Solar Panel Advice I am looking to purchase some solar panels, or wind generators for my parents to help cut energy costs for them. I have had no experience with these so I am looking for some advice on which panels/wind generators are the best, by personal experience or references. Also do all panels/wind generators hook up to the house electrical system or do some of them just charge batteries? Based on the description I have read here on Amazon they charge batteries, but I'm not sure if thats normal and those are hooked up to the house's electrical system. They live in Oklahoma so They do have an abundance of wind, but I am not sure their house would be in prime location for a wind generator. Solar Panel Advice I am looking to purchase some solar panels, or wind generators for my parents to help cut energy costs for them. I have had no experience with these so I am looking for some... » Read More Solar Panel Advice I am looking to purchase some solar panels, or wind generators for my parents to help cut energy costs for them. I have had no experience with these so I am looking for some advice on which panels/wind generators are the best, by personal experience or references. Also do all panels/wind generators hook up to the house electrical system or do some of them just charge batteries? Based on the description I have read here on Amazon they charge batteries, but I'm not sure if thats normal and those are hooked up to the house's electrical system. They live in Oklahoma so They do have an abundance of wind, but I am not sure their house would be in prime location for a wind generator. « Show Less
84085
Unless you get a very expensive, sophisticated system, you will not be able to hook into the house electrical system. Most panels and windchargers produce 12 V DC. It has to be inverted to 120 V AC and still can't be connected to household power. For most of us it is best to just power certain things on solar and keep everything else on the grid.
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You can start by reading my diy kit list http://www.amazon.com/solar-electric-system-installation-panels/lm/R3H36N9YJR062F/ref=cm_lmt_DYNA_f_3_russss2?pf_rd_p=496997171&pf;_rd_s=listmania-center&pf;_rd_t=201&pf;_rd_i=B000CIADLG&pf;_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf;_rd_r=1E5RPX0Q3THV5P8S8XH6 - then email me with questions. it *IS* possible to DIY a solar system, but the net result is you will be using it to reduce not eliminate your dependence on the grid.
84087
Hey there. I do not work for this company, but I know them to be decent people (Debbie and John). They produce a wind turbine not far from Oklahoma - I think they bought a helicopter factory in Texas and converted it to their needs. I'm sure they will be glad to answer your questions even if you don't end up buying anything from them. They'll explain all about wind tables, what you can expect from a given configuration, and they may even have answers on local building codes that govern such installations. You can find them at tangarie.comFeel free to tell them Randy sent you their way.Good luck! Hey there. I do not work for this company, but I know them to be decent people (Debbie and John). They produce a wind turbine not far from Oklahoma - I think they bought a helicopter factory in Texas and converted it to their needs. I'm sure they will be glad to answer your questions even if you don't end up buying anything from them. They'll explain all about wind tables, what you can expect from a given configuration, and they may even have answers on local building codes that govern such installations. You can find them at tangarie.comFeel free to tell them Randy sent you... » Read More Hey there. I do not work for this company, but I know them to be decent people (Debbie and John). They produce a wind turbine not far from Oklahoma - I think they bought a helicopter factory in Texas and converted it to their needs. I'm sure they will be glad to answer your questions even if you don't end up buying anything from them. They'll explain all about wind tables, what you can expect from a given configuration, and they may even have answers on local building codes that govern such installations. You can find them at tangarie.comFeel free to tell them Randy sent you their way.Good luck! « Show Less
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Others have ask "how can I use this both at home and outdoors?" My response was "Having this and a battery pack make a good combination." With a "jump-start" battery pack that usually has a lighter outlet, you can run this anywhere, then just recharge the battery when your done (and since it's only needed for a few minutes at a time, a battery is OK where you don't need a continuous power source). I think that is the easiest way to use anywhere and minimizes the issues of needing a 12V "power supply" to run it in your home (that would need to be like a 10 amp car battery charger) or a "power inverter" to run the AC version from your car. Others have ask "how can I use this both at home and outdoors?" My response was "Having this and a battery pack make a good combination." With a "jump-start" battery pack that usually has a lighter outlet, you can run this anywhere, then just recharge the battery when your done (and since it's only needed for a few minutes at a time, a battery is OK where you don't need a continuous power source). I think that is the easiest way to use anywhere and minimizes the issues of needing a 12V "power supply" to run it in your home (that would need to be like... » Read More Others have ask "how can I use this both at home and outdoors?" My response was "Having this and a battery pack make a good combination." With a "jump-start" battery pack that usually has a lighter outlet, you can run this anywhere, then just recharge the battery when your done (and since it's only needed for a few minutes at a time, a battery is OK where you don't need a continuous power source). I think that is the easiest way to use anywhere and minimizes the issues of needing a 12V "power supply" to run it in your home (that would need to be like a 10 amp car battery charger) or a "power inverter" to run the AC version from your car. « Show Less
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I like the answers that include how could you charge it with out power. Solar/wind power plus a power inverter. It's just a small battery back up. I have just hooked mine up to 2 solar panels. I had the panels lying around to use but if I had to buy one I might have gone with a small wind turbine. If you are not going to operate the opener 50 times a day, you should be fine. Worst case get a larger deep cycle battery, I picked up one for my kids power wheel for $40 shipped from amazon. Not a bad deal.
