| I've been putting together a plan to make solar | | | | adhesive caulk as a sealant. I also need to get |
| panels. I am going to use these panels when I go | | | | some black UV protected paint, some heavy |
| camping to power up things that I would normally | | | | gauge wire and my Plexiglas cover. In all, I |
| have use the battery on my truck. If you own an | | | | anticipate, that each of the 3 panels will cost |
| RV or camper you could do the same. I've | | | | about $35 dollars. |
| decided to start with a seemingly easier project | | | | I am planning to make solar panels that can fit |
| than going all out and trying to power up the | | | | inside a 16"x24" container for easy storage and |
| house. Don't get me wrong, it's on the list, but | | | | portability. My plan calls for 3 solar panels with 12, |
| you have to walk before you can run. A friend of | | | | 3x6 solar cells each. The cells and the panels will all |
| mine has a large shed at the back of his property | | | | be wired in series. This should give me an 18 volt |
| and we were thinking of powering that up with | | | | system, which should be enough to charge a 12 |
| solar panels rather than running a separate power | | | | volt deep cycle battery. The battery will be the |
| line across the property. Whatever you decide to | | | | most expensive part of the whole build, costing |
| do keep it simple and easy at the start. Since I | | | | about $150 dollars. In this plan I am not going to |
| have the basic plan, now it's time to get the cells, | | | | use multiple batteries since it will not be necessary |
| the wood, the Plexiglas, and the tools. | | | | to power up only a few electrical accessories that |
| I've decided that I am going to make 3 solar | | | | I would take with me camping. If you were going |
| panels. I conducted a search on eBay and found a | | | | to power up your RV or camper you might have |
| good bid for solar cells that cost about about | | | | to consider adding several batteries to supply |
| $1.30 a piece. I've debated using white or black | | | | both the needed amps and watts for your |
| Plexiglas as the frame and backing for my solar | | | | appliances. |
| panels. However, since this project is not going to | | | | The next part of the project is the building phase. |
| weather the elements for years on end I think I | | | | Keeping in mind that you always want to |
| can get away with wood frames. At the | | | | measure twice and cut once. I'll be cutting out my |
| hardware store I can get precut sheets of | | | | backboard and fitting it to my frame. After that |
| quarter inch plywood for about 5 dollars each. A | | | | the plans calls for sizing up the Plexiglas and fitting |
| box of stainless steel screws for about 5 dollars. | | | | it to the frame. Once I am sure that everything is |
| I have all of the tools that I will need: | | | | going to fit nice and snug into my containers then |
| - a drill | | | | I can paint the frames and begin soldering the |
| - a saw | | | | cells together. All in all it should take me the |
| - a solder iron | | | | better part of a day, probably the weekend, to |
| - a multimeter | | | | get everything done. |
| I will have to purchase some solder, and clear | | | | |