Solar forums?
Oldbitcollector (Jeff)
Posts: 8,091
Is there enough action with Parallax stocking solar panels of various sizes and now a charging circuit which is solar compatible to create a place were we could talk "solar"?
OBC
OBC
Comments
-Matt
-Phil
I suggest this because Parallax carries a very nice line of SOLAR products... But Phil, I like where you are going with this.. Include all of the other "eco" energy forms, and we'll twist Ken's arm into stocking some Parallax mini turbines down the road..
OBC
I've recently built a Solar Trailer for our family's camping and outdoor expeditions. The trailer is a small, lightweight aluminum (4'x8' and 250 lbs) landscape rig. The inside is used for carrying camping gear and the top is for the bicycles, kayaks or whitewater oar frame. We drive a small car (Subaru) and this lets us more safely transport our gear without stuffing the car or overloading the top and causing wind sheer/noise issues.
The top has a 20W solar panel. Inside there's a SLA battery charger in a modified Pelican box, screwed to the floor of the trailer. A PowerSonic 12V 15 amp-hour battery stays charged and provides the power for the LED lighting and the yet-introduced CLA for the air blaster to inflate the kayak or raft. The lighting is imperative, however, especially if you arrive late at a campground.
At this moment there are no Parallax products in the Solar Trailer, but that will change. We were low on stock for the 30W Solar Panels. When we have more 30W Solar Panels in stock I will use one of them. And I plan on adding a Propeller with VGA to show wind speed from my anemometer, temperature and humidity (windsurfing data support).
Some photos taken from my phone.
The box frame was welded inside the Parallax shop by Scott and I, after work. The project provided the perfect opportunity to get my first exposure to the Miller MIG welder (wow, I love that tool!). Then I took the trailer to a shop where they could shear/brake the diamond plate, and mount it to the frame and lid. Parallax gave away our sheet metal tools a long time ago, but this makes sense considering the number of shops around the area with better tools. The lid has 250 lbs of lighting weight in the gas closers to hold it open.
Found this 20W solar panel on-line and mounted it to the top:
A Pelican box makes the perfect water-resistant enclosure for the battery and solar charger, even though I had to drill some holes in it:
Inside you'll find the SLA solar charger ($25/Fry's Electronics) and the battery. The two switches on the lid are for two sets of LED tape light.
You've seen this LED tape light before - either on my robots or sold on these forums. Last time I went to China I picked up a number of roles and you bought them from the forums. The lights illuminate the inside of the trailer like daylight.
I must say that building a project of any type is very rewarding. And this one has worked exactly the way I expected it to.
Ken Gracey
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0612-rates-20110611,0,7432941.story
OBC
Renewable Energy Group: Open for discussions about Solar, Turbines, and other forums of "eco" energy.
http://forums.parallax.com/group.php?groupid=17
OBC
I've received an invite from Keithly Measurements webinar discussion the characterizatons of PV cells.
Might be useful...
https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=321277&sessionid=1&key=B50D30BDCA7941C383D55EF95892B416&sourcepage=register
Later,
DJ