So I really want to play with solar power. I was playing around on the Internet, and found a website for creating a "Solar Power Generator". The idea is simple. Take a large rechargeable battery, hook it up to a solar panel and an inverter. My only issue is, how does it know when to stop charging the battery? But then again… it is solar power… I doubt it would ever go that far for the little bit of time during the day it would have sun-light. But anyway, I have several small items that I could power with this as a test. Mostly in my bedroom. Ceiling fan, electric shavers, alarm clocks, phone chargers, and my fish tank. I’d really like to be running the fish tank on solar. I am also looking at converting some of the old UPSs that I have laying around into these. They are already contained, and have multiple plugs. If anyone has an ideas, please let me know.
And before some of you say it, yes, I know it’s not a huge savings on energy costs. I am only toying with it. I know me running my alarm clock on solar is not “saving the world” and all. However, if it does work out, and the cost of solar keeps coming down, maybe one day, I could make it so that all I am reliant on the grid for is cooling (A.C., refrigerator, etc.) and heating (stoves, etc.).
You just want that fish to die… or is that the turtles?
Hey there, My wife told me to check out your blog on solar energy. I think it is great that you are interested in solar. The UPS’s that you already have , do have a sealed lead acid battery in them, they also have a circuit board that contains a charge controller and battery monitor. You would probably be best off installing a solar panel to a DC battery pack . Then using the battery pack to feed an inverter to get 120v. Be sure to use a DC charge controller from the solar panel to the DC batteries, That way they will not over charge. You can then use the inverted power directly or plug in your UPS for even more storage. If you chose an inverter be sure that it is a True sine wave inverter, this runs equipment like motors and computers much more efficiently. Also very important is to use only sealed lead acid or AGM batteries in an inside system, If you don’t you could have a hydrogen gas build up from charging and get seriously hurt or killed.
wow, you could be like, brothas from anotha motha. :P
I know nothing. Thats my story and I’m sticking to it!