[labotomi]

One thing about inverters is that they do not produce a true sine wave. They produce what's called a pulse width modulated signal (basically turning full 110V DC voltage on at varying intervals to approximate a sine wave. Plotting the area under the curve gives a sine wave).

This doesn't mean a lot to many people, but this pulsed DC has the potential to produce what's called a standing wave which is voltage that is reflected back to the source and then rides the signal out again. This can happen many times, each time increasing this very short duration, but potentially large amplitude voltage to the equipment you're trying to power.

Whenever we use variable frequency drives (large inverters to control motor speeds), we purposely buy inverter rated motors as normal motors will suffer from insulation breakdown over time if exposed to this type of pulsed power.

In your home you may never see any ill effects from running stuff from an inverter, but then again you might start to see premature failure of some equipment.

Just a thought and since we don't have any better solution for home use, I guess we're pretty much stuck with what we have.

Here's a write up on pulse width modulation if anyone cares to read up on how the DC from the battery is converted to AC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse_width_modulation

 

[62bravo]

Great video Kev. The wife and I were looking at these at Walmart today. We plan to tent it this summer for a couple months out at one of our sites. We are taking the chickens along to do a little tilling for us in the garden. They are more comfortable at night with a light on so we were going to provide them with a nightlight. I am going to mount one of these through the roof of the roost. Thanks for the info on the batteries I never would have considered that.

 

[Silver Survivor]

Am I correct, though, in my explanation (solar to batteries, batteries to inverter, inverter to plug in appliance) of how the system would/should work?

Any opinions on the Harbor Freight 3 panel system?

********************************************

Yes you are correct. What you need to do is determine how much wattage you'll need for the stuff you want to run. Then base you buying decisions on that. Let's say your refrigerator uses 700 watts. You'll need a minimum of a 700 watt inverter. Better to have extra power in your system than just the minimum.

I like the 3 panel system as it gives out 45 watts which will run a number of lights, WHILE YOU HAVE SUNSHINE. But you still need a battery system for when there is no sunshine.



Yes go for the deep cycle batteries. And make sure you use the proper guage wire so you don't start a fire. I'm using 4 ga. wire to connect my batteries to my inverter, and that seems to be working fine. I had the wires custom made up at the battery store. My inverter came with 4 ga. wires to connect to the battery, but I needed extra cables because I have two batteries in my system.

Here's a picture of my system......

I also put together and installed this meter box to monitor my batteries voltage.

 

[brutalsun]

I own the harbor freight 3 panel system. It's great for what it is. The "controller" is not very resistant to moisture of any kind it gets "sticky" down here and the LED readout already burnt out... it still runs the DC lights though which is a plus.
I have a small hybrid system.
the HF solar, a 75 watt dc wind (diy). The solar is directed into a new 12 volt charge controller and then wired to my deep cycle battery. The wind generator is wired direct to the battery (blocking diode installed) Works great, provides lots of power to my fans and lights for my chickens.

 

[sbyers77]

Thanks kev, I should have known you had a video on this!

I took out those cheap batteries but there is no "mill amp hours" written on the new ones I bought. I bought "Energizer Ultimate Lithium" rechargable batteries.

I'll check again

YIKES! Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries are NOT rechargeable. They are consumables, just like alkalines batteries. When they are dead you thrown them away! The energizer rechargeable batteries are green & silver and say "Rechargeable" on them.

Also, you guys need to be mindful of which type of battery chemistry you are swapping into these solar lights. I'm guessing most of them are designed around cheap NiCad batteries, so swapping in a higher capacity NiMH battery may cause poor charges or destroy the cell. See this for more detail.

 

[OhioMan]

YIKES! Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries are NOT rechargeable. They are consumables, just like alkalines batteries. When they are dead you thrown them away! The energizer rechargeable batteries are green & silver and say "Rechargeable" on them.

Also, you guys need to be mindful of which type of battery chemistry you are swapping into these solar lights. I'm guessing most of them are designed around cheap NiCad batteries, so swapping in a higher capacity NiMH battery may cause poor charges or destroy the cell. See this for more detail.

LOL...I NOW know that! I switched them out a couple of weeks ago. When I was at HD I asked where the "rechargeable" batteries are and the guy turned and said right here...I assumed they were rechargeables

 

[Newc_Man]

I've been meaning to test a cylinder of bees wax with a "wick" of string in the centre. I reckon if I put fire on it, some light may be emitted. I even came up with a name: a candle.
Let me know if you have had any success with the "a candle" method (as i like to call it)

 

[TraderBob]

I've been meaning to test a cylinder of bees wax with a "wick" of string in the centre. I reckon if I put fire on it, some light may be emitted. I even came up with a name: a candle.
Let me know if you have had any success with the "a candle" method (as i like to call it)

All I seemed to be able to do was aggravate the bees. They didn't like me shoving the string in the comb, and I was stung several times before I even got it lit.
While it did light ok, it didn't last long, went up in a big ball of fire shortly. Not sure how helpful this will be.

 

[Grumpus Monkus]

Tagging this to read later, too much good info to pass up.
Thanks all.

Craig

 

[Cosmo]

And comedy!

 

[bigerny]

Nearly all inverters I know of have a phantom current draw.Just remember to turn them off when not in use,or they'll drain you juice.


Yard sales given by truckers and RV enthusiasts can be a gold mine for 12V stuff.Most people don't even know what it is.

 

[RedWoods]

You should be sleeping when there is no lights. Just saying, practice light control at night, don't give away your position. All lights at night say is..."hey someone is living here" Not necessarily a good thing.

We have found that's the best solution,go to bed when its dark and get up early in the morning. At our far from the grid home we have solar and a small water power system but prefer the simple old ways. In addition to saving resources it sure improves your quality of life,something that seems to be a low priority with most people.

In a SHTF situation lighting up your place at night is a high risk practice. Hoping that your light discipline is 100% perfect is a gamble. Is it worth the risk?

Red