Rednecktek
Solar Wizard
So I was thinking to myself, after reading all these threads about people trying to have heat on a solar system and how that just never ends well, that there's got to be a better way of making a portable, emergency use, off-grid source of heating the house... and I was bored.
So my shopping list I think is:
5Kw Diesel Heater - 12v, comes with a 10l/2.5Gal tank, draws 11a for the 15min of warm-up time then drops to 1a to run, about 30Ah total per day.
Weather proof hard case - 22" x 14" x 8" inside space
Ampretime 50Ah LiFePo4 battery - should be more than enough power for a couple of days without sun
100w Folding Solar Panel - 100w, comes with a PWM charge controller
4" -> 3" Ducting Reducer - because the heaters use 3" and dryer duct comes in 4"
25ft 4" heavy duty dryer hose - but really, you can get this stuff anywhere and who's gonna hoard dryer hose?
Some wire to extend the thermostat/control board
DC Rocker switch and 15a inline fuse
My setup plan I think is:
Pack out unit to site
Take solar panels out of cradle and unfold/set up
Open lid of hard case, extract ducting and remote control
Rotate heater exhaust pipe up to get the fumes away
Run ducting and remote to window/cat door/whatever. Seal gap as best you can (Duct tape or board or YMMV)
Plug solar panel into connection inside heater case
Fill diesel tank
Turn on main switch
Go inside and turn on heater
Enjoy the warmth!
I know from experience that those diesel heaters will run for a little over 10 hours on that size tank at full bore, longer once you're up to temp and it throttles down.
So, thoughts? What am I doing wrong? Am I just being dumb?
So my shopping list I think is:
5Kw Diesel Heater - 12v, comes with a 10l/2.5Gal tank, draws 11a for the 15min of warm-up time then drops to 1a to run, about 30Ah total per day.
Weather proof hard case - 22" x 14" x 8" inside space
Ampretime 50Ah LiFePo4 battery - should be more than enough power for a couple of days without sun
100w Folding Solar Panel - 100w, comes with a PWM charge controller
4" -> 3" Ducting Reducer - because the heaters use 3" and dryer duct comes in 4"
25ft 4" heavy duty dryer hose - but really, you can get this stuff anywhere and who's gonna hoard dryer hose?
Some wire to extend the thermostat/control board
DC Rocker switch and 15a inline fuse
My setup plan I think is:
Pack out unit to site
Take solar panels out of cradle and unfold/set up
Open lid of hard case, extract ducting and remote control
Rotate heater exhaust pipe up to get the fumes away
Run ducting and remote to window/cat door/whatever. Seal gap as best you can (Duct tape or board or YMMV)
Plug solar panel into connection inside heater case
Fill diesel tank
Turn on main switch
Go inside and turn on heater
Enjoy the warmth!
I know from experience that those diesel heaters will run for a little over 10 hours on that size tank at full bore, longer once you're up to temp and it throttles down.
So, thoughts? What am I doing wrong? Am I just being dumb?