Comments on: Calculator | Solar http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html Tue, 22 May 2012 02:52:24 -0700 en-us Tue, 22 May 2012 02:52:24 -0700 By: Back pain relief http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-53 Back pain relief Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:25:15 -0800 I‘m not an expert when it comes to this. Didn‘t even know this was possible. Useful read, appreciate your posting this. I‘m not an expert when it comes to this. Didn‘t even know this was possible. Useful read, appreciate your posting this.

]]> By: Mike http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-148 Mike Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:18:38 -0800 what size solar trickle charger would I need for at jeep wrangler. It is the tow vehicle for my class a motorhome what size solar trickle charger would I need for at jeep wrangler. It is the tow vehicle for my class a motorhome

]]> By: James http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-150 James Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:39:13 -0800 Trickle Chargers generally keep batteries maintained when not in use for prolonged periods of time. For a full sized automotive battery, I would recommend at least a 15 watt panel. Battery MINDer makes the SCC015, a very nice unit that also de-sulfates and restores batteries. Trickle Chargers generally keep batteries maintained when not in use for prolonged periods of time. For a full sized automotive battery, I would recommend at least a 15 watt panel. Battery MINDer makes the SCC015, a very nice unit that also de-sulfates and restores batteries.

]]> By: shari http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-177 shari Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:31:53 -0800 i am so confused by math and calulations. Help. I am getting a small boat with a trolling motor of about 40-50 lb thrust and want to get an apporpriate size 12 volt battery and an appropriate solar battery charger. I anticipate needing a 7 hour run time and want a charger that matches that use or atleast not end up with a dead battery in the middle of the water. I have been researching a couple hours now and just don‘t get how to figure it all out. Too many variables for my non math brain to wrap around. It is an inflatable boat with a 1000lb capacity which I doubt will ever get close to being that full, so 40 to 50 lb is more than enough…I have gotten that far…HELP please. i am so confused by math and calulations. Help. I am getting a small boat with a trolling motor of about 40-50 lb thrust and want to get an apporpriate size 12 volt battery and an appropriate solar battery charger. I anticipate needing a 7 hour run time and want a charger that matches that use or atleast not end up with a dead battery in the middle of the water. I have been researching a couple hours now and just don‘t get how to figure it all out. Too many variables for my non math brain to wrap around. It is an inflatable boat with a 1000lb capacity which I doubt will ever get close to being that full, so 40 to 50 lb is more than enough…I have gotten that far…HELP please.

]]> By: abdullah al ghaya http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-180 abdullah al ghaya Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:20:17 -0800 i am very thanks i am very thanks

]]> By: James http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-185 James Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:56:32 -0800 Test Test

]]> By: abdullah al ghaya http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-186 abdullah al ghaya Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:17:40 -0800 thank you too much about good knowldge . thank you too much about good knowldge .

]]> By: bill http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-201 bill Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:41:40 -0800 Very very helpful. I used it to size a backup panels and batteries for my refrigerator after a Hurricane. In 2005 locally some lost power for 3 weeks, this helped me calculate what I needed for refrigeration for me. The only question I have is could take a battery to 50%? Is that in Volts or AH? Very very helpful. I used it to size a backup panels and batteries for my refrigerator after a Hurricane. In 2005 locally some lost power for 3 weeks, this helped me calculate what I needed for refrigeration for me. The only question I have is could take a battery to 50%? Is that in Volts or AH?

]]> By: James Ville http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-202 James Ville Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:42:20 -0800 50% discharge has to do with capacity. Well, it actually has to do when chemistry. As the battery discharges, the amount of available electrolyte becomes less and less as it becomes diluted with water, a by-product of the chemical reaction that creates electricity. The internal plates also become covered with lead sulfate, which also hinder further chemical reaction. You cannot accurately measure available AH unless you run a load and determine runtime under that load. But you can measure volts. a 50% discharged 12 volt battery will not read 6 volts. 12.2 volts is closer to 50% discharged. Anything less is severe and will rapidly accelerate sulfation and decrease battery life. 50% discharge has to do with capacity. Well, it actually has to do when chemistry. As the battery discharges, the amount of available electrolyte becomes less and less as it becomes diluted with water, a by-product of the chemical reaction that creates electricity. The internal plates also become covered with lead sulfate, which also hinder further chemical reaction.