575744
Controllers don't care about brand name solar panels. It's just an input. You should consider a 30 amp controller for about the same price. You will expand your system as you find out how much more useful larger systems are. I started with 100 watts and now have 400. Just my humble advise.
275064
I purchased two of these units in August. They did not come with solar panels, which the manufacturer said should have happened. I ordered, from a different source, the 130 watt solar panels at about $750-850 each, since I want the maximum available power. The unit did not work. In December, Nature Power finally put me in contact with the manufacturer of the unit . I have been working with a gentleman there since then. Currently, in mid-January, he is sending the 80 watt solar panel that should have been provided. Hopefully this will give me a working unit. In the meantime, I want the maximum power storage to run lights in my greenhouse. I bought the battery connector to add storage batteries and paid $100 for each. I haven't used them yet since we can't make the unit work. These batteries are external additions and are very expensive marine batteries. I recommend that you call the 800 number for Nature Power and if they don't give you a direct answer, ask to be put in contact with the manufacturer. I think that you should be able to add another battery or two IF you have the solar panels to support it. There is a maximum, but you must have an expert figure it out. I think that the Nature Power people on the phone are salesmen, not experts on the details of the product. I still think that it is a great concept. And by the way, the Nature Power solar pathway lights are second to none. They are the very best! But I am frustrated with this 1800 watt power kit. Martha
352792
Throwing in my two cents. Get two for this. It'll work fine for awhile for you the way you want to do it, but ultimately, your battery is going to lose charge 'cause you will be running close to max on the panel all things considered unless you are in bright sunlight all the time. Plus, over time, your battery is not going to charge as efficiently. My 100W Grape tests at 5 amps in good sunlight. But then there's nighttime....:-) I run an off grid system, and am going to get a second panel just because of those cloudy days. An MPPT controller will help maximize your charging too. I haven't gotten one of those yet. Throwing in my two cents. Get two for this. It'll work fine for awhile for you the way you want to do it, but ultimately, your battery is going to lose charge 'cause you will be running close to max on the panel all things considered unless you are in bright sunlight all the time. Plus, over time, your battery is not going to charge as efficiently. My 100W Grape tests at 5 amps in good sunlight. But then there's nighttime....:-) I run an off grid system, and am going to get a second panel just because of those cloudy days. An MPPT controller will help maximize your charging too. I haven't... » Read More Throwing in my two cents. Get two for this. It'll work fine for awhile for you the way you want to do it, but ultimately, your battery is going to lose charge 'cause you will be running close to max on the panel all things considered unless you are in bright sunlight all the time. Plus, over time, your battery is not going to charge as efficiently. My 100W Grape tests at 5 amps in good sunlight. But then there's nighttime....:-) I run an off grid system, and am going to get a second panel just because of those cloudy days. An MPPT controller will help maximize your charging too. I haven't gotten one of those yet. « Show Less
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From My experience the "30 amp" Sunforce controller is not robust enough for the output of the 4 158 Watt panels. I had to buy an Outback controller. Because there does not seem to be a good inexpensive controller in the realm of 30 to 60 amps out there. You could get 2 controllers and split the panels. A little more info on the Sunforce controller, they die quietly for the most part, and there are some Websites out there that may have figured out a way to beef up the controller. The world of solar is very seductive and can suck your wallet dry in minutes... or months. If you are just trying to supplement your home use, and do not need power at night, you should consider getting a 500 watt grid tie inverter. During the day the inverter will produce power, and run reduce the speed of the electric meter, if it makes more than you are using it will run the meter backwards.They plug right into the house, and they have island protection, meaning that if the power goes out the inverter stop. Amazon has them,
855318
the easiest way to get power out of this unit is simple. send it back or do not buy it. they are junk. go ahead and buy a skymax windturbine and the Missouri wind and solar roof mount. trust me you will be glad you did.
868735
These solar panels are the best. They are a little heavy though. My experience with these panels to have a very good experience is to plug them into a 30 Amp Solar Controller into the input side. On the Output Side of the Battery Charger going outside the controller plug in this device first, Lanzar VCAP5000 Vector 50 Farad, 16 Volt Hybrid Capacitor on the input side of the capacitor. On the output of the capacitor, is the side to charge the battery cells. The logic for this is that the capacitor hybrid cell is storage for the solar cells because the prediction of cloud positions are random and hard to predict on any given day. Thanks, Dr. Sheldon Cooper.
