Thoughts on Solar system
Thoughts on Solar system
Thoughts on this system to (quietly) augment a generator systems. Would be used for lighting, fans, recharging, etc.
http://www.costco.com/GOAL-ZERO%C2%AE-P ... 78386.html
Of course it is more than a DIY system. If it turns out to be crap, Costco return will be helpful.
http://www.costco.com/GOAL-ZERO%C2%AE-P ... 78386.html
Of course it is more than a DIY system. If it turns out to be crap, Costco return will be helpful.
- BBadger
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
I think solar power for the playa in general is a joke, but a 30W solar panel rig with a tiny 350Whr battery for $550? You've gotta be kidding me.
Unless you're planning on using that solar panel all the time the rest of the year, don't bother. Solar power is a waste of money for just playa use. Hell, even if you use it the rest of the year I'd look into something else worth keeping.
Unless you're planning on using that solar panel all the time the rest of the year, don't bother. Solar power is a waste of money for just playa use. Hell, even if you use it the rest of the year I'd look into something else worth keeping.
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- ygmir
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
yup, I'm factoring out costs, PITA, and maintenance, related to the 2500 watt system I'm still trying to get county approval for.BBadger wrote:I think solar power for the playa in general is a joke, but a 30W solar panel rig with a tiny 350Whr battery for $550? You've gotta be kidding me.
Unless you're planning on using that solar panel all the time the rest of the year, don't bother. Solar power is a waste of money for just playa use. Hell, even if you use it the rest of the year I'd look into something else worth keeping.
All things considered, It'll break me even, over it's life, meaning I'll make as much from the electricity sold back to "the grid" as the system costs me........or close.
Solar stuff is getting cheaper all the time. and the bigger panels are the best deal, per watt.
220 watts is pretty average. It comes out at 24 or 36 volts.......you can buy, or make your own, ways to handle that D.C. current.
of course, one good rock, and the panel is junk, or mostly there.
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- Elorrum
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
I'm so dense today... this is what I thought of when I saw this thread:


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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
One of my campmates brings out a panel he bought a harbor freight a few years back. He uses it to trickle charge a battery for his fridge in a trailer. I think it was under $100. He does have to move it around and dust it off once in awhile. I wouldn't spend more than that for any solar panel for the burn. Like it was said above, unless you are going to use it for something else throughout the year, it's probably a waste of cold hard cash.
In dust we trust.
- some seeing eye
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
Hello Karma, That is a great post-Sandy system capable of keeping mobile phones allive, a small light for a few hours and getting a little laptop use.
As others point out, it is expensive in relation to the components. If you search these forums, you will find a large amount of helpful suggestions on solar. Good for you in jumping to energy self reliance on playa and off!
As others point out, it is expensive in relation to the components. If you search these forums, you will find a large amount of helpful suggestions on solar. Good for you in jumping to energy self reliance on playa and off!
increasing the signal to noise ratio with compassion
Re: Thoughts on Solar system
I don't debate that cost of watts from solar is not competitive with a generator, however the other factors (noise, portability, etc.).
I do have a gennie, so what I am looking for is a battery/solar system for LED lighting, recharging, maybe a 12V appliance or two. Obviously I can rig my own, but am not too thrilled about having a wiring rats nests and something that only I can run.
This out-of-the-box system looks pretty straightforward to operate, has clean wiring, and provides a wealth of power output option.
I do have a gennie, so what I am looking for is a battery/solar system for LED lighting, recharging, maybe a 12V appliance or two. Obviously I can rig my own, but am not too thrilled about having a wiring rats nests and something that only I can run.
This out-of-the-box system looks pretty straightforward to operate, has clean wiring, and provides a wealth of power output option.
Re: Thoughts on Solar system
I would also use the system off-playa for camping, earthquake preparedness, art projects, etc.
- mudpuppy000
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
Haha, me too... Nerds.Elorrum wrote:I'm so dense today... this is what I thought of when I saw this thread:

- unjonharley
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
Tiahaar has a wind powered charger on his bus. The wind powers a 12v motor.. I notice he has to stop it .. It produces a little to much power.. YOU might PM him for information..
- BBadger
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
Most power packs have those exact same outputs. Anyway, it sounds like you just want an appliance. If $550 is worth it to you for a 30W solar power source, by all means go for it.karmabox wrote:I don't debate that cost of watts from solar is not competitive with a generator, however the other factors (noise, portability, etc.).
I do have a gennie, so what I am looking for is a battery/solar system for LED lighting, recharging, maybe a 12V appliance or two. Obviously I can rig my own, but am not too thrilled about having a wiring rats nests and something that only I can run.
This out-of-the-box system looks pretty straightforward to operate, has clean wiring, and provides a wealth of power output option.
"The essence of tyranny is not iron law. It is capricious law." -- Christopher Hitchens
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- Noboundaries
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
BahZINGah!mudpuppy000 wrote:Haha, me too... Nerds.Elorrum wrote:I'm so dense today... this is what I thought of when I saw this thread:
You are always smaller than anything that upsets you. Remain calm and solutions with boundless possibility will find your heart.
- Ugly Dougly
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
You're not alone, I am here to tell you.Elorrum wrote:I'm so dense today... this is what I thought of when I saw this thread:

Re: Thoughts on Solar system
If I wanted to have independent power, and were driving to the event, I'd probably aim at a Powerpack, as previously mentioned (half the price) and buy locally from an automotive or home store with a 30+ day return policy, two weeks before the Burn. I've seen enough nightmare horror stories about trying to return defective powerpacks online that I would never bother to buy that way. A certain noticeable percentage are duds from sitting too long, and it costs a lot of money to ship them back, after which some merchants become argumentative about refunding shipping (even when the unit is purchased through a major retailer).
To cut back on the amount of power I need, I have oscillating fans, light strings and lanterns that are battery-powered and (go ahead and laugh) a curling iron that's butane powered.
To cut back on the amount of power I need, I have oscillating fans, light strings and lanterns that are battery-powered and (go ahead and laugh) a curling iron that's butane powered.

