short video describing a small solar power system that i set up at my house. it consists of twelve 1 amp solar panels (15 watts each for a total of 180 watts of power – per hour). i use it to run all lights (CFL’s), fans, tv’s, and stereos in the house. also the microwave, coffee maker, blender, can opener, sandwich grill, toaster, vacuum, computer and anything else i can think of. run time for lights/fans only is approx 8 hours. add in vacuuming, microwaving or toaster along with lights, tv and the fans and the run time is reduced to 4-5 hours a day. i bought solar panels, inverter (1000 watt) and killowatt meter at Harbor Freight tools, the batteries (deep cycle) from walmart and the battery cables from checker auto. total cost was about 00 to 00 For the latest including EXTRA PICS and INFO. – Click on the (picassa photo gallery) “WEBSITE LINK” from my youtube channel page.
Video Rating: 4 / 5
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bendix109 says:
July 13, 2012 at 4:11 pm (UTC 0)
Why you didn’t use monocrystalline solar panels that’s better than amorphous solar panels you have there and you need 3000 watt inverter to use Air Conditioner and refrigerator. Wal-mart also sells bigger battery type 29 marine deep cycle cost about $81.00 each, the batteries you have there is type 27 you need bigger batteries.
Robert maks says:
July 13, 2012 at 5:05 pm (UTC 0)
put the panels into a basement or attic and the panels on the roof and electrical from a panel to the main to power some things
desertsun02 says:
July 13, 2012 at 5:15 pm (UTC 0)
you can get a 3 panel set for about $150.00 and a 115ah battery for $80.00
unitcount503 says:
July 13, 2012 at 6:07 pm (UTC 0)
thing is i have a computer service, i rent computers. and im thinking about going solar, can you tell me how much money you spend? on battery and 3 panels?
desertsun02 says:
July 13, 2012 at 6:19 pm (UTC 0)
probably 10 hours if that is all that i was running. mine uses only 59 watts an hour. if you have a small computer or laptop you could set up a 3 panel set with 1 battery and probably run it for 2-3 hours a day. maybe more. just depends on power much power the computer uses.
unitcount503 says:
July 13, 2012 at 7:19 pm (UTC 0)
how long can you run the computer for? i want to build one for a computer
elcomandante31able says:
July 13, 2012 at 8:09 pm (UTC 0)
is not 500 watts continuos but go up to 590 and cam donw
desertsun02 says:
July 13, 2012 at 8:34 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks. not usually. i usually run the system down at night and then it takes most of the day to charge it back up. the 12 panels match up pretty good with the 4 batteries.
desertsun02 says:
July 13, 2012 at 9:15 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks. I’d say probably just a couple of hours. 500 watts continuous is a lot to draw off of a 420ah battery system. are you sure the tv takes that much power? my tv is rated 150 watts but it really only draws 60-90 watts.
elcomandante31able says:
July 13, 2012 at 9:56 pm (UTC 0)
hi nice video i have 410 watts in solar panel and 420 ah battery bank and i only use a tv the tv take about 500 watts how long did u think can i use this in the nigth time without sun
shithitthefanman says:
July 13, 2012 at 10:28 pm (UTC 0)
so are you making more power than you can store with your system? great video.
legalizeshemp420 says:
July 13, 2012 at 10:33 pm (UTC 0)
Funny thing is you can buy 1 45watt Kyocera panel for less and add up better quality stuff the price is roughly the same than the harbor freight system. The only thing you lose is the frame for the panel(s).
desertsun02 says:
July 13, 2012 at 10:51 pm (UTC 0)
Yes. Power bill (in the past) averaged $40-$45 (w/o AC). Now it’s about $25. $20 of that is fees/taxes. With AC running 24/7 (June, July, August) add $75. Total bill for all of last year about $540. Total summer bill – around $300. rest of year (Sept.-May) about $240.
crowdoge says:
July 13, 2012 at 11:25 pm (UTC 0)
Ok. Now I understand. Lol I should’ve realized one battery would drain quick if you’re asking for 1000w. My bad. How do you calculate amp hours? Battery life when fully charged is xxx amount of amp hours which equals to ??? Amount of hours to run- let’s say a normal fan-make up an amp #.
desertsun02 says:
July 14, 2012 at 12:12 am (UTC 0)
The battery won’t overcharge as long as you have a good charge controller. You could use a 1000 watt inverter with one battery, but if you try to draw that much power off of only one battery, it will discharge very fast (in minutes, not hours). When I want the battery bank to last a few solid hours, I usually won’t put a continuous load of more than 300 watts on it. (It can handle higher power draws (up to say 1000w) for short periods of time… toasters, vacuums, blenders, for example)
crowdoge says:
July 14, 2012 at 12:51 am (UTC 0)
Cpl Q’s. Anyone can answer. Could u run a 1k watt converter with one 15w panel and one battery(same batt in the vid)? What are he cons to having too big of converter? Will the battery ever over charge? Thanks.
403Vandweller says:
July 14, 2012 at 1:05 am (UTC 0)
I currently have six 15w solar panels on my roof. It takes about 4 or 5 hours of daylight to charge 3 deep cycle batteries after sunrise. I still have about 50% of space remaning on my roof and when I can afford it, I plan on putting 180w total solar power across my roof.
TheDmon66 says:
July 14, 2012 at 1:30 am (UTC 0)
What about costs vs. savings? Have you seen a decrease in your electric bill? How long until the system pays for itself? Nice setup for a single person home… Are you the only one using the system regularly, or do you have kids, spouse, etc.?
xzoomtablet says:
July 14, 2012 at 1:51 am (UTC 0)
nice home
eformulas says:
July 14, 2012 at 2:50 am (UTC 0)
Great job putting this together…
max24423 says:
July 14, 2012 at 3:48 am (UTC 0)
When you buy the battery did it say 115ah
SylwerDragon says:
July 14, 2012 at 4:39 am (UTC 0)
hmm ..So cheaply…:( (I will spend about 750 euro for two 130 AH batteries 🙁 )
swanyut says:
July 14, 2012 at 5:24 am (UTC 0)
put some mirrors on the ground in front of your solar panels and they will increase your output by about 8 %….or even a sheet of glossy white plastic film to help reflect more sunlight…i have tried this with small trickle charge 1.8 watt panels from canadian tire and it works !!
desertsun02 says:
July 14, 2012 at 6:17 am (UTC 0)
i got the batteries from walmart. ‘everstart’ brand.