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I have found the B&S; 7K Watt very reliable, easy start and has trickle battery charger to ensure battery is fully charged. As to the whole house, I take the 220V and distribute it through the circuit breaker panel to 110V to run two refrigerators, one freezer, kitchen lights to include gas stove, other house lights, 12K BTU window a/c and a T.V. As to this load, the B&S; generator has no problem whatever. I have not had the need as of yet to run 220V electric water heater. As to the other comments, agree that the generator would not be able to handle the whole house to include central air, etc. For the price, it is excellent! I have found the B&S; 7K Watt very reliable, easy start and has trickle battery charger to ensure battery is fully charged. As to the whole house, I take the 220V and distribute it through the circuit breaker panel to 110V to run two refrigerators, one freezer, kitchen lights to include gas stove, other house lights, 12K BTU window a/c and a T.V. As to this load, the B&S; generator has no problem whatever. I have not had the need as of yet to run 220V electric water heater. As to the other comments, agree that the generator would not be able to handle the whole house to include central air,... » Read More I have found the B&S; 7K Watt very reliable, easy start and has trickle battery charger to ensure battery is fully charged. As to the whole house, I take the 220V and distribute it through the circuit breaker panel to 110V to run two refrigerators, one freezer, kitchen lights to include gas stove, other house lights, 12K BTU window a/c and a T.V. As to this load, the B&S; generator has no problem whatever. I have not had the need as of yet to run 220V electric water heater. As to the other comments, agree that the generator would not be able to handle the whole house to include central air, etc. For the price, it is excellent! « Show Less
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However, small grid tied inverters that are UL certified and fine for use are dropping in price. You can pay $100-$200 have the electician grid tie that device. The DC to AC connection you can often do yourself. Pay the inspection fee... and you are good! Where I live you can get a free net meter from the power company and you are actually saving money by making your own power, can sell power back if not used, AND we recieve a credit for production period... regardless if I use it or not. Check with your tax person, but the costs involved in setting this up can be offset by 30% or so. Wind has an additional benefit over solar in that you get more credit as well... check your IRS forms. However, small grid tied inverters that are UL certified and fine for use are dropping in price. You can pay $100-$200 have the electician grid tie that device. The DC to AC connection you can often do yourself. Pay the inspection fee... and you are good! Where I live you can get a free net meter from the power company and you are actually saving money by making your own power, can sell power back if not used, AND we recieve a credit for production period... regardless if I use it or not. Check with your tax person, but the costs involved in setting this up can be offset by 30% or so. Wind... » Read More However, small grid tied inverters that are UL certified and fine for use are dropping in price. You can pay $100-$200 have the electician grid tie that device. The DC to AC connection you can often do yourself. Pay the inspection fee... and you are good! Where I live you can get a free net meter from the power company and you are actually saving money by making your own power, can sell power back if not used, AND we recieve a credit for production period... regardless if I use it or not. Check with your tax person, but the costs involved in setting this up can be offset by 30% or so. Wind has an additional benefit over solar in that you get more credit as well... check your IRS forms. « Show Less
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i don't think these devices have charge controllers like we think of solar charge controllers. the only way you can hook up a charge controller to a wind turbine is as a diversion controller. these devices are all made in china. the chinese language does not have a word for/meaning controller. they use different/wrong words in their marketing just because they don't have a word for what they want to say. imo, these devices simply have a rectifier in them that converts/rectifies the wild three phase voltage generated by the alternator into a DC voltage that should be connected directly to the battery. i don't think these devices have charge controllers like we think of solar charge controllers. the only way you can hook up a charge controller to a wind turbine is as a diversion controller. these devices are all made in china. the chinese language does not have a word for/meaning controller. they use different/wrong words in their marketing just because they don't have a word for what they want to say. imo, these devices simply have a rectifier in them that converts/rectifies the wild three phase voltage generated by the alternator into a DC voltage that should be connected directly to... » Read More i don't think these devices have charge controllers like we think of solar charge controllers. the only way you can hook up a charge controller to a wind turbine is as a diversion controller. these devices are all made in china. the chinese language does not have a word for/meaning controller. they use different/wrong words in their marketing just because they don't have a word for what they want to say. imo, these devices simply have a rectifier in them that converts/rectifies the wild three phase voltage generated by the alternator into a DC voltage that should be connected directly to the battery. « Show Less
1115383
I found that to be normal though I have no background in electronics I did not have a problem because it does everything that was claimed. Another thing is that if it is close to discharge the solar voltaics will not charge it to 100%. It is best to charge it up if you are away from electricity with solar before you get to a total discharge....
