Sirius Satellite boombox powered by solar?

[Ozzmosis]

I have a total noob question.

I have a Sirius Satellite boombox that I want to power while camping. Now I can run it off 8 D-batteries, but who wants to carry a large selection of batteries to power the boombox for a weekend.

What I want to do, is get a 12v battery, preferably one that isn't too big, but will provide a reasonable amount of run time for the boombox, and to get some solar panels to help run the boombox and charge the battery when not in use.

These are the solar panels I was thinking of buying:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/SolarPortablePower/SolarEnergy/PRD~0112020P/Sunforce%252BSolar%252BPanel%25252C%252B1.8W.jsp?locale=en

The power requirement on the back of the box is 12v 2.5amps. Will this setup work? I was thinking of getting 3 of the panels, and connect them in parallel.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Trying to keep this on the cheap as well. Thanks!

[Sunking]

What I want to do, is get a 12v battery, preferably one that isn't too big, but will provide a reasonable amount of run time for the boombox, and to get some solar panels to help run the boombox and charge the battery when not in use.

The power requirement on the back of the box is 12v 2.5amps. Will this setup work? I was thinking of getting 3 of the panels, and connect them in parallel.

Cheap solar? C'mon be reasonable. OK your boom box uses 30 watts. So how many hours per day do you want to use it?

Here is the deal, your answer cannot be anymore than 30 minutes per day in summer, 10 minutes in winter. Because that is about all the energy those 3 solar panels can generate..

[WaFam]

I'm also working on my first solar panel project and it is building a small boombox for my float trip in a month.
I wonder if I can hook the solar panel to the battery terminals and also let the amplifier pull energy from the battery at the same time. Would it damage the amp?

This is the panel I use. I know it isnt big enough but I just ask anyway since I may order a bigger one.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200422045_200422045

The battery.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200390364_200390364

Amplifier.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-USB-FM-20W-20W-Mini-Car-Power-Amplifier-Remote-Controller-/320933071367?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D726535726796754163%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26

This is how I want to connect them



Thank you very much!

[russ]

Solar for a boombox for a float trip?

Guess float trips have changed since I did that

[billvon]

What I want to do, is get a 12v battery, preferably one that isn't too big, but will provide a reasonable amount of run time for the boombox, and to get some solar panels to help run the boombox and charge the battery when not in use.

Probably. You'll want to measure the actual current draw of the thing (it's not 2.5 amps) and figure out the panel/battery size based on that. In most cases a 20 watt panel with a 4-7 amp hour 12V battery will do it. A cheap charge controller is also needed

[WaFam]

Yea I like music!

[inetdog]

I'm also working on my first solar panel project and it is building a small boombox for my float trip in a month.
I wonder if I can hook the solar panel to the battery terminals and also let the amplifier pull energy from the battery at the same time. Would it damage the amp?

This is the panel I use. I know it isnt big enough but I just ask anyway since I may order a bigger one.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200422045_200422045

The battery.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200390364_200390364

Amplifier.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-USB-FM-20W-20W-Mini-Car-Power-Amplifier-Remote-Controller-/320933071367?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D726535726796754163%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26

This is how I want to connect them



Thank you very much!

The only reason that panel is "self-regulating" is that it cannot produce enough current (125 milliamps) to ever overcharge a battery. It is intended to trickle charge an unused battery, not to recharge one that is being used. The manual for it notes that for a panel of 15 watts or more (which could actually charge a battery) you need to order a charge controller too. In that case, connecting both the CC and the Amplifier to the battery will only be a problem if you let the amplifier run down the battery too far. If the CC has "load" terminals, they can be used to connect the amplifier and will probably shut it off if the battery gets too low.

It is not the amp that might get damaged, it is the battery.

[WaFam]

The only reason that panel is "self-regulating" is that it cannot produce enough current (125 milliamps) to ever overcharge a battery. It is intended to trickle charge an unused battery, not to recharge one that is being used. The manual for it notes that for a panel of 15 watts or more (which could actually charge a battery) you need to order a charge controller too. In that case, connecting both the CC and the Amplifier to the battery will only be a problem if you let the amplifier run down the battery too far. If the CC has "load" terminals, they can be used to connect the amplifier and will probably shut it off if the battery gets too low.

It is not the amp that might get damaged, it is the battery.

Thank you very much!

[WaFam]

Nvm

[billvon]

More questions...
If I want to connect 2 identical batteries in parallel for longer play time, would it doubles the current (in my case from 2.2A to 4.4A)? Can I charge them together using solar panel or I have to charge them separately?

Yes, you can charge them together. At your currents wiring won't be as critical but try to equalize distances to + and - on both batteries, and use proper gauge for the current.

[WaFam]

Yes, you can charge them together. At your currents wiring won't be as critical but try to equalize distances to + and - on both batteries, and use proper gauge for the current.

Thank you very much!!! I realized 1 of my questions was dumb so I "nvm"

[PNjunction]

... I have a Sirius Satellite boombox that I want to power while camping. Now I can run it off 8 D-batteries, but who wants to carry a large selection of batteries to power the boombox for a weekend..

Instead of drugstore D-cells, what about rechargeable quality NiMH D cells that are about 10 amp-hour rated each? I run several devices with them, although I charge them with my solar setup / inverter just because that's fun. But for portability, I only take the charged batteries for long weekends, and leave all the other stuff at home. I run radios, fans (O2-Cool units) etc. I'm running the O2 fans right now indoors to beat the heat wave a little ....

Maha / Powerex 11ah D (normal self discharge - use them within a week or less of charging to get near the rated capacity out of them.)
or
Maha / Powerex "Imedion" 9.5ah D. (Low-Self-Discharge - up to about 80% SOC per year depending on how hot you store them, although initially a little less capacity than standard cells - larger separators inside them etc)

Charge them properly in about 5 hours: Maha / Powerex MH-C808M charger. I use this with an inverter when necessary when I want to play totally solar.

Costly? yes, but you definitely get what you paid for unlike the bubble-pack stuff hanging on drugstore or even radio shack racks. Beats hanging solar panels, charge controllers, AGM batteries and wiring when you want to be able to be very portable at the site.