|deep cycle battery]] bank)), and **using power**(([[electrical:12v:loads|12v loads]], [[electrical:inverter|inverter]] loads)). Unfortunately, you are the only person who knows how much power you will need, and even //you// may not know yet. :-) Strangers on the internet cannot tell you how much power you need anymore than they can tell you who to date or how many kids to have. | This question usually means "how much //power// do I need?" and involves **making power**((solar, [[electrical:generator|generator]], [[electrical:12v:alternator|isolator]], [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]], etc)), **storing power**(([[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|deep cycle battery]] bank)), and **using power**(([[electrical:12v:loads|12v loads]], [[electrical:inverter|inverter]] loads)). Unfortunately, you are the only person who knows how much power you will need, and even //you// may not know yet. :-) Strangers on the internet cannot tell you how much power you need anymore than they can tell you who to date or how many kids to have. |
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| It's not fun but the first step in getting solar is to [[electrical:12v:intro#how_much_power_do_i_need|assess your daily power requirements]]. Until they sit down to do the math first-timers often have [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#electrical_power|radically unrealistic ideas about power]] in the campervan. No, you probably won't be able to run a hair dryer, electric space heater, air conditioner, or instant pot off-grid. | It's not fun but the first step in getting solar is to [[electrical:12v:intro#how_much_power_do_i_need|assess your daily power requirements]]. Until they sit down to do the math first-timers often have [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#electrical_power|radically unrealistic ideas about power]] in the campervan. You probably won't be able to run a hair dryer, electric space heater, [[hvac:solar_ac|air conditioner]], or instant pot from solar. |
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| **Note:** you can get a ballpark idea before crunching your own numbers by [[electrical:solar:builds|reviewing some existing solar installs]]. | **Note:** you can get a ballpark idea before crunching your own numbers by [[electrical:solar:builds|reviewing some existing solar installs]]. |
