Solar Stuff...

[Grant H.]

No need to apologize.

Happy to help. Like I said when I started this thread, I've done a lot of solar, for work and for fun, and I'm happy to share information and suggestions.

[Grant H.]

2. Solar Power solution for network gear in my house.

A friend of mine called and offered me 26 7.5AH 12VDC batteries for a great deal, since he got them as scrap when he refreshed a set of UPS's for one of his customers. They all tested at 12.3VDC or higher, so they are all good.

My plan is to move my fiber modem, router, switch, and access points to solar. The fiber network is all on emergency backups, so it all stays up/functional even when the power is out. So, if I keep all my gear powered up, I end up with internet access even with power outages.

Pointless? Sort of, but I couldn't pass up the deal on the batteries, and I don't have a better use for them right now.

So, with 26 batteries, I used 2 in the previous project, and used the other 24 for this. I wired them into 6x 48VDC cells, and will then use a collection of smaller solar panels wired into 48VDC arrays. I spotted an auction on eBay the other day for 48V specific controllers, and gave $15/ea for them, hence my 48V plan currently.

Morningstar PS-15M-48V - Used, but cheap/functional on eBay, so why not???
0518171949 by ARNEWB, on Flickr

Batteries placed into boxes temporarily, wired together to put on a trickle charger till I get it all finished...
0518171932 by ARNEWB, on Flickr
0518171937 by ARNEWB, on Flickr

The cabinets were free to me when I replaced them with metal boxes for a customer, so that's why I used two to start, but when I get them mounted in the backyard, I will condense them down and have the controller and the inverter mounted in one of them.

I'll keep this one updated as well in case people are interested.