Posted on 03/21/2014 6:38:18 AM PDT by Shaun_MD
hey fellow freepers, I need some advice.
I'm trying to set up a small solar panel system in case the grid goes down. I know I won't be able to power the whole house, but I want to be able to run a 750 watt deep well pump, a couple of 40 watt lights, a ceiling fan or box fan, cb base station and maybe a small freezer/refrigerator. I've got a 12v 100 watt solar panel, a 2000w 12v pure sine wave inverter and a 200 amp hour agm battery. Plus a 30 amp charge controller.
Will this be enough? I'm mainly concerned with making my battery last as long as possible and not kill it with undercharging/overcharging since these suckers are expensive.
I'd like to hear your thoughts and suggestions! Thanks
If you have the space, add a cistern for your well with filters, fill the cistern using the pump during the day.
I need some advice. I am thinking of getting a backup natural gas system. After superstorm sandy, I realized that gasoline powered is only good until the stored gasoline runs out.
one neighbor has a whole house system, but complains about the high natgas usage when it is on. His neighbor installed a minimal system - to run the refrigerator, furnace fan, tv/ radio, and a few lights.
I’ve been told by a contractor that the engines powering these systems are the same size, so the costs to run would be the same. I haven’t checked that yet, but ask if anyone can refer me to a website where i can learn what i need to make an informed decision
Thanks FRiends!
“You really need to look at a fueled generator.”
Thanks for that Thackney. I understand your point, but am curious if there’s anything as in additive(s) for the fuel to prevent deterioration as the fuel with the “corn whiskey” (ethanol) has a short shelf life requiring we add another to the many other gotta do’s in life being to pour out, and replenish with new fuel periodically, or schedule the use of the existing standby fuel. There’s more to life than just thinking about ones fuel all the time.
Recently had the experience with a tiller. Don’t need the hassle during an emergency.
I for one am not interested in Solar, but would rather be on the winning side of kicking greenies’ as-es, and going full ahead restoring our legitimate, proven energy resources.
Good questions. I have the same dilemma. Energy is the big question. My well pump isn’t too deep but the pump takes 5k watt peak too start up. I think it would take a heck of a solar system to handle it. I’m leaning towards a generator and a water storage system (500 gallon tank) and a hand pump on the well if I run out of fuel. Bison hand pumps are made in America and seem to be the highest quality. Cheaper version are available from other companies. This thread will be good for other ideas.
You need lots more solar panel capacity, plus lots more battery storage capacity.
You have a single 100 watt solar panel. You can calculate its output, roughly, by: Watts = amps x volts.
So 8.33 amps x 12 volts = 100 watts.
In other words, the solar panel you have will put out about 8 amps.
You’ve got a good start with your inverter and your charge controller, but you need at least 2 more panels and at least one more battery to utilize your inverter and charge controller capacity. And that will not be nearly enough to power the things you listed.
I’ve got my own 12 volt system. I have 375 watts of charging capacity, but here in the Pacific NW we tend to have a few cloudy days...
Even on a cloudy day I get some power, but not nearly the rated amount. I can run a pellet stove for a few hours, recharge batteries for flashlights and lanterns, and recharge batteries for a low power laptop. That’s about it.
Those yard lights are so efficient because they are self contained. Short runs from charger to battery to light. You start pushing amps through wires and efficiency drops. Ohms are your enemy.
just make sure you put the alternative iv adapter into the ac outlet..and then it should be fine.
I figured for a 750watt pump, 2x that for surge would be about 1500 watts. I need a bigger inverter?
You need a huge dose of “Steve Harris”.
First off, forget powering your 750W deep well pump. That’s out. And 100W of panel just isn’t going to cut it - ever.
Here’s your primary resource -
http://www.solar1234.com
Listen to his interviews on the topic, and you’ll get a more reasonable expectation of what you can do.
Also, he has equipment lists of things that he’s tried out and approves of. Great guy.
Redundancy: I’ll bet I could hook up that implement drive on my 45 hp tractor to some sort of generator. I really should look into that.
I recommend diesel. It’ll last longer in storage and can be easier to acquire as vegetable oil and other substitutes can work. Natural gas or propane is popular due to being low maintenance but if you think about the supply chain behind it, it can have problems during a regionwide disaster though lpg vendors usually bounce back quickly.
Thing is, I have limited funds to buy this stuff lol.
You need a smaller pump. A backup pump with low flow pumping into an elevated tank for pressure and on demand water.
Your pump currently is sized to provide your water on demand.
Can’t do that on a battery.
Thanks!
You may, best way to find out is charge the battery and hook up the invertor to the pump and see if it will start.
Propane
I’ve just assumed that my wind power would be hooked up to an automotive alternator...
Sounds like you’re getting your prepper feet wet.
I’d highly recommend Jack Spirko’s podcasts.
http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com
Not an “Alex Jones” by any means. I call it “my gardening show”.
Bump!
yeah I’m a new prepper lol better late than never :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.