I'm a bit leery about the intersection of Harbor Freight and electronics. Of
course HF doesn't make the solar cells, but who knows what you are getting.
> To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon wrote:
>
> OT: Solar Charging 12V Car Battery...
>
> My son, Aaron, software engineer turned farmer, has acreage in the San
> Tan Valley with no source of electric power.
>
> He'd like some artificial light for his chicken coop to increase the
> egg output.
>
> Lighting and timers are easy to find off-the-shelf, but I need some
> pointers toward finding a good quality solar panel that can charge a
> 12V car battery.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> ...Jim Thompson
I purchased a 3 panel solar charger with controller... 45 watt. In full
sun.Harbor freight sales. It was on sale for $145.
Reply by Fred Abse●April 5, 20122012-04-05
On Sun, 01 Apr 2012 23:30:03 -0500, flipper wrote:
> Oh, I didn't say it was practical. I just said it would be a bit hit,
> like pet rocks.
I believe there is a company in Scotland, called Biolume <sp?>, that is
developing bioluminescence, as in deep sea fish, for commercial use,
including foodstuffs.
--
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence
over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled."
(Richard Feynman)
Reply by flipper●April 2, 20122012-04-02
On Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:04:33 -0400, "Michael A. Terrell"
<mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>flipper wrote:
>>
>> On Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:21:57 -0400, "Michael A. Terrell"
>> <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >flipper wrote:
>> >>
>> >> On Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:40:56 -0400, "Michael A. Terrell"
>> >> <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> > He needs to crossbreed lightning bugs with his chickens, so they
>> >> >provide their own light. ;-)
>> >>
>> >> Either that or add a little phosphor and radium to the feed mix.
>> >
>> >
>> > And an EPA permit to dispose of their manure. :)
>>
>> They already regulate chicken sh... uh, manure.
>
>
> From radioactive chickens? :)
Nah, just regular ole chicken sh... uh, manure.
>> Maybe you could convince them that makes it 'self sterilizing'.
>>
>> naaaaaaaaaaaaa.
>
>
> There was a story in a '70s issue of Mother Earth News about a pig
>farm that used all their crap in a digester to produce methane, which
>powered the whole farm. It was used to run a small car engine, that
>drove a PTO generator. What was left in the digester was clean
>fertilizer.
Yeah, that crops up as the 'latest thing' every 10 years or so. Google
invested in one just a couple years ago.
Those are government subsidized too.
>> I bet glow in the dark Easter Eggs would be a big hit, though.
>
>
> Midnight egg hunts? ;-)
Oh, I didn't say it was practical. I just said it would be a bit hit,
like pet rocks.
Reply by krw...@att.bizzzzzzzzzzzz●April 1, 20122012-04-01
On Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:56:13 -0500, Tim Wescott <tim@seemywebsite.com> wrote:
>On Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:35:58 -0700, Joel Koltner wrote:
>
>> Jim Thompson wrote:
>>> Interesting thought. Maybe an M-G set would be better than a solar
>>> setup... and it's so-o-o-o less leftist ;-)
>>
>> It'll definitely be cheaper, particularly in the short term -- there are
>> some awfully cheap generators out there, like this one:
>> http://www.harborfreight.com/engines-generators/gas-engine-
>generators/800-rated-watts-900-max-watts-portable-generator-66619.html
>> .
>>
>> The main problem with cheap (<$500) generators is that often their
>> design lifespans are in the ballpark of a low thousands of hours. I.e.,
>> they're intended to help people through power failures or work on the
>> occasional campout, but not to be run on a truly regular basis. Still,
>> if you just run the thing every few days for a few hours to charge up a
>> bank of batteries, you might find it worthwhile even if the thing dies
>> after a year or two.
>
>If I may inject even more cynicism into the conversation: I think the
>"design life" that Harbor Fright cares about is the duration between the
>point where the consumer sees the generator and the point where their
>check clears the bank.