You cannot accurately measure available AH unless you run a load and determine runtime under that load. But you can measure volts. a 50% discharged 12 volt battery will not read 6 volts. 12.2 volts is closer to 50% discharged. Anything less is severe and will rapidly accelerate sulfation and decrease battery life.

]]> By: Sean OBrien http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-203 Sean OBrien Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:32:57 -0800 HI I just bought an energizer(84020 12V All-In-One Jump-Start System with Built-In Air Compressor and Power Inverter) as I am in sales and constantly on the road. I wanted to charge the battery with solar since I am in solar sales and I like to walk the walk. Its a 12v 18AH SLA but is expecting AC as the charge. I was wondering how many watt panel might supply an adequate recharge if I strap it to the roof of my FJ as I have latops phones and other sales tools plugged in to the unit. I ma guessing Ill need a small inverter and charge controller as well. Thanks in advance! HI
I just bought an energizer(84020 12V All-In-One Jump-Start System with Built-In Air Compressor and Power Inverter) as I am in sales and constantly on the road. I wanted to charge the battery with solar since I am in solar sales and I like to walk the walk. Its a 12v 18AH SLA but is expecting AC as the charge. I was wondering how many watt panel might supply an adequate recharge if I strap it to the roof of my FJ as I have latops phones and other sales tools plugged in to the unit. I ma guessing Ill need a small inverter and charge controller as well. Thanks in advance!

]]> By: Sean OBrien http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-204 Sean OBrien Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:34:55 -0800 hi hi

]]> By: mark http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-224 mark Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:03:56 -0800 Want to run a vehicle signal to GPS system 12volt 15watt continiously(daily. 240volt ac availible. Back up by UPS Want to run a vehicle signal to GPS system 12volt 15watt continiously(daily. 240volt ac availible. Back up by UPS

]]> By: Phil http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-228 Phil Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:43:01 -0800 Hi, I got a bit confused with the answers provided in blocks 29-31 of the calculator. It says in block 29 I need just over 7 panels in parallel. Block 30 says I need just 1 if in series. But block 31 says I need 8 total panels. ??? My plan was to just have a panel to keep a 90 aH deep cell battery charged in series. Well, 1 vs 7 is going to save me a lot of money. Can you clarify? Thanks! Hi, I got a bit confused with the answers provided in blocks 29-31 of the calculator. It says in block 29 I need just over 7 panels in parallel. Block 30 says I need just 1 if in series. But block 31 says I need 8 total panels. ??? My plan was to just have a panel to keep a 90 aH deep cell battery charged in series. Well, 1 vs 7 is going to save me a lot of money. Can you clarify? Thanks!

]]> By: James Ville http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-232 James Ville Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:48:08 -0800 Line 29 is the RAW of solar panels that will (total Watts) be enough for your system based on your calculations. This number may have decimals. Line 30 indicates the voltage system. 1 is for 12 volts. 2 is for 24 volts, etc. If your batteries are in parallel, so too must the panels be in parallel. Only one string of panels is needed. Nothing should be wired in a series with another set. The last line rounds up the number in line 29. If your RAW number was ~7.38, it‘s going to round up to 8. You can‘t have a partial panel. Line 31 is the true number of panels needed, in accordance to the Watt rating recommended. If your batteries are connected in series for more than 12 volts, then there is was an error in your numbers. The system voltage you enter (line 12) will determine the number in line 30.   Line 29 is the RAW of solar panels that will (total Watts) be enough for your system based on your calculations. This number may have decimals. Line 30 indicates the voltage system. 1 is for 12 volts. 2 is for 24 volts, etc. If your batteries are in parallel, so too must the panels be in parallel. Only one string of panels is needed. Nothing should be wired in a series with another set. The last line rounds up the number in line 29. If your RAW number was ~7.38, it‘s going to round up to 8. You can‘t have a partial panel. Line 31 is the true number of panels needed, in accordance to the Watt rating recommended.

If your batteries are connected in series for more than 12 volts, then there is was an error in your numbers. The system voltage you enter (line 12) will determine the number in line 30.

