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diy solar

Why didn't I think of that? Tips & Tricks!

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svetz

Works in theory! Practice? That's something else
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@Off Grid Circuits has inspired a new thread I'm hoping you'll participate in with your best Tricks & Tips.
The idea is to list clever tips and tricks that can save your sanity. I'll start it off in the next post with his tip.

Warning: Since this will hopefully eventually become an FAQ post, this will probably be a heavily moderated thread to keep posts incredibly small and free of side-posts / jokes / discussion / etc. Off-topic posts will be deleted or moved to a new thread. You've been warned! ;)

Update: We closed the thread as it was too much upkeep to keep from wandering and members of course hate it when you delete their posts. But if you have a really great idea just email me and I'll post it.
 
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You can hang panels overboard using ringlets to attach them to lifelines and a batten to hold them up.
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Lots of talk about running refrigerators on solar. IF you can:

1. Move fridge to basement for constant temperature in summer
2. Make ICE. Keep fridge-freezer full of ice bottles as it reduces energy used vs. empty fridge.
3. Unplug Fridge use an ice chest/cooler. A small Ice maker to only fill ice bags uses way less power
 
Free cables can be had often as electricians rip out old SE cable feeders all the time, and toss it in the scrap pile... it won’t hurt to ask local electricians. I toss them all the time... I have dozens of 15foot lengths of #2, throug 4/0 aluminum cable... often short chunks of copper, but that has a scrap value...
 
Unless you need a 50 amp 12 volt Anderson plug why not use the 30 amp small ones that can power most appliances. They can hook together so you can have 4 or 6 plugs in one unit. You can hold them together with a small zip tie too. And they are a fraction of the price.

How to crimp them video

 

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Many battery voltage water heating elements have two elements connected together with parallel shorting bars. Use only one heater for twice the resistance. Two in series for four times the resistance. These could be switched in and out with a control to closer match the panel to the heater as light level varies. Or it could save you having to replace the element as the number of panels changes as the system grows.
 
In a normal electric water heater, there are two heating elements, and two thermostats to control which works.
Whenever you have extremely short hot water supply, it is a sign that the lower element has failed.
In a pinch, you can swap the lower element for the upper one, and get a full tank of water, just set the upper thermostat as low as it will go.
 
Just stopped at the local Lowes. They have stock steel and aluminum bars up to 1/4" thick, lengths of 2-6 feet. A 2' piece of steel 3/16" x 1" was just under $7US. If you are at all handy, you can easily make custom buss bars for your batteries.

If you really want copper, the local Hobby Lobby has small sheets of copper and bronze up to .025" thick, again, not expensive. Fabricate and lay of couple together for the desired amp rating.

I wouldn't have a single qualm about using the stock steel bars.
 
Speaking of journals, I've used a tree-type journal software for 15+ years. The one I use isn't being updated, so I will recommend some others. Go to http://bulrush.freeshell.org/00frames2.htm. Now on the left, click on the category "Info mgmt". This site is all about freeware.

For apps that will specifically work run from a USB* pen drive go to http://www.pendriveapps.com/ and http://portableapps.com/apps.

* After talking to a Sandisk engineer I was told that USB drives are not designed for running software, they are designed for storing data, although in my case, I've only had one problem with one game running from a USB drive. Everything else has worked from the USB flash drive just fine for the past 10 years. YMMV.

The software I use is Keynote and works on a 32-bit Windows system, but I don't think it works on a 64-bit system. It's here: https://github.com/dpradov/keynote-nf
 
I was skimming through the facebook marketplace and saw something interesting for $50. The first thing I thought of was a rack for a simple small sun tracking system...might be able to hold 1kw of panels if you don't get much wind?... It's a drywall hoist:
611xOvV5rOL._SX466_.jpg

Moderator's Note: Careful with this one! As the poster and Rider point out, it can be useful, but can easily flip over.
@New Mexico Will suggests welding on some legs, and setting in concrete for stability
 
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Don't have an impact driver? Wipe screw threads with a common bar of damp soap paraffin or beeswax to make them easier to drive.
MagicToolbox warns that soap can be corrosive and over time allow the fastener to rust, so perhaps stick with wax? Other members report that in a pinch oil from your body (e.g., scalp, nose) can also be used.
 
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