Solar Setup

[GaRp58]

So under use in which one battery may discharge 50%, two batteries will discharge less than 25% each. So I supposed it is entirely possible for the life span to more than double, but I don't know for sure.

You're going in the right direction Doc. What kills a battery is the recharging cycles. The less often it needs to be recharged, the more "years" of use it can deliver.
IF although the battery is NOT drawn down into the "kill" zone of deep discharge, which can kill it in only a few days of heavy use, then the battery is not being "re-charged" as such, it is only being topped off like a half filled gas tank in your car. A normal lead-acid battery for a starter motor on your car is not made for a solar system, although it would function and you would not really notice the difference...UNTIL the constant "long-time-draw" on energy kills it almost without prior warning. These types of batteries are also used (mis-used?) for trolling motors while Bass fishing for example. A lead-acid battery (starter battery) is designed only for giving a big kick to start a motor and then be trickle-charged again in at least 45 minutes of driving. (another reason for them to die so often when only driven on short trips by old ladies)
The solar battery is not designed for starting a motor, even though it would definitely do so. They are specially designed to give up an certain amount of energy for long periods of time and to be able to drop down to a much lower lever of discharge without "dying" in the process. I think the solar battery can take a discharge down to 40% of its normal "fully charged" level. A starter battery is already dangerously discharged down to only 65% from 100% full charge. This "deep" discharge condition is what kills many batteries. Then comes the number of the amount of re-charging cycles into play...GP

 

[Proud Prepper]

I had a lot of fun today. 12, 365watt panels and another row of 6 on the other side. Then some tree branch trimming.

 

[Dani]

I had a lot of fun today. 12, 365watt panels and another row of 6 on the other side. Then some tree branch trimming.

I worried about putting solar panels on our roofs so made the decision to make ours free standing. I worried about the roof leaking eventually?

 

[Dani]

I worried about putting solar panels on our roofs so made the decision to make ours free standing. I worried about the roof leaking eventually?

Along with hurricane winds, which makes us reroof our shingles more than the majority.

 

[Proud Prepper]

I worried about putting solar panels on our roofs so made the decision to make ours free standing. I worried about the roof leaking eventually?

These shouldn't leak. I used S-bar brackets with a sealant strip, screwed in with rubber washer roof screws. Then all the brackets are sprayed with a clear rubber sealant.

I've talked to dozens of people that did this, none have had leaks.

 

[Dani]

These shouldn't leak. I used S-bar brackets with a sealant strip, screwed in with rubber washer roof screws. Then all the brackets are sprayed with a clear rubber sealant.

I've talked to dozens of people that did this, none have had leaks.

Do you worry about reroofing? And how often is this a concern??

 

[Proud Prepper]

Do you worry about reroofing? And how often is this a concern??

Not really, that's a 24 gauge steel roof. It will last longer than me.

 

[Dani]

Not really, that's a 24 gauge steel roof. It will last longer than me.

We have always done the traditional shingles, but think next time it come will go with a tin panel roof.

 

[Proud Prepper]

https://clifhigh.substack.com/p/ai-energy-audit-of-solar-panels

 

[EastenerWesterner]

Having installed a system on my last house, having bought this house with twice as big a system that was 10 yrs old.I wouldn’t do it again.

I may do smaller systems with battery back up for barns or shed lighting But not anything where I am dealing and getting raped by the power company. They buy for 1 cent and charge me 5 when I need it.

 

[DrHenley]

