powering a heater with solar panel
east459
15 years ago
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lilydude
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoNell Jean
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Solar fans, heaters, lights?
Comments (8)For a 10x12, you'd need several (I'd guess at least 4) HF Solar Fans to cool your GH. Plus shade-cloth. I've discovered that my one HF fan is only 85% efficient for my 6x8. And, honestly, 85% efficiency ain't good! (although I've got it down to I'm "on the fence" as far as to whether the HF Solar Fan was such a good purchase (Hubbie loves it - but he's a "Techie-Geek!"). The panels are rather cumbersome and don't put out all that much amperage (compared to the 'real estate' they require). And, like I said, one fan just isn't enough! Solar lighting: Easy to do. Relatively inexpensive, too. There're lots of options out there - just don't expect anything too bright. We've got a solar-powered light in our shed, and it's *just* bright enough to keep you from stubbing your toe on something when you walk in (still need a flashlight if you want to find anything!!!). It's definitely not bright enough to sustain plant life! Still... Not a bad idea - and "OK" Bang-for-the-Buck. Solar-powered Heating: Forget it. Heaters require far too much amperage for a 12V system. But there are other options, I'm sure (and tons of threads on GW if you search "heating greenhouse"). Me: I'm just gonna deal w/the extension cord and a 120V heater (and X-Mas Lights) when the temps drop below freezing. Another alternative energy source is wind power to charge a 12V system. But you'd have to be out in the boonies (w/consistent wind, of course). Unfortunately wind-generators are mondo-expensive. And definitely not practical in my locale (Suburbia - w/zoning restrictions, etc.). Wind power seems very under-utilized IMHO. I really wish there were more options available. But I'm going off on a tangent, aren't I?!! (Oh, well!) I lived on a boat for 6 yrs - hence my interest in 12V systems. One of my 'neighbors' had a wind generator rigged up on his trimaran. Downside: It was kinda noisy (whirring) - but his boat wasn't next-door to mine! Upside: Our marina was nicknamed "Hurricane Gulch" - so I think it's safe to assume his batteries were topped off ALL the time! He wasn't a liveaboard, so I never had a chance to ask him what he thought of (or what he paid for!) the system, but it looked like a cool set-up! Just my $0.02 - Keep the Change! :-) -Nancy Here is a link that might be useful: My HF Solar Fan Adventures......See Moresolar panel to power patio needs
Comments (0)We are getting ready to refresh the patio. I want to look into getting a solar panel to power the items we have outside, such as lights, fountain and maybe a fridge. I know I need to know the needs first before I can look for a panel. But is this an easy thing to do? I live in So Cal, so sun is not a problem. In fact I think this is a no brainer for anyone living here! Thanks for your thoughts, Laura...See MoreGeothermal with solar water heater and point of use heaters
Comments (13)I agree that having 3-contractors may not be ideal. However, it may not be easy to find one HVAC contractor that will install the HP, owns and operates their own drilling equipment and also cuts sheet metal for all ductwork installation. What often happens is that you would sign a contract with the HVAC installer for the total system installation and he would sub out the drilling/ground loop installation and duct design with installation to yet another contractor that specializes in duct design and fabrication. Should there be any problem you call the HVAC contractor that you signed the contract with and it becomes his problem. You could also handle it like the OP of this thread and it becomes more like a small commercial project but it means more responsibility for the homeowner. It should all work out fine if heâÂÂs done his homework and has hired the right people - who have in turn done their homework, are properly trained, accredited and experienced! I like to have at least 1-meeting with everyone on-site to discuss and run through the project together, to toss ideas around and to solve potential problems before they can happen. That way thereâÂÂs less drama and stress when itâÂÂs âÂÂShowtimeâÂÂ. SR Here is a link that might be useful: International Ground Source Heat Pump Association...See MoreUse of "Power Walls" and solar panels
Comments (14)Sorry this post is long. If you get too bored, just skip to the next-to-last paragraph. So far nobody has yet found the perfect battery. All of them are balances of cycle life, cost, safety, temperature range tolerance, specific energy (Wh/kg), energy density (Wh/l), specific power (W/kg), charge efficiency, and probably some factors I've forgotten about.. No one battery type has them all nailed down, and probably none ever will. The battery that might make its way into a home power system today would most likely be lead or lithium ion. A few others have been used but are now mostly on the sidelines. These include nickel cadmium, nickel iron, and nickel metal hydride (which is really just improved nickel iron). Lead is the traditional battery for home power systems, but it has significant downsides. Specific energy and energy density are low. Flooded types need watering and periodic testing. Cycle life is good for heavy, expensive tubular plate types, not so great for conventional flat plate batteries. Lead used to be the uncontested leader in cost per watt-hour delivered, but in recent years lead metal prices have increased and it's no longer as competitive as it once was. Nickel iron is legendary for