UGGGh! Electricity, solar and batteries

[PeacefulSoul]

I have been following this forum for about three years.  In that time I have had three different vehicles that I have lived in.  All of my situations have allowed me to simply use a 30 amp pole with a cord or simply an extension cord.  Now life is changing and I will be venturing out to do more boon docking.  I need to get power for simple things like charging a laptop and cell and probably a fan here and there.  Here's the problem.....anytime I read about electricity or batteries or solar, my mind completely shuts down and its like reading Russian for me.  I have a huge block about all of this.  I can read the basics and think I understand what needs to happen then in about 5 minutes all that information just disappears and I am left ignorant again.  I can not seem to get around this! I have stood at Walmart ready to buy a battery and put it back cause once i have it I have no idea what I will do with it! ...BAH!  I think I'm going crazy.  Watts, amps, volts, hours, wire gauge, fuses,  I think I'm gonna vomit! Anyone else having this problem?

 

[Almost There]

Take it in small doses and understand that it's mostly fear of the unknown that is causing the memory loss.

Here's a little cartoon to get you started:

 

[highdesertranger]

well I myself did have that problem when I first started. it's really not that hard though.
1. determine your power needs.
2. your power needs will determine your battery size.
3. your battery size will determine the amount of solar you need.
see 1, 2, 3 it's that easy. so lets start. what are your power needs?
highdesertranger

 

[PeacefulSoul]

HDR- I have a laptop computer and a fan - that is all I use daily when I am plugged in.  I have an electric tea pot but dont think I would use that on a battery cause it would drain too much.  I will just heat water on the coleman for coffee.  I like to watch an occasional dvd on a portable player. All of my lights are on rechargeable batteries...so I will have to recharge the batteries at some point.
The laptop says +19v=1.75 amps, 33 watts?

 

[PeacefulSoul]

Take it in small doses and understand that it's mostly fear of the unknown that is causing the memory loss.

Here's a little cartoon to get you started:

Yes, I feel like if I could see someone else's setup I would understand more.  Thanks for the cartoon...is it supposed to be funny or real? lmao

 

[NomadMike]

Yes, I feel like if I could see someone else's setup I would understand more.  Thanks for the cartoon...is it supposed to be funny or real? lmao

These two sites are what i have been studying, to prepare for gathering, and installing my system, hopefully they can help you also.
https://cuernoverdesolar.wordpress.com/2013/08/
https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/

 

[highdesertranger]

so do you recharge your laptop on 120v, is your fan 120v, is your dvd player 120v? do you recharge your small batteries off 120v. if the answers are yes do you plan on keeping them this way? if so you will need an inverter. answer that and give use the power draw of each like you did with the computer. a side note it is much more efficient not to convert but to use all 12v. so to make it simple if you don't have to convert you don't need a inverter and you can have a smaller system overall, saving money. highdesertranger

 

[PeacefulSoul]

so do you recharge your laptop on 120v,  is your fan 120v,  is your dvd player 120v?  do you recharge your small batteries off 120v. if the answers are yes do you plan on keeping them this way?  if so you will need an inverter.  answer that and give use the power draw of each like you did with the computer.  a side note it is much more efficient not to convert but to use all 12v.  so to make it simple if you don't have to convert you don't need a inverter and you can have a smaller system overall, saving money. highdesertranger

Right now everything is 120v.  I am not opposed to converting to 12v.  How do I do that with a laptop?  Is there a different cord or would I have to have a computer purchased for 12v? 
Basically, I just want the simplest, safest system I can get.  I suppose that would probably be 12v....grrr my head is shrinking again!

 

[WheelEstate USA]

People are gonna disagree with this simple plan but I've seen many start out this way and did fine....and they learned a lot.
To charge cell, laptop, run small fan and led lights this system will work pretty to start.

First, order a Renogy 100 watt panel and cables. Spend the $50 for their 10 function PWM-30CC-LCD charge controller.
(There's fancier but this one shows you all the numbers you need to learn about...its a good unit.)
Then hook it up to Walmart's $100 Maxx deep cycle. It will do for a couple years if its kept charged. 

Its about the cheapest way to get going with a light duty system that is expandable.

This is my opinion and I'm sure I'll get blasted for it.
I sure made it work quite well for us and now we are about to add another panel.
We do plan 4 panelsand 2 sets of golf batteries, but are building as budget allows.

 

[PeacefulSoul]

These two sites are what i have been studying, to prepare for gathering, and installing my system, hopefully they can help you also.
https://cuernoverdesolar.wordpress.com/2013/08/
https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/

NomadMike Ihave read handybob on a few occasions and while he provides mucho common sense it still becomes Russian for me.  But never fear, I will not be defeated by this!!!

 

[WheelEstate USA]

When you put solar to work you will learn more than reading aBout it.

