These are two prototypes of small solar generators, one portable and one fixed. The solar panels are courtesy of Harbor Freight and costs less than 0. The portable unit was built on a convertable two wheeler. The fixed unit is a Rubbermaid deck box. Both are single battery units, which are only useful for small applications. If the power goes out, you could have basic lighting, as the HF kit comes with two 12 volt, 5 watt fluorecent bulbs. You can charge cell phones, lap tops and do other things that would make your life a little better during a power outage. The best thing about these units is that they require no fuel, just the sun. I’ve been building much larger units that can run a refrigerator. It’s important to know that a modified sin-wave inverter can do light work, but if you want to run a large motor, or refrigerator, then you need a true sin-wave inverter. One last point of interest is that these types of generators are silent. During a disaster, they won’t be drawing unwanted attention from looters.
:: building wind power ::
10 Responses to Solar Generators Anyone Can Build: Free Power-No Gas
very nice set up
Let’s make it clear that small solar generator systems will not “get you off the grid.” This size of system is only meant to provide basics, such as light, a fan, radio power, recharging batteries, LED/LCD TV’s, etc. A 5000 watt system can carry a well pump (six industrial batteries with larger inverter, many panels). It takes $15-30 thousand to build a true off the grid system.
Yes, you can hook them up at the same time. The solar panels are connected to the charge regulator, which then sends engergy to the batteries. The inverter is connected to the battery(s). That being said, I have a disconnect switch between the batteries and inverter, until I need it. This can prevent drainage of battery power. That being said, in larger systems, everything is connected, all the time. Disconnecting the inverter from the batteries is a personal choice, for small systems.
i wanted to ask if i can hook the 700watt converter at the same time the solar panel is charging the battery? i see in the 1:19 mark the converter isn’t connected, only the solar panel.
Working on an updated video of the portable unit, which now produces 400, 800 and 5000 watt options.
You’re right, like I said, nothing is free, but this unit beats having to scavange for gasoline during a disaster. Total cost for the Rubbermaid unit, was about $400. The 2/4 wheeler was even less.
Nothing is ever completely Free. However, this device would come in handy during a blackout. In fact, my daughterinlaw has used their unit many times during blackouts, after storms. The nice thing about it is that it’s silent and doesn’t require gasoline, like a generator. For an extended black out, this little unit would be a God send. Mine is presently large enough to run a freezer, or refridgerator (5 Kw). You can make this unit as large, or as small as you wish, or budget dictates.
this power is not actually free, you do use accumulator wich ussualy runs out of it’s capacity in 3-4 years and you will have to buy new one.
You are most welcome. I’ll post a step by step on how to put one together.
You should post a how to… how to actually make these… I would buy it! great stuff thanks.