The idea with the Qwik-Solar is to start small. This solar power generator is designed to be practical and affordable. With the Qwik-Solar, you can learn to build and use renewable energy on a small scale.
You learned to crawl before you walked. And you learned to walk before you started to run. The same thing applies here. Each step builds on and leads to the next step.
It’s my hope you’ll expand your skills and knowledge to build even more solar generators.
A Qwik-Solar video has been posted on Instructables here.
A free pdf plan for the Qwik-Solar can be downloaded here.
Solar Power Kits are now available - Look in the Market Place.
You learned to crawl before you walked. And you learned to walk before you started to run. The same thing applies here. Each step builds on and leads to the next step.
It’s my hope you’ll expand your skills and knowledge to build even more solar generators.
A Qwik-Solar video has been posted on Instructables here.
A free pdf plan for the Qwik-Solar can be downloaded here.
Solar Power Kits are now available - Look in the Market Place.
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Signing UpStep 1: Tools and Materials
Almost everything you need can be purchased from Harbor Freight.
Safety First! Gather all materials together first. Remember to always wear your safety
equipment when using any tools.
Supply List: *prices are current as of 2010
Safety
Impact resistant safety glasses @ $2.00
Reusable corded ear plugs @ $1.00
Industrial vinyl gloves @ $3.00
Components
15 watt solar panel @ $80.00
5 in 1 portable power pack @ $100.00
7 amp solar charge controller @ $26.00
Electric tape @ $1.00
Tools
Drill Master 18 volt cordless 4 tool combo pack @ $40.00
Note: A hacksaw can be used in place of a power saw.
Frame
Items for your mounting frame can be purchased from a home improvement center.
One 10 foot lengths of schedule 40, 1.25” PVC pipe @ $4.00
PVC primer, glue, and connectors @ about $20.00
Self tapping (#8 or #10) ¾ inch screws @ $4.00/box
All together, your first Qwik-Solar will be between $275.00 and $300.00
Safety First! Gather all materials together first. Remember to always wear your safety
equipment when using any tools.
Supply List: *prices are current as of 2010
Safety
Impact resistant safety glasses @ $2.00
Reusable corded ear plugs @ $1.00
Industrial vinyl gloves @ $3.00
Components
15 watt solar panel @ $80.00
5 in 1 portable power pack @ $100.00
7 amp solar charge controller @ $26.00
Electric tape @ $1.00
Tools
Drill Master 18 volt cordless 4 tool combo pack @ $40.00
Note: A hacksaw can be used in place of a power saw.
Frame
Items for your mounting frame can be purchased from a home improvement center.
One 10 foot lengths of schedule 40, 1.25” PVC pipe @ $4.00
PVC primer, glue, and connectors @ about $20.00
Self tapping (#8 or #10) ¾ inch screws @ $4.00/box
All together, your first Qwik-Solar will be between $275.00 and $300.00
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1. Battery is 18 amps and shouldn't be discharged more than 50%
2. The 15 watt thin film panel puts out about 1 amp per hour
3. 9 amps / 1 amp hour = 9 hours to solar charge
4. Charging the power pack from a wall outlet will take 24 to 48 hours - iow - solar charging is much faster
NOTICE: We do not recommend trying to solar charge a battery without a charge controller. Solar charging a battery without a controller can result in the battery acid boiling off and/or causing the battery to explode. Be Safe and Use a Controller.
If you need more solar power with faster charging, then we recommend our iPower Station 85:
http://www.solarmak.com/resources/85Watt%20Spec.pdf
Thank you.
Just updated my profile - linked to Solar Mak with out iPower Stations - so one doesn't have to search everywhere for parts. :)
Just realized I had the old web site listed in my profile. It now links to the new web site (Solar Mak) with our updated iPower Stations. There's also a 'Solar Pedia' - let me know what you think! :)
Thank you for your time
-Dave
Yes. The charge controller prevents back feeding to a panel at night, so one can leave it in place 24/7. If a power pack/battery is plugged into the solar charger it will keep it topped off ('float charge').
We are wrapping up a new portable solar power kit in the next few weeks that blows this one out of the water for price to performance - I'll be posting here as they become available.
If I can help in any other way - just post a question here!
I'm hopeful to have something I can leave outdoors (rain or shine) in the future, charging a battery bank for either emergency or general use.
Thanks again
Dave
I'm wrapping up the new website now - should be ready with the online store by next week. I'll post a link here when it's ready.
We'll also be offering a home solar kit (permanent install) which might work better for you.
I'll post an update next week!
Many thanks!!
Windy
I was at 1st going to hook up my 12 watt panel via a 7 amp regulator to the 12 volt system of my camper.
But the more i thought about it, the more I like the mobility of your portable power pack.
The main reason I was thinking about hooking the solar panel up to the campers 12 volt system was to keep the deep cycle battery charged.
