| Author | Message | ||
     Volume_eight |
Ok, so ive been thinking. Im going to be using alot of electronics working on my documentary (cameras, laptop, video equipment, ipod, beard trimmer etc) and i know there are solar powered bags** now that are powerful enough to support charging a laptop and seeing that i will be in the sun (hopefully) alot of the time, i am thinking of rigging a solar powered battery using a pelican case that i have as a top box. This should be sufficient to power various equipment to back up video along the way etc. (and the ever so important trimming of the beard) So my questions here are; 1- does anyone on this forum have any knowledge of setting up solar panels/battery systems? (im sort of electrically challenged) 2- Where is the best place to get the parts? Ive found these here: http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_30 81624 3- what do you think? Anything to add? Love having this forum and a great group of dedicated people to talk to and i look forward to your comments! Ciao, Charlie **http://www.voltaicsystems.com/bag_generator.shtml | ||
| Jphish |
Hmmm - I know my Uly feels like it's 'solar' powered sometimes - but comfort kit took care of that. My sisters house is 'off the grid' & solar / propane generator IS their only power source.I don't currently know anyone with a panel on their bike, so you're a pioneer, but surely feasible. You'd probably have to mount it flat on the topcase (instead of directionally for maximum high zenith sun) due to wind / stress considerations, but should still generate enough power for light duty chores & recharging batts. Good luck. j | ||
| Thegibbon |
I thought about doing the same thing on a cross-country trip a couple years ago, but ended up putting a power inverter under the seat and just charged everything while driving. It worked out just fine. The power inverter was $12 or so at Walgreens, had a USB charger and a regular outlet, and was pretty small. It looked like it would have only lasted a week, but held up great and still works now. | ||
| Volume_eight |
Gibbon, I had thought about that as well but id like to have an independent power source for when the bike is not running. Lots of options then when camping for the night etc. I could then edit video while on the road for example. | ||
| Johnboy777 |
Great idea - what I'm wondering is if it makes better sense for it to have its own batt. or have it feed into the bike's batt. Also, IIRC, i think the guys @ ADVrider were discussing this very thing in equipment a while back. John | ||
| Volume_eight |
John, thanks, i havent checked there yet, i will... as far as it having its own battery, that makes it completely portable to take into your tent etc. Also, it would be able to recharge the motorcycle battery if needed or add some extra cranking power in really cold conditions. Im estimating it to cost around $400 to make this possible. | ||
| 70_west |
I run my garage off solar power, and used to run a remote cabin / camper off the grid as well. You will need as much panel as will fit on a top box to run a laptop, would probably be better to attach a small inverter and charge it with the Uly (If it can handle the load). It takes a lot more panel than most folks realize, especially when it's not at a perfect angle throughout the day. Right now I produce about 2500-2800 watts a day using 4-180 watt panels and losses aren't calculated in that. | ||
| Volume_eight |
Jack, What do you think of this product? Second one down, it would fit nicely on the top rack... http://voltaicsystems.com/diy/solar-panels/ | ||
| 70_west |
A laptop will require 75-100 watts of power per hour. If I am looking at the right one, it will harness about 15 watts at 100% efficiency. Typically a decent quality PV panel will produce 80% of it's rated output. You may be able to obtain about 12 watts per hour (5 hours max) IF you can keep it in perfect conditions, so that equates to about 60 watts given perfect and full solar saturation. Most people that run a laptop on solar will use a 60-80 watt panel with a large capacity battery for storage, and then sparingly. A 15 watt panel would however charge AAA batteries and such, cell phone, GPS and so forth. It would be far less expensive to use an inverter to charge your larger equipment while riding. Keep in mind the estimates I just used are very optimistic, and the actual power obtained would in all likely hood, be as much as 50% less. | ||
| Chris_in_tn |
Check ebay for VW solar chargers. VW's are shipped with a solar charger suctioned cupped to their window to keep the battery charged during shipping. http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38. l1311&_nkw=vw+solar&_sacat=See-All-Categories | ||
| Jkelly |
Your Uly will generate a lot more juice than a small trickle charger solar panel that will fit on a top box. Wire a charger from battery or 12v source on bike to a gel cell and you'll be fine. There are foldup 50 watt panels that can generate decent power {12v @ 4 } amps for extended camping. (Message edited by jkelly on October 22, 2009) |
