| I have two smallish solar panels that I bought to try out some ideas. Now, I am thinking about adding some landscape lighting to my house and powering it with the solar panels on its own independant circuit from my house. I like the idea of gathering solar power and storing it in DC and then running the lamps when the sun goes down (also in DC) without any transformers, etc... Since the landscape lighting is not critical by any means, and could be dimmed or peter out by morning altogether and not be missed, it might be an easier introduction into solar power controls and storage.
THe problem is, I have read enough to realize that partially charging (or fully charging) and then totally depleting batteries once a day would be tremendously hard on them, is there another energy storage means, perhaps a capacitor, that would handle this kind of service ?? In other words, a smarter solution that ruining a lead acid battery as it charges and discharges on a daily basis.
I was planning on jsut using a photocell as a switch to run a relay, I guess. The system would store energy when the sun was out, and discharge all available energy when the sun went down. If the lights only lasted a couple of hours before the jiuce was all used up, then no big deal.
I just like the idea of using my solar power to power my "frivoulous" exterior lighting .
Thanks,
First post from a long time lurker,
Richard
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