Solar Shed not doing so great this time of year . . . .
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Solar Sheds & Other Non-t6 Solar Projects - How We Done It -
- Thread starter Dellmassive
- Start date
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- shed
this relates to a 12v garage lighting thread - so copied it to here as well. (MY SOLAR SHED/GARAGE FROM THE TOP OF THE POST)
just went out and took these pics . . .
inside we have these . . . ( i had these in the back on the T5.1 PV and worked great as a work lights)
i then added these in here as a temp solution off battery power till we had a 240v supply run in . . . while we was building the garage.
theres the square type too . . .
when we finaly run in the 240v i just fitted a 12v Boxed power supply and left the LED lights as they were . .
after that we added solar on the roof and fitted an inverter, primarlity on solor + battery . . . with 240v when needed or as a backup. (but you can see that on the other thread)
moving outside, we used these waterproof LED sticky strips . . . more warm white in colour for ambient (love island style) garden lighting.
its all been running a couple of years now and works great . . . free electric / lighting (well almost)
have a look at the bits:
LED chains :
LED squares . . .
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12v 10A Boxed power supply :
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LED external strip . . we got about 4 of these strips running in series. (we uses these everywhere now)
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just went out and took these pics . . .
inside we have these . . . ( i had these in the back on the T5.1 PV and worked great as a work lights)
i then added these in here as a temp solution off battery power till we had a 240v supply run in . . . while we was building the garage.
theres the square type too . . .
when we finaly run in the 240v i just fitted a 12v Boxed power supply and left the LED lights as they were . .
after that we added solar on the roof and fitted an inverter, primarlity on solor + battery . . . with 240v when needed or as a backup. (but you can see that on the other thread)
moving outside, we used these waterproof LED sticky strips . . . more warm white in colour for ambient (love island style) garden lighting.
its all been running a couple of years now and works great . . . free electric / lighting (well almost)
have a look at the bits:
LED chains :
LED squares . . .
..
12v 10A Boxed power supply :
ebuybox 12V DC 10A 9CH Switchin Power Supply Distribution Box for CCTV Security Cameras: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo
Shop ebuybox 12V DC 10A 9CH Switchin Power Supply Distribution Box for CCTV Security Cameras. Free delivery and returns on eligible orders.
amzn.to
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LED external strip . . we got about 4 of these strips running in series. (we uses these everywhere now)
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looks like we have reached that time of year again . . . .
not enough solar power to keep the solar shed running.
frosty today . . .
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Victron VRM
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last 90days plot . .
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looks like its time to conect the Ctek MX5 Charger . . . .
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edit - extra pics added.
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not enough solar power to keep the solar shed running.
frosty today . . .
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Victron VRM
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last 90days plot . .
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looks like its time to conect the Ctek MX5 Charger . . . .
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edit - extra pics added.
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Last edited:
Funny enough i looked at my solar generation yesterday...the best part of nothing!..whats worse is I installed a Hornet wind turbine the other week to supplement the lack of solar over winter and there has been literally no wind since which never happens around here! Also stuck a charger on yesterday as the voltages are getting low.
nice . . . .
post some pics here so we can see the setup.
and any monitoring data you have. =]
Fishd
New Member
Started my own basic project for a solar shed using the old kit from the van as I’ve upgraded over the years.
2 x 60 watt mono rigid panels connected in series (random Amazon solar ‘briefcase’)
Victron 75/15 BlueSolar MPPT charger
Victron 65A BatteryProtect
Victron BMV-712 Monitor & shunt
150watt Waeco inverter for light loads (power tool battery charging etc)
Currently I’ve got a couple of sealed lead-acid batteries (110Ah and 95Ah) but just pulling 0.3A overnight seems to kill them off, despite supposedly being fully charged the previous day, so I’m thinking about buying a new matched pair to run in parallel.
So far, it’s running the raspberry pi (running the Venus OS) and a security camera for the shed. Once I’ve sorted out my battery bank I’m hoping to get some lighting, an additional security camera and maybe the chest freezer running on it.
2 x 60 watt mono rigid panels connected in series (random Amazon solar ‘briefcase’)
Victron 75/15 BlueSolar MPPT charger
Victron 65A BatteryProtect
Victron BMV-712 Monitor & shunt
150watt Waeco inverter for light loads (power tool battery charging etc)
Currently I’ve got a couple of sealed lead-acid batteries (110Ah and 95Ah) but just pulling 0.3A overnight seems to kill them off, despite supposedly being fully charged the previous day, so I’m thinking about buying a new matched pair to run in parallel.
So far, it’s running the raspberry pi (running the Venus OS) and a security camera for the shed. Once I’ve sorted out my battery bank I’m hoping to get some lighting, an additional security camera and maybe the chest freezer running on it.
Love it.
