Things of interest: Video of latest updates: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFXbd-hWQpM
Best Solar Deals that I know of: http://www.windynation.com/solar
Solar panel in the video: 10 watt mono crystalline panel. Came with the mounting kit. Enough output to charge the deep cycle marine battery fully.
CMP12 Solar Controller: 10 amp version of this controller. Basic PWM controller but works really well. Takes the battery to float charge level. Max battery voltage while in float charge mode is 13.65 volts. It has an accessory load tap with automatic cut off to protect the battery from over discharge. Built solid enough that it’s not fragile.
More specs: 1. over-load protection
2. short circuit protection
3. protection from the lightning strike.
4. under-voltage protection
5. over-charging protection
6. Dimensions: 10 x 9.5 x 3.7cm ( 4 x 3.7 x 1.5 ” )
7. Temperature Compensation: -20C ~ +60C
8. This product has been certified by CE
Rated voltage: 12V or 24V Voltage of stop power supply *10.8V or 21.6V
Rated charging current: 10A Voltage of resume power supply *11.8V or 23.6V
Rated load current: 10A Voltage of *14V or 28V
Full Charge Cut : 13.7V/27.4V
Low Voltage Cut : 10.5V/21V
Working temperature: -20 ~ +60C Temperature coefficient of voltage stop charge -3mV/C/cell
Lights: Platinum Burners LED Series by Optronics and available at Walmart and some auto parts stores.
LS120- 21 LED racing light. Burns a measured .108 amps. Makes about 311 lumens of light.
LS108- 12 LED racing light. Burns a measured .068 amps. Makes about 178 lumens of light.
Deep cycle marine battery: Maintenance free EverStart group size 24 – 690 MCA (101 ah). Walmart.
Check your local building codes for proper solar design and install criteria. Always use stranded copper wiring of ample gauge for low voltage DC circuits. Wire gauge depends on voltage, amperage, and length of the wire run. There are online calculators or tables to determine proper wire gauge for your specific application.
http://www.mrsolar.com/faqs/what-size-wire-do-i-need.php (wire size chart)
http://www.ecowho.com/tools/solar_wire_sizing_calculator.php (wire size calculator)
Other Solar power resources:
http://www.freesunpower.com/ (Great web page that explains how this all works and fits together.)
Explanation of the math of converting battery amp hours to battery watt hours. (amp hours x 12 volts = watt hours)
LINK: http://www.simplesolarsetup.com/battery4.html
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyxWu2RVQYo (solar panels for the beginner)
Post time: Jan-03-2017