This is for advanced users only! This means that you can only run these batteries down to 95% of capacity, and no lower. A book without complicated math, fluff, and fillers. Same concept. Luckily, solar energy is abundant and provides few pollutants, providing a double win for yourself and the Earth. Now we need to estimate how much backup power we want to have. If you would like to wire the fuse block directly to the large bolt-on fuse that is located on the battery bank, you need to use a thick wire. PHXKNPo[8q!wevSc$aNyXaBf\qtV^fi:/YcF]#i(*-.TzWUuQA|f19 6QMTe/G$etam^PO 3. Winter time, rainy days, and shady parking spots will reduce the power produced by your solar panels. RV's, Vans, Cars and boats! Solar Power System Design Methods 1. Selecting an Inverter 5. Borgbus.FB. This is a blueprint for The Classic 400 watt system. 2. Example: If your battery charger produces only 15 amps, wire it to a 20 amp fuse on your fuse block. Do-it-yourself step by step instructions. Using the properly sized fuse, and wire will be the safest and most efficient solution. Battery bank voltage is only an estimate of the batteries current capacity. Buy solar panels in multiples of 2. You can also use some flexible solar panels to make a large blanket of panels that you can mount on the side of your vehicle when needed. Having a fuse block proves useful in this situation. Now that the positive wire is near the battery bank, we can attach it to the battery bank fuse. This is usually true, but be sure to check the manual. This will ensure that your system is scalable to some degree, or working to its full potential. A 30 amp PWM controller can be purchased for 15 dollars online. These trademark holders are not affiliated with the author, this book, or our website. Convection heaters: I do not recommend these for vehicles unless the vehicle is well insulated. If you have multiple batteries, cover all of the positive terminals. #book #readonline #ebook #pdf #kindle #epub. If you put the panels in series which will increase the voltage to 34-48 volts, you can safely use a 12 gauge wire. If one of the panels is shaded, the whole in series group will suffer (this is why it is so important to mount in series groups of panels close to each other and at the same angle towards the sun). Buy car jumper cables from a thrift shop to wire it all up. This combiner box has everything you need, circuit breakers, invidual fuses for each string, and a surge protection device. Lithium battery voltages are quite different and you will need to check the batteries manual. I have ten used panels 250w.a 5k step up/down transformer.a u.s. 3250w generator.4chins 12v100ah.I'm thinking I can run the generator to the transformer into 110 and 220 out to the mppt. Everything I purchased for this solar generator was purchased with price in mind, I wanted to get this done for around $300. A lithium battery does not require a daily charge after it is used, and only needs a full charge every couple of months. If you are using 2x 6-volt batteries, wire them in series. Calculating Battery Bank Size 3. The 19% efficient blanket consists of a 10 3 solar array of 20 cm2 and single-junction epitaxial lift-off solar cells, which have an efficiency of ~22% under AM1.5G illumination. Most solar application batteries will give you a minimum and maximum solar array size recommendation. Get the book & live the dream. 400 (watts of solar on your roof) / 12 (voltage of your battery bank) = 33.3 amps (minimum amp rating of your solar charge controller) Controllers are usually sold in amp rating increments of 10 and 20. Here are the key factors: Smaller solar panels are inherently stronger and thus, recommended if you mount them on the roof of a moving vehicle. The main difference here is the efficiency: The MPPT charge controller is around 95%-98% efficient. After you choose your battery bank, solar panels, charge controller, and inverter, you can then calculate the type and thickness of wire and the type and size of fuse to use with your system. They also like it when they are fully charged once a day. Plasti-dip your windows white and insulate them: This has made the biggest difference for me. Fuse Block- A fuse panel where multiple small fuses supply power to appliances. Wire the appliance to a male type plug connector, such as an XT-60 plug or Anderson Powerpole connector. The most successful thin-film materials are amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium dieseline. Attention: This book will help you get fast and easy your efficient and cost-effective off-grid or mobile solar power system. Do not do this if the voltage difference is extreme! Future Solar Panels If you have a 30 watt light bulb, and you run it for 3 hours, it will use 90 watt hours. If you plan to park the vehicle outside in the sun, you should be good to go. If you have sealed batteries, the location does not require ventilation. Read more, 1,109 Table of Contents Electricity for Beginners Measuring Electricity Series vs. Selecting a Solar Charge Controller 4. This will allow you to connect wires of the same polarity together as one. You may need to add a filter to prevent dirt and dust from entering your vehicle. You can find small, self-made solar power panels on walls and balconies, roofs and terraces all over the world. Cons of Series Configuration: When a group of solar panels is wired in series, they act as one panel. DIY Mobile Solar Power Made Easy: A Step By Step Beginner's Guide Using 12 Volt Off Grid System Installation Designs. Lazy method: Choose one of my pre-calculated systems 3. It is usually a good idea to buy a larger than necessary controller, just in case you wish to add more solar panels in the future. Some connectors also have a second area to crimp, which will hug onto the wire insulation. Ebook | READ ONLINE Typically it will have a green indicator LED and a small picture of a solar panel next to it. All-In-One Solar Power System -Build a full size system in minutes- MPP and a few other manufacturers now sell a "complete off grid system in a box" that has: AC Inverter Solar Charge Controller AC Battery Charger Automatic Transfer Switch (if grid power is available) And they work! This requires hard wiring a female type plug connector to the fuse block. The smart plug can also turn the fans on at certain times of day, or when the weather for your area reaches a certain temperature. You want minimal wire loss here. Inspect solar charge controller terminals. 