Small solar sysem for remote power

[Robert_in_NY]

Robert, I am thinking the propane-fueled Mr Heater is the source of a lot of the moisture. Plus two people in a small, well-sealed room. You may need to bring air into, and exhaust air out of the tower to really improve the moisture condensation. You have to figure the glass in the windows is often below the dew point of the interior air.

Curly Dave's suggestion of a solar attic fan may be what you need.

It is a strong possibility that the attic fan is what I ultimately will need but if I can keep the windows clear of fog then I will not mind the condensation.

 

[KTurner]

Do you typically park your truck right by the tower? If so, install an aux battery in the truck with an inverter and have an extension cord in your house, I mean stand, that you can drop down to the truck and plug into the inverter. You may get by without the inverter by using 12v stuff, but it's not going to like distance.

This would also serve multiple stands and the battery will be getting attention during non-hunting season.

Keith

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Do you typically park your truck right by the tower? If so, install an aux battery in the truck with an inverter and have an extension cord in your house, I mean stand, that you can drop down to the truck and plug into the inverter. You may get by without the inverter by using 12v stuff, but it's not going to like distance.

This would also serve multiple stands and the battery will be getting attention during non-hunting season.

Keith

No, the truck only makes it during the dry summer. Atv during hunting season and even that is parked a few hundred yards away.

 

[CurlyDave]

Robert, I am thinking the propane-fueled Mr Heater is the source of a lot of the moisture. Plus two people in a small, well-sealed room. You may need to bring air into, and exhaust air out of the tower to really improve the moisture condensation. You have to figure the glass in the windows is often below the dew point of the interior air.

I agree. The Mr. Heater allows the combustion products to enter the heated space. Water vapor is one of those products.

If you look it up, the heater will have recommendations for how many square inches of vent are required per BTU of heating. In this situation, I would start with a vent as close to the floor as possible, and a second one at the highest point in the stand. Try this & see if it solves your problem before doing anything more expensive.

 

[aczlan]

12v panel, 12v charger for phone, 12v power supply for laptop, 12v fan. Eliminate the inverter and things become much more efficient.

Aaron Z

 

[SPYDERLK]

Pluto no longer a planet. Thats a start.

 

[k0ua]

Pluto no longer a planet. Thats a start.

Yes we have a fairly small solar system as it is... let alone with the downgrading of Pluto out of planet status.. I am telling you.. that Pluto the planet (or the dog for that matter) just doesn't get any respect.

 

[tommu56]

And I just settle for a stump and not a flat one :confused3:

I use the same thing except they are hard to carry around!

tom

 

[tommu56]

A friend has a Harbor fright system in his and an old car battery and he had problems with it working correctly.

"he says Ill call Tom because he has a solar system"

My fix for his set up was change the wire to a lot bigger size for his run 10 gauge was fine and get a real deep cycle battery it works for him.

I suggest looking at "regular" solar suppliers for a panel and charge controller most any deep cycle will work.

tom

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Instead of buying a battery and never using it for anything but the tower what do you guys think of a portable power pack like this? 12V Rechargeable Powerpack Compressor/Inverter/Jumpstarter

I could still hook it to a solar charger to keep it charged while in the tower but it would be useful around the farm the rest of the year. This particular unit has 12 volt outlets and an inverter so I would have options as to how I charge things.

This one is more money but has more power for farm use Duracell PowerPack 600 with radio

 

[EddieWalker]

Never tried it, but I have had several brands of portable power packs that work great for a year, then start to lose the ability to hold power after that, until they are worthless after another year.

Eddie

 

[sld]

Even poorly maintained deep cycle batteries in my boat are good for 3 years. Perfect maintenance and they last for 4 years. Not much difference.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Even poorly maintained deep cycle batteries in my boat are good for 3 years. Perfect maintenance and they last for 4 years. Not much difference.

Thanks, I have been looking at the Marine battery route but when I saw the power packs with built in inverters and 12v outlets I had to at least consider it. Sad they don't hold up well according to Eddie as they would have been perfect for all around use on the farm.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I just bought a Battery Tender branded solar maintainer and a Cobra 400 watt inverter with 5v USB port and 2 120v outlets off of Amazon.com. I plan to buy a battery box and marine battery at TSC and then wire it up.

I intend to set the solar panel on a shelf in the tower in view of the sun. Does anyone think this is ok or should I look at a different option for setting the panel. I want to be able to move it if needed (slide it out of the way as needed).

Battery Tender 021-1163 5W Solar Maintainer : Amazon.com : Automotive

Amazon.com: Cobra CPI 480 400-Watt 12-Volt DC to 120-Volt AC Power Inverter with 5-Volt USB Output: Car Electronics

 

[The kid]

I just bought a Battery Tender branded solar maintainer and a Cobra 400 watt inverter with 5v USB port and 2 120v outlets off of Amazon.com. I plan to buy a battery box and marine battery at TSC and then wire it up.

I intend to set the solar panel on a shelf in the tower in view of the sun. Does anyone think this is ok or should I look at a different option for setting the panel. I want to be able to move it if needed (slide it out of the way as needed).

Battery Tender 021-1163 5W Solar Maintainer : Amazon.com : Automotive

Amazon.com: Cobra CPI 480 400-Watt 12-Volt DC to 120-Volt AC Power Inverter with 5-Volt USB Output: Car Electronics

270Mah is relatively small amount. Kind of compair to you ipad power supply in size. If the drain is greater that it's output your batery will eventually do dead. If you serious about setting up and solar power source, look into Harbour Freights panels. Moderately priced and and you can series or parellel them for either higher output of higher voltage. Using several deep storage batterties for carry over and using an inverter where needed would be the route to go. That is the basics of a solar system one would put in a home. The cost is pricy to setup, but once done, your off the grid somewhat.

Now if your looking for something portable for hiking to keep things powered up, There are many of the lower output solar chargers available for just about any need.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

270Mah is relatively small amount. Kind of compair to you ipad power supply in size. If the drain is greater that it's output your batery will eventually do dead. If you serious about setting up and solar power source, look into Harbour Freights panels. Moderately priced and and you can series or parellel them for either higher output of higher voltage. Using several deep storage batterties for carry over and using an inverter where needed would be the route to go. That is the basics of a solar system one would put in a home. The cost is pricy to setup, but once done, your off the grid somewhat.

Now if your looking for something portable for hiking to keep things powered up, There are many of the lower output solar chargers available for just about any need.

It may be a mistake but I really do not see having a large draw on the battery for any extended length of time. If it ends up not working I'll change things around but right now it is only for a small fan and cell phone charger if my battery starts to die.

 

[The kid]

It may be a mistake but I really do not see having a large draw on the battery for any extended length of time. If it ends up not working I'll change things around but right now it is only for a small fan and cell phone charger if my battery starts to die.

I got an email flyer in todays mail from Harbour Freight. They have thier 45 watt solar panel on sale for $149. All one would need is a deep cycle battery and a inverter. Then all you need is sunlight.