Generating Power from the Sun can be an investment that will pay for itself in the long run. After an initial equipment purchase solar panels and the necessary extra equipment will provide low cost power for your home, Recreational Vehicle, Campers, power backup, and office or workshop. This article will provide you with the knowledge to understand the many uses available, purchasing equipment, and Installation advice.
We began by researching the many solar products available on the market. We found you can easily purchase small systems and kits or or entire home solar systems which can cost thousands of dollars. As a result of our own research we found smaller kit systems to be ideal for our individual uses and fulfilling the needs of our customers for small projects. These kits can be easily adapted to large solar generating systems for your homestead. We liked these systems so well we decided to sell them to our customers and followers Purchase Here.
To begin, we purchased this 100 Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit to power our Predator 9000 Watt Home Generator. After some time elapses the 12 volt batteries have a tendency to discharge, preventing the Generator from starting just when you need it most. We chose to install this solar kit as opposed to using a 120 Volt Battery charger to keep it charged.
Location,Location, Location:
To begin, we needed to find the best location to install the panel that was conveniently out of the way and would provide adequate sunlight facing due South. The direction is very critical in solar applications to gain the best source of sunlight in the Southern Hemisphere where we are located. It was decided to use a Compass APP on my Android to find true south.
Our Home Generator is stored in our separate storage building protected from the Outdoor elements and weather. It can be easily connected to our installed Generator Interlock Panel at the electric meter.
We eventually decided to install the Solar Panel next to the shed for convenience and allow shortening of the run for the PV Cable provided in the kit. This would also be the desired location for the included Charge Controller mounted inside the building.
Installing the Panel and Mount:
We had some leftover 4 inch wooden fence posts available from an earlier project around the homestead. It was decided to use one of the fence posts to mount the solar panel as you can see in the above image. It only took a little elbow work to dig the post hole with a post hole digger. I opted to use the manual version instead of our gasoline powered Auger.
Panel Mount:
In addition, we purchased a quality Solar Panel Side of Pole Mount which can be purchased by Clicking here.. If you prefer a mount for rooftop or other applications you can find the Solar Panel Mounting Rack Bracket and mounting hardware right here. For our application we chose the Side of Pole Mounting bracket.
The Side of Pole Mount parts ( as seen in the image) is very easily assembled with the instruction booklet provided. Also included are two 4 Inch Galvanized and powder coated U bolts for mounting to the pole. These can be mounted using 2″, 3″, or the provided 4 Inch U Bolts. Installer would need to purchase the 2 and 3 inch U Bolts separately.
Wiring and Cables:
Once the pole and mounts are installed we needed to run the provided cable wiring from the Panel to the Charge Controller. Included in the kit is 40 Feet of UL Listed 12 AWG Gauge Solar Cable. The 100 Watt Solar Panel comes with installed cable and cable connectors. The included Solar cable includes both Male and Female PV Connectors which would need to be installed on one end of the cable. The opposite ends of the cable will connect to the Charge Controller by stripping the wires at the ends. It’s best to use quality wire cutters and stripper to cut in half the cable to use for positive and negative connections between the panel and the Charge Controller.
Note in the Image above, the red tape on the top wire and connector. Positive Connections are always the Female Connector ( top) and Male Connector ( below in the image) is the Negative cable. The Instructions will guide you which PV Connector is Female and Male. We ran our cable through electrical conduit ( for added Protection) from the Panel to the Charge Controller. Mark the Positive cable with red electrical tape on each end when feeding the cable through the conduit. This helps when connecting the + and – ends to the Controller.
As in this image the cable is installed in conduit and fed through to the interior of the shed. The cable feeds into the Charge Controller inside.
Charge Controller and Wiring:
This Solar Panel Kit comes with a P30L Charge Controller for 12/24 Volt Applications. As in the image the top plug- in cable is the Battery Temperature Sensor. The sensor will detect the temperature of the battery in the event it overheats. The opposite end will connect to the Negative terminal of the battery with an O ring Terminal connector, depending on your battery type.
The bottom wires on the left, in the photo, are the cables from the solar panel. Note the red tape on one cable is the Positive side which connects to the terminal marked (+) positive on the Controller. The added cable connects to the N(-) Negative terminal on the Controller. They are clearly marked with an imprinted Solar Panel designation.
The cable on the right was used from leftover PV 12 Gauge Cable using the Black and White wires to connect to the terminals marked for the Battery. Both cables connect with a flat head screwdriver. Be sure to tighten the screws after the wires are inserted in the slots.
Connection to the Battery:
This is not the best image, although, as is standard connect the appropriate cables to the Postive and Negative battery posts. This is a typical Generator or lawnmower battery which will have the screw mounted connections instead of battery post terminals.
Using O ring connectors attach the Positive cable from the Controller to the Postive side of the battery. The Negative Cable and Battery Temperature Sensor connects to the negative battery terminal.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the Charge Controller or the Battery, connect the cables to the battery first. After, you can connect the cables from the Solar Panel to the Charge Controller. When the Panel is in the sun it will generate power and we want to avoid any electrical shock to the Installer. You can also cover the panel with a dark object to prevent it from becoming charged.
Tools Needed:
Flat Head Screwdriver
Wire Strippers
Adjustable Wrench ( for Bolts)
Razor Knife ( Stripping wire)
Measuring Tape
Hex Key Set ( Tighten panel mounts)
Conclusion:
After completing these steps installing your Solar Kit, your Charge Controller should begin to get signals from the panel to the Controller displaying Volts and Amp Readings. A small Instruction Manual for the Controller is included in the Kit. The Manual will help you understand how to operate it and the various functions of the Controller.
Included with the Kit is the P30L Charge Controller for these low voltage applications. The system is working well to keep the battery charged and shuts off when the battery has a full charge.
You can find the Solar Panel kits and other accessories here when you are ready to BUY.
Feel free to email us at sales@affordableminisplits.com with any questions about our Products. We are always happy to help!