4MB Any cell carrier will work, but the SIM card needs to be specifically enabled for hotspot service. Pass solar array wires through the roof and connect them to the solar charge controller 5. If the appliance only shows the volts and amps, you can determine the wattage by multiplying the volts and the amps: Amps x Volts = Watts A phone charger outputs 5 volts at 2 amps, so it uses 10 watts. Solar panel electricity is not usable for most applications because it varies constantly. When the connector is smashed, and the wire is secure, it is considered a termination. You must buy the higher quality seat heaters (usually 75 dollars for a set). You may have to park under some trees where half of your solar panels are shaded, and half are exposed to the sun. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. If it doesnt, you will probably need to add a generator mount for the bumper. This can cause a huge energy loss and can create heat in unwanted areas (which can cause a fire). : Mobile 12 volt off grid solar system design and installation. This will prevent accidental short circuits in the future. In a solar power system: Solar panels produce DC electricity that travels through 2 wires and is stored in a battery. Determines the temperature of your battery bank with a small wired sensor, and allows your controller to charge your battery bank at a safe rate for the current temperature. These allow you to change the color to anything you please. You can have them connected individually or together like a spider web. You should also use inverter cables that allow for this short burst of required start up power. If you need a large crimp connector for connecting an inverter to a battery, you may need to special order it (or buy prefabricated inverter cables). Cheap lithium batteries have limited discharge and charge current rates) Virtually maintenance free Better for the environment Does not give off dangerous fumes (Sealed lead acid batteries can technically discharge fumes, but only if they are used improperly. The increased amps will be harder to carry in the wire. Disconnect a solar panel main wire from a terminal on the solar charge controller. Try to find a dry location, such as a lifted concrete slab with a roof of some kind. I personally like to use 6 gauge wire here for a 40 amp controller. Written from the complete beginner's point of view this book will guide you through everything that you need to know in order to realise your off grid dreams today. Step 3: Insert the wire into the connector to ensure a snug fit. Charge Controller Monitor: This allows you to see how many amps and volts your solar array is producing. Improper size connector: all connectors are rated for a specific gauge of wire and no other. If you are new to this, run some AC extension cables for now. Storing a Solar Power System If a vehicle with a solar power system is stored indoors, your batteries will discharge themselves over the course of a few months to a year. The fuse will not blow, and the wires of your system will become the fuse. Fuses and Fuse Holders A fuse is meant to be the weakest link in the chain of your solar system. Over-paneling allows you to wire 2 to 3 times the amount of solar panels to your system, without damaging the charge controller. 7. Look no further your off grid knowledge is contained within this book, enjoy the experience of learning and living your dream. 2. If you have a solar power system, you can put the electricity to work to control the temperature of your vehicle. If you use regular wire that does not have UV resistant properties, the insulation will slowly degrade and crumble over time. 8. You may want to connect the inverter AC output to your vehicle's pre-existing AC system. ^DOWNLOAD-PDF) Mobile Solar Power Made Easy! How to calculate the maximum solar array size for a battery If your batteries manual does not list how many solar panels you can safely use with it, or you want to calculate it manually, we can figure it out. Connect solar charge controller to the battery bank 3. They protect your system from short circuit damage, battery damage, and electrical fires. Depending on your location, you may want to supplement your system with other power sources. Once you run this combination, you will never be able to use a slower computer again. Or use a black outdoor shower bag, fill it with water and leave it in the sun for a while. This entire setup can easily fit in a backpack and can be used in vehicles, or while backpacking. 