Wow!!!
Yes, thick aluminum foil without gaps is a shielding method for the RFI/EMI that cause a buzz in phone lines and audio equipment. Some good Sinewave inverters have built in shielding that helps a lot. Back when I had dial up, it slowed down my internet connection speed by 3/4. I moved everything as far away as I could and use line filters. This is a real issue, not some loony tin foil hat garbage.
Desulfators certainly help with lead acid battery life, along with monthly equalization and keeping the fluid levels up, etc. In reading the Battery Book, I found out that the biggest increase in deep cycle lead acid battery life is to limit drawdown to 20% (battery still 80% full), NOT the 50% recommended before. Sure they can handle a 90% discharge but lose a lot of life. An old timer near me had been on inverter/L-16 battery and generators for charging for 25 years and still had some good L-16s that old. He later mounted solar panels.
Personally, now I would go for the nickel-iron---only because I'm not so broke!!
It is said my system did not pay for itself in 6 years. Here is how that worked out; The total system cost for a full tracking 600 watt array, twin com linked DR2424s, charge control center, 8-L16s, wires, pole, conduit, through the wall as standard 220VAC to the 100Amp panel with breakers was $9,300 in 1997-8. Average local electric bills were $100/month from my numerous inquiries. The IREA wanted $4,975 to bring power to my house, with anyone on the way able to tap in free. No gov't subsidies in this area, and at that time, for solar. The local solar installer at that time wanted $25/hr. It took 200 hours, so I saved $5,000 in labor. Subtracting the amount that the coal fired power company wanted to bring in power from the original $9,300 is $4,325. That is roughly 43 months of bills. I added the mancon and desulfators for $250, so that makes it a 46 month to zero. Real Goods gave the energy of manufacture of the system as another 2 year penalty. So in 2004 the system had paid for itself in saved bills from the power company, with an unknown amount of CO2 saved from going into the atmosphere. Many tons.
You are right in that not all solar installers are out to gouge the people, but many are. I saved roughly 53% by DIY. Others I have researched would save much more. I have also seen a 50% difference in price with shipping for panels and components that are the same, so it sure pays to shop around.
It is also sadly true that the average person is just not like the pioneers that tamed the west. Schools have eliminated shop courses and mechanical drafting, lowered science and math requirements, with the dumbing down I have witnessed for the past 35 years. The average person is too dumb, ignorant, or lazy to do the research necessary and the hard work of DIY solar electric system installation or building their own house. Perhaps one out of 400 tradesmen is capable, maybe less. In my 31 years(23 as foreman/sup't) in the building business, masters and real multi-tradesmen with brains to design were a rarity. Only one out of 20 worked in the trades, if that. That was the second career I was forced into, even though a disabled decorated combat veteran. I was a pro pilot COM ASMEL, H, I, and CFI for all, and AGI for 7 years, but hit by affirmative action increased requirements for my sex and race. I wasn't supposed to heavy lift again, ever. I was shot down 1/14/70 N of Xuan Loc RVN flying a Dustoff unarmed medical evacuation helicopter (UH-1H). Transmission hit and crash which broke my 2 lumbar cartilages with compressional damage to my spine. I John Wayned it back to combat in 16 days. As a foreman my wages stagnated from the invasion, for 20 years. I had to do it myself from economic necessity, and have the skills, brains, and experience.
I would like to think that many people, with determination, could do it themselves. Maybe many more could at least help to defray costs. That pioneer spirit that built this country must increase. It is a war to save the environment from that tundra methane self release tipping point, and a war for America, in America.
Yes, thick aluminum foil without gaps is a shielding method for the RFI/EMI that cause a buzz in phone lines and audio equipment. Some good Sinewave inverters have built in shielding that helps a lot. Back when I had dial up, it slowed down my internet connection speed by 3/4. I moved everything as far away as I could and use line filters. This is a real issue, not some loony tin foil hat garbage.
Desulfators certainly help with lead acid battery life, along with monthly equalization and keeping the fluid levels up, etc. In reading the Battery Book, I found out that the biggest increase in deep cycle lead acid battery life is to limit drawdown to 20% (battery still 80% full), NOT the 50% recommended before. Sure they can handle a 90% discharge but lose a lot of life. An old timer near me had been on inverter/L-16 battery and generators for charging for 25 years and still had some good L-16s that old. He later mounted solar panels.
Personally, now I would go for the nickel-iron---only because I'm not so broke!!
It is said my system did not pay for itself in 6 years. Here is how that worked out; The total system cost for a full tracking 600 watt array, twin com linked DR2424s, charge control center, 8-L16s, wires, pole, conduit, through the wall as standard 220VAC to the 100Amp panel with breakers was $9,300 in 1997-8. Average local electric bills were $100/month from my numerous inquiries. The IREA wanted $4,975 to bring power to my house, with anyone on the way able to tap in free. No gov't subsidies in this area, and at that time, for solar. The local solar installer at that time wanted $25/hr. It took 200 hours, so I saved $5,000 in labor. Subtracting the amount that the coal fired power company wanted to bring in power from the original $9,300 is $4,325. That is roughly 43 months of bills. I added the mancon and desulfators for $250, so that makes it a 46 month to zero. Real Goods gave the energy of manufacture of the system as another 2 year penalty. So in 2004 the system had paid for itself in saved bills from the power company, with an unknown amount of CO2 saved from going into the atmosphere. Many tons.
You are right in that not all solar installers are out to gouge the people, but many are. I saved roughly 53% by DIY. Others I have researched would save much more. I have also seen a 50% difference in price with shipping for panels and components that are the same, so it sure pays to shop around.
It is also sadly true that the average person is just not like the pioneers that tamed the west. Schools have eliminated shop courses and mechanical drafting, lowered science and math requirements, with the dumbing down I have witnessed for the past 35 years. The average person is too dumb, ignorant, or lazy to do the research necessary and the hard work of DIY solar electric system installation or building their own house. Perhaps one out of 400 tradesmen is capable, maybe less. In my 31 years(23 as foreman/sup't) in the building business, masters and real multi-tradesmen with brains to design were a rarity. Only one out of 20 worked in the trades, if that. That was the second career I was forced into, even though a disabled decorated combat veteran. I was a pro pilot COM ASMEL, H, I, and CFI for all, and AGI for 7 years, but hit by affirmative action increased requirements for my sex and race. I wasn't supposed to heavy lift again, ever. I was shot down 1/14/70 N of Xuan Loc RVN flying a Dustoff unarmed medical evacuation helicopter (UH-1H). Transmission hit and crash which broke my 2 lumbar cartilages with compressional damage to my spine. I John Wayned it back to combat in 16 days. As a foreman my wages stagnated from the invasion, for 20 years. I had to do it myself from economic necessity, and have the skills, brains, and experience.
I would like to think that many people, with determination, could do it themselves. Maybe many more could at least help to defray costs. That pioneer spirit that built this country must increase. It is a war to save the environment from that tundra methane self release tipping point, and a war for America, in America.
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