Installation
Installed 8/24/95 . . . updated 11/8/96

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What Is a LCB

What Size Wire

Planning Ahead Saves Money On Solar Electricity

What are the Disadvantages of D. C. Power?

Why do I need a Solar Professional to Help Set up a Solar System?

Under Powered System?

Should I Install Solar Electrical System

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What Is a LCB

Article in Backhome Magazine - Ask Mr Solar 12/20/99

Dear Mr Solar:

I am in possession of eight Solarex MSX60 panels and a 36-volt DC golf cart motor. The previous owners of my property used the motor to operate a jack pump lifting water from 850 feet, The motor was used in conjunction with a bank of batteries. I would like to connect the panels directly to the motor without batteries and pump water at variable speeds depending on weather conditions. Please advise if this is possible. Do I need any protective diodes or starting mechanism in the circuit? I look forward to your advice.

Mike H . . . . Ramona, CA 92065

Hi Mike:

It is possible to use your excellent Solarex panels with a Linear current booster ( LCB) without the need for batteries. This is a device that we have been using to operate pump motors direct form the sun generated electrical power for years .

This device works very well with DC motors as they are capable of operating at lower speeds or RPM¹s. What it does is to match the available voltage and amps form your solar panels and the needed power to operate your motor ­ this enables your pump to operate with out any batteries.

Linear Current Boosters (LCB's) greatly improve the performance of pumps, fans and similar motorized loads that are operated directly on a solar array, by matching the peak power of the solar array to the current and voltage requirements of the loaded motor. Any time the sun is not at full brightness, the LCB will improve the power transfer efficiency to the motor. The result will be much earlier start-up in the morning and longer running time in the evening. Positive displacement pumps will deliver water at a reduced rate with the LCB at times that they would not start at all without it. Use an LCB with a current rating equal to or greater than the solar module or array being used.

You do not need any protective diodes or starting mechanism in the circuit. If you will let us know the amp draw of your motor or the HP of it then we will try to locate a proper LCB for you.

Thank you for your Question and we welcome others.

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What Size Wire

Article in Backhome Magazine - Ask Mr Solar 12/20/99

DEAR MR. SOLAR:

Our three 75-watt solar panels currently feed through 26 feet of #6 copper wire into six 6-volt 175 amp batteries. They are mostly adequate, though not so much in winter, when a daily dose of generator power is required when the sun doesn't shine. We can increase the efficiency of the solar panels in stages-- (1) by moving them 60 feet south where they would be unshaded all day, (2) adding a tracker, and (3) at battery replacement time, increase the size of the entire system. We have on hand enough #4 aluminum wire to rewire the system without junctions, but wonder if the expense and effort will be defeated by the long wiring run (it would be 86 feet) required for this upgrade. Also, we know aluminum wire went out of favor some years ago, though no houses were forced by code to be rewired as far as I know. Would this method be suitable for our purpose? We understand that it would require a massive upgrade to entirely replace generator power in the winter, but do you have any thoughts/suggestions on our plans otherwise?

Stephen Kirkham. Canada V0H1B0

Hello Stephen -

Your letter is interesting. First you have to get the sun on your panels in order to generate the needed electricity. This of course means that you will have to move them that 60 feet in order to get the winter sun. Also of course you should change the tilt angle so that they will get the sun at approximately 90 degrees at high noon. This is the angle that you will get the most amount of solar generated power.

As far as getting a tracker ­ we find that this does not pay unless you have over 800 watts of generated power per solar rack. In other words it is more economical for you to add more panels that pay the cost of having a automatic tracker.

