mobile solar power made easy pdf
If you have sealed batteries, the location does not require ventilation. Last one Free shipping. If you have a large system, then use your inverter to power a large AC box fan. More on this later. Read more, Over 5,000 Readers If you have a 12-volt battery bank, you will not be able to increase the voltage (unless you put your batteries in series, which can give you 24 volts, which I do not recommend. 746KB Will Prowse also wrote a DIY solar book called Mobile Solar Power Made Easy: Do-It-Yourself Guidebook to Vehicle Mounted Solar System Design & Installation . All connectors, which connect the wires to the batteries/charge controller, need to be crafted properly. Magazine: [P.D.F Download] Mobile Solar Power Made Easy! Old clothing and t-shirts can work well too. If you put the panels in series which will increase the voltage to 34-48 volts, you can safely use a 12 gauge wire. This can be done by removing a fuse and inserting an amp meter, or by using a clamp amp meter. How to Calculate the Fuse Size Appliance amp draw x 1.25 = Fuse amp rating If an appliance draws 20 amps, use a 25 amp fuse (20 x 1.25 = 25) If you need to power an appliance that requires 5 amps at 12 volts, with the fuse block, you will need a 6.25 amp fuse. If you use regular wire that does not have UV resistant properties, the insulation will slowly degrade and crumble over time. You can use a microcontroller and some transistors to craft your own, but that is a bit involved. Many pharmacy stores sell rubber hot water bottles made for this purpose. A lithium battery does not require a daily charge after it is used, and only needs a full charge every couple of months. Most solar specific battery manuals and data sheets will tell you how many solar panels you can safely connect to a battery. All lead acid batteries have the potential to gas fumes) If you do not plan to power much and do not travel a whole lot, an AGM sealed battery will work and is the most common battery used for mobile solar power systems. Learn more. If your crimp tool has small dots that are blue, yellow and red, then match up the connectors color to the proper color coded indentation. Lazy method: Choose one of my pre-calculated systems 3. These are available online for a cheap price and plug into a wall outlet. If you need a thicker gauge wire, use it! These recommendations apply for 17-24 volt output solar panels. RV's, Vans, Cars and Boats! Use a helping hands tool, or vise clamp to hold the connector. If it is a large charge controller or further than 10 feet, refer to the wire gauge chart in the previous wire gauge section. Also, check the polarity of the panels (which wire is negative or positive). : Mobile 12 volt off grid solar system design and installation. Ebook | READ ONLINE *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. MC4 branch connectors come in different sizes. There is a good chance that this combination will fail to work. If you have AGM sealed lead acid batteries, you will need to keep an eye on the voltage while running large loads or when using moderate sized loads for prolonged durations. This book will help readers comprehend technical and policy elements of telecommunication particularly in the context of 5G. From seasoned construction vets to total novices, this book will walk you through the process of designing and building a tiny house from start to finish. For most vehicles, using a small propane heater can be a game changer. These are the safest, most efficient, and highest capacity batteries on the market, and are designed for solar applications. Low power consumption AC adapter/ 12 volt input/ USB input: Most 4G routers come with a small AC adapter that powers the router. This means that the battery bank can store 1596 watt hours (133 amp hours x 12 volts = 1596 watt hours). Unscrew each terminal, take the wire out, inspect the wire strands, and reconnect it. A thin stainless steel cable is ideal, but a marine grade rope can work as well. 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. Ethernet Cable Connected Cameras are better: No matter how much money you spend on a security camera, a Wi-Fi connected camera will not work nearly as good as a hardwired Ethernet cable camera. Your needs will determine the size and type of inverter. The longer a wire is, the thicker it must be to carry a load efficiently. Cloud video recording storage is recommended: Usually this costs about 5-10 dollars a month, but it is worth every penny. Let me know by leaving a book review on Amazon.com J Be sure to check out my solar power website! Solar Charge Controller: Charges the battery bank with power created by the solar panels. But ventilation is always nice to have. Remove the soldering iron and let it cool while the wire is supported inside of the terminal. They may create a buzzing noise, but its fine. A trick to reduce wire thickness, without losing performance or efficiency, is to increase the voltage. Depending on the size of your project, you could expect to see your solar panels becoming mobile for less than $1,000, and it might be the best investment you'll ever make. If you have a large inverter and you are having a difficult time powering large loads, there is a good chance that you need thicker inverter cables. 