Kids Playhouse Question

[Krod607]

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.

[bob-n]

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.

[Krod607]

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.