Not *quite* that bad. ;-)
"If for any reason you are not satisfied with any item purchased, you
may return the insured product within 90 days for a full refund or
replacement, whichever you prefer. Shipping and handling are
non-refundable."
"GENERATOR RETURNS Any generator returned for any reason after the
30 day satisfaction guarantee period will be subject to a 20% restocking
charge and must be returned freight paid."
Don't know how they reconcile the 30/90 periods, above.
>I mean -- what is a generator for, to generator manufacturer? To make
>electricity, or to make money?
>
>Honda probably has the delusion that their generators should make
>electricity for you, and money for Honda -- so they might actually make
>something reliable.
Might? For the difference it had better.
Reply by josephkk●April 1, 20122012-04-01
On Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:05:54 -0700, Joel Koltner
<zapwire-usenet@yahoo.com> wrote:
>Jim Thompson wrote:
>> What does "Certified for California" mean?
>
>That you can use the thing in California without the California Air=20
>Resources Board (CARP) giving you a ticket: California has the strictest=
=20
>laws regarding exhaust gas emissions in the nation, and some extra=20
>equipment (I'm not sure what) typically has to be added to the exhaust=20
>to meet their specs, AIUI.
>
>It's enough additional cost that for some manufacturers it's worthwhile=20
>to have a California version and a non-California version.
So Kalifornia to require catalytic converters on emergency generators.
?;-)
Reply by josephkk●April 1, 20122012-04-01
On Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:12:17 -0700, Jim Thompson
<To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:
>>in message news:2b29n7dm6bbqaojmdsik49esb2u4hu228o@4ax.com...
>>> OT: Solar Charging 12V Car Battery...
>>>
>>> My son, Aaron, software engineer turned farmer, has acreage in the =
San
>>> Tan Valley with no source of electric power.
>>>
>>> He'd like some artificial light for his chicken coop to increase the
>>> egg output.
>>>
>>> Lighting and timers are easy to find off-the-shelf, but I need some
>>> pointers toward finding a good quality solar panel that can charge a
>>> 12V car battery.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance.
>>>
>>> ...Jim Thompson
>>
>>Visit alt.energy.homepower
>>
>>And when your ready to buy go to http://www.sunelec.com/
>>They have the best prices.
>>
>>A few pointers.
>>1,You need to figure out your battery bank capacity base on your load.
>>2, find out how long you want the battery bank to last if there is no=20
>>sun (in days)
>
>In Arizona ?:-)
>
>>3, how many hours a day does your location get (there are charts from=20
>>NREL http://www.nrel.gov/gis/solar.html)
>>4, Don't deep discharge your batteries. Aim for 50% -30% discharge (Big=
=20
>>batteries, NO golf cart batteries here)
>>5, Buss voltage 12, 24 or 48vdc? Panels come in different=20
>>configurations.
>>6, Stick with Polycrystalline panels
>>7, NEC, The system needs to be installed to Code. most of the code=20
>>pertaining to solar installs came from Wileys Code corner=20
>>(http://photovoltaics.sandia.gov/docs/John_Wiles_Code_Corner.htm) NEC=20
>>2008 had the updates. Check with the local authorities for permits.
>
>We shoot "local authorities" ;-)
>
>>8, You'll need a good charge controller (MPPT) and an alternate AC-line=
=20
>>charger.
>
>No AC... rural Arizona.
>
>>9, If the cost of running Utility power is less than Solar then that is=
=20
>>the way to go.
>>
>>
>>Hope that helps.
>>
>>Cheers
>>=20
>>
>
>I'll check out your links, and battery suggestions. Thanks, Martin!
> =09
> ...Jim Thompson
Something i learned not so long ago is that L-A batteries do much better
when "conditioned" new before being placed in service. "Conditioning"
amounts to fully charging and discharging down to 40 % remaining capacity
or so for 4 to 6 cycles. Total capacity improvement is on the order of=20
40 % or better.