*** The Burning Man Survival Guide ***
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"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
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- BBadger
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
Yeah, the rated shelf-life of those batteries is 6 months or so. I'm not sure what it drains down to, but if it's too low it starts damaging the capacity of the battery.Savannah wrote:If I wanted to have independent power, and were driving to the event, I'd probably aim at a Powerpack, as previously mentioned (half the price) and buy locally from an automotive or home store with a 30+ day return policy, two weeks before the Burn. I've seen enough nightmare horror stories about trying to return defective powerpacks online that I would never bother to buy that way. A certain noticeable percentage are duds from sitting too long, and it costs a lot of money to ship them back, after which some merchants become argumentative about refunding shipping (even when the unit is purchased through a major retailer).
After learning that my sister brings shavers to shave her legs on backpacking camping trips nothing surprises me anymore.To cut back on the amount of power I need, I have oscillating fans, light strings and lanterns that are battery-powered and (go ahead and laugh) a curling iron that's butane powered.
"The essence of tyranny is not iron law. It is capricious law." -- Christopher Hitchens
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
Heh! Re appearance, my thoughts are these:BBadger wrote:After learning that my sister brings shavers to shave her legs on backpacking camping trips nothing surprises me anymore.Savannah wrote:To cut back on the amount of power I need, I have oscillating fans, light strings and lanterns that are battery-powered and (go ahead and laugh) a curling iron that's butane powered.
1) Positive reinforcement is a helluva drug.
2) Negative reinforcement is a helluva drug.
3) Sometimes it's not literally about how you look, it's how you feel.
. . . If a person doesn't make her (or his) primping your problem, it's best to laugh and look the other way.

*** The Burning Man Survival Guide ***
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
Re: Thoughts on Solar system
I'd rather buy the 45 watt system from Harbor Freight for $149 in conjunction with one of these for $126. You really do end up using the jumpstarter part outside of BM. I've had good luck using such a combination while camping in Baja California.

(currently Zeke Chaparral)
- theCryptofishist
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
Yeah, I guess all us space nerds are being flushed out of the bushes on this...Ugly Dougly wrote:You're not alone, I am here to tell you.Elorrum wrote:I'm so dense today... this is what I thought of when I saw this thread:
The Lady with a Lamprey
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
Re: Thoughts on Solar system
I don't think I'm knowledgeable enough to be called a space nerd, but I thought that's what this thread was going to be about, too.theCryptofishist wrote:Yeah, I guess all us space nerds are being flushed out of the bushes on this...Ugly Dougly wrote:You're not alone, I am here to tell you.Elorrum wrote:I'm so dense today... this is what I thought of when I saw this thread:

*** The Burning Man Survival Guide ***
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
- trilobyte
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
It made me think of the awesome BBC docu with Professor Brian Cox
[media]
- theCryptofishist
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
Oh great, now I'm going to hear Sir David Attenbourough's voice every time I read this thread.
The Lady with a Lamprey
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
- trilobyte
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
No no no, not Attenborough. You'll be thinking about Cox all day. 

- theCryptofishist
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
No, I didn't follow the link. Attenburough is my go-to voice for BBC documentaries.
The Lady with a Lamprey
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
Re: Thoughts on Solar system
trilobyte wrote:No no no, not Attenborough. You'll be thinking about Cox all day.

*** The Burning Man Survival Guide ***
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
- theCryptofishist
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- Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:28 am
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
The Lady with a Lamprey
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
Re: Thoughts on Solar system
I put a 30W system together for about $125. I only needed to run a few things, and the solar panel was basically helping the batteries not drain so fast. If your batteries are charged, you're carrying a decent amount of power with you on playa already.
The solar panel also came in pretty handy when my car wouldn't start. Only took an hour to charge up enough to get started while packing.
The solar panel also came in pretty handy when my car wouldn't start. Only took an hour to charge up enough to get started while packing.
Re: Thoughts on Solar system
Weirdly, I thought of both meanings of "Solar System."
My best grades for the semester I flunked out of the university were in Astronomy... B on the lab component, C on the class. (I had to look up my GPA for a job application-- never mind that the semester was 25 years ago and the job didn't require college. I couldn't just leave off a GPA and proceed on the online application form.)
My best grades for the semester I flunked out of the university were in Astronomy... B on the lab component, C on the class. (I had to look up my GPA for a job application-- never mind that the semester was 25 years ago and the job didn't require college. I couldn't just leave off a GPA and proceed on the online application form.)
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Do things that have never been done."
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
Could you imagine if this was your cash cow for you science classroom supplies company, and then they ax pluto.Elorrum wrote:I'm so dense today... this is what I thought of when I saw this thread:
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- some seeing eye
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
I'll have a little steampunk with my solar system:


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- Tiahaar
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Re: Thoughts on Solar system
yus, the permanent magnet alternator I gots does pretty good, however I would rather get more solar power from sun than hope for lotsa wind...dust an all that ya know, I must be getting jadedunjonharley wrote:Tiahaar has a wind powered charger on his bus. The wind powers a 12v motor.. I notice he has to stop it .. It produces a little to much power.. YOU might PM him for information..

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