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electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2022/04/12 21:08] frater_secessus [How solar power works] |
electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2022/04/12 21:15] frater_secessus [Your approach to solar] |
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panels -> controller -> battery bank -> loads((inverters, fans, phone chargers, whatever)) | panels -> controller -> battery bank -> loads |
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Excess power is stored 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... | 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)) |
* **best-effort** power - you take what you can get from the sun and [[electrical:solar:rationing|minimize power consumption]] to make do. No household appliances, at least not often. | * **best-effort** power - you take what you can get from the sun and [[electrical:solar:rationing|minimize power consumption]] to make do. No household appliances, at least not often. |
* **reliable power** - you //need// power to keep insulin refrigerated, keep your external heart bypass machine running, etc. Prepare yourself for added complexity and/or cost. | * **reliable power** - you //need// power to keep insulin refrigerated, keep your external heart bypass machine running, etc. Prepare yourself for added complexity and/or cost. |
* **massive solar** - You can still collect usable solar power under very poor conditions if you have [[electrical:solar:overpaneling|a huge amount of panel]]. This may require "maxxing out" your roofspace, tilting the panels, or deploying additional portable panels. Such configurations may be [[electrical:solar:builds#w6|1000w or more]]. | * **massive solar** - You can still collect usable solar power under very poor conditions if you have [[electrical:solar:overpaneling|a huge amount of panel]]. This may require "maxxing out" your roofspace, tilting the panels, or deploying additional portable panels. Such configurations may be [[electrical:solar:builds#w6|1000w or more]]. One of the pleasant side effects of massive solar is that having //enough panel to meet needs in poor solar conditions// means //lots of bonus power in normal and good conditions//. You may be able to run [[electrical:solar:nonessential|non-essential loads]] without affecting your battery bank's [[electrical:depth_of_discharge|state of charge]]. |
* **solar + other forms of charging** - Solar can work much better when augmented by [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|additional sources of charging]]. It can work so well that less solar might be required and overall cost reduced. | * **solar + other forms of charging** - Solar can work much better when augmented by [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|additional sources of charging]]. It can work so well that less solar might be required and overall cost reduced. |
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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]]. |