 

]]> By: abdulla http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-273 abdulla Tue, 27 Mar 2012 04:05:49 -0700 i need to figure out how many panels it will take to charge a 165ah, 12 V battery ? i need to figure out how many panels it will take to charge a 165ah, 12 V battery ?

]]> By: Tech http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-274 Tech Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:18:06 -0700 Please read through the Walkthrough [1], which explains how to use the solar calculator. To answer your question, you would need to know the amount of draw on the battery, and how many hours of sunlight you feel comfortable relying on. Links: ------ [1] http://www.batterystuff.com/kb/tools/solar-calculator-tutorial.html Please read through the Walkthrough, which explains how to use the solar calculator. To answer your question, you would need to know the amount of draw on the battery, and how many hours of sunlight you feel comfortable relying on.

]]> By: enriv http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-312 enriv Sun, 15 Apr 2012 05:49:16 -0700 I have two-10 W solar panel and two-12 V small 12AH/20HR Battery bank. What is the best wiring diagram for my panels? is it parallel or in series to compensate a 5 hrs full-charging. I have two-10 W solar panel and two-12 V small 12AH/20HR Battery bank. What is the best wiring diagram for my panels? is it parallel or in series to compensate a 5 hrs full-charging.

]]> By: Tech http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-315 Tech Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:53:11 -0700 As long as both the batteries and the panels are wired similarly (in seres or parallel) it won‘t make a difference in terms of time to charge. You‘re looking at the same amount of power in the end. As long as both the batteries and the panels are wired similarly (in seres or parallel) it won‘t make a difference in terms of time to charge. You‘re looking at the same amount of power in the end.

]]> By: Jesus http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-346 Jesus Fri, 04 May 2012 16:56:59 -0700 I‘m trying to run a 2 amp(max draw)DC bilge pump 24/7, and have a 3 cloudy day reserve. Just got a 60W panel, and a new 115 Ah 12V deep cycle battery. Do I really need (3) 60W panels in series with (3) 115 Ah batteries to run a little tiny bilge pump constantly. I did calculations on my own before I found this site and bought the parts. Not sure how I came up so short. I get 7 hours a day of direct sunlight on the panel. I‘m trying to run a 2 amp(max draw)DC bilge pump 24/7, and have a 3 cloudy day reserve. Just got a 60W panel, and a new 115 Ah 12V deep cycle battery. Do I really need (3) 60W panels in series with (3) 115 Ah batteries to run a little tiny bilge pump constantly. I did calculations on my own before I found this site and bought the parts. Not sure how I came up so short. I get 7 hours a day of direct sunlight on the panel.

]]> By: Tech http://www.site.com/articles//kb/solar-calculator.html#comment-349 Tech Mon, 07 May 2012 12:30:52 -0700 The solar calculator was correct. We do recommend three 115 AH batteries and three 60 Watt Panels (in parallel, not series). It‘s actually less than three of each recommended, but the calculator always rounds up to the nearest whole unit. No partial batteries or panels. Based on what you currently have: To keep a safe discharge level of 50%, we recommend you use a single 115 AH battery under a 2 amp load for no more than 31 hours and 57 minutes. Having 3 batteries will ensure at least 3 days of backup power should the sun forbid to shine. A single 60 watt panel will deliver about 4.5 amps per hour (a total of 31.5 amps in seven hours). This would still not cover the 48 amps draw taken in a single day, hence the need for more than one panel. Our calculator is very conservative. It‘s better to size a little larger to make up for unexpected weather or extra need for longer duration of power. The solar calculator was correct. We do recommend three 115 AH batteries and three 60 Watt Panels (in parallel, not series). It‘s actually less than three of each recommended, but the calculator always rounds up to the nearest whole unit. No partial batteries or panels.

Based on what you currently have: To keep a safe discharge level of 50%, we recommend you use a single 115 AH battery under a 2 amp load for no more than 31 hours and 57 minutes. Having 3 batteries will ensure at least 3 days of backup power should the sun forbid to shine. A single 60 watt panel will deliver about 4.5 amps per hour (a total of 31.5 amps in seven hours). This would still not cover the 48 amps draw taken in a single day, hence the need for more than one panel. Our calculator is very conservative. It‘s better to size a little larger to make up for unexpected weather or extra need for longer duration of power.

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