For a long time now I'm pondering the idea of setting up a solar, wind, or magnetic rotor/generator "self sustained" chargers/power source. Preferably magnetic first, ideally all 3.
I'm thinking this setup should have at least 12V or more at 1A or more.
Does anyone have any info on this subject? Perhaps a good link, tutorial, explanation, howto? Some forum or forum post that deals with the subject?
Viktor
I would be interested in this also.
If we limit the voltage to 4.2 and current to something like 350ma, can we say it is safe to charge a lithium ion battery? Maybe I should try to wind a few coils and see how much current we can pass from one to another. This was I could make some small light flasks with my spare 1w LEDs lying around.
12V and 1A will end up huge on cheap solar panels.
This si uspposedly a 12V 100mA unit. Get 10 and you will get that current.
This is a 10W unit. A bit shy from what you need.
Worth to mention that this unit are probably overrated and it is near that in ideal scenarios.
He's got a bunch of solar stuff, some dedicated to charging li-ion. I've gotten a bit of stuff from him -- he's a good guy. Even if you aren't gonna buy his stuff, there's likely to be some good ideas there.
edit: should note that his stuff is portable power... not fixed. Some of the subsequent posts made me think that I'd missed the point of the original question.
I as well.
Keith
Because I'm off grid.
I have 32x170watt panels and 4 sine wave inverters.
Even my beer is cooled by the sun.
" Even my beer is cooled by the sun. "
Smelly , That is an awesome thing .
Way cool!
Any problems/annoyances you have had that you would like to share?
Any surprises? Both positive and negative?
I would like to go off grid sometime in the future and I've always been surprised by the little nuggets of info that actual off grid residents have been able to give. Things you never find in any litterature.
I have to admit that it doesn't need much cooling tis time of year.
I could talk for hours about it.
The system is self designed and self built. The panels are second hand from Morocco, the charge controller is from The US and the inverters are Dutch but sourced from the UK. I live in Southern Spain so we have quite a lot of sunshine, even in winter.
The panels are capable of supplying 5.5kW and the inverters can supply a steady 12kW and peak to 24kW. Obviously the batteries supply the extra when the load exceeds what the panels are supplying. I run the system at a nominal 48 volts.
I also have a 20kW 3 phase diesel generator for emergencies or if I need to maintain the solar system.
The big thing of course is to keep an eye on the sun. If I am not too greedy using the power, I can last 5 days without sunshine. The next thing I need is a 48 volt charger that I could top up the batteries with on cloudy days, this could be powered from a small petrol generator. The diesel generator can consume up to 4 litres of fuel an hour if it is running at its maximum.
This time of year I watch the weather forecast for snow which reduces output if it settles on the panels.
I've had free electricity for over 3 years.
I threw a quick search an analysis of the available ebay items. For about $60 one can build 12V 0.5A solar system, main battery excluded.
Smelly, what was the rough cost for your setup?
Viktor
you can use 12v car battery to keep it more cheap safe ...and heavy
solar cells where you find it cheaper, same for the board
the only things to have an efficient magnet rotor is build it in a cyclette...or wind ofc if you want/like BIG noisy fan/s
I can't remember exactly but it was less than half the price of hooking up to the grid and I dumped that idea when the ever spiralling price went over 50k (Euros). i could have had a grant towards the system but that would have meant using an approved contractor who would have used his suppliers and with the labour costs would have cost me significantly more.
Most normal families could get away with a smaller set-up. I have a swimming pool pump to run and air conditioning. A significant proportion of the cost is the batteries, if you have the opportunity to stay on the grid and sell your surplus back then you don't need batteries.
I could talk for hours about it.
Please?
For instance - how nuch fuel did you consume last year for maintenace/topping up
Do you have any idea about what the return payment time (dont know the right term here, maybe point of cost equilibrium?)
for your system is? IE when do you start "earning" free electricity compared to being on the grid.
Return of investment in Croatia is about 4-6 years. Contract with the power company is for 12 years. I presume it can be extended after 12 years.
It depends on the amount of sun energy that reaches ground, or better yet, on the location where you plan to put the solar system.
Viktor
P.S.
We are going a bit off topic, but not much.
I'm still interested in details about the 12V, 1A a) magnet or b) solar system. Anyone got a link for a DIY article/project?
Looks like hes already on free electricity given that electricity company wanted to charge him 50k euros for electrifying his home and he did it himself for what, half the price?
Just keep talking!!! I read on a forum the other day that one should avoid tying into the grid. I just started jumping into solar (on a small scale) my self. "Here comes the sun king:
Keith who love's all things solar. Yes!!
Could explain my love for flashlights/batts/chargers
Please excuse my illiterateness - a magnetically motorised charger wouldn't work by the principle of Bedini's gate theory, by chance?
I always thought that something referred to as a "self-sustained magnetic rotor charger" would, basically, be a perpetuum mobile, and as such contradict the second law of thermodynamics?
curious greetings, Simon