Posts: 907
Threads: 12
Joined: Apr 2012
getting ready to move offgrid and need to equip my structure with solar. I will be running a water pump, lights, and a DC powered fridge.
I live on the sunny side of Mtn View - for what it's worth.
please advise on recommended components, complexity of the install, and recommended installers and/or handyman for this project.
Posts: 3,035
Threads: 201
Joined: Aug 2006
There's a sunny side of Mt. View? I never knew that!
(humor alert)
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
Posts: 907
Threads: 12
Joined: Apr 2012
you can see the secret white sand beach at the bottom of paradise park from there, don't you know!
Posts: 2,014
Threads: 46
Joined: Jun 2003
HomePower magazine used to have different size diagrams online. I built my first system based on one.
David
Ninole Resident
Please visit vacation.ninolehawaii.com
Ninole Resident
Posts: 2,906
Threads: 490
Joined: Mar 2006
What secret white sand beach?
Posts: 907
Threads: 12
Joined: Apr 2012
I was thinking about 1kw of panels and maybe 4 batteries, an outback pure sine wave inverter and additional wiring with circuit breakers and some outlets to the living area. Can you recommend anyone to do this type of hookup work?
Posts: 2,014
Threads: 46
Joined: Jun 2003
Paul Moore, SOLARMAN in HPP. Usually has an ad in HTH
SOLARMAN Best prices!! Solar Panels, Inverters, Batteries, Water Pumps/ Heaters, Yamaha Generators, Net Metering Systems, Etc.... 982-5708
David
Ninole Resident
Please visit vacation.ninolehawaii.com
Ninole Resident
Posts: 1,975
Threads: 47
Joined: Jul 2012
I recommend Paul Moore, he did a great job on a small system for me
Posts: 2,490
Threads: 222
Joined: Dec 2005
hey bluesboy send me an email...
Cheers!
Eric
Posts: 2,485
Threads: 10
Joined: Feb 2008
I currently have three 240 watt panels connected in series. They put out about 90 volts in full sunlight and charge a 48 volt battery bank of eight 6-volt Costco golf cart batteries in series through a 45 amp mppt controller by Morningstar. I have a 2,700 watt re-purposed UPS by APC. So far this system has met all my needs but that really isn't saying anything because I don't have refrigeration yet. Till now I have only been using lighting, tools, and a vacuum cleaner. I will be very curious to see how well this holds up to real life daily living demands. The refrigeration could be a killer. I did run a test one night using 1,000 watts of halogen lights. Ran somewhere between 6 and 9 hours before shutdown (I fell asleep). That's how much the batteries can put out from a fully charged state down to when the UPS pulls the plug. In daily use I would never go that low. I panicked about having driven my batteries into the ground and fired up the charger so I don't have a good handle on how long it would have taken to recharge using only solar, but assuming the equivalent of 3 hours full sunlight per day generating .72 kw I will be lucky to take in 2 kwh. How much I can get out as 110 volt ac will be even less. First on my wishlist is 3 more panels.
Batteries $800
Panels $900
Racks $300
Controller $450
Misc Wiring $200
I am sure there is more but the tab so far is $2,650.
