Solar power and/or wind power anyone?
- Thread starter gladstoned
- Start date
CashCrops
Well-Known Member
I was just looking at this kit here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETE-KIT-200-Watt-200W-200Watts-Photovoltaic-PV-Solar-Panel-12V-24V-RV-Boat-/251193413988?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7c4b5164
But I realized something and looked that it's only 5.56 amps max current charge. That's a trickle charge, sadly it would take all day to fully charge a single 12/24v deep cycle battery with this amount of amperage. to run a single 600 watt digital ballast for 18 hours on (Max run time for veg unless you use 24hr cycle) @220v the average 600watt ballast would pull up to 3amps constant for those 18hrs. to get 220v from a bank of deep cycles you need to convert them with a grid tie inverter like this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/800Watt-Grid-Tie-Power-Inverter-For-Solar-Panel-Generator-110V-220V-WORLDWIDE-/300694940527?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4602d0ab6f
in order for that inverter to power the ballast properly it needs a 45 amp input so in order to power the inverter you would need 9 solar panels at a cost of about 2000 dollars.
Adding it all up:
9 - Solar panels 2000
1 - inverter 220
10 - batteries 3000 <--- each battery would be 12v 125-150ah and im being generous. cost each about 300
for a grand total 5220.00 and that's just to power things, no lights or ballasts or anything else in that cost.
But I realized something and looked that it's only 5.56 amps max current charge. That's a trickle charge, sadly it would take all day to fully charge a single 12/24v deep cycle battery with this amount of amperage. to run a single 600 watt digital ballast for 18 hours on (Max run time for veg unless you use 24hr cycle) @220v the average 600watt ballast would pull up to 3amps constant for those 18hrs. to get 220v from a bank of deep cycles you need to convert them with a grid tie inverter like this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/800Watt-Grid-Tie-Power-Inverter-For-Solar-Panel-Generator-110V-220V-WORLDWIDE-/300694940527?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4602d0ab6f
in order for that inverter to power the ballast properly it needs a 45 amp input so in order to power the inverter you would need 9 solar panels at a cost of about 2000 dollars.
Adding it all up:
9 - Solar panels 2000
1 - inverter 220
10 - batteries 3000 <--- each battery would be 12v 125-150ah and im being generous. cost each about 300
for a grand total 5220.00 and that's just to power things, no lights or ballasts or anything else in that cost.
CashCrops
Well-Known Member
yep your right Rrog. Also I might disagree on the moving parts theory. Looking at wind generator motors I notice that there no regulators on them (Typically what goes bad) because that is done in the home with a regulator bought separate from the motor.
A wind turbine would need regular maintenance like the solar panels would. I was looking at this motor: http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-000-WATT-PERMANENT-MAGNET-WIND-GENERATOR-MOTOR-/231028371269?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ca5d2f45
It's 24v x 24 amps and current bid is 300. Let's say it's sell's for 500, I would rather buy 4 of those verses the panels but I guess it depends on where you live as well...wind vs. sun time factors in. I guess if money were no object I would buy both!
A wind turbine would need regular maintenance like the solar panels would. I was looking at this motor: http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-000-WATT-PERMANENT-MAGNET-WIND-GENERATOR-MOTOR-/231028371269?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ca5d2f45
It's 24v x 24 amps and current bid is 300. Let's say it's sell's for 500, I would rather buy 4 of those verses the panels but I guess it depends on where you live as well...wind vs. sun time factors in. I guess if money were no object I would buy both!
CashCrops
Well-Known Member
The one thing everyone needs to keep in mind is the amperage. If you want to power your whole home you need to add up all the devices total amps, then plan over that by a factor of 10%. If my total home amperage is 300 with everything running at the same time, I would calc for 330 amps. The one thing I hate about all the crap online with solar and wind or anything else is most of time the people selling it do not show actual amperage or it's in tiny writing.
cephalopod
Well-Known Member
So I was thinking of this thread and a possible investment. So I started looking around a little and it looks like there a couple bigger things shaking in the industry. Natcore Technology has suppose to found a way to cut back production cost and DARPA (yes that DARPA) has discovered nano technology that increases efficiency by over 50%. I was only thinking of selling back the the power company intially, to avoid all the extra cost to provide service to my op.
gladstoned
Well-Known Member
The snow will be melting soon. I hope the roof hasn't caved in on my trailer. That would be a punch in the balls.
How much do you think I'd need to invest to start saving some real cash? $2-3K, $5k, $10k?
How much do you think I'd need to invest to start saving some real cash? $2-3K, $5k, $10k?
Rrog
Well-Known Member
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/PV/DougEnphase/DougEnphase.htm Not sure what happened to my post above. Just says "Post 75" Maybe someone doesn't like me posting links.
Jimmyjonestoo
Well-Known Member
What about perpetual motion? Could one of these machines be hooked to a bank like a windmill? I'm working on a small scale one for shits and grins and thought to myself " this could replace a windmill. No need for wind the thing just goes on its own". Any input?
CashCrops
Well-Known Member
Well I started buying parts for when I get my new home (Wherever that is) and I started with the inverter:
I plan on picking up another to test if I can pull 120v from each for 220v
http://www.powerbright.com/pw3500-12.html
I plan on picking up another to test if I can pull 120v from each for 220v
http://www.powerbright.com/pw3500-12.html
CashCrops
Well-Known Member
I believe in the laws of thermodynamics which state that this is impossible.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_motion
gladstoned
Well-Known Member
lmao. It was two days earlier this year ad we were wondering the exact same shit. Too funny.
(Unless the roof caved in this year. Then not quite as funny.)
Jimmyjonestoo
Well-Known Member
Interesting.
CashCrops
Well-Known Member
Although I have seen many claims to these machines being built and have seen videos of them, I still doubt. I have gone down this path of thinking before but the one thing I couldn't achieve was the math. If I can't solve it on paper it isn't going to happen...My two cents
Rrog
Well-Known Member
Check out Enphase M250's. Big jump in reliability. Makes the return on investment better. Warranty for 25 years I think
CashCrops
Well-Known Member
I see what there doing, spreading the inversion across many smaller devices which would make them last way longer but you'll need a bunch to get up to 3500w or more. There 200.00 each X 4 for 1000w making them 1000 bucks for a 1000watts. They are rated at 1amp, not sure I follow why these would be better other then longevity. I only paid 350 for that inverter which even with two @ 700.00 I'd still be better off?