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I used this panel to keep the batteries charged for my gate opener. If you use this make sure you cover it to block the sun until after everything is connected. IE: Load controller and the load, batteries also if you are charging them. This panel puts out around 28V so it will fry anything that is not going through the controller. I charged to motorcycle size batteries, 24V kept them charged. Am going to use it now to keep the batteries charged on my Quads, I will reset the charge controller to use 12V instead of 24V Great little trickle charger and it will maintain your battery, Not meant to recharge the battery just maintenance. I used this panel to keep the batteries charged for my gate opener. If you use this make sure you cover it to block the sun until after everything is connected. IE: Load controller and the load, batteries also if you are charging them. This panel puts out around 28V so it will fry anything that is not going through the controller. I charged to motorcycle size batteries, 24V kept them charged. Am going to use it now to keep the batteries charged on my Quads, I will reset the charge controller to use 12V instead of 24V Great little trickle charger and it will maintain your battery, Not meant... » Read More I used this panel to keep the batteries charged for my gate opener. If you use this make sure you cover it to block the sun until after everything is connected. IE: Load controller and the load, batteries also if you are charging them. This panel puts out around 28V so it will fry anything that is not going through the controller. I charged to motorcycle size batteries, 24V kept them charged. Am going to use it now to keep the batteries charged on my Quads, I will reset the charge controller to use 12V instead of 24V Great little trickle charger and it will maintain your battery, Not meant to recharge the battery just maintenance. « Show Less
466629
A couple things. Your solar panels will not be able to keep with your battery's discharge if the discharge rate is higher than the charge rate. It might be able to slow it down but it won't keep up. This can be calculated (roughly) by the combined amp hours of your batteries, volts, and wattage of your system. Makes sense, right? Second, if your circuit is serial, your charge should be serial, too. You'd run the solar panels in series just like your batteries. The key here is a controller. Be sure you get a solar controller that is powerful enough to manage your system. This is an essential component and cannot be ignored. A couple things. Your solar panels will not be able to keep with your battery's discharge if the discharge rate is higher than the charge rate. It might be able to slow it down but it won't keep up. This can be calculated (roughly) by the combined amp hours of your batteries, volts, and wattage of your system. Makes sense, right? Second, if your circuit is serial, your charge should be serial, too. You'd run the solar panels in series just like your batteries. The key here is a controller. Be sure you get a solar controller that is powerful enough to manage your system. This is an essential... » Read More A couple things. Your solar panels will not be able to keep with your battery's discharge if the discharge rate is higher than the charge rate. It might be able to slow it down but it won't keep up. This can be calculated (roughly) by the combined amp hours of your batteries, volts, and wattage of your system. Makes sense, right? Second, if your circuit is serial, your charge should be serial, too. You'd run the solar panels in series just like your batteries. The key here is a controller. Be sure you get a solar controller that is powerful enough to manage your system. This is an essential component and cannot be ignored. « Show Less
1648403
In my opinion I would work backwards first. AC Energy Needs: What do you need to power? How many watts? Yousay laptops, radio, and possible fan (just kidding). None of those are big energy hogs. So you could probably get by with a system that outputs a continuous 100 watts. On the safe side lets say 150 watts of continuous AC power. OK, so you need an inverter (converts DC power to AC power) that output at least 150 watts of continuous power. There are lots of good inverters in this range. I suggest one that has a built in fan, high conversion efficiency, and an alarm for low power supply voltage. DC Energy Source: Solar panels output DC energy; however, their out put varies with time of day, cloudiness, and much more. You need a continuous power source. In steps the battery, a power reservoir or buffer. We are not talking car batteries here, as they will not handle the deep discharges and recharges that you could subject them to. Deep cycle batteries are what you want. If you read Northern Arizona Wind & Sun's battery FAQ (http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm) you will fidn they recommend AGM batteries, such as these: UPG UB12350 Group U1 - AGM Battery - Sealed Lead Acid - 12 Volt - 35 Ah Capacity - I2 Terminal. Charging the battery: In steps the Solar Panel. Simply put you use the solar panel to charge the battery. You will also need to put something in between the battery and the solar panel(s), such a charge controller (avoids over charging) or diode (prevents charge from batteries leaking back through to the panels). Of course, you also need the best direct sunlight you can get. Mostly, that is what you need.
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Hey folks, to be clear, "retracer" is actually wrong. The panels are actually built OUT OF COUNTRY. I just confirmed this by speaking directly with someone at Grape Solar in Eugene, OR. With that said, these folks are extremely helpful and have been more than willing to help in answering any questions I've had related to their products and even how I can connect their products into an existing solar project that I have NOT containing their products.