All renewable energy (RE) systems with batteries should include a charge controller. In this article we'll principally be referring to solar charge controllers . Charge controllers prevent battery overcharging and also prevent the batteries from sending their charge back through the system to the charging source (i.e., the solar panels). Think of a solar charge controller as a battery nurse—its job is to monitor the battery bank, feeding it what it needs and checking its vital signs. Since a solar controller does its work in line between the solar panel array and the batteries, it would make sense that its selection and sizing would be influenced by those components. And that's exactly the case.
Voltage and amperage (or current) are the parameters we use in solar charge controller sizing. The solar controller must be capable of accepting the voltage and current produced by the DC source (usually solar panels) and delivering the proper voltage and current to the batteries. This situation might make you think that the DC source, charge controller and batteries must all share a common voltage. While that is one system design strategy used in many installations, it's not the only one. More on the alternatives in another article. For now, it's one voltage for everyone!
Technically speaking, the DC source must always have a higher operating voltage than the battery bank in order for current to flow from one to the other. A handy way to remember this fact is the statement, "curent flows downhill." For the purpose of this discussion, we'll use nominal voltage which means common battery voltages. Nominal voltage in this sense is synonymous with battery voltage. Since batteries (where they are used) are in many ways the heart of an RE system, we can call the bank's voltage the system voltage. The system voltage selected for any given installation is usually, though not always, determined by the battery bank required by the application; the inverter, if one is used, will also influence the choice of system voltage.
Sizing comes down to this: there's the quick method, which will very likely give an acceptable, if perhaps oversized result, but won't describe the why here - we'll just show you the steps.
Short Method for Sizing Solar Charge Controllers
For PWM and PWM shunt solar controllers, select one that is rated at your system voltage (same nominal voltage all the way through the system).
Divide solar panel array total wattage by system voltage.
Add 20% as a safety margin (i.e., (result of Step 2) X 1.2).
Select a solar controller rated at or above the result of Step 3.
Example of the Short Method
Two 125W, 12V nominal modules. System is 250 W, 12 Volt nominal. Solar charge controller will be 12 Volts.
250 ÷ 12 = 20.83
20.83 * 1.2 = 24.996 amps
You could use a Xantrex C35, a 35 amp solar charge controller; or a Morningstar Prostar 30, a 30 amp solar charge controller , for example. Any 12 volt solar controller greater than 25 amps will work.
About the Author
Co-written by Ben Gorman and Sascha Deri.
Founded in 1999, altE, Inc has catered to DIY customers on every continent of the globe. A 2006 Inc. 500 awarded company, altE aims to continue to fulfill its motto, "Making Renewable Do-able," by offering cost competitive, high-quality solar and wind energy related products and educational services to a broad spectrum of the public. For more information visit their website at www.altEstore.com or contact Toll Free (877) 878-4060.
A solar panel is organized assembly of solar cells. It is also known as photovoltaic cells.
-Use of Solar Panel
The solar panel can be used as a larger photovoltaic system to generate and provide electricity in commercial and residential areas.
-How Solar Panels generate Energy?
Solar panels use light energy from the sun to generate electricity. A single solar panel can produce only a limited amount of power. The cells must be connected to each other and to the system. Cells must be sheltered from mechanical damage and moisture. Diodes are used to avoid reverse currents. Solar modules are produced from siliconPV cells.
-RV Solar Panels
RV (Recreational Vehicle) owners use RV Solar Panels. There are a range of RV solar panels to choose from. The small RV Solar Panels can help charge the smaller batteries around your RV. The bigger RV Solar Panels can power up your entire RV. You can power up TV, satellite connection, a microwave and other electronics items. RV Solar Panels are much lighter in weight and effective.
