How I started with solar stuffI started dabbling with solar power and self-reliant or portable powering during my polytechnic schooling days. While out in the field filming, there were a couple of occassions when our film cameras were rendered useless just because our battery packs were drained from poor maintainance. Then in many other occassions, I've encountered frustrating cases of running out of juice with my electronic devices like the GPS, PDAs, and even mobile phones. Back in the military days, we were even made to carry extra battery packs for our radio sets just because of powering needs. As I have been playing with RC cars and portable video lighting for my freelance work, I have lots of 12v sealed-acid batteries. Eventually, I realised that portable powering can more or less be achieved with 12v source because it is very generic with vehicles' cigar lighter adaptor. Currently, all my DC devices ranging from GPS, mobile phones, FM radio, Apple Powerbooks, PDAs, AA battery chargers, etc... are all 12v capable. I even have two 12v high-end pure sinewave inverters to power any AC devices that are draining up to 300 watts. Many people would know that batteries are useless if they're being drained. So technically, we need devices to charge up the batteries. Other than having motor generators or grid electricity, Solar power would be the best in terms of portability and self-reliance. My Solar Power SetupWith power getting more precious as fuel decrease at an alarming rate, Solar panels can help you store electrical energy. All you need is a solar panel, battery and of course, some wires. Besides these hardware, you'll need to know some basic electrical calculations for Voltage, Amperes and Watts. You'll also need to have some knowledge on electrical wirings, etc... I have a 5 Watts & 1.4 Watts Solarex (now known as BPSolar) solar panel connected parallel to charge a 36Ah 12v accumulator. Using my accumulator to power a 4 watt lamp & small radio almost everynight for 2 hours, I can virtually get free & unlimited power!  My latest accquistion (July 2003) includes a 20w Shell/Siemens Thin Film (CIS) panel. It was claimed to be one of the latest in Solar panel (Also known as PV, PhotoVoltiac) technology! With the increase in my charging capability, I can now run more devices (eg. inverters to power AC appliances) and not have to worry so much about depleting my battery's charge as compared to using my 5w & 1.4w panels. In fact, with my increase in power, I now have to worry about over-charging of my batteries instead!! Currently considering to get 'regulators', or otherwise known as 'Charge Controllers' to install in my setup. 
  16th July 2003 - Gotten my Steca Solsum 6.6x Charging Controller  Major disappointment is that the German product really lacks instructions especially on the LED status. So for the benefit of those who got similar product, here's my own LED reading manual:- Battery Status Indicator Red - Battery below 11.8v Orange/Amber - Battery reaching 12.3v (not sure) Yellow - Battery above 12.3v Green - Battery at 12.8v Fast Flashing - Low Voltage cut off is about to kick in, be prepared to be automatically shut off. Slow Flashing - Low Voltage cut off is still active, you cannot use devices/load until light is stable (not flashing). Initial setup cost are high, but I must say that if there should be a power crisis in Singapore, don't be surprise to see light coming from my bedroom, news/music from my Sony World Radio, or maybe I can even watch TV if I used my DC-AC inverter! Most of the time, I charge my handphone, PDA and my Mac Powerbook using the 12v Cigrette lighter mobile charger too!! Normally, I get direct sunlight only at about 3pm to 6pm as my windows are facing West. Some time of the year, I may even get longer exposure to the sunlight on my windows. However, one must note that as long as there is daylight, your panels are producing electrical energy, and are still charging your batteries at a slower rate. There are also times when it rains few days in a row! That's when I have to start to balance my power usage, and monitor my battery voltage. One useful tip for automatic transmission car owners who live in constant fear that their battery might be dead. Even for boat enthusiasts too! You won't wanna be stuck out at sea just because your marine deep-cycle doesn't have enough juice! You should think of getting one of these panels fitted onto your vehicle!! Go Green! Use Solar!!!!!! My Portable Petrol GeneratorAs much as I wanted to go GREEN with my trusty solar panels, I've also bought a portable petrol generator for my field video production needs to charge up batteries whilst filming in obsecure locations. It comes in very handy for both leisure & work because we are in a modern socitey where we can't live without power!
My Portable Solar Pack Suncatcher Solar 4.2watts This is a compact 4.2watts solar panel with built in 12v 1200mah battery pack. The multi-crystalline type of panel design produces high power with small surface area. Very high efficiency solar panel. Opened dimension: 25cm x 21cm x 2cm Closed dimension: 12cm x 21cm x 4cm Very useful for field charging of Mobile phones, PDAs, GPS, MP3 players, etc... Just need a standard 12v car cigarette lighter plug for any gadgets. It also powers radio, CD players, and charges any sealed-acid or rechargable batteries. When not using, I normally just leave it under the sun for 4 hours to fully charge up the internal battery pack. Battery pack is fully replaceable and for my own unit, I customised it to be using 1800mah NiMh batteries.  Foldable Solar Pack This is my other foldable 6.5w solar pack for remote charging applications. Unlike the above mentioned pack, this doesn't come built-in with batteries, but it is extremely lightweight in design. More Links about Solar & PV systemsFor consultation, design, and implementing of Self-reliance PV system feel free to email me. Solarex Solar Panels Unisolar Solar Panels Yamaha Generators in any issues arising from any attempts to use my information I've provided on this site. This is just a personal webpage where I put out my views & share my ideas.  |