9v7| If any of these parts fail, you may have a solar panel fly off your roof and kill someone. These are particularly useful if you use them in combination with peepholes. If you have a 1000 watt inverter, jump on the internet and search for a 1000 watt inverter wiring kit. Winter time, rainy days, and shady parking spots will reduce the power produced by your solar panels. Look at a weather map in your area and scout out locations with better weather. Next, use caulk to seal all of the holes. Most people will buy a manufacturer recommended mounting kit. If they are producing electricity, you should be able to connect it to a solar charge controller. Some 750 watt inverters can be purchased for 40 bucks! Usually, these L-brackets are plenty strong, but the roof that they attach to can be weak. If an appliance uses too much power when it is turned off, you may need to wire a switch to the appliance, so you can manually turn it off when it is not being used. Buy a smaller vehicle: If you have a large RV, you will require an enormous amount of energy to heat and cool it. RV's, Vans, Cars and boats! Here are two basic ways to heat water with the sun: Create a shallow wooden box that has water pipes going back and forth inside. If you use cheap parts, small wires, or have bad connections, you will not have much power at all. The rate of flow can only occur when water is moving through the hose. Do-it-yourself step by step instructions. Performing this action will revert the following features to their default settings: Hooray! So fill your rig with light! If you are using a multimeter as an amp meter, the typical limit is 10-20 amps. Remove individual fuses, and check each appliance for an amp draw. If you have a solar power system, you can put the electricity to work to control the temperature of your vehicle. Be sure to read the manual before you install it! If the wire length from the solar charge controller to the solar panels is longer than 25 feet, then 8 gauge wire is recommended. 4. Battery monitor guidelines: Wire it directly to the battery bank and nowhere else. These allow you to change the color to anything you please. Do not mount the generator on the roof, or near the living area. Use alternators to build 12-volt hydroelectric dams, wind turbines and more. (See picture on left) Strip one end of a wire and attach a crimp connector that can attach to your batteries negative terminal. PWM (pulse width modulation) Charge Controller: An off and on switch with limited capabilities. A sealed battery will not give off fumes if it is used properly, so usually you do not need to worry. A bolt-on fuse would be better to use instead). How to use the volt/amp/watt rating in a solar power system: The voltage rating will determine the compatibility of a component. Calculating Solar Array Size How to calculate the maximum solar array size for a battery How to calculate the minimum solar array size for a battery Other solar array sizing tips 4. To find out where a nearby cell tower is, download a cell tower finder app for your phone. This fuse should be rated slightly larger than your solar charge controllers amp rating: -20 amp charge controller wire will need a 25 amp fuse -30 amp charge controller wire will need a 35-40 amp fuse -40 amp charge controller wire will need a 50 amp fuse -60 amp charge controller wire will need a 75 amp fuse 3. However, did you know that you can add solar panels to almost any mobile vehicle? Pass solar array wires through the roof and connect them to the solar charge controller 5. Mobile Solar Power Made Easy! Alternating current is more efficient than direct current over long distances, but direct current is required if you plan to store the electricity in a battery. Most LED controllers are made overseas and the quality of parts used is not the best, so a fuse is always required. If you have a lot of power, and a large system, go for it. Your roof has to be flat where you put these mounts. This can cause a huge energy loss and can create heat in unwanted areas (which can cause a fire). Save your Green, Lovv that Lovvbugg. The more amps a wire must carry, the thicker the wire must be. Solar cells, which convert sunlight into electrical current, had their