- RV Solar Kits
RV solar panels are available in DIY (do-it-yourself) kits. Kits include the following:
The actual solar panels
Mounting structures
Charge controller
Fuses
Output wires
Intermodal cables
-Installation of RV Solar Panels
Laying RV Solar Panels flat can cause a power fluctuation. It is advisable to lay RV Solar Panels at an angle on the top of RV. RV solar panels and their mounting racks should be installed on the roof. Wiring of the proper gauge should be run from the inverter to battery bank. You should connect the wires with the correct polarity. You should cover the face of the solar panel with paper or cardboard while installing it. The roof should be strong to support the array and the panels should be at least 8 inches away from the edge of the roof. You should be careful when drilling holes. You should take care that you are not drilling into any interior wiring. You should keep the panels covered until you are ready to store up energy.
-Advantages of RV Solar Panels
1. Keep the vehicle's battery charged by using RV solar panel kits.
2. It is eco friendly
3. It is reliable supply of energy.
4. It provides opportunity to travel in a relaxed and enjoyable pace anywhere.
5. It is easy to assemble.
6. It needs minimum maintenance.
7. You can use all of your electronics items while on the road.
About the Author
livecofriendly.com is a small business encouraging individuals to live a healthier life using RV Solar Panels
inverter Battery Is there a battery powered inverter that exists?
I'm looking for something like a regular car inverter for my AC appliances... a lamp, laptop, radio, etc...
But is there something like an inverter that can be plugged into the wall at night, charged up like a laptop battery, then removed and placed where you need it? Basically a battery powered inverter. Or if anyone knows how I could somehow hook up several laptop batteries to an inverter and make my own.
Thanks!
sure!
check out Sam's Club, Costco, WalMart, NAPA, AutoZone, Advanced Auto for a 12v battery "jumper kit".
Some come with a small 150w inverter. I bought mine at Sam's Club. It has a 12v 17AH Gel Cell inside, jumper cables, and an inverter.
You can put 12v batteries inside a 50cal ammo can with an inverter and have the same thing.
Solar Inverters are one of the latest and most energy saving power protection devices in the recent time. Basically, they are the electronic device which converts direct current (AC) to alternate current (AC) using solar energy. Solar energy is environment-friendly because it does not produce toxin, and is a renewable resource. The pace at which all our energy resources are diminishing day by day, the solar inverter can prove to be a fortunate thing in the long run. Solar electric systems are composed of Solar Panels, Batteries and Inverters. Batteries play the role of storing the energy produced and are used mostly at night when there is no sunlight. The electrical device which will be connected will be getting power directly from these batteries. The inverter converts the DC energy of the batteries and into AC power that can be used at home. If the solar energy is exploited well then we would be heading to a better future positively. There are two different types of solar inverter. The first type is called a True-sine-wave inverter which is very dependable and is the best choice for household equipments. The second type is Modified-sine-wave which is less costly than the previous one. Appliance like computers immediately converts AC power into DC, and so is perfect with Modified-sine-wave inverter.
First and foremost, you need to be conscious of the course of action of the entire installing system, quality of the inverter and the total amount of voltage you need for your home. You should also check whether the solar inverter has passed all government standards and certifications. Many reliable companies are selling solar products now-a-days. It's better to buy solar inverters from a reliable and trusted brand so that you get best vale for your money. Volta group specializes in delivering uninterrupted power supply. They are one of the full products that cover a wide range of power protection products which are admired across the country.
The high quality Solar Inverter comprises of all the latest technology. The most important advantage of using solar energy is that it is eco-friendly and produces no waste or pollution. We cannot imagine a world without electricity today. It is very essential to the whole world. Light bulb, fan, televisions, air-conditioners, all of these cannot function without electricity. Don't forget to take expert opinion before buying any solar inverter. Go green with solar power and enjoy a peace of mind.
About the Author
This is a customer driven company, we focus our efforts on providing the highest quality products with attentive after sales service and support,that ensures total customer satisfaction.
Lights Pair How strong of fuse do I need for 4, 55 watt fog lights in a car?
