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Forum Solar power starting point
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Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 6 replies
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  • solarpower
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Solar power starting point

Former Member
Former Member over 9 years ago

Hello Everyone

 

I am new to element 14 and I thought here would be a good place to ask where to find some information on Solar Power. I work at a Boy Scout camp in the summer and at this camp we all live in large green wall tents. I usually charge my phone within one of the many buildings we have but I have been thinking that it would be a interesting project to build or buy a solar panel and a large battery and other necessary materials. To build a solar panel system that would be large enough to be able to charge two smart phones and power a string of christmas lights for a few hours and then some to spare.

 

Thank you for taking your time and reading this!

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  • jw0752
    jw0752 over 9 years ago +2
    Hi Alex, You could buy a solar car battery charge like this one I found on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/MicroSolar-Contoller-Waterproof-Extension-Maintainer/dp/B00EB3OC9W/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1457587601&sr…
  • jw0752
    jw0752 over 9 years ago in reply to Former Member +1
    Hi Alex, Yes the one you listed should do a quicker job of recharging the battery. John
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  • jw0752
    jw0752 over 9 years ago

    Hi Alex,

    You could buy a solar car battery charge like this one I found on Amazon.    http://www.amazon.com/MicroSolar-Contoller-Waterproof-Extension-Maintainer/dp/B00EB3OC9W/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1457587601&sr=8-9&keywords=solar+car+battery+charger

    They have cheaper ones but this one has 10 Watts and the cheaper ones still cost $30 and only have 1/4 the power.

     

    The next thing you will need is a 12 volt gelcel battery.  Here is one that I found, also on Amazon   http://www.amazon.com/Volt-Amp-Hour-Alarm-Battery/dp/B0010XNC06/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1457587869&sr=8-2&keywords=12+volt+gel+battery

    The nice thing about gelcels is that they have a lot of power and unlike a car battery you can carry them around and tip them without fear of spilling acid.

     

    Once we have the battery and the solar cell you will have to hook the Positive terminal of the solar cell to the Positive terminal of the battery and then the negative to the negative. Also hook up the cigarette light jack so that the positive is on the center terminal and the negative is on the outer terminal. Now you can plug regular chargers and 12 volt lights and appliances into the cigarette adapter. The battery that I listed has 7 Amp hours of power which can easily charge up  2 or three phones and still have a little power left for lights. The one catch is that a fully discharged battery will probably take 10 or 12 hours or more to recharge if the solar panel is in bright sunlight. The trick will be to ration the use of the battery and make certain the panel is in full sunlight.

     

    If I was still in Scouts I would be right there helping you set it up. It sounds like a great project. I was always a technologically empowered scout and faithfully brought a lighter on all camping trips where a fire needed to be built. No rubbing sticks together for me.

    John (Eagle Scout 1965 vintage)

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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 9 years ago in reply to jw0752

    Thank you for the advice I was wondering would this solar panel Amazon.com : MicroSolar - 30w Solar Charger Kit // Plug & Play// Solar Charge Contoller Included - 18 Feet Wire - Option… be a faster charging solution for charging of the battery.

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  • jw0752
    jw0752 over 9 years ago in reply to Former Member

    Hi Alex,

    Yes  the one you listed should do a quicker job of recharging the battery.

    John

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  • jw0752
    jw0752 over 9 years ago in reply to Former Member

    Hi Alex,

    Yes  the one you listed should do a quicker job of recharging the battery.

    John

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