Solar powered lighting kit

Ok this is a bit UK specific but a company called CPC are doing a couple of PV powered lighting kits. One with a single 9W fluorescent light and one with two lights. The prices seem reasonable.
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=LA02563&N=411
and
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=LA02564&N=411
-- Malc
Permitted to use the outs de lan

Malc wrote:

... a company called CPC are doing a couple of PV powered lighting kits. One with a single 9W fluorescent light and one with two lights...

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=LA02563&N=411 http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=LA02564&N=411
This also looks interesting:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3D90599
Nick

nicksanspam@ece.villanova.edu wrote:

Malc wrote:
... a company called CPC are doing a couple of PV powered lighting kits. One with a single 9W fluorescent light and one with two lights...
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=LA02563&N=411 http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=LA02564&N=411
This also looks interesting:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3D90599
The item number is the first 5 digits of the catalog number. Please try

the search again.
-- Malc

"malc" wrote in message

nicksanspam@ece.villanova.edu wrote: Malc wrote:
... a company called CPC are doing a couple of PV powered lighting kits. One with a single 9W fluorescent light and one with two lights...
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=LA02563&N=411 http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=LA02564&N=411
This also looks interesting:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3D90599
The item number is the first 5 digits of the catalog number. Please try the search again.
-- Malc

try http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90599

I have 3 sets of these. Take the "controller" and throw it away. Good for a low power distribution box, that's all. The 12 volt lights are nice. What you're buying is (3) 15 watt panels with mounting hardware and a 12 lighting system for $199.00.
So I've spent $600 (US) on 135 watts, mounting frames, (6) 12 volt lights and (3) low power distribution boxes. Each set puts out about 2.5-2.7 amps. Haven't had any yet that haven't worked at or above spec.. Yes, life of the panels is questionable but then again, I'm 50 and don't need 50 year panels plus I use them for seasonal use only at the cabin.
The panels are aluminium frame, amorphous silicone - made in China, of course, and are glass panels, which accounts for the weight. I'd throw some Lexan covers over them - haven't had any break though.
Each set is made up of (3) 15 watt panels and come with the mounting frame (a really simple slip together steel frame). The distribution box on each panel has a blocking diode, is weathersealed pretty good and has a fairly long (5 foot) connection cable that end in eyelets.
They stay "fairly" cool in hot weather because of the thinness of the panels which translates into a lower high temp. power dropoff.
An item to consider: These are constantly backordered. Typical delivery time is 4-5 weeks from purchase.
And please don't order any. It'll just make my wait that much longer for my next set. :-)
Max http://www.northernmichigansolar.com

"beemerwacker" wrote:

Yes, life of the panels is questionable but then again, I'm 50 and don't need 50 year panels plus I use them for seasonal use only at the cabin.
The panels are aluminium frame, amorphous silicone - made in China, of course, and are glass panels, which accounts for the weight.

Thanks. I was wondering if these might be shorter life panels. I read somewhere recently that there are some technologies starting to emerge for _really_ short life panels. Sorry, no cite, just read it, noted it, and moved along.

In alt.solar.photovoltaic beemerwacker wrote:

I have 3 sets of these. Take the "controller" and throw it away. Good for a low power distribution box, that's all. The 12 volt lights are nice. What you're buying is (3) 15 watt panels with mounting hardware and a 12 lighting system for $199.00. [...] The distribution box on each panel has a blocking diode,

Is it a controller, or just a blocking diode? The product manual says it will stop charging at 14.5 volts. Or does one need to add a proper charge controller to it?
Then maybe the Costco thing is the next best deal. It has an icp controller that I've used for years, and an inverter that might be Coleman, whatever that really means, for $100 more than the Harbor deal.

http://www.northernmichigansolar.com

I just received my NorthernTool.com Master Catalog. They have a 15 watt panel for $99, no controller. They also have two "folding Solar" panels. The 5 watt, $34, "fits in a glovebox", with what looks like four folds. The 500mA, $59, is "book sized", looks like a single fold. Neither one lists dimensions.
-- --- Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

