Re: [pf] computer "now" running off-the-grid, on solar power.

At 13:31 24/11/2001 +1300, I wrote {at:
http://csf.colorado.edu/mail/pfvs/2001IV/msg01263.html } :-
>· I have a few minutes ago switched this computer over to solar power ...
It's just the computer itself, not the monitor. ...[Later] after adding the
other 2 solar panels I have here in Greenhithe ...
>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

· Since that ~12 hours use (mid-afternoon to 4 AM next morning), which ran
the (fully-charged: 12.6 V) batteries down to 11.2 V, I've been
re-charging, but it isn't done yet.

· However we had a good clear day yesterday, and my four "75 watt" panels
gave me about 1200 watt-hours (Wh), but that's only got my batteries back
to 11.7 volts each (after sitting overnight, with the inverter connected -
35 Wh used). That 1200 watt-hours was actual, measured by my electronic
meter. 

· My main reason for sending this to everyone on the Positive Futures list,
not just tully, is that I now have a _fact_ to pass on:
 . . . . . . . . ------------------------
During this 8-week period centred on mid-summer day, I can count on:

 --== 4 hours of full-sun per day ==--

on the assumption that: "75 watt" panels give 75 watts.
 . . . . . . . . ------------------------

· and less, all the rest of the year.

· this is the result of (yesterday, with almost no cloud):

1200 watt-hours of energy were supplied by 4 x "75" = "300 watts" of panels
 . . 1200 watt-hours / "300 watts" = 4 hours.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


· My current plan is to get my batteries fully charged again - it won't be
today, since we'll have a cloudy day - then try something less than my
first 12-hour-use trial, to see how many hours I can get (using only this
~40 W computer) and still recharge to near full on some days during most
weeks.

· This sort of thing is _exactly_ why I bought the equipment before we
build and move into our retirement house. To gain experience with
off-the-grid electrical supply.


· BTW, I got a feeling for "living as a tree" yesterday.
While waiting for a little cloud to move away and we'd have sunshine (when
my batteries would start sizzling, and the meter would flick up to its
highest readings - lots of current racing around the circuit), I could see
the patch of sun come towards me, lighting-up the further trees, then the
nearer trees. They really sparkled, as their leaves caught the bright sun,
and I could imagine the shot-in-the-arm the trees would get from the
sunlight, the bursting into activity of the leaves, and the energy coursing
around the branches, trunk and roots.
  Then back to idling again, when the next cloud came over.

David.
David MacClement [davd @ ihug.co.nz] (remove spaces)
http://davd.tripod.com/GrRR-011109_titles.html#top
http://www.geocities.com/davd.geo/index.html#top
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