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Wanting a simple, inexpensive set-up to run a single light in a yurt.

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  • Wanting a simple, inexpensive set-up to run a single light in a yurt.

    Hello,

    I have a rustic backcountry yurt used for ski and snowshoe trips. I'm currently using a single propane Coleman lantern for light which has been sufficient for general tasks. However, my eyes crave something brighter for reading. And the noise of the Coleman has always bothered me.

    Winter is fast approaching here in the high country and I'd like to get something installed before the access road is snowed shut. So, due to limited time to do this...and having always had difficulty grasping electrical systems... and wanting it to be as inexpensive as possible, this system needs to be exceedingly simple.

    I'd like to just run a single fixture, in the center of the yurt....something that would run for 6 hours between chargings. The yurt is 20' in diameter and the interior is white so it reflects light well.

    Can I get some recommendations and explanations for a system that would fit my needs? Recommendations for a place to purchase would be appreciated as well. Heck, all recommendations would be appreciated!

    Looking forward to the replies!

    Thanks.

  • #2
    solar powered light system

    Try the MAPLE LIGHTING & CHARGING SOLAR SYSTEM from Canadian Solar. It is available from Amazon for about $100. It is a package that includes LED light bulbs, lithium battery and small solar panel. It gives 6.5-13 hrs of light. I have not tried it but it looks like it may do the trick.

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    • #3
      Originally posted by Gyro View Post
      Try the MAPLE LIGHTING & CHARGING SOLAR SYSTEM from Canadian Solar. It is available from Amazon for about $100. It is a package that includes LED light bulbs, lithium battery and small solar panel. It gives 6.5-13 hrs of light. I have not tried it but it looks like it may do the trick.
      Thank you, Gyro! I looked at that system. Seems intriguing but, with my limited knowledge of these type of things, I'm not clear how it works...or if it would offer enough light for me.

      Does it have a PV panel that could be set outside the yurt?

      Also, it says up to 2W. I was envisioning the amount of light a 100W or bigger light bulb would put out. Maybe this system won't provide the amount of light I'm seeking?

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      • #4
        The 2 bulbs together are probably closer to a 60W incandescent bulb, so it may not be enough light for you.

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        • #5
          You may have to resort to switching back and forth between an overall area light and a more directed beam task light for reading. You can get plenty of reading light from only a watt or two if it is properly housed and located.
          SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels.

          Comment


          • #6
            Here is another possible "light" solution for your Yurt, from Yeti solar: http://www.yetisolar.com/collections/solar-led-lighting. It's also available from Amazon.

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Gyro View Post
              Here is another possible "light" solution for your Yurt, from Yeti solar: http://www.yetisolar.com/collections/solar-led-lighting. It's also available from Amazon.
              Expensive junk!
              [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

              Comment


              • #8
                Some thoughts, but I have not penciled them out yet. Depending on your solar in the winter, and clouds, i'm guessing a 200w panel, charge controller, 1 battery and a couple 12V puck LED's could do it. Maybe a 5w LED light string, if you can find a 12V (marine) version of LED holiday lights.
                Here's a $7, 2.2watt 10-24V LED light. hard to beat their prices on decent LED lighting
                https://www.wiredco.com/10_LED_SMT_S...olwhiteled.htm
                one or 2 of these as an "uplight" to the interior roof, would give "general" lighting, and a 3rd would make a great task light. i used one of these to replace a 20w halogen10SMT3.jpg desk lamp bulb.
                Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
                || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
                || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

                solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
                gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

                Comment


                • #9
                  I have http://http://www.amazon.com/LENBO-White-Waterproof-Outdoor-Lights/dp/B008XZAQDU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1415990780&sr=8-2&keywords=12v+led+light
                  In my chicken coop.
                  It's run to a 12v truck battery.

                  Puts out a lot of light.


                  Panel: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

                  Controller:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


                  I have issues with shading, but this seems to work very well.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by russ View Post
                    Expensive junk!
                    Hi Russ, this is Rustom Meyer. Yeti Solar is my company. I saw a bit of incoming traffic on my website from this page, which led me to your above post. I take some issue with the assertion that the products I have designed and manufactured are expensive junk. I build my solar lighting kits using quality components. For example, I use top-of-the line Cree LEDs for the lighting component. My kits come with all the necessary parts, have detailed instructions, and are very easy to assemble (for example, electrical connections are color-coded and click together). For that reason, they really appeal to people who are inexperienced with solar and/or electrical systems. I realize that you probably have more experience and would prefer to build your own solar lighting system, but again, just because my kits are not to your taste does not make them junk. Have you ever used one, or seen one in action? If not, what caused you to come to the conclusion that they are junk? I ask this not to be inflammatory, but out of actual curiosity. I firmly believe that my kits have high value, but the difference between real value and percieved value can be large, and if I am representing them in an unfavorable way, I want to know about it!