Close to buying some remote property, currently completely off grid. Deep well with electric pump - previous owner took a genny to the well and filled containers which he then brought back and pumped into elevated tanks. He ran a combination of genny, propane and batteries. He spent three months at a time there, so I guess that worked for him. There must be a better way though.
Thought about a windmill for the well, the kind that directly pumps water up into a tank. Other option is solar. I hear windmills need more maintenance than solar. I guess I can see that for the short term, but solar panels have an expiration date and a windmill doesn't.
I also need about 6 kW for other things. I have a 6kW (12kW peak) inverter already and have run everything at home on it before (except the 220 appliances like the central air and dryer)
Estimate to run power to the place is $25K. What is the best off grid solution I do for around that much? I need to convince my wife that we can do better than that with an off grid solution.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I wasn't interested in the ROI when I installed my solar electric system. I just needed electric. I currently have 10, 295 watt panels mounted on an 8" scd 80 pipe buried in 6 feet of concrete.
I've got 6, 415 watt panels, plus all the necessary gear, on order that I'll set up 300 feet away in a more sunny location. Last August I traded out my old 8 battery bank for 12, 1169 ah battery's.
I'm also thinking about adding in an 8kw propane generator that will provide backup to my current 12kw Perkins diesel.

 

[Proud Prepper]

Close to buying some remote property, currently completely off grid. Deep well with electric pump - previous owner took a genny to the well and filled containers which he then brought back and pumped into elevated tanks. He ran a combination of genny, propane and batteries. He spent three months at a time there, so I guess that worked for him. There must be a better way though.
Thought about a windmill for the well, the kind that directly pumps water up into a tank. Other option is solar. I hear windmills need more maintenance than solar. I guess I can see that for the short term, but solar panels have an expiration date and a windmill doesn't.
I also need about 6 kW for other things. I have a 6kW (12kW peak) inverter already and have run everything at home on it before (except the 220 appliances like the central air and dryer)
Estimate to run power to the place is $25K. What is the best off grid solution I do for around that much? I need to convince my wife that we can do better than that with an off grid solution.

You should be able to get one for your needs, way under 25k

https://shopsolarkits.com/products/complete-all-in-one-solar-kit-hbk-7

 

[GaRp58]

Estimate to run power to the place is $25K.

A WINDMILL and all the spare parts to last you 2 lifetimes is cheaper, more reliable and if the tank is large enough, you can live thru the slow-winded times. I am also looking at building my own little one for my measly acre of land. Self-build and bought pump parts will run me under $200 and could fill my 1000 liter tank which will be attached to a set of underground hoses to water the garden and is next to the chicken coop also.

 

[Mountain trapper]

A WINDMILL and all the spare parts to last you 2 lifetimes is cheaper, more reliable and if the tank is large enough, you can live thru the slow-winded times. I am also looking at building my own little one for my measly acre of land. Self-build and bought pump parts will run me under $200 and could fill my 1000 liter tank which will be attached to a set of underground hoses to water the garden and is next to the chicken coop also.

I've been thinking about setting up a windmill by our to provide aeration. It should help keep the water clear and the fish healthy.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

A WINDMILL and all the spare parts to last you 2 lifetimes is cheaper, more reliable and if the tank is large enough, you can live thru the slow-winded times. I am also looking at building my own little one for my measly acre of land. Self-build and bought pump parts will run me under $200 and could fill my 1000 liter tank which will be attached to a set of underground hoses to water the garden and is next to the chicken coop also.

Your acre is valuable!! Do not ever downplay it. Just look what you have done with that land already!

 

[GaRp58]

Thanks sis, I know how much my little acre is doing for me and we are only using a quarter of it for food at the moment too. The rest is grass for the chickens to run around in and then some fruit trees and the some flowers and roses for Helena. I have fertiliser and non-GMO seeds for about 4 years in storage and can get more any time here in town. We have no fertiliser, seed or water problems at all. Our chickens have laid nonstop all winter and the eggs are huge and yolks are almost orange in color. The hand mix of food is amazing and very nutritious for them.
We just discussed today of me building another coop for meat chickens and keeping the healthiest for the next generation of egg layers maybe. We would be paying about $.25 per egg on the market at the moment here which is then $3 a dozen. Not bad, but we do not and cannot control the quality or healthiness of the chickens or the eggs they produce from the market. With 3 chickens, we get more eggs than we ever need, breakfast, pancakes, egg noodles and in soups, is covered by our 3 ladies and we still give some away occasionally.

 

[GaRp58]

 

[Mountain trapper]

A lot of posts here are only attachments. I'm unable to open them. I think I'm missing out on a lot of information.