I originally bought a set of fog lights for my car. They were 2, 55 watt fog lights which are connected to a remote control box for control from a wireless remote. This system came wired to a 15 amp fuse. I recently purchased another pair of lights and I spliced them into the wiring of the older set of fog lights. After wiring everything together, the lights would work for about 10 minutes while the car was on, and then shut off. I discovered that the fuse blew out and so I replaced it with another 15 amp fuse I have. Of course that blew out too. I'm assuming that because there are 2 more lights, both 55 watt each that there needs to be a stronger fuse. Does it make sense to just get a 30 amp fuse to compensate for the extra wattage or do I need a stronger one?
OK you've got 4 times 55 watts, thats 220 watts total. To find the amps divide by 12 volts, thats 18.3. So you round up to the next convenient size, and add a bit to take care of turn-on surge. 25 amps should work perfect.
Hope this helps.
BMW Headlights - Upgrade To A Pair Of New BMW Headlights
I bought a pair of neon lights for my car awhile back, but i wanna hang them inside my room. Can I modify them somehow for use with an outlet?
No, but buy a really cheap trickle charger and power them with that. Remember that Diodes are polarity sensitive so if you get no light the first time you hook it up, switch the leads.
Add-on Accessories To Enhance Your Car - Where To Get Them Online
A power cord from your cell phone to the cigarette lighter socket will keep your phone running without draining its battery. An iceless cooler will conveniently keep a drink cold. A heated mug will keep coffee hot as long as the car is running. Add-on accessories add enjoyment to your ride. Below is information and comments about five types of accessories. To locate the items online, use the link to Leisure ideas at the end of this article.
12-volt heated mug - A mug with a plug for getting power from the cigarette lighter socket. It keeps a liquid such as coffee hot for as long as the vehicle is running. Some models have a thermostat to set the temperature.
Example models:
Wagan Tech Heated Travel Mug, removeable cord plugs into cigarette lighter socket, 16-ounce capacity, double wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks hot up to an hour after you unplug, mug fits cup holders, available for about $30.
New VR3 Stainless Steel Heated Insulated Travel Mug Cup, plugs into cigarette lighter socket, 14-ounce capacity, base sized to fit cup holder, about $10 plus shipping.
Bell & Howell Hot N' Go Heated Car Mug, heats to 145 degrees F in 30 minutes, 16-ounce capacity, priced about $18.
JLR Gear Smart Mug, set the temperature you want, has ready light, 16-ounces, plugs into lighter socket, available online for about $20 plus shipping.
Cooler/warmer - These give the choice of keeping food hot or cold. Can warm food and can cool. Some are sized to hold a can of soda or a mug of coffee, larger units might hold a six pack or more.
Example models:
Coleman 12-Volt 9-Can Console Cooler/Warmer, cools to 40° F and warms to 120° F, 9-can capacity. Available online for about $60.
Vector® Thermoelectric Portable Food Cooler/Warmer Chests, cool to 40° below outside temperature, warm to approximately 130° F, 9-foot cord plugs into lighter plug. Two available, 6- and 12-can capacity, priced $75 and $85.
Koolatron 18-quart Food Cooler/Warmer, cools to 40° F below ambient temperature or warms to 125° F, detachable 10-ft. cord, 3-amp draw, holds 23 12-ounce cans. Available for about $110.
ROADPRO 12-Volt Mini Cooler / Warmer, holds 9 12-ounce cans, about $50.
Pyle - Automotive Travel Cooler/Warmer - PLCOOL6, holds two 12-ounce bottles, 9-foot detachable cord, 12 volt/120 volt/220-volt, about $40 online.
Rubbermaid® Cooler/Warmer 289377 1.1-gallon capacity, holds 6 12-ounce cans, plugs into cigarette lighter socket, in warming mode, warms to 120-degrees F., tie-down strap and buckle strap for fastening to seat back. 7' long 12v cord. Available online for $80 plus shipping.
