Mini Project - 12V for Garage for Lighting

[Lokolo]

Hi Guys,

Wasn't sure if this was the right place as it seems this is for bigger systems than mine.

However I currently have a garage situated in another block which has no mains and (currently) no working door. So it's pointless.

I want to provide some power (lighting mainly).

These are my thoughts:

- Going to be more expensive than finding some battery powered LED lights
- I will need: 12V Panel, Solar Charge Controller, Battery, Something to Connect to Lights, Some LED lights which are powerful enough

I am mainly doing this as a "Can I do it for fun" project than anything that's going to save me money.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20w-Semi-f...ht_3862wt_1163
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5A-60W-sol...ht_3603wt_1163
http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/agm...isure-battery/
http://www.camping-online.co.uk/cara...uorescent.html

So these were my thoughts so far. I wasn't sure how big panel I would need (I guessed 20w), and I wasn't sure on what ah I would need for battery, the light is going to be used more than 10 hours a week or so. And I wasn't sure what I need to go from the battery to the light.

My garage also faces north east. And I don't think I can put anything on the roof as it's shared, hence the flexible and put it on the garage door. (as well as that, the block of flats is behind the shed, blocking the best amount of sunlight). I have attached a picture to show what I mean.

Can anyone advise?

[Sunking]

Assuming you will use a PWM controller just use this rule of thumb. You decide how much you can afford.

For each 17 watts of panel power you will need at 12 volt battery is:

1 amp of charge controller
10 AH of battery.
A 12 volt 10 AH battery will power a 2 watt LED 24 hours/day to 20% DOD.

Catch is this assumes full solar south exposure with no shade issues from sunup to sunset.

Happy trails

[Lokolo]

Hi, sorry DOD? (day on day?)

...edit Depth of Discharge

[inetdog]

Hi Guys,

Wasn't sure if this was the right place as it seems this is for bigger systems than mine.

However I currently have a garage situated in another block which has no mains and (currently) no working door. So it's pointless.

I want to provide some power (lighting mainly).

These are my thoughts:

- Going to be more expensive than finding some battery powered LED lights
- I will need: 12V Panel, Solar Charge Controller, Battery, Something to Connect to Lights, Some LED lights which are powerful enough

I am mainly doing this as a "Can I do it for fun" project than anything that's going to save me money.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20w-Semi-f...ht_3862wt_1163
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5A-60W-sol...ht_3603wt_1163
http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/agm...isure-battery/
http://www.camping-online.co.uk/cara...uorescent.html

So these were my thoughts so far. I wasn't sure how big panel I would need (I guessed 20w), and I wasn't sure on what ah I would need for battery, the light is going to be used more than 10 hours a week or so. And I wasn't sure what I need to go from the battery to the light.

My garage also faces north east. And I don't think I can put anything on the roof as it's shared, hence the flexible and put it on the garage door. (as well as that, the block of flats is behind the shed, blocking the best amount of sunlight). I have attached a picture to show what I mean.

Can anyone advise?

Rather than put it on the door or on the roof itself, can you mount it on a pole which rises above the roof level and so can have relatively unobstructed sunlight and face the optimal direction?
I would also start by deciding just how much light you want or need. Definitely plan to use either LED fixture or efficient 12 volt fluorescent (tube, not CFL for best efficiency.) Once you have that, you will have a better idea of both battery and panel needs. Overall light for safety will not be too bad. Task lighting may be more of a problem and will depend on the area you need to cover at one time.

If the available sunlight is just too poor, you may need to charge a battery elsewhere and carry it to the garage. Not as much fun or education, but without sun you cannot do solar.

[Sunking]

Hi, sorry DOD? (day on day?)

...edit Depth of Discharge

DOD = Depth of Discharge.

[Naptown]

This thread reeks of a project I did earlier this year. It was a garage door opener for a remote garage with no grid power.
Need to find the thread

Here it is
http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...ge+door+opener

[Lokolo]

Rather than put it on the door or on the roof itself, can you mount it on a pole which rises above the roof level and so can have relatively unobstructed sunlight and face the optimal direction?
I would also start by deciding just how much light you want or need. Definitely plan to use either LED fixture or efficient 12 volt fluorescent (tube, not CFL for best efficiency.) Once you have that, you will have a better idea of both battery and panel needs. Overall light for safety will not be too bad. Task lighting may be more of a problem and will depend on the area you need to cover at one time.

If the available sunlight is just too poor, you may need to charge a battery elsewhere and carry it to the garage. Not as much fun or education, but without sun you cannot do solar.

Unfortunately the trees and housing block most sunlight, I would need a VERY large pole to get over the top (the block of properties is around 3 stories high, then you have the roof).

It's a shame I have a garage facing North East as the other properties have garages oppsite mine which fast South West (and definately get the sun). I suppose I could ask around to see if I could swap, but unsure of the legalities of it all.

Thanks.

[Lokolo]

This thread reeks of a project I did earlier this year. It was a garage door opener for a remote garage with no grid power.
Need to find the thread

Here it is
http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...ge+door+opener

Thanks for that, very interesting.

[Sunking]

Unfortunately the trees and housing block most sunlight

Sorry to say but you are dead in the water.

[green]

It's a shame I have a garage facing North East as the other properties have garages oppsite mine which fast South West (and definately get the sun). I suppose I could ask around to see if I could swap, but unsure of the legalities of it all.

Thanks.

Is this an apartment complex? I have done apartment maintence for a company I worked for and I can tell you without written permission I would have to go up there and cut the wires and take the panel. I'd take pictures first and you would face eviction for endangering the community. If it is a rental situation, make sure you have written permision.

Sorry if I missed the ownership situation in the post, just trying to help.
Green