Solar power cabin?

[h2447intx]

Ok I have moved my cabin to a new lease and we have no power

So I want to hook up solar panels, anyone have a diagram on how I can do this and still wire it to my existing breaker panel?

[LWolken]

There is not really a "simple" diagram for grid tied solar system. The simple way would be to use a manual transfer switch. But I'd probably just install some dedicated outlets/lighting for the solar system since I doubt it will be able to run the entire cabin. This will allow you to have both simultaneously.

[91cavgt]

A grid tie system would not work for him since there is no power at his new location.


Here is a list of the items you would need to put together a solar setup;

1. solar panels
2. battery(or batteries)
3. charge controller
4. power inverter
5. wiring


Depending on what all you want to power will depend on the size of the setup you will want to get. If you are only wanting to power a few lights then you can get away with a very small setup. If you want to run a microwave, fridge, and coffee maker then you will need a much larger setup.


I have a cabin that has a solar setup on it, and I invested about $2k for it all. I can run my small fridge for 5 days if it is cloudy before the power inverter shuts off because battery voltage is too low. I can run an electric coffee maker, all kinds of lights, fans, and lots of other stuff too.

[91cavgt]

If you are only going to be there a couple of times a year, it may be better for you to just get a nice generator. But if you are planning on being there multiple times a month then a solar setup would be your better choice.

[LWolken]

Ok I have moved my cabin to a new lease and we have no power
So I want to hook up solar panels, anyone have a diagram on how I can do this and still wire it to my existing breaker panel?

Whoops I missed that...

You'd be better off with a Honda eu2000i.

[saltwater]

i use batteries for my heat and lighting. I have two 6 volt baTTERIES from a golf cart wired to put out 12 volts, it helps that campers are set up to run on 12 volts for just about everything, but if your talking solar your talking about batteries as well. I just bring the batteries home with me every few weeks to charge them or run the generator my last night to charge them, they last a long time.

[h2447intx]

Thanks for the input. I do have a 8000w Honeywell generator.

Will be talking with my dad as well he has some contraption set up with two 100w panels, converter and a capacitor like you would use in a care stereo system.

Was hoping I could set something up, wire that to my brake as incoming power to. Feed what I have wired. Couple outlets and lights.

Anyhow thanks

[91cavgt]

Thanks for the input. I do have a 8000w Honeywell generator.

Will be talking with my dad as well he has some contraption set up with two 100w panels, converter and a capacitor like you would use in a care stereo system.

Was hoping I could set something up, wire that to my brake as incoming power to. Feed what I have wired. Couple outlets and lights.

Anyhow thanks

Well, you pretty much could do just that. But, you would still need a power inverter to convert the DC power over to A/C power before hooking it into your breaker box.

I have seen, what they call super capacitors. They have a LOT more storage capacity than a typical car audio capacitor and could be used similar to a battery. But, you would have to order a BUNCH of them if you want to be able to use any lights or fans at night. It would be fine for daytime use though.

If you keep doing a search for AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries, you can occasionally find them for sale that are used. Typically they are about 2 years old and were used in massive telecom battery back up banks. I got my 6 batteries from a guy for $90 each that are 110 amp/hr.

If you go this route, don't go cheap on the wire. On my $2k system, I spent $500 just on the wire. If you go cheap, you'll be replacing it in a year or two, and it will limit the amperage that can get to your power inverter, which can burn up your power inverter too.

[h2447intx]

Well, you pretty much could do just that. But, you would still need a power inverter to convert the DC power over to A/C power before hooking it into your breaker box.

I have seen, what they call super capacitors. They have a LOT more storage capacity than a typical car audio capacitor and could be used similar to a battery. But, you would have to order a BUNCH of them if you want to be able to use any lights or fans at night. It would be fine for daytime use though.

If you keep doing a search for AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries, you can occasionally find them for sale that are used. Typically they are about 2 years old and were used in massive telecom battery back up banks. I got my 6 batteries from a guy for $90 each that are 110 amp/hr.

If you go this route, don't go cheap on the wire. On my $2k system, I spent $500 just on the wire. If you go cheap, you'll be replacing it in a year or two, and it will limit the amperage that can get to your power inverter, which can burn up your power inverter too.

Thanks

[LWolken]

You can purchase brand new Trojan T105's with a warranty for about the same price. I prefer flooded lead acid batteries like the T105's because of the risk of boil off during charging in our hot summer months. Simply top them off with distilled water. With AGM's if they get over charged they are ruined. The other problem with AGM's is you cannot verify the condition of the batteries i.e. internals like you can with a flooded battery. We check each cell with a specific gravity scope. This not only tells us the true state of charge but over time it also tells us the condition of the battery(capacity potiential). Simply no way of knowing what you get when buying used AGM's. AGM's would be great in climates with less heat or in an environment where acid spillage is a concern like maybe a boat. Also make sure the charge controller you get is compatible with AGM's if you decide to get them, most chargers default settings are for flooded lead acid batteries and will over charge AGM's due to higher setpoint voltages.

[91cavgt]

You can purchase brand new Trojan T105's with a warranty for about the same price. I prefer flooded lead acid batteries like the T105's because of the risk of boil off during charging in our hot summer months. Simply top them off with distilled water. With AGM's if they get over charged they are ruined. The other problem with AGM's is you cannot verify the condition of the batteries i.e. internals like you can with a flooded battery. We check each cell with a specific gravity scope. This not only tells us the true state of charge but over time it also tells us the condition of the battery(capacity potiential). Simply no way of knowing what you get when buying used AGM's. AGM's would be great in climates with less heat or in an environment where acid spillage is a concern like maybe a boat. Also make sure the charge controller you get is compatible with AGM's if you decide to get them, most chargers default settings are for flooded lead acid batteries and will over charge AGM's due to higher setpoint voltages.

You are spot on when it comes to the charge controller. My charge controller has a switch on it that I can choose what type of battery I am using.

You are also right that you really can't tell the condition of a used AGM battery. However, I have never gotten a bad one that came off of a telecom battery bank. The AGM batteries, if properly maintained, will also last longer than a wet cell(flooded) battery will. I have 2 AGM batteries made by Hawker that were made in the year 2000. Yes, they are 14 years old now and are still working great!!

I prefer the AGM batteries because they are sealed. This means I can store them inside my cabin, out of the elements, in more of a climate controlled area without the worry of gases building up. But, that's just my preference. The Trojans are a GREAT battery though and have been in business for a LONG time. You can also get them at any golf cart service/sales place too.

[h2447intx]

Looking for a place now for batteries, thanks for the he help

[LWolken]

Looking for a place now for batteries, thanks for the he help

Battery Plus has East Penn batteries labled "Exide" (made in USA). These are the Trojan T105 equivilant. I no longer buy Trojan since they moved smelting operations to Mexico. They are about $80-$90 depending on the quantity you buy. Our original battery bank was made up of T105's and lasted almost 10yrs. The AGM's are absolutely better for storage inside and do not need to be vented like a FLA do in confined spaces. Just make sure your battery charger is set up correctly and has temperature compensation or it will be an experiment. Temperature compensation bumps up set point voltages in cold weather and drops them down in the heat. Every battery will last a certain number of cycles weather AGM or FLA the deeper it is drawn down the less cycles you will get. We had an original spiral cell (optima) made in USA on our 10KW diesel gen set for about 12 yrs before it died. The new made in "china" version lasted less than 3 yrs. No more optima's for me.