Comments on: So you want to harness the power of a solar panel http://www.watthackers.com/wp/so-you-want-to-harness-the-power-of-a-solar-panel/ Watt Hackers is all things energy. How to produce it, how to reduce it. Tue, 12 Jul 2011 03:09:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: sandeen http://www.watthackers.com/wp/so-you-want-to-harness-the-power-of-a-solar-panel/comment-page-1/#comment-2386 sandeen Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:31:25 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=48#comment-2386 Is there a reason that you want to go the charge controller + battery route, vs. a grid-tied inverter, and let the utility be your "battery" for now? Is there a reason that you want to go the charge controller + battery route, vs. a grid-tied inverter, and let the utility be your "battery" for now?

]]> By: So you want to harness the power of a solar panel WattHackers | Outdoor Ceiling Fans http://www.watthackers.com/wp/so-you-want-to-harness-the-power-of-a-solar-panel/comment-page-1/#comment-258 So you want to harness the power of a solar panel WattHackers | Outdoor Ceiling Fans Sun, 31 May 2009 11:50:24 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=48#comment-258 [...] So you want to harness the power of a solar panel WattHackers Posted by root 1 hour 27 minutes ago (http://www.watthackers.com) The relay with is powered directly off the solar module draws only 20 i will run two 2 5 watt 12v bulbs installed in light 39 cans 39 flush mounted in the ceiling thank you for your comment rick jim stack on july 31st power go solar live green powered by Discuss  |  Bury |  News | So you want to harness the power of a solar panel WattHackers [...] [...] So you want to harness the power of a solar panel WattHackers Posted by root 1 hour 27 minutes ago (http://www.watthackers.com) The relay with is powered directly off the solar module draws only 20 i will run two 2 5 watt 12v bulbs installed in light 39 cans 39 flush mounted in the ceiling thank you for your comment rick jim stack on july 31st power go solar live green powered by Discuss  |  Bury |  News | So you want to harness the power of a solar panel WattHackers [...]

]]> By: Russ http://www.watthackers.com/wp/so-you-want-to-harness-the-power-of-a-solar-panel/comment-page-1/#comment-189 Russ Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:38:30 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=48#comment-189 Hi Rick - good start and am looking forward to the next article. In regards to the following statement which is totally correct, 'Much of the content here will be based on an ongoing observation of a work-in-progress solar installation. That is to say, I am basing this article largely on real-world findings, not just by-the-book calculations. Things usually do not work out as they do on paper, thus we are going to focus on what is real-world application, more so than the book calculations, wherever possible!' Some high percentages (maybe 90% or more) of all new tech designs - I am most familiar with the steel industry - are doomed to failure. Engineering can only take you so far and then the practicalities take over. What calculates and what happens are not necessarily the same unless you have thought of 100% of the possibilities and have the knowledge to understand what those items are. Regards, Russ Hi Rick – good start and am looking forward to the next article.

In regards to the following statement which is totally correct,

‘Much of the content here will be based on an ongoing observation of a work-in-progress solar installation. That is to say, I am basing this article largely on real-world findings, not just by-the-book calculations. Things usually do not work out as they do on paper, thus we are going to focus on what is real-world application, more so than the book calculations, wherever possible!’

Some high percentages (maybe 90% or more) of all new tech designs – I am most familiar with the steel industry – are doomed to failure. Engineering can only take you so far and then the practicalities take over.

What calculates and what happens are not necessarily the same unless you have thought of 100% of the possibilities and have the knowledge to understand what those items are.

Regards,
Russ

]]> By: Rick http://www.watthackers.com/wp/so-you-want-to-harness-the-power-of-a-solar-panel/comment-page-1/#comment-127 Rick Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:11:23 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=48#comment-127 Jim, I used good old Lead Acid batteries, for cost, recyclability, and simplicity. I have two on the system currently. Since they are not stressed, as far as charge/discharge being very deep, they'll last for years. I thought of using NiCads, but toxicity & cost were a concern. I'll publish more articles soon, on LED conversions & retrofitting, as well as articles on accessing the light output of LED bulbs, as compared to conventional Incandescent & florescent tubes. Thank you for your comment, ~Rick~ Jim,

I used good old Lead Acid batteries, for cost, recyclability, and simplicity. I have two on the system currently. Since they are not stressed, as far as charge/discharge being very deep, they’ll last for years. I thought of using NiCads, but toxicity & cost were a concern.

I’ll publish more articles soon, on LED conversions & retrofitting, as well as articles on accessing the light output of LED bulbs, as compared to conventional Incandescent & florescent tubes.

Thank you for your comment,

~Rick~

]]> By: Jim Stack http://www.watthackers.com/wp/so-you-want-to-harness-the-power-of-a-solar-panel/comment-page-1/#comment-126 Jim Stack Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:45:33 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=48#comment-126 Nice use of LED lights to cut your need. Now did you use an advanced battery or an old lead acid short life toxic battery ? We have the technology, we just have to use it. The charge controller is needed for any battery system so you don't over or under run the battery. Nice use of LED lights to cut your need. Now did you use an advanced battery or an old lead acid short life toxic battery ? We have the technology, we just have to use it.
The charge controller is needed for any battery system so you don’t over or under run the battery.

]]> By: sblackb http://www.watthackers.com/wp/so-you-want-to-harness-the-power-of-a-solar-panel/comment-page-1/#comment-103 sblackb Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:09:14 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=48#comment-103 Hey Rick, Glad to see that you got the new solar panel up and running. Nice description of the process for those of us that are not uber technical. Can't wait for the rest of the series. ~Scott Hey Rick,

Glad to see that you got the new solar panel up and running. Nice description of the process for those of us that are not uber technical. Can’t wait for the rest of the series.

~Scott

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