Need Help setting up a Small Solar system.

JOE G · Dec 8, 2019

Hi, I have a Shed that i built that is storing some equipment, I had asked a similar question before but with a slightly different set up in mind. A few of you guys suggested a battery solar system.

Can you guys please list all the parts I would need to make a small system work,
Battery, Controllers, Panels, wires and what not.

I am only looking to power 4-6 Battery tender JR ( Hooked to the machinery), and maybe one or two small lights, Lights would be very short use and infrequent, Battery tenders would be 24/7. I am not looking for the best and most expensive, Just looking for a lower maintenance reliable system. Thank you

P.S I know nothing about this so please feel free to offer all of your knowledge.

Roadworthy · Dec 8, 2019

I won't speak for the quality but you could look at the Harbor Freight basic system to get an idea of what pieces you need to build it. Me? I power my shed with an extension cord from the garage.

RalphVa · Dec 8, 2019

I'd go with one of the solar panels like they put in commercial systems like we have on our carriage house roof. There are 12 that provide up to 2.5 kw. I'd connect through a battery tender good for the 2500/12 ~ 200 watt. Just buy a spare marine battery and connect it in parallel with the one you want to keep up. The spare marine will just collect any spare solar left over. Run some lights off an inverter on the marine battery to give you some lights (or connect some 12v ones). Just look up what voltage a typical panel puts out. May be able to feed directly to a battery tender. Battery Tender makes ones of various wattage.

I say this because my experience with smaller 2 @ 10 watt panels on the driveway gate and a 5 watt one on the fence charger as just not being enough. On both these, I generally have to recharge their batteries once to twice/yr.

Ralph

k0ua · Dec 8, 2019

I was wondering how many planets you were planing to have in your solar system, and have you done the math to figure out the Keplerian motion of their orbits? This looks like a lot of work to me.

quicksandfarmer · Dec 8, 2019

The cheapest, simplest way would probably be to get a self-contained battery maintainer and a few self-contained lights. These are under $20 items at big box stores.

Roadworthy · Dec 8, 2019

I really did appreciate the other way of looking at things James added. That one never occurred to me.

k0ua · Dec 8, 2019

Roadworthy said:
I really did appreciate the other way of looking at things James added. That one never occurred to me.

It was strictly tongue in cheek for levity.

airbiscuit · Dec 8, 2019

So I gather you have a shed with several pieces of equipment that want to keep attached to a battery tender(s) so they are fully charged and ready to use when you want to. I also gather that there is no power to the shed - thus the need for solar power.

How many AC amps does each battery tender consume?
A screw in 100 watt equivalent LED bulb is bright and only consumes 15 watts.
Your estimated power consumption will determine the capacity of solar panels you will need

Others can give better advice about how to set up
Solar Collectors
Control Panel
Batteries
Inverter
Shed Wiring

Good luck!