Hello from Edw in MA

[Edw.com]

Looks like plenty of information and active users here.
Hope I can learn and maybe contribute in some way.
Thanks, Ed

My Trade:
Automated Gate Installer
Looking for options and ideas for potential solar powering 24v operators.

[Naptown]

Looks like plenty of information and active users here.
Hope I can learn and maybe contribute in some way.
Thanks, Ed

My Trade:
Automated Gate Installer
Looking for options and ideas for potential solar powering 24v operators.

There is lots of stuff out there for this purpose.

[Edw.com]

Gate

Thanks, Ill need to find the parts. Was hoping for a simple kit. Pole mounted 80w panel, 2 - 35 AH batteries, small Galv cabinet and wiring.
So far I'm just learning the basics and where to look for parts.
Ed

[inetdog]

....And by the way, welcome to Solar Panel Talk!

Some of the gate actuator systems include a solar charging kit option, but for those that do not, you need to calculate two things:

1. How many times the gate will need to open per day, which will tell you how much energy the panels will have to produce each day (on the average) to replace the energy used.
2. How much current the battery or batteries can take without damage, which will determine the maximum panel size (if the charge controller is not adjustable.)

For a particular installation area you can use PVWatts to figure out how much energy a given size panel and fixed orientation will produce for each month of the year. This assumes that you can find a location for the panel that is not badly shaded during the hours around noon.