Last weekend I was lugging around a solar panel, trying to see what locations would provide good solar input. After lifting it for the xxx th time, I decided to make a cart, or dolly to move it around. It is not finished but I thought I would share progress as I go.
The panel is slightly counterbalanced making the bottom half slightly heavier. This enables a minimal amount of effort to swivel it up or down.
Currently I am feeding the input through a Morningstar charge controller I had laying around. It measures amps providing the AGM battery I am getting if it is not nearly charged:
I have eye hooks on the back and on the sides. The sides will enable to stake this down should I encounter any wind. The ones in the back allow a taunt line such as used with tents. I can adjust the tension and hold the panel at a multitude of tilt angles.
I went out and found an inexpensive line of sight monitor which enables me to set the orientation to south and tilt to best match the sun. Granted I could just use a pop can but this was more fun.
After trudging around the yard with this, I decided I need a better way of steering this. The 4 Harbor Freight wheels keep it stable, but lifting up the one end to steer it takes away the fun of moving it. I am exploring putting a trailer hitch jack with a pivot wheel. This will enable me to lift the front slightly and steer it more easily. When I get it to the desired spot, I will crank it down, back onto 4 wheels. I saw Harbor Freight carries these as well so may need to make another drive soon.
I currently have a fuse before the battery. I have purchased a small outdoor breaker box and will be putting my solar panel input through that and on to the battery.
As with many projects, the to-do list never ends. There are a few things I would like to address:
1. Provide it with a good coat of solid stain.
2. Clean up the taunt lines.
3. Dress up the solar lines to the breaker box and on the the battery. They are a jumble and take away from the neatness I would like to see.
4. Improve steering ability. So far the hitch idea is leading the way in the list of prospects.
And other tasks as I get through the list. Naturally this list will probably grow as I go along.
The panel is slightly counterbalanced making the bottom half slightly heavier. This enables a minimal amount of effort to swivel it up or down.
Currently I am feeding the input through a Morningstar charge controller I had laying around. It measures amps providing the AGM battery I am getting if it is not nearly charged:
I have eye hooks on the back and on the sides. The sides will enable to stake this down should I encounter any wind. The ones in the back allow a taunt line such as used with tents. I can adjust the tension and hold the panel at a multitude of tilt angles.
I went out and found an inexpensive line of sight monitor which enables me to set the orientation to south and tilt to best match the sun. Granted I could just use a pop can but this was more fun.
After trudging around the yard with this, I decided I need a better way of steering this. The 4 Harbor Freight wheels keep it stable, but lifting up the one end to steer it takes away the fun of moving it. I am exploring putting a trailer hitch jack with a pivot wheel. This will enable me to lift the front slightly and steer it more easily. When I get it to the desired spot, I will crank it down, back onto 4 wheels. I saw Harbor Freight carries these as well so may need to make another drive soon.
I currently have a fuse before the battery. I have purchased a small outdoor breaker box and will be putting my solar panel input through that and on to the battery.
As with many projects, the to-do list never ends. There are a few things I would like to address:
1. Provide it with a good coat of solid stain.
2. Clean up the taunt lines.
3. Dress up the solar lines to the breaker box and on the the battery. They are a jumble and take away from the neatness I would like to see.
4. Improve steering ability. So far the hitch idea is leading the way in the list of prospects.
And other tasks as I get through the list. Naturally this list will probably grow as I go along.
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