                    And by the way, I just had a customer switch from oil burning lamps to a LightPortal in her yurt, and she is extremely satisfied with it. I'd be happy to pm you a copy of her thank-you email if this forum has private messaging.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Sun Yeti View Post
                      And by the way, I just had a customer switch from oil burning lamps to a LightPortal in her yurt, and she is extremely satisfied with it. I'd be happy to pm you a copy of her thank-you email if this forum has private messaging.
                      In her yurt wow! NOT! Anyone living in a yurt is loony to begin with. I have zero interest in her so called thank you note. Whether she wishes to acknowledge it or not she is living in 2014.

                      Yes - expensive junk in my opinion and in fact. Using quality parts does not mean a quality product. And

                      "they really appeal to people who are inexperienced with solar and/or electrical systems." PT Barnum said it best - there is one born every minute.

                      From your site - a 20 watt panel for 89$ - grossly overpriced at 4.50$ per dc watt - the writeup for it

                      Features

                      • Converts sunlight into electricity. Power under standard test conditions is 20 Watts; this translates to an average of 100 Watt-hours of energy generated per day in an ideal sunny location in the continental United States.
                      • Pre-attached adjustable bracket and hinges make for easy wall mounting/angle optimization.
                      • Comes with 20 feet of 16-2 AWG stranded tinned copper, water blocking, sunlight resistant, indoor/outdoor power cable.
                      • Color-coded click-connects allow for easy electrical connection with other Yeti Solar products.
                      • Tempered glass front face, anodized aluminium frame, and thorough and redundant sealing with silicone make panel highly weatherproof and shatter-resistant.
                      • Dimensions 19.3" by 13.8" by 1".


                      Description

                      Solar panels are a clean way to generate electricity, and use a widely abundant resource (sunlight). Solar panels generate DC (direct current) power and are frequently used to charge batteries (you will need a charge controller for that application). Solar panels make great backup and independent power supplies. They have no moving parts and barring mechanical damage (i.e. stray baseballs) will last for decades with essentially no maintenance.


                      That doesn't say anything wrong - just leaves out most information someone needs to make use of it. SEEMSLIKE spam we delete here daily.
                      [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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                      • #12
                        Russ, you seem very opinionated about a product you haven't used, and about a lifestyle you haven't tried.

                        I have used the Yeti light, and it is a very nice product. Small 12V solar panels are much more expensive per watt than the 250W 20V panels you are used to, $4.50 a watt is right in the range you'll find. The lights are designed for non-technical people to install, so why add confusion in the description of technical information they wouldn't understand? You are not their target audience. I think they should include info about how much light to expect from it, comparing it to an incandescent light wattage would be helpful. But I don't think your post is justified.

                        Amy
                        Solar Queen
                        altE Store

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                        • #13
                          Russ- I guess I could point out the reasons that smaller panels tend to have a much higher cost per watt, or that mine come with mounting and cabling included, or that this thread was apparently started by someone looking for lighting for a yurt. But it does not seem like further discussion between the two of us here would be productive, and we're in danger of hijacking the thread. If you wish to debate further, please contact me directly.
                          Last edited by Sun Yeti; 12-10-2014, 01:36 PM. Reason: clarifying who I was addressing

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                          • #14
                            Geez Russ...not sure why you are trashing this guy's product line. People pay a premium for the convenience and simplicity of plug and play type systems. I'm sure he offers great customer support too as he cares enough about his company and products to respond to someone calling his products "expensive junk" on a solar forum thread.

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Sun Yeti View Post
                              Russ- I guess I could point out the reasons that smaller panels tend to have a much higher cost per watt, or that mine come with mounting and cabling included, or that this thread was apparently started by someone looking for lighting for a yurt. But it does not seem like further discussion between the two of us here would be productive, and we're in danger of hijacking the thread. If you wish to debate further, please contact me directly.
                              4.50$ per watt? Get real! That is sucker bait

                              I have zero desire to debate anything further - what for.
                              [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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