tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post4048603440835613576..comments2023-08-15T06:33:53.114-07:00Comments on Bison Prepper: solar budgetJames M Dakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-88671446033204192942017-10-07T06:49:56.467-07:002017-10-07T06:49:56.467-07:00I'm sure that is correct, as it makers sense, ...I'm sure that is correct, as it makers sense, but I can't deny or verify. One the one hand, Wal-Mart gives Chinese manufacturing a bad name, but on the other hand computers from China work great years later and the solar panels from them seem to also work great ( knock on wood, both ).James M Dakinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-38923502636517617482017-10-07T06:47:47.192-07:002017-10-07T06:47:47.192-07:00I'm only familiar with the devices that charge...I'm only familiar with the devices that charge AA, AAA, D & C batteries. Those I love. However, having said that, anything solar is to love, right? Not sure about the overheating. My wall charger to charge my tablet also gets rather hot. Perhaps this is a normal "thing"?James M Dakinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-12887025244697056582017-10-07T00:36:54.829-07:002017-10-07T00:36:54.829-07:00Jim, what do you think about the small solar charg...Jim, what do you think about the small solar chargeable batteries, that recharge small devices (smartphones, tablets etc.) through USB ?<br /><br />I have one but haven't tested it extensively. it works, but its color is black, and thus it gets hot, quite quickly.Avehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06508223217305671728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-53023601452070913022017-10-06T19:48:43.611-07:002017-10-06T19:48:43.611-07:00Thanks Jim, I’ll look into it. I did come across s...Thanks Jim, I’ll look into it. I did come across something in my research that suggested that modern manufacturing processes have more to do with the longevity of the panels vs Mono or poly. Have you heard anything to that effect?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-36195725794261200202017-10-06T18:42:56.337-07:002017-10-06T18:42:56.337-07:00Re: Kindle app - It doesn't NEED to sync, &...Re: Kindle app - It doesn't NEED to sync, & if it does it syncs to another of your devices. So if you only have one device...<br /><br />I have a Kindle and I don't sync it & I transfer books by downloading them then via Calibre E-Book app (free)Dingonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-27717786384343923722017-10-06T18:28:14.061-07:002017-10-06T18:28:14.061-07:00I do NOT recommend the polycrystal panel. You wan...I do NOT recommend the polycrystal panel. You want to stick with the monocrystal.<br />Types compared ( hint: the mono's last longer )<br />*<br />http://energyinformative.org/best-solar-panel-monocrystalline-polycrystalline-thin-film/<br />*<br />Here is the mono kit:<br />*<br />https://www.amazon.com/HQST-Monocrystalline-Display-Charge-Controller/dp/B018ZU2KQS/ref=sr_1_5?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1507338764&sr=1-5&keywords=100+watt+monocrystalline+solar+panel+kit<br />*<br />You are of course overpaying for the kit. I made brackets out of hammered out L brackets you'd use for a small shelf and I mounted on a wood pallet and set up on a mound of dirt. The inverter was $10-$15. A huge assortment of bolts was $10, with plenty left over. You may wish to pay extra for the kit if you don't want to mess with it, but my feeling are if I can cobble it together anyone can. Here is just the panel:<br />*<br />https://www.amazon.com/HQST-Monocrystalline-Connectors-Battery-Charging/dp/B018BMGTTO/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1507338764&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=100+watt+monocrystalline+solar+panel+kit&psc=1<br />*<br />The controller, you can go cheap to have a back-up or try a quality one. I went with multiple cheapos. Here it is.<br />*<br />https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KWWSCJC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1<br />*<br />Hope this helped.James M Dakinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-9584376459593134782017-10-06T15:15:52.586-07:002017-10-06T15:15:52.586-07:00Okay, I’ve narrowed it down to the one in the link...Okay, I’ve narrowed it down to the one in the link below, and chose the 30A for a $162.99. Your thoughts? And if you feel that it’s a rip off, do you have a suggestion? (with an included link if possible).<br /><br />https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GVVE2WI?th=1Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-48264171597496450192017-10-06T14:54:00.214-07:002017-10-06T14:54:00.214-07:00Twenty years ago, solar was not only expensive, it...Twenty years ago, solar was not only expensive, it was not consumer friendly. Now? The world is our oyster. James M Dakinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-55672393640235431112017-10-06T14:52:59.886-07:002017-10-06T14:52:59.886-07:00For $140, it better come with more than the contro...For $140, it better come with more than the controller. 100 watts is $112, and a controller $10. Throw in your own wires from salvage. Just make sure the connections are water proof. Although, the controller I use might not have a USB. Just saying, don't assume a kit is a good deal.James M Dakinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-87398111247565208962017-10-06T14:42:38.619-07:002017-10-06T14:42:38.619-07:00Firstly - that was an excellent link at the top of...Firstly - that was an excellent link at the top of this post. I actually got quite a bit out of it. <br /><br />Secondly - I'm super keen on solar power, so thanks for this strategy of acquisition. I agree that panels aren't going to exactly be available forever, well they will be, just not at a price White Trash Irregulars can affordDingonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-74683775153304954642017-10-06T12:31:07.281-07:002017-10-06T12:31:07.281-07:00I’ll have to look again, but I think the setups th...I’ll have to look again, but I think the setups that I wish listed at Amazon were 100 watts for around $140, and they came with the charge controller. I only plan on charging some batteries for my LED lighting, and powering a small notebook PC. I might consider getting a small TV, but I’m the minion that pretty much avoids all modern television, so I’d have to factor in a DVD player, unless I can pick up one of the retro stations. It appears that I have cell coverage at my junk land according to the coverage map, but I haven’t verified it yet. I also have the kindle app on my tablet, and as long as you don’t need to sync, that should work off-line I think?<br /><br />If I recall correctly Jim, the systems that I looked at had a USB port in the charge controller, as opposed to the inverter, so the inverter could be optional.<br /><br />I read that the panels function at about 10% to 20% efficiency on cloudy days, so if you need a certain amount of power year round daily, you must factor this in. If you live in a cloudy area nearly year round, it will add up, unless your power needs are rather minimal. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-21876431596809027002017-10-06T11:25:08.113-07:002017-10-06T11:25:08.113-07:00I went through my cheap $40 400 watt Wal-Mart inve...I went through my cheap $40 400 watt Wal-Mart inverter to power my netbook and never had any issues, for years. If you bought the dedicated 12v power cord for your computer you don't need the inverter, but the issue with 12v cords is the silly glass fuse that seems to always want to blow ( a couple of times a year with the TV, which powered from a cig lighter plug ). I prefer using the inverter, but I also need that for my hair clippers and a DVD player anyway. Kindle you can charge from the USB port on the inverter and don't even need to power it up.James M Dakinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-2402142014933495762017-10-06T10:34:55.965-07:002017-10-06T10:34:55.965-07:00Careful there sir, you are making too much sense f...Careful there sir, you are making too much sense for this old boy to handle - I have to read this slowly and let it sink in slowly. :^)<br /><br />The small netbook / computers / Kindles are pretty safe with this system? No wifi but very good reading can be had out there without lugging around books.<br /><br />Thanks for the post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com