In regards to using Aluminum wire we use it here at the Do IT and find it works very good for us. Now you will need to have wire one size larger when you use the aluminum vse the copper. For the distance of 86 feet you will need

Distance	Amps generated	Copper	Aluminum	% efficiency
26	13.5	6	4	98.84
60	13.5	6	4	97.33
80	26	6	4	92.64
80	26	4	2	95.37
80	26	2	0	97.09

Stephen _ Please note the above chart. Normally here we strive to get 95% efficiency on our wiring from our panels to our batteries. You are currently getting much better than that. If you move your rack to the 86 feet area then you can use the same wire or a larger one. Please note that I feel that you should increase your rack to get enough power. As a suggestion I recommend that you have doubled it and now you will get twice the power and use a size 4 copper or 2 aluminum wire for this distance.

We are happy to help you and if you have any other questions please email us . . .

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Planning Ahead Saves Money On Solar Electricity
© Copyright 1995 By Charlie Collins From "Ask Mr. Solar" Column Published 3/6/95 Daily Spectrum

Question: We are currently building as home in the Cedar City area and have learned to enjoy the standard appliances that we ³modern² folks are accustomed to. We enjoy reading your column in the Spectrum and would be interested in using solar electrical power because of the number of power outages that we read about in that area and do not like the idea of being without ³the convinces². What do you suggest we do to incorporate an electrical solar system in our new home?

Norman C., La Habra, CA

Mr. Solar: Norman, you are wise to plan now to use solar as a backup in your new home, as there are several things which as you build you can incorporate at very little increased construction cost. I would recommend that you installing only energy efficient appliances which will be user friendly with solar electricity By this I mean that you should realize that solar electricity is more costly per kilowatt hour and therefore you need to use very efficient appliances in order not to waste electrical power. Another thing I feel that you should also consider having your home double wired, for both VAC and VDC power. I would have all the lights on a VDC circuit along with one or two outlets in each room. Then I would wire the balance of the home with VAC. This should be done with two different colors of wire so that in later years they can easily be identify.

In regards to the back-up system, I would install new ³smart² inverter which will automatically start when there is a power interruption and also monitor your batteries and charge them when necessary. If they need charging you can use several options to charge them. You can install a propane or natural gas generator, solar electrical panels or use the grid power to recharge the batteries. I would plan on installing a set of Nickel Iron Batteries in a special vented room. This type are user friendly as they are almost non-destructable.

Norman, when you system is properly designed and installed you will find that you will never be without electricity for even a millisecond. Here at the DO IT we enjoy a automatic dish washer, clothes washer, trash masher, 19 cu. foot refrigerate freezer, micro wave oven, complete wood working shop and of course lights, TV computer, and other toys.

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What are the disadvantages of D. C. Power?
© Copyright 1995 By Charlie Collins From "Ask Mr. Solar" Column Published 1/18/95 Daily Spectrum

Question: We are planning to build a new home and would like to install a stand alone electrical system. Should we consider wiring for AC and DC power or just wire it for AC power?

Wisely K., Las Vegas, NV.

Mr. Solar: Wisely, the local power company supplies you with alternative current known as AC power. You are currently using direct current known as DC power in your car. The reason we use DC is that you can store this type of power. You cannot store the AC power.

The main reason that DC power is used is to store their accumulated electric power. The solar electric panels or wind generates electricity during the day. At night when there is no sun we need lights. Our stored electricity is there in our batteries for us to use. It is like your car, you can leave it for days or weeks, when you want to go, presto your battery is ready with the power.

The main disadvantage, if you can call it that, is the cost of DC appliances. Due to the low demand for this type of appliances the price is very high. There are only approximately 100,000 people with their own stand alone electrical systems. The other 99% of the population uses AC power. The appliance manufacturers are currently making their products for A.C. Actually now there are some of the products on the market such as radio's, and telephone answering machines, which the user connects to their AC power and then the power is converted to DC to operate the product. There are many circuits in TV's and computers that operate on DC power.

You can do as we have done on the Do It Homestead, that is install both A.C. and DC circuits in our home so that we can use both. We have an invertor which when we need AC power we just turn it on and the invertor changes the current to satisfy the washing machine, microwave or whatever appliance or tool that we wish to use. We use DC power for all of our lights, radio and telephone answering machine.

