Let's talk SOLAR POWER

zoeyburn · Post by **zoeyburn** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:24 pm

I would love to hear how people have used solar power at burningman.
Last year I had a very small, simple solar panel I used to recharge deep cell batteries. I had two batteries so I could run stuff off one while charging the other.

I would love to learn how to run things DIRECTLY with a solar panel - leave the very heavey/not earth freindly/batteries out of the eqation. Any suggestions?

Bob A · Post by **Bob A** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 4:13 pm

I've been doing a lot of research on bringing solar out with me for my first burn in 2004. Everything I've read and looked at leans towards using solar and batteries together. The idea being you’re collecting every ounce of the sun's rays and using it as needed. If you run directly off the panel then your limited to what the sun is doing right now.

If you have a 70-watt panel, that will drive a 60-watt light bulb, but without the battery it will only work during the day. With a battery or a couple of batteries you could collect enough juice during the day to run multiple lights for a couple of hours at night.

I would get a charge regulator to prevent over charging,and put both batteries together in parallel. Both batteries will charge evenly at the same time and you won't miss any of that precious sunshine. You can charge and draw power off at the same time and having the two batteries together will keep either one from discharging to low, making the batteries last longer so they don't end up as scrap any sooner than they have to. It's also a set it and forget type thing, as long as you don't use more than you collect you can just set it up and go on your merry way.

Bob A

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 4:29 pm

Here is a simple easy low cost way to bring solar out to the playa (I think the panels have even gone down in price since this was first written).

http://www.rain.org/%7Ephilfear/how2solar.html

And you should also check out the Alternative Energy Zone page- great info!
http://www.ae-zone.org/

Also this good easy to follow info on batteries and such
http://www.hot-pages.com/generetiquette/batteries.html

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 7:47 pm

I'm going to have a small solar panel for a razor scooter. Thanks BobA. I will get a motorcycle battery in parellel w/ the scooter. Regulator is another ???

Right now working on a wind charger. Also a way of tracking wind speed, average speed and over how many hours of the day/week. Along with total averages. Thought of it last year. Didn't do it. Now I wish I had.

Bob A · Post by **Bob A** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 9:11 pm

unjonharley,

I've seen the Charge controllers (my bad, brain freeze, not regulators) for anywhere from $60 - $200 depends on how much power your panel/s are putting out and features etc.

As far as your batteries, make sure they are about the same age and condition for the best results.

Are motorcycle batteries 6 or 12 volt? If they are 6, put 2 in series to get 12 volts.

That sounds like a fun project with the scooter. Are you going to attach the panel to the scooter for continuous charging or just use it as a charging station?

Bob A

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 6:11 am

The new motorccle batties are 12. Figured on putting the panel on the scoot Thx again

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 6:54 am

Absolute bone-cheapest way to solarize on-Playa- pick up and modify a pack of those Malibu solar lights.....I've seen them for 40 clams per box of 10......can't power a scooter with 'em, but it's a good start.....

ZenRascal · Post by **ZenRascal** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 11:00 pm

I used solar power for a variety of things on the playa. I put a solar panel on the roof of my van & used a standard charge controller. Instead of investing in a deep cycle battery, I just borrowed the battery from my 2nd car.

My primary need for electricity on the playa was for working on my costumes during the day and for charging small batteries that lit the neon I wore at night. My van served as my "shop" where I altered, added to & sometimes repaired the electronics in my costumes. I had a small 12VDC to 110VAC inverter which could run an electric drill & a soldering iron.

I run real neon on my costumes. Batteries, high voltage supplies & 12V flasher units are concealed in rubber chickens (or something similarly goofy). The batteries I use are 6VDC NiMH in pairs for 12 VDC. They're pretty husky (4 ampere hours capacity) 'cause I need that kind of power to run the neon for any length of time. The batteries I use weren't that expensive, they're the type used for large RC cars. I got a fancy smart charge controller for the NiMH packs which does a good job of charging them to capacity.

mikeylightsit · Post by **mikeylightsit** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 11:18 pm

go to AEZ@ burningman.com and get on the dicussion list. They are a great group of people who share a big theme camp site. They will hlep you with any questions you may have on solar or wind power or bio fuels, hydrogen info etc.

Michael

Last Real Burner · Post by **Last Real Burner** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 10:46 pm

I saw a Field of Electronic, Solar Powered, Sunflowers at the 01 or 02 Burn, I can't remember which.

manowar · Post by **manowar** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 10:59 pm

If you only want to run during the day, you can leave the battery at home and just bring a solar panel. In that case it's best to connect up a large capacitor in place of the battery, to smooth the voltage out. You can get them from any place that sales garage door openers. Two things to remember, large capacitors can be dangerous when charged, so a large (1 Mohm) resistor should usually be connected across the terminals. In dry playa air, the static in the air is often enough to give them a little charge, shouldn't hurt you, but might not feel too good. The resistor will protect both you and the equipment. Also be aware that your actual voltage will vary a lot. Any sensative electronics should be protected by a voltage regulator. Generally anything that's designed to be plugged into a car's lighter outlet SHOULD be OK as that voltage can also vary, but better safe than sorry if there's any doubt.

Here's the panel and battery I'm planning on using for a project this year.
Charger/day time power - http://icpsolar.com/html/plus.asp
Battery/night time power - http://www.bb-battery.com/productsevp.asp
Yeah I know the car charger says it won't charge a car battery, but I pulled both their spec sheets and it's almost the ideal charger for these smaller batteries (as long as you can let them charge 8 - 10 hours). Obviously it won't supply tons of power, but its sufficient for my needs. The big thing for me is that this combo is cheap (under $70) and relatively light (15bs.) and meets my power requirements.

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 9:22 am

Chai Guy--

I just wanted to say that the alternative energy zone pages look to be incredibly cool! If/when I make it to a Burning Man, I'll have to hang out at their place for a while! Thanks for the links!

And you should also check out the Alternative Energy Zone page- great info!
http://www.ae-zone.org/

Brian

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 12:22 pm

You can get nice 12V batteries where fishing supplies are sold- I scored a nice little 3"x4"x8" (ballpark) trolling-motor battery at Gander Mountain, which I've set into a case with power leads and a switch as a mobile power center for dome lighting. A cluster of these for solar might be easier to wrangle than one or two bigger deepcell types....

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 2:37 pm

I have a PDF version of an article 'A Solar Ammonia Absorption Icemaker' written back in 1996. If anyone's interested. Diagrams, plans, costs, etc.

PM me for article.

[email protected]

DVD Burner · Post by **DVD Burner** » Tue May 04, 2004 2:08 pm

I know that manowar made mention of IPC solar in this thread but I had a hard time getting past Chai Guy's suggestion of http://www.ae-zone.org/ because it was a suggestion I had made in september-october and never was noticed.

anyhoo,

Kelly made mention of IPC again today and I'm glad she did. IPC has got some good stuff. (so does the zone.)

thanks guys. this works for me.

Last Real Burner · Post by **Last Real Burner** » Wed May 05, 2004 12:46 am

Go ahead ask me....

"Why are you...

Timing.

Let's talk SOLAR POWER

Let's talk SOLAR POWER

alt power etc.

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