Here Comes The Sun

I am slowly moving into the 20th century here. Yes, I meant 20th Century. Like when electricity and indoor plumbing started taking off. I have the electricity finally taken care of (at least in a limited way).

My main source of big power to charge batteries and run power tools is from my brand new Gas and LP powered generator from Costco. I tried to get by with an old hand me down generator but it spewed gasoline, ran really loud and took the strength of Hercules to pull the starter cord. I still have more money than muscle (not saying a lot) so I drove over to the nearest Costco, 70 miles away, to get the one they sell. It is pretty sweet but at gasoline creeping up to $3.25 and a 20 minute drive away, not something I want to run more than I have to.

Which brings me to solar. I had a panel and a controller from when I had the trailer. I didn’t use much power in those days so I never really got any use out of the setup. When I set it up a few weeks ago here, I found the controller wasn’t working. I ended up buying another controller, 2 more batteries and 4 100w panels. 

I finally got it set up in time for Central Washington’s Sunny season. Lots of Sun for 16 hours a day. The downside is that the sunniest side of the property is 60 feet from the batteries. A distance that sulks the voltage out of the cable, at least cable I can afford. It is a temporary set up so I am not too worried. This is the last year that the government is giving solar rebates so I may buy a few more panels to boost my available watts. Who knows maybe, I might even get a TV.

I have to test my batteries because they don’t hold a charge very long. After a day on the solar panel, the 4 batteries show full at 13.5v, but in the morning, they sink to 12.4v or so. A lot of reading and researching, show that letting batteries go below 12.8v is very bad for them. Before I had my new generator, I bet they were below the level where they start to self destruct for too long. I may need to replace them already.

Beyond that little issue, so far so good. I can charge computer, phone, and camera batteries. There is lighting in the trailer.

I did a test of what my solar could charge by hooking up a 120v inverter to a miter saw and got even one revolution out of the saw blade when I powered it up. I have to stick with the generator for the big stuff.

My Energy Inventory (so far):

4 deep cell batteries

5 100w solar panels

1 MPPT Controller

1 inverter

1 generator

1 Goal Zero solar charger for a phone or Bluetooth speaker when the sun is out. Even in full sun, still a slow charge, though

Lots of extension cords

Plenty of AA and AAA batteries