Wisely, we feel that there are advantages in using both AC and DC power in your new home. I would recommend that you consider both types of current.

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Do I Need a Solar Professional?
© Copyright 1995 By Charlie Collins From "Ask Mr. Solar" Column Daily Spectrum

Question: Why do I need a Solar Professional to Help Set up a Solar System? © Copyright 1995 By Charlie Collins From "Ask Mr. Solar" Column Daily Spectrum

Reed Newmeyer, Apple Vally, Utah

Mr. Solar: ,Reed, you need a solar professional to set up a system so that you will not make costly mistakes trying to use equipment that will not easily fit together. For you to have a system that is dependable you should have someone that will carefully review your needs and desires. They will be able to design a system that will give you years of trouble free service.

There is much difference between inventors, controls, batteries and solar electric panels. Each component is manufactured with specific requirements. Some will easily inter connect with others, whereas some will not. It is therefore very important that you seek the help of a solar professional.

There are many sources of solar equipment. You can find people that are "jack of all trades, but masters of none" and they are very happy to take your money, however unfortunately they are not completely aware of all the ins and outs of the solar equiptment. I am not saying that they do not mean well, they just know enough to create unhappy customers and therefore give the industry a bad name. We strongly recommend that you spend your hard earned moneys with someone that has lived off the power grid for a number of years. These are people who have learned by trial and error about solar electricity because they have depended on it for their total source of power. If you depend on a person that uses solar part time and depends on the local power company the majority of the time then common sense should tell you that they do not have the experience that comes with years of living off the grid.

We have inherited several customers that have purchased components from different suppliers. These customers in some cases have lost hundreds and even thousands of dollars for various reasons. One such customer had a hydro electric system that they had purchased from 3 different sources. Their invertor had broken, due to incorrect hook up, their controller wasn't connected and their batteries were ruined.

Trace manufacturing Company, the invertor manufacture, was very good as they repaired it no cost to customer, even though it was out of warrantee. We then installed the controller and a set of properly sized batteries. Now they are very happy.

Another customer had purchased 2 different make inventors, a controller, solar electric panels and a set of batteries, but did not know what to do with all his stuff. Fortunate he did nothing for a couple of years except install the solar panels. We worked with him and after reinstalling his panelsat the proper angle they produced over twice as much power as before. We then advised him which invertor it would be the best for him to sell and to keep the other one, which he did. We then gave him a complete diagram of how to install his equipment. Now he is a very happy person living off 100% solar power.

We have recently heard of another potential solar customer that have been mislead into thinking that they need higher voltage batteries than the manufactures recommend. If the customers did as the salesman instructed then their invertor would not make the AC current. They would also find that they would have to have an unusual set up of solar panels to charge their batteries. Another instance is that a salesman sold a customer a system and did not include a charge controller. Without the controller they will greatly decrease the life of the batteries and possibly cancel their warrantee.

We wrote an article a few weeks ago about some people buying "cheep" used solar electric panels. We understand that now several of our readers have returned these "cheep" ones and they were replaced with new ones. We want to help our readers become aware of other potential problems so they will be wise shoppers as well as happy solar users.

Reed that is why we feel that you should always work with someone that is living on solar power. They have learned through experience what to expect and how to over come challenges. We strongly recommend that you consult with your local building inspector to have your instillation approved. You should also inform your insurance company of any major change in your electrical system. The reason is if you make a major change to your system you should have it approved. We have heard of cases where insurance company's would not pay the claim after there is a fire because they were unaware of changes.

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Under Powered System?

Hi Charlie,

thank you for being on the web! I am going to plan and install a solar energy system for my cottage at a lake called Ammersee which is in Germany and there in the southern part. I want to serve a PC, a handy phone, a radio and a 20 Watt lamp during the weekend for 3 to 4 hours each day. Do you think a panel with 50 Watt, a 100 amp battery is capable to do so?

Please say hello to your wife. Your pictures are very sympatic.