 

[highdesertranger]

most lap tops can recharge off 12v. your small batteries have a 12v recharge option. you can buy 12v fans. the dvd player? so the million dollar question is what do you want to do. most have an inverter because 120v stuff is real common. if you want to use 120v start by adding up everything like what you listed for your laptop. list it here we can help. everything(almost) tells you the amount of juice it needs to run/recharge. highdesertranger

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Amazon has 12 V laptop chargers for about 25 bucks. 
I found my AAA/AA charger was a 12 V wall cube...cut that off and go right to 12 V.
I have an 80W inverter if I need a little AC current but have never found need to hook up my 600W inverter.

 

[akrvbob]

Jay of Bindi&us told you everything you need to know in post number 9. Everything else will just confuse you even more. I'm going to repeat it here:

"First, order a Renogy 100 watt panel and cables. Spend the $50 for their 10 function PWM-30CC-LCD charge controller.
(There's fancier but this one shows you all the numbers you need to learn about...its a good unit.)
Then hook it up to Walmart's $100 Maxx deep cycle. It will do for a couple years if its kept charged."

That's it, that's all you need to do or know. Live with it for awhile and if you are finding you need more power, just buy another 100 watt panel. SIMPLE!!!!!!

Once you get it in, let us know and we'll help walk you through installing it.

KEEP IT SIMPLE!!!
Bob

 

[SternWake]

Plug your laptop make and model number into Amazon electronics, and Add 'car adapter'

Mine was 22$ is is 15 to 50% more efficient than using an inverter to power the laptop provided powerbrick via an inverter.

On your laptop's power brick multiply the volts times the amps listed, to get the wattage. If this is 60 watts or less the ciggy plug connector will likely have no issues, but 70 watts or more then the ciggy plug will heat up and wear out and fail over time.

How much you use your laptop is a huge variable, as its its average consumption.

Fans can also vary a lot in battery consumption.

I really like this 12v 180MM adjustable speed computer fan:

http://www.amazon.com/Silverstone-P...pebp=1441429080842&perid=16AVGSF45WFR4CXYRD8F

But it does have hub overheating issues with charging voltages over 13 when on highest speed. I use a voltage bucker to limit voltage to 11, and this fan has been running in a side window at various speeds for the last 7 months, non stop. Very low amp draw at half speed or less. 0.05 amps at slowest speed and practically silent. Fairly powerful too at high speed. Narrow column of Air moved.

Endless breeze and 02cool 12v fans get lots of good reports on this forum. I've no personal experience with them.

 

[PeacefulSoul]

Jay of Bindi&us told you everything you need to know in post number 9. Everything else will just confuse you even more. I'm going to repeat it here:

"First, order a Renogy 100 watt panel and cables. Spend the $50 for their 10 function PWM-30CC-LCD charge controller.
(There's fancier but this one shows you all the numbers you need to learn about...its a good unit.)
Then hook it up to Walmart's $100 Maxx deep cycle. It will do for a couple years if its kept charged."

That's it, that's all you need to do or know. Live with it for awhile and if you are finding you need more power, just buy another 100 watt panel. SIMPLE!!!!!!

Once you get it in, let us know and we'll help walk you through installing it.  

KEEP IT SIMPLE!!!
Bob

Ok, I bought the 100 watt panel kt, lcd charge controller, the cobra inverter and a cargo rack on which to mount it all.  I am eagerly awaiting its arrival!  I just have to pick up the battery and some fuses.

Thank you everyone that responded, it was very helpful to get me over my mental bump.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I got a ladder rack from Amazon...
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0014DGZ88#Ask

Then I went to Goodwill and got a king bed frame for 5 bucks (cheapest angle you can buy). I used Patrick's grinder on rivets to break it down for the long rails...perfect for panels
Rails are mounted with U bolts and drilled for screws to hold panel thru the frame. Brush on some Rustolium paint and you have a nice, strong rack.

Now, I only have one panel, but will add more soon. I mounted the panel long way front to back...for now. When I add another panel, I will adjust the U bolts and turn them 90 degrees. This will allow for 3 panels. When I can afford the 4th, I will bolt an extention on the rails and adjust the rack as needed.





I know you bought a rack but I hope this helps someone.
Another method is to mount exterior plywood to the rack with U bolts and screw the panels to that. The ply is expensive and bed frames are cheap And I didn't want ply anyway.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

BTW...When I start adding more panels ( 1 more later this month), I'm gonna pop rivet rather than screw them to the rails to stave off thieving eyes. Right now, it only takes 5 minutes to remove a panel. I don't worry much about it but don't wanna worry at all

 

[GotSmart]

I don't see anything I would argue with.  I would add some safety fuses in that system though.

 

[B and C]

Another method is to mount exterior plywood to the rack with U bolts and screw the panels to that. The ply is expensive and bed frames are cheap And I didn't want ply anyway.

I like this idea (bed frame) as it allows air to circulate underneath as opposed to sitting on plywood which is an insulator and helps heat up the panel.  Where snow might be an issue, the plywood would help trap the heat to clear the panels.  With enough panels to shade the roof, it helps to cool the vehicle by providing shade.  If you don't have enough panels for shade, the plywood with spacers to elevate the panels a little would be good.