Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Solar Power Supply

I finished constructing a 12 volt power supply with a solar panel to recharge it.

The 50 watt solar panel provides about 2.25 amps in sunlight, but I didn't want it too big. The solar panel tilts up to face the sun and down for transporting.

I acquired a huge heavy battery for cheap; it has 170 amp-hrs capacity and weighs over 130 lbs, which is really impractical but its a prototype unit anyways.
There is a charge controller to it, and I'm sure it could attach a power inverter to it if needed. It requires a controlled power supply to keep a float charge on the battery, which I will need to see if I can provide that without dumping more money into the project.

Hopefully I can try it out in the field in the future.