is a trailer mounted solar traffic sign worth messing with
System
Posts: 2,511 admin
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.
Comments
-
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]-BillNear San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset -
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? -
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
- 936 WH / 150 Watts = 6.24 hours per day
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.
-BillNear San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset -
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
Categories
- All Categories
- 220 Forum & Website
- 128 Solar Forum News and Announcements
- 1.3K Solar News, Reviews, & Product Announcements
- 189 Solar Information links & sources, event announcements
- 886 Solar Product Reviews & Opinions
- 254 Solar Skeptics, Hype, & Scams Corner
- 22.3K Solar Electric Power, Wind Power & Balance of System
- 3.5K General Solar Power Topics
- 6.7K Solar Beginners Corner
- 1K PV Installers Forum - NEC, Wiring, Installation
- 2K Advanced Solar Electric Technical Forum
- 5.5K Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems
- 424 Caravan, Recreational Vehicle, and Marine Power Systems
- 1.1K Grid Tie and Grid Interactive Systems
- 651 Solar Water Pumping
- 815 Wind Power Generation
- 621 Energy Use & Conservation
- 606 Discussion Forums/Café
- 300 In the Weeds--Member's Choice
- 74 Construction
- 124 New Battery Technologies
- 108 Old Battery Tech Discussions
- 3.8K Solar News - Automatic Feed
- 3.8K Solar Energy News RSS Feed