?-)
Reply by Jim Thompson●March 31, 20122012-03-31
On Sat, 31 Mar 2012 12:41:47 -0500, Jim Yanik <jyanik@abuse.gov>
wrote:
>Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote
>in news:kihcn7lp09abvmqlto17utn8a1kqes5fri@4ax.com:
>
>> On Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:20:47 -0400, "Michael A. Terrell"
>><mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>Jim Thompson wrote:
>>>>
>>>> On Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:40:56 -0400, "Michael A. Terrell"
>>>> <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> >
>>>> >Jim Thompson wrote:
>>>> >>
>>>> >> OT: Solar Charging 12V Car Battery...
>>>> >>
>>>> >> My son, Aaron, software engineer turned farmer, has acreage in
>>>> >> the San Tan Valley with no source of electric power.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> He'd like some artificial light for his chicken coop to increase
>>>> >> the egg output.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> Lighting and timers are easy to find off-the-shelf, but I need
>>>> >> some pointers toward finding a good quality solar panel that can
>>>> >> charge a 12V car battery.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> Thanks in advance.
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>> > He needs to crossbreed lightning bugs with his chickens, so they
>>>> >provide their own light. ;-)
>>>>
>>>> We don't have lightning bugs here, at least in this part of Arizona.
>>>> My kids were astonished upon their first trip back East.
>>>
>>>
>>> They were so deprived. :) How about Dragon flies?
>>
>> I think I've seen them here. I think what limits certain of those
>> bugs is lack of moisture/humidity. But I've seem wasps here that were
>> bigger than dragonflies ;-)
>>
>> ...Jim Thompson
>
>I liked your pic of that big lizard.
For some reason I can't remember what that post was called and locate
the photo.
...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, CTO | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |
I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.
Reply by Jim Yanik●March 31, 20122012-03-31
Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote
in news:kihcn7lp09abvmqlto17utn8a1kqes5fri@4ax.com:
> On Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:20:47 -0400, "Michael A. Terrell"
><mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>>
>>Jim Thompson wrote:
>>>
>>> On Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:40:56 -0400, "Michael A. Terrell"
>>> <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>
>>> >
>>> >Jim Thompson wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> OT: Solar Charging 12V Car Battery...
>>> >>
>>> >> My son, Aaron, software engineer turned farmer, has acreage in
>>> >> the San Tan Valley with no source of electric power.
>>> >>
>>> >> He'd like some artificial light for his chicken coop to increase
>>> >> the egg output.
>>> >>
>>> >> Lighting and timers are easy to find off-the-shelf, but I need
>>> >> some pointers toward finding a good quality solar panel that can
>>> >> charge a 12V car battery.
>>> >>
>>> >> Thanks in advance.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > He needs to crossbreed lightning bugs with his chickens, so they
>>> >provide their own light. ;-)
>>>
>>> We don't have lightning bugs here, at least in this part of Arizona.
>>> My kids were astonished upon their first trip back East.
>>
>>
>> They were so deprived. :) How about Dragon flies?
>
> I think I've seen them here. I think what limits certain of those
> bugs is lack of moisture/humidity. But I've seem wasps here that were
> bigger than dragonflies ;-)
>
> ...Jim Thompson
I liked your pic of that big lizard.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
localnet
dot com
Reply by ●March 31, 20122012-03-31
On Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:27:10 -0700, Jim Thompson
<To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:
>I'll ask for more detail, but, AIUI, chickens seem to do best at egg
>laying at an approximately 14 hour "day".
How about tiltable mirrors ?
As soon as the sun gets up in the morning, a high illumination level
is available immediately. In the evening, nearly full illumination
levels are available until the sun sets. At noon, the mirrors could
even be used as shields against the hot sun :-).
Thus, the solar power would only be required to turn the mirrors
during the day, instead of illuminating the chickens.
Do you have any information, which wavelength would best stimulate egg
laying ? If in the yellow band, low pressure sodium could be used to
extend the light period, if in the blue range, blue LEDs would be the
most economical way.