6watt solar array up and running
By AbyssUnderground, Section Solar Posted on Sun Aug 06, 2006 at 12:10:23 PM MST
Not much but it does work!

Ive just completed (after 2 months of very slow work on this project) my 6watt solar array. I mounted it on my shed roof today and its working well even though it is completely overcast. Larger image here (145KB) Im currently getting 150mA into my battery which is now nearly charged (13.2v). Ive seen 510mA into the battery in full sun under tests so Im hopeful now its fully in place. I designed the array to be portable so I can take it camping. Because of this the panels fold up into a briefcase sized package for easy transport. It also protects the panels. If you would like to see the build process you can visit http://m3ezw.no-ip.com/stuff/index.htm (there are a fair amount of images on this page totalling just under 1MB so dial-up users may have to wait a few minutes) During the build process I have asked numerous questions on this board and everyone has been very very helpful, and I thank everyone who contributed for that.

6watt solar array up and running | 15 comments (15 topical)

Re: 6watt solar array up and running (3.00 / 0) (#1) by willib on Sun Aug 06, 2006 at 07:37:52 AM MST

6.51W is good from those panels :) i have one like your panels , and one larger one (rated at 5W) and the most i've seen from them hooked together is just around 4watts and change , so you have done well. i've got one of those radio shack multimeters too ,the oldest one i've bought , and by far the best one i own , as far as least amount of problems that i have had from it..plus it runs on two AA cells , not a 9V battery , which is nice.. just last night i disassembled one of the other multimeters because the top of one digit was faulty, luckily it got back together and is working now , but its still a piece of crap compared to the radio shack one. Carpe Ventum (seize the wind)

Re: 6watt solar array up and running (3.00 / 0) (#2) by AbyssUnderground on Sun Aug 06, 2006 at 08:53:35 AM MST

Yeah its nice that they run off AA's. The green meter runs off 3 AAA's which can be annoying since most batteries charge in pairs! http://www.repowered.co.uk - My Renewable Energy site. msn[at]m3ezw.co.uk - my msn if you want a chat. [ Parent ]

Re: 6watt solar array up and running (3.00 / 0) (#3) by richhagen on Sun Aug 06, 2006 at 07:39:50 PM MST

Congratulations, and nice write up on your web page.  The only problem I have had with these types of amourphous panels, is there resistance to weather when permanently mounted outside.  On mine, the coatings began to flake off and  separate from the back of the glass after about on average a year of use.  I haven't purchased that type of panel for a while as a result.  Hopefully you will see better results.  Basically, I would protect them (the back side) from weather as well as possible.  Rich 'A Joule saved is a Joule made'

Re: 6watt solar array up and running (3.00 / 0) (#4) by ghurd on Sun Aug 06, 2006 at 11:08:48 PM MST

It came out nice! Notice Rich's excellent advice. Seal the back. (BTW, 85ma x 6 = 510ma. Weird!   Its usually not that exact.) G- Ghurd.info

Re: 6watt solar array up and running (3.00 / 0) (#5) by AbyssUnderground on Mon Aug 07, 2006 at 03:05:36 AM MST

Its completely water proof. The panels are stuck down to the plywood with some sort of silicon and then a silicon sealant around the edges stops the water getting in. The wood is primed, undercoated and glossed to stop the wood being damaged. With my Dad being a joiner he knows how to do things profesionally (hes being doing it 30+ years), and has being helping me out. Its overcast again right now and Im getting 60mA at 13.24v at the battery. I flattened it to 12.7v last night with lights so its almost charged already. http://www.repowered.co.uk - My Renewable Energy site. msn[at]m3ezw.co.uk - my msn if you want a chat. [ Parent ]

Re: 6watt solar array up and running (3.00 / 0) (#6) by ZooT on Wed Aug 09, 2006 at 12:16:58 AM MST

Are you using any sort of charge controller?

Re: 6watt solar array up and running (3.00 / 0) (#7) by AbyssUnderground2 on Wed Aug 09, 2006 at 03:35:48 AM MST

Somehow my other account has posting disabled; no reason given for this either. I am using a charge controller yes. Its nothing special and only cost £10 ($20). Switches off at 14.2v (ish) and comes back on at 13v (but will come on if you disconnect and reconnect it even if above 13v).

