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electrical:solar:rationing [2017/11/21 20:34]
frater_secessus [maximizing solar harvest]
electrical:solar:rationing [2020/10/11 19:48] (current)
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 Here are some examples: Here are some examples:
 + 
 +  * smaller solar installations
   * a stretch of rainy days   * a stretch of rainy days
   * a forest campsite with no good access to sunlight   * a forest campsite with no good access to sunlight
   * smoke from forest fires   * smoke from forest fires
   * very short winter days   * very short winter days
 + 
  
  
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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.  It may be worthwhile to have a small inverter for small loads and a big inverter for big loads;  this stops the inefficient use of small loads on a big inverter.      * size the inverter to meet the needs of your biggest loads.  Oversizing wastes power because bigger inverters have more parasitic draw.  It may be worthwhile to have a small inverter for small loads and a big inverter for big loads;  this stops the inefficient use of small loads on a big inverter. 
     * 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.
-  * open your refrigerator as little as possible after sundown+  * open your [[food:refrigeration|refrigerator]] as little as possible after sundown
   * [[food:cooking|cook]] with propane instead of electricty   * [[food:cooking|cook]] with propane instead of electricty
  
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   * framed panels (mono and poly) should be mounted with some space underneath them for cooling airflow.  Cell temperature affects panel voltage output.   * framed panels (mono and poly) should be mounted with some space underneath them for cooling airflow.  Cell temperature affects panel voltage output.
   * clean the solar panels.  Dust or dirt on the panels can decrease panel output by 5-10% in some cases.((http://www.lwd.com/solar/deratingfactors.htm))   * clean the solar panels.  Dust or dirt on the panels can decrease panel output by 5-10% in some cases.((http://www.lwd.com/solar/deratingfactors.htm))
-  * [[electrical:solar:pwm_tweaking|tweak your PWM controller]] to produce more power +  * [[electrical:solar:pwm_tweaking|tweak your PWM controller]] to produce more power, and be //ruthless// about not running loads until the battery bank is out of bulk mode. 
- +  * invest in [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#mppt|an mppt controller]] if you can, and [[electrical:solar:charge_controller_setpoints|configure it]] to battery manufacturer specifications 
 +  * install [[electrical:12v:alternator|an isolator]] for alternator charging 
 +  * use [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]] charging (via [[electrical:converter|converter]]) anytime it is available
  
  
  
electrical/solar/rationing.1511314452.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/10/11 19:48 (external edit)