I can't think of a reason why I couldn't charge the camper battery back up by temporarily hooking the power pack up directly using the jumper cables.
We've used the jumper cables on the portable pack to expand power. Some pics:
http://www.qwik-solar.com/expand.php
For your campers deep cycle batteries - you could add a 12 volt receptacle - making it easy to directly plug in the Qwik-Solar for charging.
Depending on the amp rating on your campers deep cycle batteries, you'll more than likely need a solar panel much bigger than 15 watts to ensure a faster charge time.
If you post the amp rating (20 hr rate) of the batteries, I can figure the solar panel size that would probably work best.
All I'm wanting to do is keep the battery charged when the camper is not being used.
At the present time, I just periodically plug the 30 amp AC cord to the house and let the 12 volt system charge the battery.
Between mtn bike tires, basket balls, camper tires and a slow leak in one of truck tires it get used almost every day. Then I charge my cell phone every night too!
I take it with me when I'm going around to do odd jobs, be it at my parents or out working on mtn bike trails.
Never know when one of it's many functions might come in handy!
Sorry I didn't reply sooner - solar has been keeping me busy on the North Coast.
A double ended plug will work fine for an outlet to outlet connection.
How many watts is the panel? Generally, solar charging a power pack is much faster than charging it from an AC wall outlet (no power conversion losses from AC to DC).
And the multi-purpose power pack - it's amazing how many different ways we keep discovering for using it.
Awesome!
The solar panel is a 12 watt.
I put a cigarette lighter plug adapter on the "battery" lead from the controller.
So I can charge the camper battery or charge the power pack.
Checked on the camper this morning, under cloudy conditions it was putting out 13 volts and the battery was charged up to two thirds
12 watt / 12 volt = 1 amp
Power pack has an 18 amp battery - it will take about 9 hours to charge from 50%. (standard discharge depth).
I highly recommend a bigger panel for faster charge time. With 60 watts, the power pack can be charged in a matter of a few hours.
Warning - you'll end up going power pack crazy like I did - charging 2 or 3 packs a day (lol)!
I'm looking at either getting 1 or 2 more 12/15 watt panels or a 60 watt panel.
I've got my mom wanting me to add this to their small solar set up that I have installed at their house.
Best of all - since it's being added to the house - recoup 30% of cost with the Federal Solar Tax Credit.
Post more pictures - would love to see it when complete!
I bought the complete set up, with the battery included for $99. Wish I had bought 2 of these units.
I can't remember if it was purchases from Harbor Freight or Northern Tools.
It powers 2 very bright LED lights on my parents front porch.
I added 2 more dry cell 12 volt batteries and relocated the solar panel to catch more sun.
I also extended the 12 volt plug. I think I'll get them an inverter and see what house hold items they could power.
The unit only has a 7.5AH battery in it, but has a light, Usb port and 12v accessory plug in it. The unit works well with with the internal charge controller. At less than $100 with the Solar panel that is available at any automotive or hardware store.
Instructable to follow
I followed the NEC as much as possible - a charge controller ensures that a battery isn't overcharged - so the electrolyte doesn't boil away.
Overcharge a flooded cell creates hydrogen - and - boom!
Overcharge a sealed battery and it destroys the battery. (It could go boom too.)
On the power pack, there is no charge circuitry on the DC 12 volt side. The charge circuitry is built into the AC cord if one charges from a wall outlet.
Solar charging is almost always much, much faster than charging from a wall outlet - no conversion losses.
Best practice is to use a charge controller - regardless of the size of the panel.
Overall, it's cheaper, faster, and safer to use the charge controller.
I am curious about using 2 inverters and using a constant supply of solar power for my extraneous decorative lights etc. This would make me feel way better about using those items...
in the future I hope to actually own a home and run off the grid, but for now this is amazing!
For your decorative lights - I recommend a battery (Absorbed Glass Matt are best) to ensure consistent power.
As for the 2 inverters - a load analysis should be done first to size your system correctly...
Luckily - most inverters are rated in watts - just as most lights are - so figuring our the load is real easy...
For example - if you have 10 lights rated at 15 watts then your load would be 150 watts - then your inverter should be rated for 175 watts (generally speaking - to cover conversion losses from DC to AC)
In this example - the Qwik-Solar power pack has a built in 400 watt inverter - but it's battery is only 18 Ah...
*DC rule of thumb: 15 watts = 1 amp
So 10 lights uses 10 amps per hour - and would drain the battery pack about 50% - and would then need solar charged. It would be a good idea to expand the pack's power.
And here is a short piece about solar backup installation.
Hope this helped, iddqd87 - and I agree - solar is amazing!
One question: Is it expandable?; i.e., can you connect more panels or powerpacks/deep cycle batteries together?