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Step 4Wots Watts?? Tabs?? Which Cells to buy?? Soldering Iron?? Solder??
Watts are calculated by multiplying the voltage of the cell by its rated amperage. Simple.
Well not really.
The formula for say......a panel built using 35 0.55 volt, 3.6 amp cells would be this:
Voltage of each cell (0.55v) X rated Amperage of each cell (3.6a) X 35 cells = 69.3 Watts. A nice sized panel and well worth the effort.
Smaller amperage cells are obviously cheaper but involve the same amount of preparation, construction materials and soldering as bigger output cells do........you work it out (and buy the biggest you can afford).
Untabbed Cells or Tabbed Cells?
Factory "tabbed" cells will have the tabs attached to the front of the cells and should, in theory, save lots of soldering.
This is not always the case.
Factory tabbed cells are generally solder free. The tabs are "tinned" on to the cell rather than soldered.
Of the cells I used about 10% needed the tabs re-attached properly, not an easy job.
Based on my experience I would opt for untabbed Cells and put up with the extra work involved, happy with the knowledge that every tab is connected properly.
Keep in mind that you really must use Pre Tabbed Cells if using the Tedlar backing materials as the Cells sit flush against the Glass.
Keep in mind that the panel is only as good as its worst soldered connection. Make them all as good as you can.
That brings me to the Soldering Iron, the tool that will become your friend (sometimes not) and ally in your efforts to make the world a greener place.
My weapon of choice, after much research, was the Doss 48watt 929B Soldering Station found on eBay (Aus) for about $70 delivered.
It solders well when set near the top of the green range and desolders well at the bottom end of the red range.
Do lots of practice soldering (unless you're already very familiar with soldering) it will make a world of difference. Practice on hard to solder stuff like nickle wire or chromed metals.
Contact me if you want a few scrap cells to practice on.
Check out the instruction manual that came with your Iron....it'll give detailed instruction on how to care for the Tip of the Iron.....very important.
Well not really.
The formula for say......a panel built using 35 0.55 volt, 3.6 amp cells would be this:
Voltage of each cell (0.55v) X rated Amperage of each cell (3.6a) X 35 cells = 69.3 Watts. A nice sized panel and well worth the effort.
Smaller amperage cells are obviously cheaper but involve the same amount of preparation, construction materials and soldering as bigger output cells do........you work it out (and buy the biggest you can afford).
Untabbed Cells or Tabbed Cells?
Factory "tabbed" cells will have the tabs attached to the front of the cells and should, in theory, save lots of soldering.
This is not always the case.
Factory tabbed cells are generally solder free. The tabs are "tinned" on to the cell rather than soldered.
Of the cells I used about 10% needed the tabs re-attached properly, not an easy job.
Based on my experience I would opt for untabbed Cells and put up with the extra work involved, happy with the knowledge that every tab is connected properly.
Keep in mind that you really must use Pre Tabbed Cells if using the Tedlar backing materials as the Cells sit flush against the Glass.
Keep in mind that the panel is only as good as its worst soldered connection. Make them all as good as you can.
That brings me to the Soldering Iron, the tool that will become your friend (sometimes not) and ally in your efforts to make the world a greener place.
My weapon of choice, after much research, was the Doss 48watt 929B Soldering Station found on eBay (Aus) for about $70 delivered.
It solders well when set near the top of the green range and desolders well at the bottom end of the red range.
Do lots of practice soldering (unless you're already very familiar with soldering) it will make a world of difference. Practice on hard to solder stuff like nickle wire or chromed metals.
Contact me if you want a few scrap cells to practice on.
Check out the instruction manual that came with your Iron....it'll give detailed instruction on how to care for the Tip of the Iron.....very important.
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