Solar Light and power Questions For a small out building.

[JOE G]

TNANDY, The links you posted are to do what? How would I hook them up. I am sorry if question is dumb just a bit confused.

 

[TnAndy]

You'd mount the panel on the roof of the shed wherever the best sun hits it. Run the two leads from the panel to the PANEL connections on the charge controller. (the purpose of the charge controller is to limit the amount of power fed to the batteries so you don't cook them with too much power)....that would be the +/- terminals on the left side of this one.

The BATT terminals on the CC, (in the center) run 2 wires to hook to your battery on the ATV. Best if you wire a permanent connector to the battery (or batteries if you have more than one) that looks like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Meetou-Motorcycle-Disconnect-Extension-Connector/dp/B07968T7QS/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=battery+tender+battery+connector&qid=1569503409&s=gateway&sr=8-6

Then run a pair of wires from the LIGHT terminal (right side) into a standard single pole switch, and on to a couple of 12v LED lights. You can buy standard screw in LED bulbs (called Edison base) in 12v that will fit any standard lighting socket. Like these:

https://www.amazon.com/12V-Low-Voltage-Light-Bulbs/dp/B07B8QC12N/ref=sr_1_10?crid=3FHBPGO9TWTRI&keywords=12v+led+edison+bulb&qid=1569503770&s=gateway&sprefix=12v+led+ediso%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-10

This will give you lighting using the ATV battery (batteries) as your power source. IF you want a power source when the ATV(s) are NOT connected in, simply add a small battery on a shelf wired into that same BATT terminal on the charge controller.

 

[TnAndy]

Here is an example of one on my place. A 50 watt panel mounted on the roof of a small chicken coop shed;

Wires from the roof panel run down the side and into a little box on the outside wall that holds the battery, charge controller, a switch and a timer (that runs the automatic door for the house....whole reason for needing power).

You can see the black wires from the panel connect to the CC...then a set of black/red wires to the battery......then a set goes to the timer (instead of a light) run thru a single pole switch. Red LED lights on the charge controller give you the status of the battery.....3 lights = fully charged battery.

Real simple layout (though the wiring looks like a drunk did it ), and does the job of locking the chickens up at night, and letting them out in the morning. You wouldn't need anything like the size battery I have on it, that was merely one I had spare and used....a very small lawn mower/ATV type battery would work just fine for the amount you plan to use it.

 

[paulfun9]

I purchased a set of real cheep solar charge, motion style on sale about 4 years ago. Drilled a hole for the wire and and screwed each set up high inside. Don稚 use them to work out there but just if I need something at night. They are still working fine after 4 years so I would say it was well worth the $10.99 I paid for each kit.

 

[JOE G]

TnANDY thank you, that did help me get an understanding of what you meant. Id need a controller for each battery I wanted to charge?

 

[TnAndy]

No, you can connect multiple leads to the BATT terminals of the one charge controller as long as you don't exceed the amp rating of the panel. If you buy them as a "kit" like I listed, they will include a charge controller easily capable of handling the one panel....most likely several more panels.

For example, this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Monocrystalline-Negative-Controller-Connectors/dp/B00BFCNFRM/ref=sxin_2_ac_d_pm?ac_md=5-0-VW5kZXIgJDIwMA%3D%3D-ac_d_pm&crid=2H96OLWMC7S8B&keywords=solar+panel+kit&pd_rd_i=B00BFCNFRM&pd_rd_r=1864fdff-0036-4bcf-a72b-53f250fb63da&pd_rd_w=8RMFF&pd_rd_wg=boMcC&pf_rd_p=02e79b16-eab7-4369-852f-d04a58a4d9b5&pf_rd_r=NHH80KPFKS1NEW5WBRAH&psc=1&qid=1569615664&s=gateway&sprefix=sollar+panel%2Caps%2C210

includes a 30 amp charger, but the 100w panel is only rated to put out about 6amps.....meaning you could add more panels down the road using that same charge controller if you wanted. For trickle charging a couple of ATV batteries, or that occasional use of a light, you wouldn't need more panel....it's just an option if you want it.


You can shop a little and maybe save 10-20 bucks buying the CC separately and going to a 10-15amp controller. I think the one I have in the photo is about a 10amp, and I bought 4-5 of them at one time, (about $10ea) since I use the same one in other battery maintenance uses....gives a couple spares in case one goes out, I'd just swap them out quick. So far, several years now, none HAVE gone out.

These small controllers are fine for light use like you intend. I have 3 Outback brand controllers on my main house solar system, they run around $600 each ! ......but they are 80 amp controllers @24v out put.....built in cooling fans, will take solar panel input of up to 150vDC (10 large solar panels each)....data logging built in.....just a whole lot more sophisticated equipment.

The house system is 11,000 watts as of right now, and I plan to expand it.