Forum

Robert on into the grid

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:02:22 +0000

Hi,

I suggest you ask this question at http://www.solarpowerforum.net, as someone can tell you all that is needed to make that happen.

Robert on USB solar recharge and battery pack

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:01:10 +0000

I suggest asking the same question over at solarpowerforum.net

Robert on Watts the problem?

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:00:07 +0000

That's not looking at the watts from the solar panel, but rather the battery.

tfritz on into the grid

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:29:37 +0000

hey Robert,

is it possible to have my solar panel hooked directly into the grid, so that theoretically if i produce more power then i use i can get paid by the power company, or can it it only be hooked for certain items?

kyleslabber on USB solar recharge and battery pack

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 09:02:18 +0000

I am looking for desgin which are cost affective for people to buy. I am looking for wiring desgin which are simple to build but have a high out come for life of recharging the cell phone or any other low voltage device. I am busy studying mechatronics in South Africa but is looking in way where people can cut down on usage of power at home and use solar energy but the product which they use dont cost a arm and a leg.

So if you have any idea's or wiring diagarms please share them with me and maybe we can create something cheap and afforable for people.

bzablo on Watts the problem?

Thu, 13 May 2010 14:03:41 +0000

I'm having trouble understanding something: You have 36 cells, producing 1.8 watts each, giving you 63 total watts, right? Why is it that in video 13, around 4:24, the kill-a-watt says you've got 125-127 watts? Does the power inverter double your wattage?

-Barrett

Block on Hail???

Wed, 05 May 2010 11:27:49 +0000

ya i did they said they do so in that one guys instance on youtube his cells should break soon being stuck in a hardened shell but they said to use slygard it hardens but is soft like silcon but is clear like a resin would be was going to do the same way you did yours but they are saying the life of a panel is very short if it aint sealed dur to weath and waer wapors and such corroding them so now i am looking into sealing them aginst a peice of glass to extend life

Robert on Hail???

Wed, 05 May 2010 01:29:18 +0000

I haven't heard of the solar cells expanding and contracting, but that doesn't mean they do not. This is another question I'd recommend asking over at Solar Power Forum.

Block on Hail???

Wed, 05 May 2010 01:19:56 +0000

No i was talking about the solar cells you panel out of i have heard that using a resin that hardens up solid is bad because the cells expand and contract when they go from hot to cold or other way around do you know if that is true?

Robert on Hail???

Tue, 04 May 2010 22:24:19 +0000

Well I used wood which does expand and contract during the winter/summer, but if you use aluminum which is recommended, I'm sure you will not have to worry about that as much. But yeah, my experience so far is just with pressure treated plywood, so I'm not sure about other components/materials that have the same effect. Just try to push towards alumimun if your budget will allow it.

Block on Hail???

Tue, 04 May 2010 22:16:32 +0000

Do you know anything about panels expanding and contracting? i found a crystal resin but i dont know if it will work as if it hardens and the panels needs to flex then something bad will happen lol

Robert on Hail???

Tue, 04 May 2010 16:03:21 +0000

That I honestly do not know, and something I'd recommend asking someone in the glass department at Lowes/Home Depot, as I cannot remember what Plexiglass is orginally used for. If you can afford the transparent low iron glass, go that route, but it does come with a heavier price of course. But that type of glass like what Mark used for his solar panels will hold up aganist hail, as well as the small solar panel (6 watt) I showed in that video.

Block on Hail???

Tue, 04 May 2010 14:29:00 +0000

Ok so robert your design i got no doubt would hold up to hail since your cells got some distance between the glass and the cells well i watched that guys videos who made your alluminum frame and noticed he was seting his in a resin directly on the glass well i was wonering how well they would hold up not on glass but on plexie glass we dont get hardcore hail here we get it about 4 or 5 times a year small stuff though not even big enough to dent my dodge 1 ton diesel so not to big do you think using the resin to put the cells on the plexi glass would hold up to the elments?

Robert on Wiring Panels

Mon, 03 May 2010 23:23:37 +0000

The frame is probably one of the most tricky part to do for a starter solar panel DIYer. What I found that seems to do well is using Slygard, and I made a video on that as well using the aluminum frame. A guy named Mark on YouTube made a video explaining how to use the solution, and how well it preferms. My frame had an issue with moisture build up probably because air was still in the frame. Just look for the video I made dealing with the aluminum frame, and follow that route.

Block on Wiring Panels

Mon, 03 May 2010 22:59:09 +0000

cool almost got all anwsers for the panel itself but now for the frame to put it in is yours 100% sealed? do you have heat problems/moister issues like condensation or anything i was thinking about cuting some slits in the bottom of mine to let it breath or something of that sort that would still be water proofed