Solar How To: Build an Inexpensive Solar Power Generator
- By Sean Burton
- Published 10/30/2008
- Home Improvement
- Unrated
Each year, more people make the transition to solar. How they do it has a lot to do with their initial investment. The higher the initial investment, the more extensive the transition to solar power will be. Many people are learning the art of creating their own solar generator for as little as $300. A very small generator such as this won't power an entire household, but it will power small appliances for approximately five consecutive hours. The small, inexpensive solar power generator outlined in this article is also great for camping, boating or powering electrical devices in your RV.
Obtaining solar power for your home, RV, cabin or apartment isn't as difficult as some may lead you to believe. In fact, a small solar panel can be made with commonly used items for around $200 to $300. This article outlines how to build a small, inexpensive solar generator for your home office, kitchen, cabin or high rise or anywhere else the power may go out.
10 Inexpensive Steps to Solar
1. Buy a small solar panel. This first step to solar freedom is probably one of the most expensive steps. It is also one of the most important. A 12 or 16 volt solar panel may be purchased at almost any RV supply reseller. These panels are usually about 8 inches by 24 inches.
2. Buy an adapter to go from your solar panel to your battery. Your solar panel includes a cable that can connect to a battery but will not likely include the adapter required for this project. This adapter should be an RA-2 female cigarette lighter adapter. The adapter is not included when you purchase the solar panel. The adapter should be under $10.
3. Buy a battery. Deep cycle batteries are best for continuous use. Car batteries are perfect for this. They're relatively inexpensive. Step two should only cost about $40 to $60.
4. Buy or acquire a box to protect fingers from the open terminals on the battery. A box also helps protect the battery from the elements if it is stored outdoors or under a shed
. If the battery is going to be well-hidden this step may be skipped.
5. Go to your local auto parts store and buy a DC input and DC meter. To effectively use more than one appliance at a time, opt to spend a little more and buy a DC input with multiple plugs.
6. Buy a DC to AC inverter. This step is optional, but will allow you to run your normal AC powered appliances using your DC battery and solar generator. Purchasing an inverter will increase the overall cost of your solar generator by around $50 to $60.
7. Securely attach the DC input and DC meter to the top of the box. If you chose not to use a box, attach the input and meter securely to a nearby wall for stability.
8. Attach the meter to the battery terminals by using protective, insulated wire. Use all safety precautions and attach the negative terminal first. After releasing the negative wire, connect the positive in the same manner.
9. Using the same instructions, attach the DC inlet and the solar panel to the battery. Remember; always attach the negative, or black, wire first to reduce the risk of electric shock.
10. Close and secure the lid. Ensure the lid is securely closed to prevent the risk of electric shock. Small children are often curious about new things, and an open battery terminal is a very risky experiment for a child.
Optional Additions
An amp meter and pop-up circuit breaker may be used for extra protection. Panels without diodes should be used with charge controllers. Charge controllers, or charge regulators, regulate the voltage and current coming from solar panels to the battery. Solar panels used without charge controllers could damage the battery.
Congratulations! You've built your first solar generator. Your generator will run small appliances such as a radio or fan for about five continuous hours. To effectively run more appliances, simply add larger solar panels, batteries and inverters. Place the solar panel on an outside wall or roof in a place that receives five to eight hours of sunlight a day for optimum charge. Topping off a weak battery only takes one to three hours of sunlight.
Obtaining solar power for your home, RV, cabin or apartment isn't as difficult as some may lead you to believe. In fact, a small solar panel can be made with commonly used items for around $200 to $300. This article outlines how to build a small, inexpensive solar generator for your home office, kitchen, cabin or high rise or anywhere else the power may go out.
10 Inexpensive Steps to Solar
1. Buy a small solar panel. This first step to solar freedom is probably one of the most expensive steps. It is also one of the most important. A 12 or 16 volt solar panel may be purchased at almost any RV supply reseller. These panels are usually about 8 inches by 24 inches.
2. Buy an adapter to go from your solar panel to your battery. Your solar panel includes a cable that can connect to a battery but will not likely include the adapter required for this project. This adapter should be an RA-2 female cigarette lighter adapter. The adapter is not included when you purchase the solar panel. The adapter should be under $10.
3. Buy a battery. Deep cycle batteries are best for continuous use. Car batteries are perfect for this. They're relatively inexpensive. Step two should only cost about $40 to $60.
4. Buy or acquire a box to protect fingers from the open terminals on the battery. A box also helps protect the battery from the elements if it is stored outdoors or under a shed
5. Go to your local auto parts store and buy a DC input and DC meter. To effectively use more than one appliance at a time, opt to spend a little more and buy a DC input with multiple plugs.
6. Buy a DC to AC inverter. This step is optional, but will allow you to run your normal AC powered appliances using your DC battery and solar generator. Purchasing an inverter will increase the overall cost of your solar generator by around $50 to $60.
7. Securely attach the DC input and DC meter to the top of the box. If you chose not to use a box, attach the input and meter securely to a nearby wall for stability.
8. Attach the meter to the battery terminals by using protective, insulated wire. Use all safety precautions and attach the negative terminal first. After releasing the negative wire, connect the positive in the same manner.
9. Using the same instructions, attach the DC inlet and the solar panel to the battery. Remember; always attach the negative, or black, wire first to reduce the risk of electric shock.
10. Close and secure the lid. Ensure the lid is securely closed to prevent the risk of electric shock. Small children are often curious about new things, and an open battery terminal is a very risky experiment for a child.
Optional Additions
An amp meter and pop-up circuit breaker may be used for extra protection. Panels without diodes should be used with charge controllers. Charge controllers, or charge regulators, regulate the voltage and current coming from solar panels to the battery. Solar panels used without charge controllers could damage the battery.
Congratulations! You've built your first solar generator. Your generator will run small appliances such as a radio or fan for about five continuous hours. To effectively run more appliances, simply add larger solar panels, batteries and inverters. Place the solar panel on an outside wall or roof in a place that receives five to eight hours of sunlight a day for optimum charge. Topping off a weak battery only takes one to three hours of sunlight.
Sean Burton
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