[hackerspaces] solar

[john arclight]

I have been using a pair of Kyocera KC-120s at our cabin in the desert
for 6 years with no problems. I recommend using a quality charge
controller, such as a Morningstar or Xantrex. If you're really
ambitious, you could think about a DIY MPPT charger.

If they don't need to be sealed, putting two GC2 golf cart batteries
in series for 12V is an easy way to get  a large battery system. Or
put some fresh batteries in an old APC UPS and use this to keep them
charged.

Arclight
http://shop.23b.org


On Mon, Apr 26, 2010 at 4:15 AM, Georges Toth <georges at trypill.org> wrote:
> On Monday 26 April 2010 12:15:55 Koen Martens wrote:
>> On Mon, Apr 26, 2010 at 12:01:35PM +0200, Georges Toth wrote:
>> > I just tested the solar panel and have great news :-)
>> > The measured values are exactly as on the specs !!
>> >
>> > I measured 21V +/- ~0.4 ... and with full sunlight 4.8A +/- ~0.3
>> > and that over 10s being nearly constant
>> >
>> > So that's pretty damn great... 21V * 4.8A = 100.8W
>> >
>> > :-)
>> >
>> > Now we just need to get more of those and mount them on our roof, in
>> > order to power our always on equipment completely with green power :-D
>>
>> You probably didn't mean to send it to this list, but still i'm interested.
>
> Hehe yeah you're right ;-)
>
>
>> What panels are these?? And how do they perform in less optimal lighting
>> conditions?
>
> It's a kyocera panel from 1998, with 36 cells.
> It was in service for most of that time until recently, which is why I was
> surprised to see it still performing like on the specs.
>
> I only quickly tested it for the first time now, so I don't have too knowledge
> about this one.
>
> When the sun was covered with a cloud, the current dropped quickly to 3A and
> less.
> I will try to hack a small circuit for measuring light, voltage and current,
> over a day...
>
>
> --
> regards,
>
> Georges Toth
>
>
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