DIY Solar Power
Using parts easily available from your local stores, you can make a solar power generator. Great for power failures and life outside the power grid. Have one in the office store-room in case of power failures in your highrise.
1. Buy yourself a small solar panel (25W or 40W).
2. Get the biggest deep-cycle 12-volt sealed gel-battery.
3. Get a battery box to put it in. (This is good for covering up the exposed terminals.)
4. To run AC appliances, invest in an inverter. This will convert the stored DC power in the battery into AC power for your household appliances. Count up the number of watts you'll be using (Eg. a small color television = 60 watts with a VCR = 22 watts, you'll need 82 watts).
5. Use insulated wire to attach the meter to the wingnut terminals on the battery. Connect the negative (-) pole first. Only handle one wire at a time.
6. Put the solar panel in the sun. It takes 5-8 hours to charge a dead battery; 1-3 hours to top-off a weak one. It will run radios, fans, and small wattage lights all night, or give you about 5 hours of continuous use at 115 volt AC.
Human Power Generator
The Human Power Generator is small, portable, and can be pedaled or cranked by hand to charge 12-volt batteries. The typical average continuous power that can be generated by pedaling the Human Power Generator is up to about 80 watts. The maximum power obtainable through hand cranking typically is about 50 watts. The pedals and optional hand-cranks are interchangeable.
The MkIII Human Power Generator has a durable powder coated steel frame, large rubber feet, and vibration isolated generator. It is the tool for self-reliant electrical production.
Portable Power Pack
The Human Power Combo comes with the Mk III Human Power Generator and a stand-alone Portable Power Pack which includes: storage battery, 300 watt inverter (with 800 watt peak power), LED battery voltage readout, connection cables, and a 120-volt outlet.
posted by Sleeplesserf at 12:23 AM
21 Comments:
I have submitted this to Digg and Stumbleupon. I think a lot of people would like to read this. You can expect A LOT of people coming in from Digg.com:
http://digg.com/design/How_To_Make_A_Solar_Power_Generator_Using_Parts_from_Local_Stores
Go vote!
PS: I notice you link to Gaiam / Real Goods. They rock!
Nice, i'll probably try the first one, see if it can handle a computer, small stereo, and small lamp. Thats all i need to live in my room
NIce post, if you don't mind I would like to put on my web site: puregreencars.com
Can you overcharge the battery if you leave it connected too long?
Also, a diode might be a good thing to stick in it so you avoid discharge back through the system.
Does anyone know how much these items cost? It seems like a great idea, but I'm not sure if I have the money.
@Eric,
Some solar panels come equipped with a charge controller. This is usually indicated on the packaging.
Large solar arrays (to power an entire home or barn, for example) might require a separate, dedicated controller unit.
You can see most of the equipment he's talking about at the "exciting products" storefront on Amazon
How much energy do you think it takes to make this gear in the first place?
you should really have a charging regulator in your setup, otherwise you will significantly reduce the life of your battery because of overcharging and lack of voltage regulation, amazingly the voltage coming out of a solar panel varies on the strength of sun so while it can be rated at 12v or 24v it often spikes or drops depending on the amount of sun hitting panel.
they only cost about $20 so in the scheme of things what would you rather have...buy gelcel or lead acid batteries at $30 each which would probably only last 3-6months before becoming useless or buy one regulator at $20 which will allow the battery to last at least a year
This is great... I will start searching for the items as well as some prices and I will post them when I find them... good stuff!
couldn't you just host the images right here on blogger?
I desperately want to post a link to this post, but I cannot do so until the images are working.
Awesome post. Solar power rocks. Hey have you seen those new portable solar battery chargers from Solio (http://www.solio.com)? Best new solar tech product this year.
I have a Black and Decker 400 ac /dc power station veco26BD...could I recharge this power station with the solar panel kit?
Hi - you can get a lot of these questions answered at the Alternative Energy Store forums (http://community.altenergystore.com/), and see all the different kinds of solar panels you can get (often for really cheap) here: http://store.altenergystore.com/Solar-Panels/c541/
I've found the people there to be very knowledgeable.
-NatureGirl
Excellent Would Like to share your article on Solar Panel BUilding on
KeepGreen.com
This is a nice guide, too about solar panels. I personally have made my own and am very satisfied.
I'd also like to post a websit eI came across for anybody that's interested in DIY solar and wind turbine projects. Check out DIY Solar Power Guides for more info.
Excellent Job!
I Buy Solar Panels
Nice work! I also found a site that has nice info on the status of solar power today.
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