PV Gap

Wade Said:

unit 4 study guide questions?

We Answered:

DO YOUR HOMEWORK YOUR SELF! anyway these questions aren't hard just look in your text book.

Marsha Said:

What kind system could I make with these 12 v recharable batteries.?

We Answered:

There are quite a few older solar panels from the 70s & 80s that are now being replaced... they are the ones with the brown glass. They are only about 5% efficient and if you can locate any near your location most people will just give them away (so don't pay anything for an older brown glass PV panel !!!). PV works on 12 volts so you don't need an inverter to recharge those batteries, but coming up with things that can run on a 12 volt DC system can be a challenge... if your on the coast, a lot of marine surplus stores have cool stuff for boats, or an RV dealer might have some things to ponder. I'm thinking a green Man Cave in the garage with a 12 volt TV or stereo (nice car audio systems run on 12V). Because you already have the battery back up system you could party on into the night for free!

I run my weather station on a 10 Watt PV panel and a single rechargeable ATV battery that someone left at a camp site...

You could also look at anything that has a voltage step down box on it, like when you connect your lap top to AC, there's that box between the computer and the wall outlet... and hook it up direct. But make sure the box says 12 Volts on it!

There are also a lot of low voltage outdoor lighting system that could be adapted to a direct 12 volt connection, they use those step down boxes too. Now you can have disco lights in the Man Cave dude!

I have an uncle that's been into hamm radio for decades, we set him up with a solar panel and a recycled battery system, so now he can talk for free... form his Man Cave in the garage.

The only other thing I could add to help you make something work is watch your wire size. DC needs more copper than AC, so don't use telephone wire or small speaker wire to try and hook stuff up with, solid cooper works betterr than braided.

Good Luck

Arnold Said:

How do you like my completely useless information(look at details)?

We Answered:

Nicole,

You did a great job with these - fascinating. Thanks for your time, trouble and spelling accuracy. That last one is a very rare commodity on Y/A.

Sam Said:

what uses more gas water heating or radiators?

We Answered:

not sure of typical climate in the uk but generally any type of energy saving system has a high initial cost that will pay for itself eventually but maybe not before you have moved on....here in the us,,water heater energy usage is exaggerated in my opinion..a gas water heater here uses about $300 a year in natural gas,,an electric water heater would be a little more than double that...so thats only $25 per month..if you buy something for thousands of dollars and it saves you 1/2 of the energy,,thats only $150 per year savings..also buy the time some of these "innovations" pay for themselves,they need repaired or replaced due to age,etc..only makes sense in warm,predominately sunny climates in my opinion...hope this helps......dan