Re: (ET) getting started with solar

["Christopher Zach" <czach computer org>]

Jeremy:

I run my E20 on solar. It works exceptionally well; I haven't charged it in
a year. However not the way you are thinking...

You do *NOT* want to plug an inverter into your home's power grid. It will
be out of sync with the utility and will probably blow up. Even if it
doesn't, this is *highly* unsafe to do. If the grid power fails, you could
electrocute a line guy as well. If you want to go grid-tie, buy a UL LISTED
grid tie inverter. Trace sells them, but they cost $$$.

If you want to charge the E20, what you want to do is hook directly from 
the
panels to the batteries. Think: The charger in the E20 is maybe 60%
efficient. A really good inverter is 90% efficient. That would mean that 
46%
of your solar power would go to waste with an inverter using the onboard
charger. Go direct and you get 100% efficiency.

Check out my web page: http://www.crystel.com for details on how I did it.
Three 60 watt Solarex MSX60 panels and a 36 volt regulator from the last
place you looked.com is all you really need (Solarex SA18)

Oh and a fused disconnect box. You can connect to the battery core via the
little 20amp Hubbel connector on the elec-trak. It's right there, is
polarized, and it's protected by the disconnect on the elec-trak and the
40amp circuit breaker.

Chris

----- Original Message -----
From: <Jeremy Gagliardi com>
To: "Elec-Trak" <elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2002 10:51 AM
Subject: (ET) getting started with solar


> This is somewhere between on/off topic.  This project will eventually
> lead to me using solar power to recharge my ET, but in the meantime...
>
> I want to get started using solar power, but I don't want to commit to a
> really large project.
>
> I have a DC-AC inverter already.  It's rated for 10-15VDC input and
> outputs AC at 1kW continuous, 2kW peak.
>
> The thought I had was to plug the inverter into one of those electric
> grid meters that can run in reverse and start getting a discount on my
> electricity from the power company.
>
> I know I can get solar panels at all kinds of voltages and wattages and
> that those outputs depend on the amount of sun on the panel.
>
> However, I'm a little bit fuzzy on how I hook up the panel to the
> inverter.  Can the panel be connected directly to the inverter, or does
> it first have to charge a batter, then let the battery power the
> inverter?
>
> Do you all have any suggestions for a good place to buy solar panels?
>
> --
> (============================)
>  mailto:Jeremy Gagliardi com
>  http://Jeremy.Gagliardi.com/
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>