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What would you build?

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  • What would you build?

    I was recently gifted 5 15w, amorphous 12v modules. I think they were bought with a harbor freight kit a few years ago. Assuming 70% efficiency from the modules, I can generate ~50w at 12v. What would you do with 50w of free panels??? I'm looking for ideas. Are they even worth messing with? I was thinking about using them to run a fan in the my shop (only during daylight of course). Do they make DC fans or will I need an inverter? It seems silly getting an inverter for 50w...

  • #2
    Probably the best item that came with those HF panels were the DC lamps. IMO a couple of very low wattage LED DC lamps would be the limit I would expect to work with those panels.

    You can find a number of DC fans that work well with solar panels. I actually have a 12 inch roof vent fan and a 10 watt panel that works just fine together.
    Last edited by SunEagle; 06-14-2018, 02:54 PM. Reason: added last sentence

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    • #3
      Those Harbor Freight panels don't last more than a couple years in continuous use.
      2.2kw Suntech mono, Classic 200, NEW Trace SW4024

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      • #4
        Well with five of those panels to use as frames would make a nice box or trash bin. I hope they came with the factory cardboard box because they are worth more than the panels.
        MSEE, PE

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        • #5
          Originally posted by littleharbor View Post
          Those Harbor Freight panels don't last more than a couple years in continuous use.
          And best used for target practice.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by J.P.M. View Post

            And best used for target practice.
            Some of my paper targets are thicker then those panels.

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            • #7
              Good thing they were free right?

              I put the multimeter on them and it looks like I'm getting about 1A (21w @ 22v) off of them. I could charge a cell phone, but I need to lower the voltage right?

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              • #8
                That would be open circuit voltage. Under load the voltage and current will be lower. I believe those panels are rated at 15 watts
                2.2kw Suntech mono, Classic 200, NEW Trace SW4024

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by littleharbor View Post
                  That would be open circuit voltage. Under load the voltage and current will be lower. I believe those panels are rated at 15 watts
                  They were advertised as 15w I believe, but they are several years old. 5 in parallel are giving me those readings.

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                  • #10
                    This is a project to teach my kid about the basics of electricity (and to brush up on it myself). So keep in mind before bashing it, this is meant to be fun/educational.

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                    • #11
                      It will require a battery and charge controller, or about $75 to generate 1-cent of electricity per day. Then about 2 or 3 years time to replace the battery. How is that for fun and education?
                      MSEE, PE

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Sunking View Post
                        It will require a battery and charge controller, or about $75 to generate 1-cent of electricity per day. Then about 2 or 3 years time to replace the battery. How is that for fun and education?
                        Because you would learn how chargers and solar panels work.

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Sunking View Post
                          It will require a battery and charge controller, or about $75 to generate 1-cent of electricity per day. Then about 2 or 3 years time to replace the battery. How is that for fun and education?
                          Yeah. I think that the HF panels would be just fine for kids to learn a little something about solar. Think about all the "experiments" you did in grammar school and were they worth the cost?

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by SunEagle View Post

                            Yeah. I think that the HF panels would be just fine for kids to learn a little something about solar. Think about all the "experiments" you did in grammar school and were they worth the cost?
                            Yeah for a computer fan running 5 watts. But what is not learned or taught in schools is economics. That part is hidden from the public.

                            MSEE, PE

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                            • #15
                              So everyone tells you the box they came in is worth more then the panels and I am the bad guy for being honest?
                              MSEE, PE

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