Solar panel / inverter setup question

[mq32]

I have a patio on my place that is not near electricity. Looking for a small solar panel setup where I can run a ceiling fan, maybe a tv or other items I plug in. Not trying to run anything full time.

question: what kind of setup do I need and how difficult is it to install? Thank you

[hog_down]

I think mounting the solar panels would be the most difficult part. Other than basic wiring, there are youtube video's on the subject. Where I get confused is how many amps/watts/volts are needed to run your equipment. Others have had similar threads, so you might want to try the search function, if it still works with the new format of the forum. Good luck, and in for more info.

[Double R 2]

I am no expert but have been trying to learn about off-grid systems for a small cabin. You have to figure out how much energy you need to run your items and then pick a system to take care of your needs. William Prowse has a ton of you tube videos on the subject. When you get ready to buy, check out shopsolarkits.com.

[Wits_End]

There are a few different ways you could go. Just did some quick calcs to get you in the ballpark.
Basically you need a solar panel, charge controller, battery, and 12V/120V inverter. (you could buy 12V fans, 12V lights, and a 12V TV to save some headache and converter losses). How big of a battery do you need? Are you going to use every day or just on the weekends?

TV and Celing Fan will draw max 150W. Let's say you want to use both of those full blast for 5 hours at a time. You need approximately 750W (5hrx150w of power stored. Divide by 12V and this is approx a 62.5Ah battery. Inverters will take the 12V and convert to 120V, but they are only 75% efficient, so you need 25% more battery, so approx 80Ah battery. Might as well double that to be safe, so approximately 1x 160Ah deep cycle battery will do it.

A 100W solar panel may take up to 3-4 days to recharge from empty, but you will likely never go empty. I would guestimate that you could maintain this 5hr usage daily as long as you have sun in the area and it is clear everyday.

I probably missed something, but this will get you thinking.


basic picture I found on Amazon

[mission]

If not into mounting hard solar panels, may look into portable solar generator with suitcase panels. Bluetti, Ecoflow, etc.

[91cavgt]

There are a few different ways you could go. Just did some quick calcs to get you in the ballpark.
Basically you need a solar panel, charge controller, battery, and 12V/120V inverter. (you could buy 12V fans, 12V lights, and a 12V TV to save some headache and converter losses). How big of a battery do you need? Are you going to use every day or just on the weekends?

TV and Celing Fan will draw max 150W. Let's say you want to use both of those full blast for 5 hours at a time. You need approximately 750W (5hrx150w of power stored. Divide by 12V and this is approx a 62.5Ah battery. Inverters will take the 12V and convert to 120V, but they are only 75% efficient, so you need 25% more battery, so approx 80Ah battery. Might as well double that to be safe, so approximately 1x 160Ah deep cycle battery will do it.

A 100W solar panel may take up to 3-4 days to recharge from empty, but you will likely never go empty. I would guestimate that you could maintain this 5hr usage daily as long as you have sun in the area and it is clear everyday.

I probably missed something, but this will get you thinking.


basic picture I found on Amazon

Some good information here. The one thing that I would add to it is this;

With lead acid and AGM batteries, in order to have them last, you can only use 50% of their capacity. So a 100 ah lead acid or AGM battery only has a real capacity of 50 ah. With lithium batteries though, you can use the full rated capacity without harming the battery. So a 100 ah lithium battery will give you the full 100 ah capacity without damaging the battery.

[txbowman12]

How often are you going to be using it? Does your battery bank being portable hold any value for you? If so I'd look into one of the "solar generator" battery banks you could tote around. You can get away with less battery capacity if you are ok with not being able to use it 100% of the time or well into the evening.

[Pedernal]

Some good info has already been given. Some additional things to keep in mind are that any electric motor or inductive type load will require/draw a surge of power at start up. When you figure the wattage required to run any inductive load it will not be the same as the start up power required. Make sure the inverter you get will not shut down due to the short circuit protection that could read/register a false short circuit on the start up current draw created by inductive loads (electric motors and such).

this link for signature solar has some start up kits. I am neither associated to them or have any experience with their products but it might be a good starting point for you to get some research on what you will need and give you an idea on pricing.

https://signaturesolar.com

[mq32]

Wow. Great info. Thank y’all so much. One of the questions was how often to use it and I guesstimate 2 times a week at most.