Fishd
New Member
I'm guessing this does mean that the battery is dead... can't believe 0.3A continuous will kill the battery every night?
Battery Protect set to Option 7, which cuts the load at 11.8v I think? Can't see why there is a 1v drop from 1:11am to 1:36am.
Also, the BMV reports 99% full when it cuts off, so I'm clearly missing something with the configuration of that.
Battery Protect set to Option 7, which cuts the load at 11.8v I think? Can't see why there is a 1v drop from 1:11am to 1:36am.
Also, the BMV reports 99% full when it cuts off, so I'm clearly missing something with the configuration of that.
Fishd
New Member
Can't say I understand this either... if the battery is drained overnight, why is it spending such a short time in bulk charge in the morning? Moving very quickly into absorption, before float... then dropping back into bulk?
Could this be an indication that the battery internal resistance is too high? It's a sealed battery, so I'm not really able to get at the liquid to test it without damaging the outer casing.
Could this be an indication that the battery internal resistance is too high? It's a sealed battery, so I'm not really able to get at the liquid to test it without damaging the outer casing.
Looks like the battery is absolutely hammered.
Unable to take a charge.
Can you swap that battery out for a few days for a test?
Unable to take a charge.
Can you swap that battery out for a few days for a test?
just for comparison, here is yesterdays plot , same data as yours.
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and current status.
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and current status.
Fishd
New Member
Yeah, I was hoping to get away with these old lead acid batteries, but think I’ve actually killed them both in the van by letting the fridge stay on too late in the year. I sort of knew but was hoping I was wrong.
I guess the question now is, what to replace them with … pair of 6 volt ‘proper’ deep cycle, a pair of cheap sealed lead acid 12v or spend a bit more on a lithium.
I guess the question now is, what to replace them with … pair of 6 volt ‘proper’ deep cycle, a pair of cheap sealed lead acid 12v or spend a bit more on a lithium.
Very interesting read - I was thinking of having a solar install in my garage to run a 12v freezer, but it looks like it might not be viable...
I was thinking maybe 2 200w panels a Victron MPPT and a leisure battery (or two).
I was then thinking of something like the CFX3 100 litre run as a freezer (for overspill and fishing bait - Luxury I know)
www.dometic.com
Would it manage through the winter months when it is cold anyway?
I was thinking maybe 2 200w panels a Victron MPPT and a leisure battery (or two).
I was then thinking of something like the CFX3 100 litre run as a freezer (for overspill and fishing bait - Luxury I know)
Dometic CFX3 100 - Mobile compressor coolbox, 99 l
Dometic CFX3 100 - This Dometic CFX3 100 large camping coolbox is the ultimate electric coolbox, offering seriously impressive cooling performance. Its robust design is built for tough outdoor use, so you can bring more of the food and drinks you love wherever you go. Enjoy efficient cooling...
www.dometic.com
Would it manage through the winter months when it is cold anyway?
yes possibly . . .Very interesting read - I was thinking of having a solar install in my garage to run a 12v freezer, but it looks like it might not be viable...
I was thinking maybe 2 200w panels a Victron MPPT and a leisure battery (or two).
I was then thinking of something like the CFX3 100 litre run as a freezer (for overspill and fishing bait - Luxury I know)
Dometic CFX3 100 - Mobile compressor coolbox, 99 l
Dometic CFX3 100 - This Dometic CFX3 100 large camping coolbox is the ultimate electric coolbox, offering seriously impressive cooling performance. Its robust design is built for tough outdoor use, so you can bring more of the food and drinks you love wherever you go. Enjoy efficient cooling...
Would it manage through the winter months when it is cold anyway?
but that would depend on:
how much solar,
how much battery storage,
how much fridge draw,
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in my case in running all the LED garden lighting that's on a timer and runs every day . .
during the winter previously I've run out of battery's 2-3 time over the winter months. . .
that's using 400W odd of solar and 200ah worth of AGM battery's. . . then the LEDS as about a 2ah load running say 9hrs a day.
its an easy fix for me . . . i just plug in the CTEK 5A charger for a day or so to recharge the battery bank, . . . then disconnect until needed again)
i use the above monitoring to keep an eye on the charge levels of the battery.
+++++++++++++++++++
id say just do it and give it a go . .
post your setup and testing on here,
start off with what you have. . . . and see how long it will last you.
+++++++++++++++++++++
FYI - here is last 90 days of data. . . . .
battery SOC is cycling between 90-100% daily
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system temps . . .
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mppt state . .
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PV yield to recharge 90-100%
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current readout:
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total yield - 204.8kWh
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I've since sold those SLA & AGM`s. .
so im running on a spare single AGM SLA battery . .
but ill be swapping that out for a 100ah Renogy Lifepo4 shortly.
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Yep.... It's that time again.
The solar shed has died.
Not enough solar energy from the 300w panels to keep the 12v battery running, and the garden lighting has shut off.
