Portable Solar Power Generators - Build Your Own
It has become quite common for people to research building their own portable solar power generators rather than purchasing retail. It isn't that hard to do and the retail price for solar systems are rather high. With a little know how and elbow grease anyone can learn to make their own portable solar power generators.
Renewable energy is something that is becoming very popular due to rising electrical costs. By generating power with portable solar power generators, not only does it allow you the freedom to get electricity anywhere, but it helps our environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
What can anyone tell me about good portable solar power equipment?
I'm doing research on portable solar equipment, and there are a lot of companies out there that I've found. Anyone have any ideas as to what brands will hold up for long periods of hiking and driving? It would need to be able to power batteries for laptops, camcorders, and probably some smaller equipment like cell phones, iPods, etc.-
ANSWER:
dasa751Lots of good ideas here -- note the ratings too:
http://bit.ly/gFGh4Lots of neat things -- I want one of each! For example:
hybrid solar chargers for blackberry, iphone, nokia
foldable solar array
foldable solar chargers
solar power portable panels
eton solarlink radio
solar calculators
briefcase portable solar
solar shower
etc
http://bit.ly/gFGh4Good luck!
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QUESTION:
Buying a portable power source and solar charger?
I'd like to run the two things I use the most energy with on solar power. I use my Xbox 360 and a small television in my room and occasionally bring them to long swim meets for my team to kill time. Since there's not always an outlet at the meets, I thought about getting a portable power source that I could charge using portable solar panels. I'm found these two and was wondering if anyone with professional electricity knowledge could guide me and maybe suggest alternatives?I know the 5 watt charger would take a while to fully charge anything, but I've got time and the sun is free right? Haha
http://www.amazon.com/Duracell-DPP-600HD…
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006JO…
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ANSWER:
the amazon links dont work. so i can view them.but you can google" northern tool " they have small solar kits.
here is one , it is both solar and you can charge it from AC too.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200422034_200422034
But i dont know how long it will power your stuff.
You should buy one anyway , so you can learn about solar power. it is more involved than most people understand.
Another good site is " solar bob" to learn more about it. it would be good for you to learn more about it so you can use it in the future for whatever pourpose you wish.
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QUESTION:
bets portable solar power?
whats the best portable solar power supply out there? It needs to be good to run a computer or short wave radio. Links would be great! thx-
ANSWER:
You can build one that is portable and inexpensive to build. See link below for details.
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QUESTION:
How can I make a cheap portable solar powered generator?
I need to know about the parts needed to make a solar power generator and also the instruction on how to make it?-
ANSWER:
HI... REALLY A VERY GOOD QUESTION.....Using parts easily available from your local stores, you can make a small solar power generator for 0 to 0. Great for power failures and life outside the power grid. Power your computer, modem, vcr, tv, cameras, lights, or DC appliances anywhere you go. Use in cabins, boats, tents, archaeological digs, or while travelling throughout the third world. Have one in the office store room in case of power failures in your highrise. I keep mine in my bedroom where it powers my cd player, turntable, lights, modem, laptop, and (ahem) a back massager. I run a line out the window to an 8" x 24" panel on the roof.
1. Buy yourself a small solar panel. For about 0 you should be able to get one rated at 12 volts or better (look for 16 volts) at an RV or marine supplies store.
2. Buy yourself a battery. Get any size deep cycle 12 volt lead/acid or gel battery. You need the deep cycle battery for continuous use. The kind in your car is a cranking battery--just for starting an engine. Look for bargains, it should cost about -60.
3. Get a battery box to put it in for . (This is good for covering up the exposed terminals in case there are children about If you going to install the system in a pump shed, cabin, or boat, skip this.)
3. Buy a 12 volt DC meter. Radio Shack has them for about .
4. Buy a DC input. I like the triple inlet model which you can find at a car parts store in the cigarette lighter parts section for about . This is enough to power DC appliances, and there are many commercially available, like fans, one-pint water boilers, lights, hair dryers, baby bottle warmers, and vacuum cleaners. Many cassette players, answering machines, and other electrical appliances are DC already and with the right cable will run straight off the box.
5. But if you want to run AC appliances, you will have to invest in an inverter. This will convert the stored DC power in the battery into AC power for most of your household appliances. I bought a 115 volt 140 watt inverter made by Power-to-Go at Pep Boys for . More powerful inverters are available by mail. Count up the number of watts you'll be using (e.g., a small color television(=60 watts) with a VCR(=22 watts), you'll need 82 watts).
6. Use a drill to attach the meter and DC input to the top of the box.
7. Use insulated wire to attach the meter to the wingnut terminals on the battery. Connect the negative (-) pole first. Only handle one wire at a time. Connect the DC inlet to the battery in the same way. Connect the solar panel to the battery in the same way
8. Close the lid (I use a bungee cord to keep it tight). Put the solar panel in the sun. It takes 5-8 hours to charge a dead battery; 1-3 hours to top off a weak one. It will run radios, fans, and small wattage lights all night, or give you about 5 hours of continuous use at 115 volt AC, or about an hour boiling water. This system may be added on to with larger panels, inverters, and batteries.
Options: A pop-up circuit breaker may be added between the positive treminal and the volt meter. Some of you will want an ampmeter as well. The panels I recommend have built-in bypass diodes, but I recommend charge controllers for people who have panels without diodes. Another option is a voltage regulator, which is not necessary for a system this small, but a larger system would require one.http://www.rain.org/~philfear/how2solar.html
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QUESTION:
hello,can anyone recommend a DURABLE-and portable-solar power generator for me?
thank you all-
ANSWER:
The solar products that Real Goods (one of the premiere distributors of consumer and commercial solar components and systems) sells are all rigorously tested for durability and performance. I suggest you look at their offerings and see if they have one that suits your needs.http://www.realgoods.com
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