Kind regards

Stephan

Hello Stephan - Thank you for your nice comments about us and the DO IT - I have passed on your comments about Fran to her along with your interest in solar and your question. According to our figures you will receive about 1/3 of the amount of electricity form the sun as we do here in southern Utah. This means that you will get about 5 amps per day or about 60 watts per day on average. You will generate this amount daily for a week or a total of 420 watts of power.

You plan to use weekly 60 watts of power for lights plus your other stuff which for figuring we'll double the amount or 120 watts of power. You realize that we are only guessing at the amount of power your Tel, PC and radio will take. If you can give us more information on these then we should be able to give you a better estimate. You may also consider using florescent lights as they use much less power. This is plenty of generation of power. You state that you are planning on getting a 100 amp (600 watts usable) battery - be sure that it is a deep cycle one and not a car battery.

This should work very well for you. You now need to purchase a VLX 53 watt solar panel, controller, digital volt meter and your battery. You need the controller so that you will not over charge your battery and ruin it as you boil it dry. The digital volt meter will let you know the state of your battery charge and you will be able to operate your system so that you do not over discharge your battery, thus ruining it with a shortened life. The battery you should purchase locally.

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Should I Install Solar Electrical System

Question from Internet - Jim S.

Dear Mr. Solar:

I have been reading your literature on solar energy and wish to thank you for what appears to be a lot of effort to educate the public.

I have wanted to experiment with solar energy in my house for years, but was not sure how to proceed. I will begin building a new house in 3 months and if I can possibly "swing it, it will be solar powered (but still attached to the grid).

I have decent carpentry skills, and have an electronic background (ham radio, computer/network analyst) so I believe I can make this work. But after reading all the solar information, I am overwhelmed and am ready to raise the white flag. I am listing my location and present electric demands in the hopes that you will give me some advice.

Present monthly electric usage (avg.) 2800k/hr/mo. (gas heat/hot water), would like to go total electric. New home will have R-50 walls/roof.

Located in Macon, Ga. (heart of Georgia, 75 miles south of Olympics)

Natural gas is not an option, only propane. Thanks in advance... David

Hi David - I would like to say that you can do your own solar set up as it appears to me that you know more than I knew some 20 years ago when I created the DO IT. There was no one in the area that know anything about alternative energy and we, Fran and I, learned through trial and error. We did do it and so can you as at least you know a little about electronics.

The use of alternative electricity is more expensive than the use of grid power, if you use solar to generate your electricity. Is there any way you could consider building your house on a creek or stream where you could generate electricity with a small hydro system? I also am wondering what the price of electricity is there per KWH at this time. As you probably know the price of electricity will up about 8% per year as it has during the past 40 years. With this in mind remember that your power cost will double every 8 years from your local power company, where as the cost of your alternative power will go down.

You can have a very reliable system there in Macon Georgia using a intertie inverter that will connect with your local grid or a regular inverter and a transfer switch so that should your local power go off you would have your own electricity to operate with until the grid came back up.

The major difference between the two is that if you want to sell any excess power to the grid then you will have to have a inverter that will produce a wave form that will be acceptable to your gird. This is of course assuming that you will have excess power to sell. Normally you will not have excess, unless you have a wind generator or hydro generator. If you are planning to use only solar electric panels to generate your electricity then all you need is a regular inverter and a transfer switch. With this set up you will be able to have part of your house to the solar system. What this means is that you will always have electricity in part of your house, from your solar or grid power.

One major advantage of a solar system is that you can add on as you feel the need. We started with only one solar panel and now have 24. You can also do the same, decide what area of your house you want to always have power and then figure how many watts of power you plan to use daily in that area. Please advise us of that figure and we will be happy to help you design a system that will give you electricity for that area at all times with out brown or black outs.

What it would mean is to have your electrician wire your house so that it would automatically switch from the gird to your solar when the grid is off. Or have your solar operate when your batteries have excess electricity in them.