In new news I've swapped out the SLA battery for a Lifepo4.
So I'll switch on a 12v maintenance charger to get some power back in the system, and follow up with an update soon.
It's cold outside - solar panels frozen solid.
...
...
(Some of you may have noticed the other panels on the roof..... Those are for a domestic PV system I'm fitting, more in that soon)
The solar shed has died.
Not enough solar energy from the 300w panels to keep the 12v battery running, and the garden lighting has shut off.
In new news I've swapped out the SLA battery for a Lifepo4.
So I'll switch on a 12v maintenance charger to get some power back in the system, and follow up with an update soon.
It's cold outside - solar panels frozen solid.
...
...
(Some of you may have noticed the other panels on the roof..... Those are for a domestic PV system I'm fitting, more in that soon)
Domestic PV.
Started off with a Ecoflow power stream 800w.... Which worked great. (With 2x400w panels)
Then upgraded to a 3.6kw Growatt hybrid with 1600w panels. (I added another 2x400w)
Now upgraded to a Sunsynk 3.6kw hybrid. Got another 4x400w panels to add in. (⁸*400w - 1600w PV)
And added some Battery Storage.... ATM we have 4x Pylontech US2000c 2.4kwh storage batteries.
We also swapped over to Octopus Energy as our suppler.. using our SMET1 smart meter for live readings.
Will update with some pics soon.
Started off with a Ecoflow power stream 800w.... Which worked great. (With 2x400w panels)
Then upgraded to a 3.6kw Growatt hybrid with 1600w panels. (I added another 2x400w)
Now upgraded to a Sunsynk 3.6kw hybrid. Got another 4x400w panels to add in. (⁸*400w - 1600w PV)
And added some Battery Storage.... ATM we have 4x Pylontech US2000c 2.4kwh storage batteries.
We also swapped over to Octopus Energy as our suppler.. using our SMET1 smart meter for live readings.
Will update with some pics soon.
just some back ground . . . . this was what i had as my first Domestic "Grid Tied" Solar PV system.
++++++++++++++++++++++
EcoFlow PowerStream 800 Watt Microinverter for Balcony Power Plant
been fitted for couple of months,
got the domestic solar bug, so upgrading to larger system.
bought new from EcoFlow 31/05/2023
+++++
these are now not available un the UK, and are Hot Property.
(EF have pulled them in the UK due to failing the G98 certification, this is due to the way it "plugs into a socket to connect to the house", G98 states that it needs to be "hard wired", but that's for a "permanent install", which this isn't (its designed as plug and play). so they are in talks to resolve the point. I've been using mine with no problems at all, as is. but if you want to follow G98. then cut the plug off and wire into a spur. - consult a qualified electrician etc etc etc)
and the EU ones are only 600W, so don't bother getting a grey import.
so these are Rocking Horse doodoo.
++++
looking to pass of for what i paid, including my discount.
for:
1x 800W microinverter,
1x window flat PV MC4 cable,
2x Smart Plugs
1x Delta/Delta2 battery cable,
+++++
this unit will pass upto 800w into your house and get you free electric.
I've been using with my spare PV solar panels that i use when camping at first. . .
the decided to fit 2x 400W panels on the shed roof..
works with the standard ecoflow APP,
the delta1/2 cable allows you to connect in the battery for solar charge and storage.
++++
you can see the two 400w rigid panels i fitted to get the 800w for the Powerstream.
++++
.
++++++++++++++++++++++
EcoFlow PowerStream 800 Watt Microinverter for Balcony Power Plant
been fitted for couple of months,
got the domestic solar bug, so upgrading to larger system.
bought new from EcoFlow 31/05/2023
+++++
these are now not available un the UK, and are Hot Property.
(EF have pulled them in the UK due to failing the G98 certification, this is due to the way it "plugs into a socket to connect to the house", G98 states that it needs to be "hard wired", but that's for a "permanent install", which this isn't (its designed as plug and play). so they are in talks to resolve the point. I've been using mine with no problems at all, as is. but if you want to follow G98. then cut the plug off and wire into a spur. - consult a qualified electrician etc etc etc)
and the EU ones are only 600W, so don't bother getting a grey import.
so these are Rocking Horse doodoo.
++++
looking to pass of for what i paid, including my discount.
for:
1x 800W microinverter,
1x window flat PV MC4 cable,
2x Smart Plugs
1x Delta/Delta2 battery cable,
+++++
this unit will pass upto 800w into your house and get you free electric.
I've been using with my spare PV solar panels that i use when camping at first. . .
the decided to fit 2x 400W panels on the shed roof..
works with the standard ecoflow APP,
the delta1/2 cable allows you to connect in the battery for solar charge and storage.
++++
you can see the two 400w rigid panels i fitted to get the 800w for the Powerstream.
++++
.
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