Cell phone charger - Plugs into the cigarette lighter socket to power or charge your cell phone.
Example models:
Virgin Mobile Silver Dolphin Car Charger, for Kyocera phones, plugs into car's power outlet and charges phone in 2.5- to 3.5-hours, http://www.radioshack.com can locate the stores nearest you where you can get this charger, about $15.
Phoenix Wireless Vehicle Power Adapter for Samsung M300/M510, has coiled cord that plugs into cigarette lighter socket, about $25.
Quick Cell 3900 Car Charger Nokia, web site lists stores nearest you that stock this charger, about $15.
Phoenix Vehicle Power Adapter for Samsung Phones, has coiled cord that plugs into cigarette lighter socket, 3.5-mm plug, for many Samsung phones, for about $25.
Generic Car Charger for Nokia N91, N90, N80, 770, 7370, 6282, 6265i, 6165i, 6155i, 6126, 6103, 6102i, 6102, 6101, 3155i. Available for about $5.
Power inverter - Plugs into the cigarette lighter socket, clips to battery, or wire it in. The vehicle's 12-volts dc is changed to 120-volts ac to power things like laptop computers, coffee makers, cell phones, camcorder battery chargers and other small appliances. Don't go bigger than 400 watts unless you want to go directly to the battery with heavy wire. Even then, high power devices will drain your battery quickly and could fry the alternator if the engine is running.
example models:
Xantrex X Power Mobile Plug 75, only 75 watts, very light duty, for about $30 online.
Whistler 400-watt Power Inverter with Circuit Pro, will run TV/DVD combos, laptops, cooling fans, $30 plus shipping.
Xantrex Technologies XPower Plus 400-Watt Inverter #851-0400, 400 watts for 5-minutes, 600-watts surge for easy startups, and 300-watts continuous power, plugs into car cigarette lighter, automatic shutdown mechanism protects against overload, over-temperature and low battery conditions, two 3-prong grounded AC outlets, and a DC outlet. Available online for about $30.
mp3 player - Down load music or other audio content onto either the player's memory or a separate flash drive. Hours of audio can be stored in a single memory device. Some content can be downloaded for free. Listen to the program any time you choose.
example models:
VR3 MP3/WMA FM Modulator w/USB Port and Audio, VRFM8BLN, plug a flash drive into its USB port and use Play, Pause, Volume, Shuffle, and Track Selection controls to play MP3 and WMA files, has a mini jack to use a mp3 player or other audio source, has cigarette lighter plug, priced about $35.
DLO TransCast FM Transmiter for MP3 Players, 0092007, use to play audio from an MP3 player through a car's radio. Gets power from cigarette lighter jack or batteries, 3-foot cord for connecting an audio source, compatible with MP3 players, PSP, and iPod. Available from radioshack.com for about $40 plus shipping. Radio shack will ship free to the store nearest you.
USB Car MP3/WMA FM Modulator Player W/Audio Input, will accept a standard USB drive to play MP3 files with car's FM radio, plugs in cigarette lighter jack, input jack for audio from CD, DVD or MP3 player. Available online for about $25.
Belkin TuneCast II Mobile FM Transmitter, will except audio from a MP3 player's headphone jack and transmit it to a car's radio to be played through the car's existing speaker system, powered by batteries or through car's cigarette lighter jack, available for about $24.
Other accessories that can be used to enhance your car include seat covers, floor mats, steering wheel covers, sun shades, head rest covers, litter bags, can and cup holders, inside/outside thermometer, gps/map device, extra loud or novelty sound horns.
Items to keep in your car for repair, emergency, safety and miscellaneous - Jack, lug wrench, trouble light, flares, jumper cables, maps, cell phone and phone numbers, coolant for radiator, drinking water, long storage food, empty container for gasoline, various hand tools, gloves, coat, hat, blanket, rain poncho, and a first aid kit.
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