*Drools*. So the panel hooks right into the battery to charge it? Thats pretty cool. I have thought about buying solar panels like that but was not sure how to hook one up to a deep-cycle battery like that, and even if I did, what things could I run off of it? I will have to do some more research into it.
Hi, if you are using a solar panel you need to get a charge regulator (say $20) rated to match the max output of your panel(s). Go for a larger size as this will allow you to add panels later. This device smooths the charge to your batteries and stops reverse charging when the panel voltage is lower that the batter (i.e. at night). More expensive units can also take another feed from say a small wind generator and will give various reading, panel output voltage, charge current, battery voltage. Cheaper/smaller units will typically have 2 LED's "charging" and "battery full".
There are several sources of lists of what power an item will take. To work out how many watts an item uses you need to apply the following formula I x V = W.
I = current (look at the power supply it should tell you or else you can measure the actual current draw, but you may need an additional multi meter if you do not own one).
V = Voltage, mains (ac) or DC, i.e. UK is 230v (From 1 January 2004 the mains supply should be 230V)
W = Watts, this is the rating you will see on your solar panels and voltage regulator.
You need to work out your power budget in watts. what are you trying to power, and then size your system accordingly. The other way round is bye what you can afford and that will dictate what you can run/charge at any given time.
if any of this is not clear just ask.
br
steve