78 We have 1Overkill Solar BMS Series manual available for free PDF download: Instruction Manual Overkill Solar BMS Series Instruction Manual (68 pages) Brand: Overkill Solar| Category: Control Unit| Size: 6.23 MB The first wire we need to install will start at the negative battery bank terminal, and will connect to the solar charge controller terminal that is labeled negative battery. RV's, Vans, Cars and boats! Power up the converter and see if your appliance works. If your vehicle is stationary and located in a windy location, then set up a turbine! Building a mobile solar power station: One of the simplest forms of transporting energy is through attaching it to wheels. Other Charge Controller features to look for Temperature Compensation: Required for all systems. RVs Vans Cars and boats. If you are able to salvage solar panels from a telephone box, use the regulator it comes with. If you use an MSW, you will hear an annoying buzzing when using some of your appliances. The Mobile Solar Power Trailer (MST) is a product designed for the purpose of navigating and resolving the above-mentioned issues and more. Solar energy is any type of energy generated by the sun. Now is the time to program this setting. The most difficult part was finding the best angle so that it would shine light directly at the solar panels. Install small wires to the shunt. Phantom Loads If your system is not performing as expected, and you are sure that the solar system is working, and the battery bank is healthy, you may have a phantom load. Both types of panels work well though, so buy whatever is available. How to install a solar charge controller 3. photovoltaics (PVs) is leading to new generations of consumer portable solar panels. Calculating Battery Bank Size 3. Mobile Solar Power Made Easy! 196 If they are producing electricity, you should be able to connect it to a solar charge controller. Every six months to a year: Remove and inspect battery terminals and inverter cables and clean them with a wire brush. The more strands, the better. The battery bank should be large enough to compensate for these times. Copyright 2018 William Errol Prowse IV This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. The portable solar panels make solar power readily available for age 15.349.2 The best battery monitor will be the shunt. Heat shrink will help to prevent stress on the joint. You must use a crimp tool and nothing else. If you have a black RV, you better have a large generator, a few air conditioners and a large wallet for gas. If you use the full depth of discharge of a deep cycle battery, which means discharging to 20% capacity or 11.7 volts, your batteries will degrade much faster. So be careful and avoid touching the output terminals. Typically 8 gauge wire is used if the charge controller is 40 amps or less, and located less than 10 feet away from the battery. If you have a generator, they work well. Appliances can be designed to use DC or AC power. One indentation is made to crimp connectors with insulation, and one indentation is made to crimp connectors without insulation. 3. This is because the initial power that the microwave uses is around 2000 watts. 3 fans in the roof, and 1 fan that sucks air into my RV. The stripper below also comes with a crimp tool (small indentations near the handle), but do not use them! Connect the inverter and fuse block to the battery bank Fuse Block Installation Inverter Installation 6. Cons of Parallel Configuration When solar panels are wired in parallel, the voltage will not change, but the amps will increase. LED controllers love to develop short circuits from poor circuit board design and faulty soldering joints. When you are not using it, fold it up and pack it away somewhere. 969 0 obj <>stream If a metal tool, which is a conductor, touches both battery terminals, the tool will heat up and you will also create a large spark. If you need to power a large induction load, you will need inverter cables that can handle the startup power requirement. Some solar ovens work so well that you can cook food on cloudy days. Solar trailers - enhanced mobility of your PV farm. 44 A LED light strip uses 12 volts at 5 amps, so it uses 60 watts. He breaks down the key concepts of fFintech in a way that will help you understand every aspect so that you can take advantage of new technologies. But if you want to buy the wire yourself, and add crimp connectors, you can do that as well. Connect all batteries and add the main fuse 2. Also, if you do not use your battery or only discharge a little bit, such as 98% of the total capacity, other problems can occur. You may be wondering why I recommend a 500-750 watt inverter for a laptop and television, even though they typically only require 200 watts total. But if you have a small vehicle, you may need to downsize your battery bank. We can use volts, amps, and watts to describe how much electricity something produces, stores or consumes. Attach the solar panels to each other with the safety line. Either way works, so use whatever is easiest. The following points will serve as a walkthrough of the book: What is solar energy: Solar panels transform light into energy that powers homes. Should you tilt your solar panels? 2. Monocrystalline is technically better due to higher efficiency, longer life span and ability to handle higher temperatures. I also did this for years, and had 2 MPPT charge controllers, and 2 PWM charge controllers. Official website: http: //www.mobile-solarpower.com Finally an easy approach to mobile solar design and installation: -Add a solar system to your RV, Van, Trailer, Car or Boat -Step-by-step instructions that anyone can follow -Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced methods for calculating your solar system. Many people underestimate the importance of wire selection and run into many problems. These recommendations apply for 17-24 volt output solar panels. Mount and hardwire them into your bed. If you plan to run large induction loads, you need to double the required power (or triple if you can) of the inverter. What can be difficult is running the AC wires out of the battery compartment, and into the living area. Motorhome and RV solar panels: Solar panels are even easier to attach to large vehicles