It does not stop charging ...It just beeps ..LOUDLY...that said, I have ordered my 2nd set from harbor freight. The voltage output of the panels is great and comparing price per watt is about right except you get the mount for the panels and 2 12 volt lights and the (so called ) charge controller. The box they say is great for a distubution box, it has 12,9,6 and 3volt outputs. I removed the horn and use it just as a distribution box. One odd thing I have found, when I connected them to my other solar panels the total chargeing amps to my battery bank went up more than the harbor freight panels could possibley produce. They may have just pushed the overall voltage up. I am not sure. Joe KI4ilb
wrote in message

In alt.solar.photovoltaic beemerwacker wrote: I have 3 sets of these. Take the "controller" and throw it away. Good for a low power distribution box, that's all. The 12 volt lights are nice. What you're buying is (3) 15 watt panels with mounting hardware and a 12 lighting system for $199.00. [...] The distribution box on each panel has a blocking diode,
Is it a controller, or just a blocking diode? The product manual says it will stop charging at 14.5 volts. Or does one need to add a proper charge controller to it?
Then maybe the Costco thing is the next best deal. It has an icp controller that I've used for years, and an inverter that might be Coleman, whatever that really means, for $100 more than the Harbor deal.

http://www.northernmichigansolar.com
I just received my NorthernTool.com Master Catalog. They have a 15 watt panel for $99, no controller. They also have two "folding Solar" panels. The 5 watt, $34, "fits in a glovebox", with what looks like four folds. The 500mA, $59, is "book sized", looks like a single fold. Neither one lists dimensions.
-- --- Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

wrote in message

In alt.solar.photovoltaic beemerwacker wrote: I have 3 sets of these. Take the "controller" and throw it away. Good for a low power distribution box, that's all. The 12 volt lights are nice. What you're buying is (3) 15 watt panels with mounting hardware and a 12 lighting system for $199.00. [...] The distribution box on each panel has a blocking diode,
Is it a controller, or just a blocking diode? The product manual says it will stop charging at 14.5 volts. Or does one need to add a proper charge controller to it?
Then maybe the Costco thing is the next best deal. It has an icp controller that I've used for years, and an inverter that might be Coleman, whatever that really means, for $100 more than the Harbor deal.

I have a Coleman 1200 watt square wave inverter connected to a 12V Optima sprial AGM deep cycle. The inverter will take motor start surges to 2400 watts and runs fine. Price was about $100 at a local auto parts store.

http://www.northernmichigansolar.com
I just received my NorthernTool.com Master Catalog. They have a 15 watt panel for $99, no controller. They also have two "folding Solar" panels. The 5 watt, $34, "fits in a glovebox", with what looks like four folds. The 500mA, $59, is "book sized", looks like a single fold. Neither one lists dimensions.
-- --- Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

Okie, dokie. My latest Harbor Freight kit got here today.
Of course, being the caring superhuman that I am, I've created a small web site with photos of the kit. I've also included the final household appoval process.
http://www.provide.net/~mcphoto/holder1/
Max http://www.northernmichigansolar.com

beemerwacker wrote:

Okie, dokie. My latest Harbor Freight kit got here today.
Of course, being the caring superhuman that I am, I've created a small web site with photos of the kit. I've also included the final household appoval process.
http://www.provide.net/~mcphoto/holder1/

Excellent!
I'd probably need a bigger box for the approval process.
http://wideopenwest.com/~awesley5155/img/mischief_01.jpg

Ah, but Queen Theodora Maxine Lourdes De'Catville fit through into it so your cat should be good to go.
Of course once the Chinese makers see all of this, they'll be watering at the mouth. Crap, can't believe I said that.
Max http://www.northernmichigansolar.com http://www.mcphotography.ws

beemerwacker wrote:

Ah, but Queen Theodora Maxine Lourdes De'Catville fit through into it so your cat should be good to go.

I'm not sure that Queen-sized if enough.
Here's Mischief with a handy measuring device: http://wideopenwest.com/~awesley5155/img/mischief_01a.jpg

Each set is made up of (3) 15 watt panels and come with the mounting frame (a really simple slip together steel frame). The distribution box on each panel has a blocking diode,

I removed the three screws from the D shaped plastic thingy where the wire comes from and don't see any diode. If there is one, where is it? Or, is there some test that can prove a diode is involved?
John

"4partee" wrote in message

I removed the three screws from the D shaped plastic thingy where the wire comes from and don't see any diode. If there is one, where is it? Or, is there some test that can prove a diode is involved?

Assuming that you are using a charge controller, a diode would probably be redundant.
Vaughn