is a trailer mounted solar traffic sign worth messing with

System
System Posts: 2,511 admin
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
We have the unit mentioned above and would like to know what the potential is and if it could be used for campsite power? If so has anyone converted one over and could help with a play by play plan.
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,590 admin
    #2
    Re: is a trailer mounted solar traffic sign worth messing with

    It sort of depends on how much power you are expecting/need to have a successful project.

    The solar panels on the trailers are not usually that large because the signage is high efficiency LED's pointing directly at the drivers (so there is not much power needed)--plus they crank the LED current way down at night (save battery power and not blind the drivers).

    Realistically, towing one of those trailers (even if you add some more solar panels and batteries) would probably consume more fuel from the tow vehicle than if you simply used the saved gasoline and bought a Honda eu1000i or eu2000i (or equivalent) genset.

    Otherwise, you probably will be programming "Zombie Crossing" and such in the sign....

    [IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/BILLBA%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.png[/IMG]-Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
    #3
    Re: is a trailer mounted solar traffic sign worth messing with

    Do you have an idea of what kind of power output were talking about?
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,590 admin
    #4
    Re: is a trailer mounted solar traffic sign worth messing with

    This "Alert Max" is one of the largest solar powered side of the road LED signs I have seen (PDF):
    [FONT=Fixedsys]Power         330 to 450 watt solar panel array
Batteries     Eight 12-volt DC 4-D

HAR Access/Control Local handset, remote control from any
touch-tone phone, or by computer

Digital Recorder Player GPS audio synchronization
Transmitters FCC type accepted[/FONT]
    This not only has LED signboard, but an AM transmitter for looped radio emergency broadcasts, etc...

    The lower powered signs probably are 40-60 watts or so...

    I am certainly no expert about this--Just some quick web searches...
    • 450 watts panels * 4 hours typical sun per day* 0.52 efficiency = 936 Watt*Hours per day
    So, if you had a 150 Watt TV you wanted to watch (wide screen while camping?):
    • 936 WH / 150 Watts = 6.24 hours per day
    Of course, clear summer days you will get more sun (5-6 hours) and in winter you may get 3 hours or less...

    That is actually quite a bit of power (0.52 derating was for a typical solar system powering A/C loads with an Inverter)...

    However, without knowing your power needs and how big the solar panel/battery system on the trailer is--plus where you will be using the system (to get your rough hours of sun per day)--The above is just a very rough estimate.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • icarus
    icarus Solar Expert Posts: 5,436 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: is a trailer mounted solar traffic sign worth messing with

    You see them all over the place, including arrow boards, and stop and go lights, so it must make sense to use them as opposed to a genny powered unit. If you can plug in to the grid, probably be cheaper to do so thought.

    Tony
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