Building a Solar Generator

jayjay
jayjay Registered Users Posts: 9
Pertaining to a thread about a month ago (life takes unexpected turns, so I've been absent for that time and am trying to get back into this):

I would like to build a solar generator for my 1st project to learn and understand solar better. Ultimately, I want to solarize my home, so I need to "play with" and understand this as good as possible. I do know that a gas powered generator would be a better choice, but I'm going off the notion that gas may not be available at some point.

Because this is a "generator", I won't know the end load wattage to figure from. It may be only 4 CFLs, or it may also be an iPod and a cell phone charger. I would even like to be able to power my well pump with it in an emergency although that may be a bit more complex as I understand I'd need a step-up transformer to do that.

Now, I have come across this: http://www.mysolarbackup.com ... it seems a bit high priced but I'm sure they have to make a living, too. I like very much the 50' easy/quick cable connects they are using and would like to find a way to incorporate easy, quick-connect cables similar to this for quick setup.

So, to build this generator for myself...

I am thinking of using 1 panel that I will place on a wheeled rack for easy movement. I am looking at the nbsolar Mono 180 watt panel at 435.00. (I understand a Mono panel is the best type?)

Next, I need cables . . . no idea on what/where/howmuch cost. The 50' that mysolarbackup.com uses is nice if doable.

Then, since this is a 4.98 amp panel, I can get by with a small 5 amp charge controller ... is this correct? On a system of this small size, would it even pay to buy an MPPT controller? (I found a Blue Sky 25 amp @ 12V MPPT controller for about $189.00)

Then cabling to the batteries ... again, not sure on cabling but I will mount the Charge Controller on/in the battery box as well as the inverter.

Batteries ... sounds like AGM is the best way to go although they are higher priced. 1 Concorde 49AH battery won't give a lot of AH usage, but certainly as good as the once in the site mentioned above. About $200.00

Again, cabling from the batteries TO the Inverter . . .

Then a samlex pure sinewave 150watt inverter to plug items into for about $165.00.

So, the total on this (minus shipping and cables and hardware) is about $989.00. (I think the mysolarbackup.com place is using a 90W solar panel where mine is a 180W panel, so I imagine since the battery is similar, mine would charge twice as fast in the sun as that one would?)



Looking forward to suggestions/comments.

Comments

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Re: Building a Solar Generator

    Take a look at this existing thread, which has some pic's and info about nearly the same thing.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Re: Building a Solar Generator

    You can use Anderson connectors http://store.solar-electric.com/anhicupoco.html for your quick connects on cables. The 49AH battery is too small for this much panel, it will quickly charge, and then sit the rest of the day at float, wasting your panel. (harmless). I used 2, 100ah flooded batteries with a 65W panel, which was a little underpowered, but it was what it was.
    Consider a single flooded 80 - 100 AH deep cycle battery as a learner, and I just use a marine battery box to hold the batteries.

    150W inverter is small, for a higher price I like the morningstar suresine 300w cont, 600w 10 min. It's also very low power.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,