such as motorhomes and RVs. Keep in mind that this can be dangerous. Wires that supply electricity to appliances are typically 12 gauge. Then use a heat gun or stove to slowly heat up the heat shrink till it shrinks around the connector. These are available online for a cheap price and plug into a wall outlet. Attach your appliances power wires to a male type XT-60 connector This way you can plug your appliance in at different locations, and put the appliance away when you are not using it. - DIY Solar Power - Made Easy! I would appreciate it greatly. This will increase the charge rate more than buying a larger battery. You have already flagged this document.Thank you, for helping us keep this platform clean.The editors will have a look at it as soon as possible. Here is a full system watt usage example: A solar power system has 4 solar panels that produce 5 amps each, at 20 volts, which means each solar panel produces 100 watts (5 amps x 20 volts = 100 watts). The more electricity a component produces or consumes, the thicker the wire has to be to connect it to the system. The second book of the four-volume edition of "Solar cells" is devoted to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), which are considered to be extremely promising because they are made of low-cost materials with simple inexpensive manufacturing procedures and can be engineered into flexible sheets. Do-it-yourself step by step instructions. Vehicles and the sun move continuously, so you need to be able to change the insulation of your walls and windows without much effort. If you buy an easy to use lithium battery from my website, it has an automatic temperature safety system built into it. It should be clearly visible when you are using appliances that are connected to your system. A location that will protect the battery terminals from being tampered with. The easiest way to choose an inverter wire is to buy it prefabricated. The hardest part of crimping a large wire is cutting the insulation so that you do not destroy any of the delicate wire strands in the wire. Most solar panel mounting L-brackets are designed to be attached to bare wood or bolted to metal. Step 7: Add heat shrink if necessary. Batteries available for purchase are typically rated in amp hours. 2. Run the positive wire alongside the negative wire that we just installed a second ago, and back to the battery bank area. If it doesnt turn on, you probably switched the positive and negative wires. This is why flexible solar panel warranties are typically shorter than glass solar panel warranties. There are quite a few battery chargers to choose from today, but the largest determinant factor is how many amps the charger can produce. -Fans are my favorite method for cooling, and my current RV has 4 large AC fans wired to Wifi smart plugs so that they turn on at certain times of day, or if it gets too hot. A shunt attaches to the negative terminal of a component at the battery. ;VRq20T+MzA}g@Lu)S!/_#qcGj),a=CmEF>Q You choose! Selecting a Battery The world of battery chemistry is vast, and several books could be written on this topic alone. If you need a specialty crimp connector, such as battery connectors that require a specific diameter hole, you can find them at a local hardware or automotive parts store. Just keep this in mind if you plan to draw a lot of electricity from your battery bank during the day time. Inverter wires must be THICK. Battery Monitor InstallationAdding DC 12 Volt Appliances XT-60 connector Powering a Laptop without an inverter Adding efficient interior lights to your vehicle Switches Temperature Regulation Appliances Cooling your vehicle Heating your vehicle Other Methods How to use a Bulk DC-DC ConverterAdding AC AppliancesOff Grid Internet 4G LTE Router with High Gain AntennaSmart Home AppliancesSolar System Maintenance ScheduleOdds and Ends Efficient Computer Options Phantom Loads How to find a phantom load Storing a Solar Power System Connecting Different Types of Solar Panels Together Connecting Different Solar Charge Controllers to One Battery Bank Solar Electric Cooking and Food Preparation Solar Water Heating Should you install a battery isolator? Q-t@jBOqrC `*W18MgKspIN~?PkIH;x9b^%e iLmxR_jl@vJ>BK/Rf(-TS%yr7,F6Xzvfn$=s 5|[PC-y;FA|[ It doesnt have any emissions. Use rubbing alcohol and a small towel to wipe wires down before you crimp them. But a fuse can only work if it is attached to a wire that is large enough to carry enough current to blow the fuse. If you have a large system and lots of sunshine, running your inverter 24/7 is very easy to do. Most mobile systems would have a tough time powering such a large computer setup. Your battery bank has a total usable capacity of 2000 watt hours. Read it in an afternoon, or use it while you build your system Step-by-step guide for building a mobile solar system Easy to follow pictures And much more! download free of book in format PDF Before we go over what fuse ratings to use, we need to cover what kind of fuse holders are currently available. The energy potential, or volts, is always present whether the electricity is being used or not. If any of the wires are wrong, or you supply the wrong voltage, you will destroy the appliance. Do-it-yourself step by step instructions. Once your solar panels are mounted and connected together, your solar panel array is now complete! Find the wattage of the appliances that you plan to use every day. Avoid it: Wire Stripper: There are a few different kinds available, but the one below is my favorite. Inspect and clean the solar panels. No need to memorize these configurations right now. Compressor fridge gel packs: If you have a super-efficient 12-volt compressor fridge, buy some gel packs and leave them in the fridge.