beginnings more than a hundred years ago, though early solar cells were too inefficient to be of much . Here's a look at what kinds of systems are out there and how to . This step-by-step instructional guide to get you through what is listed in each chapter. You can take this a step further and cover entire walls with blankets. One thing that I dislike about xt-60 connectors is that you cannot use them with large wires. This will discharge all of the capacitors that could potentially shock you. This entire setup can easily fit in a backpack and can be used in vehicles, or while backpacking. Most solar panel hook up wires are 10 gauge in thickness. The best battery monitor will be the shunt. Really depends on how creative or lazy you are. Buy a PWM (pulse width modulation) solar charge controller. This is because the initial power that the microwave uses is around 2000 watts. Tools Required for Crimping: Crimp Tool: The crimp tool below is designed to crimp, and it can also cut large wires. Download Mobile Solar Power Made Easy! This is for advanced users only! The reason this is helpful is to switch the lights to a red hue so that they do not keep you awake. General Wire Size Guidelines: Solar panel hookup wire, in most vehicle mounted solar systems, should be 10 gauge in thickness. Feb 3, 2023. Wire some lights in parallel so that when you turn the seat heaters on, a light will come on. By (author) William Errol Prowse, IV. 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. For most solar system wires, any type of insulation will do fine, except for the wires that connect the solar panels to the charge controller. There are basically two kinds: MPPT (maximum power point tracking) Charge Controller: An advanced power modulation circuit that can find the highest efficiency battery charge rate with the solar panel power provided. If instead, you want to build your own wiring kit, this is what I recommend for inverter wires under 6 feet: -250 watt inverter requires 12 gauge -500 watt inverter requires 10 gauge -1000 watt inverter requires 4 gauge -1500 watt inverter requires 2 gauge -2000 watt inverter requires 0 gauge -2500 watt inverter requires 2/0 gauge -3000 watt inverter requires 4/0 gauge After you install your inverter, attach a large load appliance and feel the wires. So what I like to say is that if you have a 100 watt solar panel on your roof, you only have 50 watts of usable power. It discusses an array of hot topics such as online payments, crowdfunding, challenger banks, online insurance, digital lending, big data, and digital commerce. So for this battery bank, the solar array should be at least 333 watts in size. Typically a 4-8 gauge wire is recommended. It doesnt really matter. Heating your vehicle You can either find ways to heat up only your body, or you can heat up your entire vehicle. #mbHGW;KHVX!\-nM31o**5eehKVxp87xTR):3IWU:Op#UJ&naIVB=%pkspj( O6iNn2q4g%e7>5.KbPT$+j;6fUd ]^ For most mobile systems, the maximum rated voltage will not be exceeded (you should still check the manual of your solar charge controller to be on the safe side). Use the location of the tires to draw an imaginary X in your vehicle, and try to situate the batteries in this location. These MPP units have a lot of settings! Attach the negative lead of one component to the positive lead of another component. Imagine how ocean waves can transmit energy over vast distances, without moving the water. A typical 100 amp hour, 12 volt lead acid usually should be able to handle 35 amp charge rate. 3. We still need to calculate for a system that has 100 watt solar panels, so that the system can handle the power if it is ever produced. by William Errol Prowse IV Paperback $5.39 Ship This Item Qualifies for Free Shipping Buy Online, Pick up in Store Check Availability at Nearby Stores Instant Purchase Most large RVs will have a storage compartment specifically for a generator. This is not as good as a crimp connection, but it will do the job if you are desperate. Off Grid Internet There are a few ways to go about doing this: Tethering a cellphone internet connection with Wi-Fi or a USB cable (requires an smart phone app) Hotspot service provided by a cell carrier Using a large antenna and powerful Wi-Fi adapter to connect to free Wi-Fi spots But these options pale in comparison to a new set products that have recently entered the market: 4G LTE Router with High Gain Antenna This device will allow you to have fast internet on-the-go. This can be a difficult question to answer. 