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diy solar

Recent content by Benjamin Nead

  1. Benjamin Nead

    Portable system panel/controller configuration

    I guess what I'm looking is for the most efficient way to do it, electronically, and not have to buy a single controller that's physically as large as the assembled battery. I don't mind a multiple controller setup, if that's what it takes. Also, a few extra wires to hook up doesn't scare me. I...
  2. Benjamin Nead

    Portable system panel/controller configuration

    Hi everyone . . . I got here the last week after watching a few of Will Prowse's YouTube videos and following the links from there. Immediate help to ironing out some of my basic ideas came from snoobler (it turns out we've actual have met in person,) Steve_S (we've talked to each for years on...
  3. Benjamin Nead

    New member from Tucson, AZ

    Guys . . . The research into inverter sourcing is much appreciated. The rebranded Sigineer that snoobler shows from Electric Car Parts Company looks to be the best bet so far. The $400 to $500 price range is certainly better than $1000 for an electronically identical unit. Whatever one lets me...
  4. Benjamin Nead

    New member from Tucson, AZ

    Really? Do you order from Sigineer's Chinese site?
  5. Benjamin Nead

    New member from Tucson, AZ

    7 or 8 years ago, all small panels in the 15 to 80W range seemed to be polycrystalline. Kyocera was a highly regarded Japanese brand I used to see often back then. Perhaps marketing hype got in the way, but I simply don't see small poly panels any longer. The brands who make in that size range...
  6. Benjamin Nead

    New member from Tucson, AZ

    OK . . . I don't know what "value VAR" means but, generally, I get what you're trying to tell me. Everything is made in China now and, once you find one brand on, say, Amazon, you'll find 5 or 10 of something else with different branding on more obscure web sites, typically cheaper. Depending...
  7. Benjamin Nead

    New member from Tucson, AZ

    The pre-built all-in-one stuff is expensive, but it serves a purpose. My introduction to owning solar was through Voltaic, who makes quality stuff for the backpacking and travel-light-around-the-world crowd . . . https://voltaicsystems.com/ I've got a few of their 17W panels and batteries. No...
  8. Benjamin Nead

    New member from Tucson, AZ

    OK, Steve. Thanks . . . The 100W Renogy Eclispe solar suitcase really does seem to be the best panel setup for what I'm doing. It's all about the portability and storage, especially when I'm moving a bunch of them around in the vehicle. Also, I see no reason why any pair of electrically...
  9. Benjamin Nead

    New member from Tucson, AZ

    Hey Steve_S . . . Good to see you here. OK . . . much hate for Renogy. Noted. But who makes good small panels then? Remember that I'm not making a stationary system for a cabin, but a portable one that fits in the back on my car and can be assembled relatively quickly on site. Any panel...
  10. Benjamin Nead

    New member from Tucson, AZ

    Ha! Ha! . . . This is, indeed, a small world! I've talked with Steve_S (I think he's the same one) many time on the CleanTechnica blog. We have a very similar world view on renewable energy and EVs. Good to know about the Eve cells. I'll investigate. I also haven't written off the larger 100Ah...
  11. Benjamin Nead

    New member from Tucson, AZ

    Thanks, Joe . . . Yeah, I know that I'm paying more for the storing convenience of a folding package. Staying with Renogy, for instance, their standard 100W Eclipse panel is about half that price. But any panel approaching 42" in length (typical of 100W units) isn't going to cut it for me, as...
  12. Benjamin Nead

    New member from Tucson, AZ

    OK, thanks for the insights. Who makes a good 280Ah cell? I would consider being part of a group buy for something like that. My only concern would be dealing with a warranty issue if I got a bummer cell. Also, the whole EV charging thing off solar PV and a portable battery is a secondary...
  13. Benjamin Nead

    New member from Tucson, AZ

    Hi snoobler . . . I was TEVA's Secretary/Membership Director circa 2013-18. Not really associated with them any longer, but I still have friends there. The highest current I anticipate drawing would be around 14A (1700W@120VAC,) from an induction hotplate and I would be doing that maybe for 10...
  14. Benjamin Nead

    New member from Tucson, AZ

    Hi everyone . . . I got here after watching a few of Will Prowse's YouTube videos on batteries. I've been driving an EV - a 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (picture attached) - for 5 years now and I've been advocating for EV adoption - organizing public displays of the cars and renewable energy...
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