> Think in terms of ... an independant > 12 volt DC system.. starting small > and building up over time... We need > to be energy independant on a small > scale...
Agree, but think in terms of big panels if you want low cost. I have Eighteen 1 foot solar panels on my car that produce 215 watts total, but the cost for small panels was $2400. Now the cost of a single 3.3' by 5.5' house panel is only $600 and it produces 225 watts. A 4 to 1 cost savings. So you can get a lot more watts per dollar by getting a large panel. Though it is a 30 volt panel good for a 24/28 volt battery system. You can still use it for a 12v system by charging the batteries in series and using them in parallel or getting a 24VDC to 12VDC converter available at any truck parts store. Bob, Wb4APR _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