2. English This is not the case with deep cycle lead acid batteries. This is how I acquired 2x 225 amp hour, 6-volt forklift batteries for 80 dollars. Attach the safety line to a sturdy object on the roof of your vehicle. Mobile Solar Power Made Easy! Battery banks typically favor: A dry location that is protected from the rain. Adding AC Appliances Buy a few extension cords and power strips, and plug everything in. It doesnt have any emissions. (Unless the appliance is badly designed) You may figure that a smaller fuse will be safer. With the passing of each day, green energies are becoming more and more vital, so be a part of the journey and start building your mobile solar power stations today. You should also use inverter cables that allow for this short burst of required start up power. [DOWNLOAD] Mobile Solar Power Made Easy! The builder used some plywood as a base for the panels and used a soldering iron to connect the separate solar cells together. What you need to know is that most batteries are not fit for solar application. I do not recommend this for beginners! RV's, Vans, Cars and boats! Selecting an Inverter Inverters can range in price from 20 dollars to 5000+ dollars. If you do not check, and it is rated for a lower voltage, it will be destroyed. LED controllers love to develop short circuits from poor circuit board design and faulty soldering joints. Connecting Different Types of Solar Panels Together This is not recommended, but over time you may collect various sizes and types of solar panels and may need to wire them together. 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. If you cannot find a solar charge controller that has over-paneling protection, use a fuse to protect the charge controller. Do not use a cheap 5 dollar LED flashlight. RV's, Vans, Cars and boats! Pass solar array wires through the roof and connect them to the solar charge controller 5. 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. Buying an expensive down jacket and pants, used in combination with the methods below, can make mobile electrical heating feasible. Example: If your battery charger produces only 15 amps, wire it to a 20 amp fuse on your fuse block. Solar System Maintenance Schedule Every day: Check the voltage of the battery bank Every month: Visually inspect the batteries for damage, leaks, corrosion and faulty battery terminal connections (wiggle the wires). Selecting a Solar Charge Controller 4. 2 power wires connected to your fuse block, and you are set! Low Budget This setup works well if you: Are broke and want a solar system now! Calculating Solar Array Size How to calculate the maximum solar array size for a battery How to calculate the minimum solar array size for a battery Other solar array sizing tips 4. Besides that, just stack the batteries up and connect them in parallel, and you are set! Mount this box on the roof of a vehicle. You must buy the higher quality seat heaters (usually 75 dollars for a set). This chapter explains where to build the system and considerations to explore while you're out on the water. Read more, 873 If it turns on, you are good to go. Attention: This book will help you get fast and easy your efficient and cost-effective off-grid or mobile solar power system. 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. This is because the wire itself is becoming the fuse. read ebook Online PDF EPUB KINDLE A wide angle camera is much easier to use. Now you can attach your appliance. Be sure to buy a 12-volt charger! Calculating Solar Charge Controller Size There are 2 variables that will determine the size of your controller: 1. Example: You live in Alaska and your 100 watt solar panels only produce 40 watts in full sunshine. Cons of Parallel Configuration When solar panels are wired in parallel, the voltage will not change, but the amps will increase. Unless you live in the desert, an air conditioner is a better idea. After you upgrade your antennas, point them in the direction of a cell tower for a boost in signal. Efficiencies range from 10% to 19%. In Parallel: Attach the negative lead of one component to a negative lead of another component, and the positive lead to the positive lead of another component. A lithium battery, which we will talk about later, does not have this problem. It is better to mount them so that they face parallel to the roof. %PDF-1.6 % They do not sponsor or endorse this book or any of our online products. How to Select Solar Power System Components Now is the time to go online and order everything you need. Up for auction is a 18 inch doll pink . How to install the solar panels Solar Panel Safety Line Should you tilt your solar panels? Selecting Solar Panels Flexible Solar Panels 3. Connect all batteries and add the main fuse 2. It is not fun to use a small inverter and have it fail on you because it cannot handle a load (especially if you are powering something like a computer). I am currently running 2x large MPPT controllers to a battery bank, and it works great! Each fuse block can hold anywhere from 3 to 10+ fuses. ISBN-13: 978-1546567110 ISBN-10: 1546567119 Mobile Solar Power Made Easy! Amps are only present when electricity is traveling through a wire or being consumed by an appliance. 