extremely long cycle life. I've read that some of the original NiFe cells built by Thomas Edison are still in service! Their specific energy and energy density are better than lead, but not dramatically so. Efficiency is a weak point because they gas too freely (too much energy going into electrolysis), and this also requires careful ventilation. The few NiFe manufacturers charge nosebleed prices, which limits their use. Nickel cadmium has long cycle life and decent specific energy and energy density. Their big problem is that cadmium is nasty, toxic stuff. Because of this they face severe restrictions in the EU. Nickel metal hydride batteries have sort of been lost in the lithium shuffle in recent years. They have long cycle life and quite good specific energy and energy density. The problem has been that they're encumbered by restrictive terms issued by the patent holder, but I think the relevant patents may expire later this year. The other big negative with NiMH, as with other nickel chemistries, is that nickel is expensive. If given a chance, I think NiMH could still become competitive, but don't hold your breath. Recently lithium ion batteries have grabbed the spotlight almost to the exclusion of any other type. Note though that they aren't all alike. There are several different chemistries with different balances of those concerns I mentioned above. Beyond that, each chemistry is optimized differently by different manufacturers with different design goals. In general I'll agree that lithium ion can be a bit touchy about temperature, certainly more so than lead. Some lithium ion cells shouldn't be charged below freezing (0C / 32F). Others can accept a charge down to -10C, and a few are OK as low as -30C. Again, it depends on what the battery manufacturer is optimizing for. In most home power systems this isn't a problem, especially if the battery is located in conditioned space. The battery's own internal resistance will keep it warm with any normal current use. Insulation and controlled ventilation will keep the temperature in the acceptable range. OTOH very warm temperatures can reduce lithium batteries' cycle life. The more fully charged they are, the more they suffer. So you limit the charging rate at low temperatures, charging slower and slower as the temperature falls, and eventually not at all. On the upper temperature end, you don't charge the battery completely if you expect, or already have, very hot temperatures. Because lithium batteries are fussier than other types about over-charging and over-discharging, they almost always are sold with battery management systems (BMSes). Good lithium ion BMSes know what their batteries are capable of. They monitor the cells' state of charge (or at least their voltages, which is not quite the same thing) and usually also temperature. They control the charging and discharging functions to suit, for a compromise between capacity and cycle life. To cut to the chase, based on Tesla's track record (no pun intended) with their cars, I expect that they'll be more than competent when it comes to their Powerwalls' battery management. As for whether a Powerwall or two can store enough energy for your household needs, that depends on many factors, including how you heat and your overall energy efficiency. Most off-grid folks have to make some lifestyle adjustments when they're no longer drawing their energy from an apparently bottomless source (the grid). If they don't, it probably means their pockets are pretty much bottomless. :-\...See Morelilydude
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoDan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojacqueinthegorge
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoeast459
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agogrower_3b
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojacqueinthegorge
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agohex2006
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoDan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoDan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agokudzu9
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoDan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agohex2006
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agokudzu9
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoDan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agohex2006
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoDan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agohex2006
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoDan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agohex2006
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoDan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoeast459
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agohex2006
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoDan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agolilydude
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agohex2006
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agolilydude
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoDan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoeast459
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoDan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoacutajar
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agorebeccaasmit
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agophils_garden
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agomarthacr
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agosolarpanel12
13 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
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