Re: 6watt solar array up and running (3.00 / 0) (#8) by ghurd on Wed Aug 09, 2006 at 08:25:35 AM MST

You might get a little more 'ummph' out of it with a PB137ACV. A lot less hysteresis.  Dandy little solar controller for stuff this size. Costs about £1. G- Ghurd.info [ Parent ]

Re: 6watt solar array up and running (3.00 / 0) (#9) by AbyssUnderground on Wed Aug 09, 2006 at 11:57:29 AM MST

The controller only uses 5mA of its own when in use so its hardly a lot. Thats just for powering the LED that tells you its status (charging or full). Ive just got 2 new analog meters as Im making a tidier "status" box for it. Itll have all the meters, circuitry etc inside it leaving just two sets of wires coming out, to battery and to solar panel. It will be better than it is now and a lot less dangerous as I hate having things short out. Scares the hell out of me! Ill take a look at the "PB137ACV" anyhow. Thanks. http://www.repowered.co.uk - My Renewable Energy site. msn[at]m3ezw.co.uk - my msn if you want a chat. [ Parent ]

Re: 6watt solar array up and running (3.00 / 0) (#10) by kurt on Wed Aug 09, 2006 at 02:30:59 PM MST

AbyssUnderground i checked your account and you should be able to post. i do not know why you could not this morning, maybe you made to many posts to fast and ran into the anti spam limits that scoop has but when that happens it explains itself to you pretty clearly what is going on so i do not know. IRC inst. just a personal rant carry on. [ Parent ]

Re: 6watt solar array up and running (3.00 / 0) (#11) by AbyssUnderground on Wed Aug 09, 2006 at 03:43:57 PM MST

I e-mailed in an a kind staff member sorted it out for me this morning. All is well now. http://www.repowered.co.uk - My Renewable Energy site. msn[at]m3ezw.co.uk - my msn if you want a chat. [ Parent ]

Re: 6watt solar array up and running (3.00 / 0) (#12) by fungus on Sun Aug 20, 2006 at 05:47:26 AM MST

Hey AbyssUnderground, Looks very good and putting out quite a bit of power. By the way you sent an email to me but the reply failed to send so I'll just post it here: Hi, Actually, it would be 10w. Watts=volts*amps. My panels are 650ma, 10v rated each. 0.65*10=6.5w(less in real conditions). Put in series, it would be 20v at 650 ma.0.65*20=13w(less in real conditions again). I thought that it would be 5w at first. Watts is a measure of power. If you add more panels you get more power. Thanks for replying though and I like your site as well. Good to see someone else in the UK. ------------------- Hi there, Id just like to point out a small error on http://rdchalmers.ath.cx/~Angus/energystuff/updatesolar.html. You stated that two panels together will create 12v 10w. This is incorrect. It would be 12v 5w if put in series, but 6v 10w in parrallel. Nice starter information on your site too. Andy http://m3ezw.no-ip.com/stuff/index.htm Angus Chalmers www.energystuff.r8.org 'Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.'-Albert Einstein Fungus - www.reenergy.co.uk

Re: 6watt solar array up and running (3.00 / 0) (#13) by AbyssUnderground on Sun Aug 20, 2006 at 09:37:54 AM MST

Going by what you have said there, each 6v panel is 10w not 5 as you state on your site? Since parrallel increases current and series increases voltage, but you cannot do both. http://www.repowered.co.uk - My Renewable Energy site. msn[at]m3ezw.co.uk - my msn if you want a chat. [ Parent ]

Re: 6watt solar array up and running (3.00 / 0) (#14) by fungus on Tue Aug 22, 2006 at 12:18:18 PM MST

If you read you will see that I said 10v and 650ma and 20v and 650ma. This is only increasing the voltage but the power increases. If it was .5A then in series it would be .5A and 1A in parallel. 'Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.'-Albert Einstein Fungus - www.reenergy.co.uk

Re: 6watt solar array up and running (3.00 / 0) (#15) by fungus on Tue Aug 22, 2006 at 12:19:16 PM MST

Also, If that was right then how do you think people put 1.5w cells in series to get a 40w panel? 'Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.'-Albert Einstein Fungus - www.reenergy.co.uk

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