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. Do not mount it in a closet or in a battery compartment. Lead acid batteries (most common type of mobile solar battery) can be safely discharged to only 50% capacity without causing damage. The wire and the connector become one piece of metal when a full termination occurs. Each charge controller is different, so be sure to read your charge controller manual. Flexible Solar Panels If you care about the aerodynamics and gas mileage of your vehicle or the total weight of your system, flexible solar panels will be better than glass solar panels: A typical 100 watt glass panel will weigh 16 pounds. If you stick your cellphones SIM card into your router, it will probably not work. These batteries are heavy and expensive!) If you cannot find inverter cables at local stores, buy some battery cables instead. Simply unplug your appliances when you are done using them. Ensure that the wire is clean before and after you strip it. Divide the usable watt hours of your battery bank by 6: Battery bank size in watt hours / 6 = Minimum solar array size Your battery bank has a total usable capacity of 1200 watt hours. If you put the wire into the controller and you can wiggle the internal circuit board, you should avoid it. For a free and updated blueprint for this 400W system, go here: https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/the-classic-400-watt-rvs-vans-buses.html*Does off-grid sol. You can point these lights directly at yourself, and they can heat you up quickly. The financial services technology industry is booming and promises to change the way we manage our money online, disrupting the current landscape of the industry. We need to find a deep cycle battery that can fulfill this requirement. Buying a hotspot SIM card usually has a monthly cost, but it is worth every penny! If you are not skilled at soldering, stick to using the solder-free connectors to attach the strips together. This will give you the minimum amp rating of your controller. Solar energy for your boat: While you are out on the sea, use solar power to enhance the lifespan of your batteries while you sail. If you want to see what router I am currently using or my SIM card service, check out my website: http://www.mobile-solarpower.com Smart Home Appliances If you have a 4G LTE router in your vehicle and a way to power it 24/7, you will be able to use smart home appliances! Connect solar charge controller to the battery bank 3. Only including the essential things that you need to know and throwing the technical gibberish that confuses most beginner's, makes this book a must for newbie's & the confused. It is preferable to have all MC4 connectors and branch connectors located on the roof. Think of it as the total amount of water that a hose can carry. 4. Find any and all solar panels. Allowing the wires insulation to go inside of the connector: This will block the wire from merging with the connector, which will prevent a termination. Have the voltage monitor mounted in an easy to see location. DC powered appliances are then connected to the battery with 2 wires so that they will consume the stored electricity in the battery and put it to work. Find a 12-volt regulator of some kind to be used as a solar charge controller. Solar Array Estimates (no math required): For a single 1200 watt hour lead acid battery (which is a 100 amp hour, 12 volt AGM sealed battery with a max charge rate of 35 amps at 12 volts), use: A minimum of 200 watts of solar panels A maximum of 400 watts of solar panels For a single 1200 watt hour lithium battery (which is a 100 amp hour, 12 volt lithium iron phosphate battery with a max charge rate of 100 amps at 12 volts), use: No minimum solar array size. Connect the converter to your system with 2 wires, a positive and a negative. If a fuse is not installed in a system and a problem develops, the wire or an appliance will become very hot until it is destroyed. They can be safely discharged to 0% (if the battery management system allows for it). Country Cooking Made Easy offers a wealth of healt, 617 It has been #1 Best Seller in multiple Categories on Amazon.com! Be sure not to damage the wire strands while you are stripping the wire. 4. Your file is uploaded and ready to be published. Address: Be the first to receive exclusive offers and the latest news on our products and services directly in your inbox. dR{=6of>Tv `F6v;>~"qfP9MMP8w~B~ 5bLP`igEcH"Y Depending on your location, you may want to supplement your system with other power sources. item 