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Newbie looking for some info

J

Jack Pagel

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have been looking at the solar cells and panels for years, but that
was as far as I went with it so far. But I am considering to install a
small system for my hobby room. How can I estimate how large of panels
and batteries I would need? Most of the appliances would be low current
draw such as the receivers and lights, but there are high current
transceivers (amateur radio) that draw up to 20 amps with full output.
 
Y

you

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jack Pagel said:
I have been looking at the solar cells and panels for years, but that
was as far as I went with it so far. But I am considering to install a
small system for my hobby room. How can I estimate how large of panels
and batteries I would need? Most of the appliances would be low current
draw such as the receivers and lights, but there are high current
transceivers (amateur radio) that draw up to 20 amps with full output.

You would be better off asking on a Ham Radio forum than here as there
are specific to that arena, rather than generic like we talk about
there...
 
M

Martin Riddle

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jack Pagel said:
I have been looking at the solar cells and panels for years, but that
was as far as I went with it so far. But I am considering to install a
small system for my hobby room. How can I estimate how large of panels
and batteries I would need? Most of the appliances would be low
current draw such as the receivers and lights, but there are high
current transceivers (amateur radio) that draw up to 20 amps with full
output.

Some starting points..

PVwatts <http://www.nrel.gov/rredc/pvwatts/version2.html>
Homer <http://www.homerenergy.com/>
Homepower <http://homepower.com/webextras/>
Load sizing <http://homepower.com/files/webextras/loadcalc.pdf>

Steve's Site
<http://www.green-trust.org/2006/07/sizing-solar-electric-system-pv.html>

And some outdated work before NEC implemented the codes, but still
usefull.
Wiles Code corner Articles
<http://photovoltaics.sandia.gov/docs/John_Wiles_Code_Corner.htm>
Or here
<http://www.nmsu.edu/~tdi/Photovoltaics/Codes-Stds/codecorner.html>


Most of these are for AC loads, but you can correlate them to DC loads
as well.
I had a simplified spread sheet but can't find it at the moment.

Hope that helps.

Cheers
 
R

Randy

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jack Pagel said:
I have been looking at the solar cells and panels for years, but that was
as far as I went with it so far. But I am considering to install a small
system for my hobby room. How can I estimate how large of panels and
batteries I would need? Most of the appliances would be low current draw
such as the receivers and lights, but there are high current transceivers
(amateur radio) that draw up to 20 amps with full output.
I can't resist!
You need Four evergreen 200 watt panels for total 800 watts
Wire them in parallel using a pv combiner box with breakers.
Run a lets say set of 8 gauge wires to a Morningstar MPPT 45 amp Charge
controller, from there to a pair of L-16 batteries in series for twelve
volts.
Hook up an Outback VFX2812 (with a fw250 beaker box on each end to make it
easy and safe) and a mate to make the adjustments needed for your operation
and the output to a wall outlet from the fw ac beaker(s) following outback's
good instruction manuals.
This is rather simplified as you will find many other components needed
(such as which breakers) as you search.
Feel free to make any changes as this is my little stab at it.
Remember, Safety first and it is good to have a licensed electrician around.
Also beware of the code and inspector fiends, they may be friend or foe.
I don't work for these guys, but they are sure nice to me:
http://www.sunelec.com/
However there are a few other guys out there who are awesome as well.
Take care and Enjoy!
Randy
 
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