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Solar powered trial underway at PST

A admin 2Member
PST began testing a solar powered system today. The SIEMENS company has produced a 2 x 3 foot solar array that charges a battery/ inverter system made by SUNWIZE. The system uses a large 12v battery connected to an inverter to create 110VAC to power computers, timers, etc. The solar panel keeps that battery charged. We learned very quickly that laser printers draw too much power and blow the fuses. Ink jet printers work just fine. We ran a timer, printer, 2 photocells,
14" active matrix screen notebook, ink jet printer for 6 hours today without incident. We will be running every day to see how the system responds. The solar panel is quite well made and you can get an arm that holds it at the proper angle. The power generation system is housed in a small "action packer" that is quite compact.
This looks like it will be an ideal system to use in remote areas instead of running a gasoline generator. The system produces no noise and fumes. We will see how it works on cloudy, rainy days.


Originally posted 3 Dec 2001 by Fred Patton
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A admin 2Member
The inverter that comes with the system is 150 watts which has proven to be fine for the power supplies for the notebook, the inkjet printer, etc. The approx. cost of this system is $1000.00

http://www.sunwize.com/products/ppg.html

The Sunwize company has a broad selection of products including a little panel to recharge a notebook directly. We decided that we wanted a system that could power all of the common timing items without any hassle. We are surely wasting electricity converting the 12VDC to 110AC and then back to DC with the chargers. Later tests will no doubt look to power the display board directly and try to charge the PC, S4 and printer direct.

We have been quite happy thus far. The trick is the mounting of the solar panel. It really has to be quite flat (parallel to the ground) for maximum effect. Leaning the panel against the wall has not proven to be very effective. We have a chart for the optimum tilt angle which we will use tomorrow. The panel comes with a 20 foot
cable so we have to take that into account.

The "power generator" is pretty heavy due to the 45 pound battery. I would not want to ski with it. Having it in the timing room or trailer will certainly work well. The solar panel is 2 feet wide x 3 1/2 feet tall.


Originally posted 5 Dec 2001 by Fred Patton

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