7 Mobile Solar Power Made Easy Mobile 12 volt off grid solar system design and i Mobile Solar Power Made Easy Mobile 12 volt off grid solar system design and i. Cut the ends and splice it in. April 25, 1954: Bell Labs Demonstrates the First Practical Silicon Solar Cell. I highly recommend everyone buy a controller that has this feature. To master this skill quickly, I recommend jumping on the internet and watching a video tutorial. If the wires supplying the led strip are thick enough to carry 10 amps, then use a 10 amp fuse. Connecting Different Solar Charge Controllers to One Battery Bank This should not cause any problems, and is safe to do. All things considered, even if I had a lot of electricity, I would use other methods to heat a vehicle. Pre Order. Inverter Installation Inverters require THICK wires. -There are DC fans and AC fans. Know nothing about 12 volt power & solar panels? That inexpensive solution is perfect for all kinds of emergency situations. Its practitioners often attempt to reduce their ecological footprint (including their carbon footprint) by altering their home designs and methods of transportation, energy consumption and diet. ?yq5|K uzMfZd +>h%GDP8%Yi|: lL:[J ?5 2Js]_`/bU{ > jq9Eo/%::EMQjryQ!Xt Learn how to power laptops, TV's, fans, power tools, DVD's, music, mobile phones and so much more straight from a power supply that you built. 3. If you need a battery bank for a cabin or other stationary structure, 2-5 days of backup power is typical. If you are crimping large wires, such as for an inverter, heat shrink is highly recommended. There are quite a few online reviews that mention this. Heating an entire vehicle with electricity can be difficult. Also, feel the cables with your hands while the inverter is powering a large appliance. Try to find a dry location, such as a lifted concrete slab with a roof of some kind. If you use a cheap seat heater (usually available for 12-20 dollars online), you will have problems. It is much easier to just stick with 12 volts). Batteries 2. Besides that, its pretty straight forward. You plug your battery bank charger into the generator and you are done! Be sure not to overheat the connector because it can melt. 121 All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained on or available through this book is for general information purposes only. 849KB Do-it-yourself step by step instructions. Microclimates can also make a huge difference. If your solar charge controller is less than 10 feet away from your battery bank, use these recommendations: -20 amp charge controller requires 12 gauge wire -30 amp charge controller requires 10 gauge wire -40 amp charge controller requires 8 gauge wire -60 amp charge controller requires 6 gauge wire If your solar charge controller is further than 10 feet away from the battery, and less than 16 feet from the battery bank, use these recommendations: -20 amp charge controller requires 10 gauge wire -30 amp charge controller requires 10 gauge wire -40 amp charge controller requires 8 gauge wire -60 amp charge controller requires 4 gauge wire For my system, I have a 40 amp charge controller, 4 feet away from the battery bank, and I use 6 gauge wire. If you need a large wire gauge power connector, you will need a Anderson Powerpole connector. 2. If you plan to use the battery for many years and need something that will provide the best performance, a lithium battery is what you need. It will probably not last for longer than 2 years, but it will work. If you have a 40 amp MPPT controller, and you wish to over-panel it with 800 watts of solar panels, you will need to calculate the fuse size for the voltage that your panels produce. As long as it is specifically designed to crimp, you are good to go. (Pictured on left) Bolt a 50 amp fuse onto the big fuse, or attach it to another positive battery terminal on another battery. So for this battery bank, the solar array should be at least 200 watts in size. How low can you safely discharge your battery? They are 15% more efficient than fluorescent lights and 6 times as efficient as incandescent lights. Future Solar Panels Wire the female connectors directly to the fuse block: In order to use an XT-60 connector, you will need some soldering experience, or buy them with the wires attached, and crimp them instead. Attach the switch to the positive wire of any appliance. If you live far from the equator, your solar panels may never create the power they are rated to produce, so you may need to experiment with over-paneling your system. If you cannot find a large crimp tool, and you have large wires and crimp connectors, you can put the wire into the crimp connector, slam it with a hammer, and then heat it up with a torch and feed solder into the connection.
