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We are closing on new house that has a kids playhouse 10x16 . The previous owner had put some rough electric inside couple of sockets and lights hook ups. Everything was done to code. Never finished running to the main panel in the garage of house. During Home inspection the main panel is fine but if we wanted to add the playhouse some updates would be needed. Was looking to see if a solar panel system could be used to power just the playhouse without hooking to the main panel to house. Would really just need a light or 2 and charge cell phone. Wouldn’t be used everyday. Any help would greatly appreciated. Basic knowledge of electrical workings, no solar experience. I have been looking on Youtube but didn’t trust the advice.
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You're talking about a small "off grid" electric system.
A simple way to do this is to get a solar panel, a solar battery charger, and a 12V battery. Then run everything in the playhouse from 12V. That simplifies the system and also reduces the shock hazard. You can get 12V LED bulbs and 12V cell chargers. When the kids are grown, you can also get a 12V fridge for beer.
If you need 120VAC, you need all of the above plus an inverter.
Then it becomes a matter of estimating your power usage and the sunlight available so you can size the panels and battery. We can help you calculate requirements. Think about how long the lights will be on, how much power they use, how many hours per day you'll have full sun, whether you want to allow for a few cloudy or rainy days without sun, etc. It all comes down to your assumptions and simple math.7kW Roof PV, APsystems QS1 micros, Nissan Leaf EV -
Looking at an online estimate, I get 4.08 peak sun hours. We want 3 lights, 1 in the loft, 1 on the porch, and 1 in main area. Lights would be on most days 2 hrs at most. Would like to allow for for cloudy or rainy days to be built in.Comment
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With the set up you suggested above we would just ignore what’s already in there and just the 12v solar panel system for power?Comment
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Power usage: 3 lights, LED, 10 watts each, 2 hours each = 60 watt hours per day.
We recommend that people not discharge batteries below 50%. The less you discharge them, the longer they last. You might select 150 watt hours of battery, to give you extra margin for one cloudy day. If you plan on a few cloudy days, get 200 watt hours or more.
You need to replace that 60 watt hours with 4 hours of solar energy. A 100 watt solar panel would be more than adequate.
You're best to get advice from an electrician. From what I know, you don't want to connect 120VAC outlets to 12V DC. If the light fixture and light switches installed are rated for 12V DC operation (some are and some aren't), I think you can reuse them.7kW Roof PV, APsystems QS1 micros, Nissan Leaf EVComment
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Thanks for help and advice. Will research more and look for the best solar panel system to use.Comment
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Most prewired "sheds" are using 120V equipment including a GFI type receptacle.You're talking about a small "off grid" electric system.
A simple way to do this is to get a solar panel, a solar battery charger, and a 12V battery. Then run everything in the playhouse from 12V. That simplifies the system and also reduces the shock hazard. You can get 12V LED bulbs and 12V cell chargers. When the kids are grown, you can also get a 12V fridge for beer.
If you need 120VAC, you need all of the above plus an inverter.
Then it becomes a matter of estimating your power usage and the sunlight available so you can size the panels and battery. We can help you calculate requirements. Think about how long the lights will be on, how much power they use, how many hours per day you'll have full sun, whether you want to allow for a few cloudy or rainy days without sun, etc. It all comes down to your assumptions and simple math.
My guess is that to go with a 12V system the OP would need to replace all of the existing electrical components.
But again if 120V is required it will need some type of GFI protection.Comment
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I am think that going with a 12v solar panel system is my best option. I will leave the current wiring alone.
Looking at my battery needs I found some calculations online. Looking to see if they are accurate.
looking over my usage
Lead Acid: 600 Wh battery ÷ 50% DoD ÷ 80% efficiency = 1500Wh. Assume 12V battery, so 1500 ÷ 12 = 125 Ah.
LiFePO4: 600 Wh battery ÷ 80% DoD ÷ 90% efficiency = 834 Wh. Assume 12V battery, so 1500 ÷ 12 = 70 Ah.
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I might have missed something. I thought I would be able to use 5v usb charger or similar 12v not needing AC inverterComment
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Please check your math. With the LiFePO4 battery, you can discharge further, so it should give you more capacity than a LA battery. I think that you need to multiply by 80% rather than divide by 80% DoD. Same for efficiency.
Lead Acid: 600 Wh battery * 50% DoD * 80% efficiency = 240Wh of usablecapacity. Assume 12V battery, so 240 ÷ 12 = 20 Ah.
LiFePO4: 600 Wh battery * 80% DoD * 90% efficiency = 432Wh of usable capacity. Assume 12V battery, so 432 ÷ 12 = 36 Ah.
Yes, you can use a car 12V to USB adapter for charging.7kW Roof PV, APsystems QS1 micros, Nissan Leaf EVComment
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Dang, I feel old! Our playhouse (fort) used railroad lanterns for lighting. Two soup cans with some string between them served as our communication system.
If I were building a simple system for the grandkids I would use a portable 12-volt jump pack to run the lights and USB charger. Teach the kids to take it in the house and charge it up each night if they want lights and recharging.
Dave W. Gilbert AZ
6.63kW grid-tie ownerComment
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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
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