Solar Power Kit
 

Is there such a thing? Something that has enough power to plug devices into? I dunno maybe different sizes that can handle different watts?

Re: Solar Power Kit
 

I bought one from http://www.earthtechproducts.com

I bought the Xantrex Xpower Powerpack 200 and Sunlinq Portable Solar Panel Charger 12W 12V.

I can charge up the battery type thing (powerpack) with the small, lightweight solar panel.

I bought it to plug in my laptop, cell phone, etc., but shortly after I bought it I found another reason to use it - my battery in my car died, and I jumped it with the powerpack.

I was very proud of myself!

I think with just the solar panels you can plug devices into it, but since I live in Florida where it rains a lot, I wanted to be able to store the power.

At any rate, there is a lot to choose from at that website.

One more thing - my first order was from Silicon Solar, and they had fulfillment issues. A week after the order was due to arrive, I contacted their web site, which is when they told me the products were back ordered for 3 more weeks. I just can't give my money to a company who does business like that. A back-order I can understand, but the lack of communication is where I draw the line.

Re: Solar Power Kit
 

A pair of Kyocera KC130 solar panels. can be had for about $1400 from ABS Alaska or several other vendors. Pretty well built aluminum framed units, should last a lifetime..
that will give you a solid 200 watts in bright sun, enough to charge batteries..
http://www.absak.com/catalog/product...roducts_id/870

Re: Solar Power Kit
 

Deep cycle marine batteries are about $75 ea at Wallyworld.

Re: Solar Power Kit
 

Lead acid batteries require regular upkeep.

Re: Solar Power Kit
 

Funny you should mention this topic. I loose power up here all the time, very annoying, so I did a home power system. Not solar, but solar ready.

I'm not sure how techie you are, so don't be insulted by these "baby" instructions.

Take your solar panels with 12 volt output (I was looking at these http://www.ccrane.com/more-categorie...lar-panel.aspx

If you need more power, put them in parallel on the battery (all red leads to positive, all black leads to negative)

If you need more power storage, you can parrallel batteries.

the panel goes to a Deep cycle marine battery as mentioned by another. You can use a standard battery, but they have a limited recharge cycle (like 20 times) if they are drawn down. The "deep cycle" refers to the ability to be recharged when completely drained.

Next you convert 12 vdc to AC. I use mine for computer and DVD player when the power is out. You need to exceed the wattage drawn by a good margin. The AC put out by most inverters is not very clean - I found the 400 watt worked great for my pc until the cd kicked in, sometimes causing a reboot.

I recommend this power inverter its 700 watts, good for a PC, I have a separate 400 watt for my flatscreen and dvd player.

Re: Solar Power Kit
 

One of these days.... If I had my druthers, I'd want a system with a couple small wind generators mounted one at each end of the roof, and 2 banks of 10 solar panels each on the south roof.

I'd want them to charge an array of batteries. I heard forklift ones were good, and then I'd want an nat gas or propane powered automatic backup generator that would kick in if the batteries were getting too low.

I guess the main thing to making such a system work would be to religiously reduce total consumption to where the backup system only needed to kick in rarely. Currently we use about 600 to 900 kwh per month. Its probably way too high for such a system.

How many kwh per panel per month would be expected?

130w x 8 x 30 = 3.12 kwh per panel per month?

So I'd need 200 to 300 panels?

Did I do that right?

Re: Solar Power Kit
 

So what do you guys think of this system. I am looking for something to run maybe a tv and or a dvd, or a small fridge. I have no idea what to look for or what I need. Mind you, I am just a mere woman!