Using parts easily available from your
local stores, you can make a small solar power generator for $250 to
$300. Great for power failures and life outside the power grid.
Power your computer, modem, vcr, tv, cameras, lights, or DC
appliances anywhere you go. Use in cabins, boats, tents,
archaeological digs, or while travelling throughout the third world.
Have one in the office store room in case of power failures in your
high-rise. I keep mine in my bedroom where it powers my CD player,
turntable, lights, modem, laptop, and (ahem) a back massager. I run
a line out the window to an 8" x 24" panel on the roof.
1. Buy yourself a small solar panel. For
about $100 you should be able to get one rated at 12 volts or better
(look for 16 volts) at an RV or marine supplies store.
2. Buy yourself a battery. Get any size
deep cycle 12 volt lead/acid battery. You need the deep cycle
battery for continuous use. The kind in your car is a cranking
battery--just for starting an engine. Look for bargains, it should
cost about $50-60.
3. Get a battery box to put it in for
$10. (This is good for covering up the exposed terminals in case
there are children about If you going to install the system in a
pump shed, cabin, or boat, skip this.)
3. Buy a 12 volt DC meter. Radio Shack
has them for about $25.
4. Buy a DC input. I like the triple
inlet model which you can find at a car parts store in the cigarette
lighter parts section for about $10. This is enough to power DC
appliances, and there are many commercially available, like fans,
one-pint water boilers, lights, hair dryers, baby bottle warmers,
and vacuum cleaners. Many cassette players, answering machines, and
other electrical appliances are DC already and with the right cable
will run straight off the box.
5. But if you want to run AC appliances,
you will have to invest in an inverter. This will convert the stored
DC power in the battery into AC power for most of your household
appliances. I bought a 115 volt 140 watt inverter made by
Power-to-Go at Pep Boys for $50. More powerful inverters are
available by mail. Count up the number of watts you'll be using
(e.g., a small color television(=60 watts) with a VCR(=22 watts),
you'll need 82 watts).
6. Use a drill to attach the meter and
DC input to the top of the box.
7. Use insulated wire to attach the
meter to the wingnut terminals on the battery. Connect the negative
(-) pole first. Only handle one wire at a time. Connect the DC inlet
to the battery in the same way. Connect the solar panel to the
battery in the same way.
8. Close the lid (I use a bungee cord to
keep it tight). Put the solar panel in the sun. It takes 5-8 hours
to charge a dead battery; 1-3 hours to top off a weak one. It will
run radios, fans, and small wattage lights all night, or give you
about 5 hours of continuous use at 115 volt AC, or about an hour
boiling water. This system may be added on to with larger panels,
inverters, and batteries.
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