Re: Solar Panel Source

["ABLE1" <nospamhere@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> 50ma is nothing, but the key will be your batteries.  Also your location
>> has a high number of low production and short production time days with
>> cloud cover, snow fall, and short winter days.  You probably need to plan
>> about 4-6 times the capacity the simple math would give you.
>>
>> I run 60watt panels for alarm panels with cellular communicators here in
>> southern Arizona, but we never have a day when the sun doesn't shine at
>> least part of the day.  I do run an external battery bank and an inverter
>> though because the panel chargers can not keep up cycle rate.  Also that
>> way if my battery bank does fail to charge enough for a couple days its
>> got another day on the alarm panels internal backup battery.
>>
>> Anyway, just do the math, and buy a panel big enough to do the job that
>> comes with a charge controller.  My 60 watt panels came from Northern
>> Tool with a 7 amp charge controller, but I've had them for several years.
>> I am sure you can find a better price today.  You are plenty smart enough
>> to figure out what you need.  Its simple amps times volts equals watts
>> calculations, and amp hour calculations for some deep cycle batteries.
>
> Almost forgot:
>
> Make sure you use a charge controller.  Your solar cells will discharge
> your batteries at night if you don't.  For loads that are close to
> capacity and for el-cheapo solar chargers some outfits just use a diode,
> but that's sloppy and bound to fail for something that's continuous use
> like you describe.
>
>

Bob,

Yes, I have done the math.  That is not a problem.  It is finding a
distributor that I can deal with that will either supply the parts needed at
a good price that I find most difficult.

So far it is either Grid Tie Systems or Off Grid panel that are way to big
for the application.

I had not checked Harbor Freight so thanks for that tip.  Never heard of
Northern Tool.  Will check that.

Again,  Thanks,

Les