Portable Indoor Power

[Bushwhacker]

This all started with wanting to light my family room at night using solar power without having the setup looking like an electrical nightmare. One thing led to another and I ended up with a box on casters that measures 26" front to back, 7" wide and 18 1/2" tall. I carries 7 amp charge controller, fuse block, 150 AH AGM battery, 36 (?) led light, 300 watt MSW inverter, analog volt meter and a I will add a 12 volt lighter outlet just because I think it will be handy.

All of the wood with exception of the veneer banding around the plywood edges, most of the wiring, one of the switches, the fuse block, the casters under the box and the bezel the LED light sits in are all recycled. I'm not green, just the frugal product of conception outside of wedlock!

The battery is charged with a Sunforce 15 watt amorphous panel that included the charge controller. http://www.sunforceproducts.com/product_details.php?PRODUCT_ID=50

Any questions, comments, or suggestions are welcomed. Brief descriptions can be found below the pictures.

http://s682.photobucket.com/albums/vv190/covetedcrown/Portable%20Power/

Cheers!
BW

[tanner0441]

Hi

A couple of questions. If it has LED lights, what is the inverter for? How long will it take your 15W solar panel to replace the power taken from the battery in use?

Assuming the panel gives its rated output, which I doubt, I have a 15W amorphous panel and best case scenario has never been above 12W, but 12V 15W is only just over an amp. It will take a long time to recharge a flat 150 Ah battery.

It's a very tidy looking device but the practicality in its present form is in doubt.

Brian.

[Bruce S]

First of all. NICE wood work!!
Good planning, well thought out setup.
Expandable extra power via the AC from inverter and safely done with fuses.
AND since you did most all of this with "stuff" !! even nicer.

I take it from looking at the wires the LED light goes straight to the power source and has it's own switch.

12V LED? if it is one of the 3 or higher wattage LEDs watch the heat buildup. Simple small muffin fan will help if it does get toasty in there.
I too would add the 12V lighter outlet, A ton of stuff can be used there.

As tanner pointed out, IF you let the battery get too low, you could have a hard time bringing it backup without extra power.
  BUT I'm thinking this addiction is going to grow 

Cheers!!
Bruce S

 

[Bushwhacker]

Hi

A couple of questions. If it has LED lights, what is the inverter for?

I put the inverter on it for a minimal backup AC supply in the event of grid power going down. It beats the heck out of a candle and wind up transistor radio.

How long will it take your 15W solar panel to replace the power taken from the battery in use?

In good sunshine I'll replace a bit more power than the light uses in about 8 hours.(0.2 or 0.3 volts?) On really cloudy days the battery voltage does not recover much at all. (0.01 or 0.02V) I really haven't kept records to be honest.

Assuming the panel gives its rated output, which I doubt, I have a 15W amorphous panel and best case scenario has never been above 12W, but 12V 15W is only just over an amp. It will take a long time to recharge a flat 150 Ah battery.

You are correct, it would take a very long time to recharge that battery from flat. Fortunately there are some days when I draw nothing from the battery and that's when the biggest gains occur. I do alter the angle of the panel a few times a year to help it as much as I can within reason.

It's a very tidy looking device but the practicality in its present form is in doubt.

The whole idea was some solar powered ambient lighting with an emergency reserve power supply if the grid goes down. Really it's just a big toy. Practicality as an RE system isn't what I had in mind. I was only after a bit of light and some emergency AC power if needed. Where I live the grid seldom goes down and when it does it's usually only for a few hours.

If I were to put a bigger (or additional) panel on it it would be more practical I'm sure. This is just a case of 'tinker, play and learn'.
Another point to keep in mind is Calgary gets about 2230 hours of sunshine per year on average. That goes a long ways towards keeping the battery charged even with a small panel.

Cheers!
E

[Bushwhacker]

Thanks for the kind words Bruce.

The LED is indeed independently switched, 12 V and fortunately heat is NOT a problem at all.

This unit was built just for the fun of it, a RE conversation piece so to speak. If the grid goes down it's at least a bit of AC power if wanted or needed.

The bug initially bit me about 10 years ago in the form of RE for boon docking a small 5th wheel trailer. Then I had to talk to that Ghurd character.    (who has been a great source of knowledge)

I have a few more projects on the go but it's all a matter of time and energy. I really like DIY stuff so that slows me down as well. On the other hand anyone can buy it off the shelf but home built has a certain 'cool' factor that goes with it.

Look forward to a "Power Shack" that just fits into the back of a pickup truck in the coming months.

Cheers,
BW

[ghurd]

Looks good BW!
G-