Solar panels ???

[Mad Trapper]

I don't have a dedicated setup now. Just some battery maintainers and a 40W/12V panel I can charge a 12V car bat if needed.

There is a "free" local CL ad for an array of 8 40W ARCO M53 panels, mounted on a frame. It says one is cracked but all still work. Wired for 48V output.

These are older USA made panels from what I have been able to find out. Reports are that these hold up well and even old one still have great output.

Any thoughts on getting these. I know I'd need a controller/bat bank/inverter..........

[Dwight55]

If you wire them in parallel . . . you'll only get 12 volts . . . but you will have 160 watt output. That amounts to about a 13 amp flow . . . should do some charging fairly quickly . . . or it might run a small fan motor, etc.

May God bless,
Dwight

[Chiefster23]

Free solar panels, heck yes. Get em!

[Prepared One]

I depend on MG all things solar.

[Mad Trapper]

Picking them up next week, FREE!

32631

[MountainGirl]

Picking them up next week, FREE!

32631

Free is good!
You can use them to learn with, how this all goes together.
At first, I thought 40W was a typo... but your pic cleared that up.

Before buying components, maybe explore sizing the setups ~
Biggest mistake folks make, imo, is having big batt banks with not enough solar output to keep them charged; another consideration is some inverters use more watts just idling than solar coming in.

I'm fixing to set up a simple 12v DC system; panels > charge controller > agm batts.
Will no longer use LiFePo batteries. They're awesome, but their internal BMS (battery maintenance system) can fail. Ours did on the Oupes solar gen. Time to get back to simple basics. Which includes ditching an inverter too LOL

[Mad Trapper]

Free is good!
You can use them to learn with, how this all goes together.
At first, I thought 40W was a typo... but your pic cleared that up.

Before buying components, maybe explore sizing the setups ~
Biggest mistake folks make, imo, is having big batt banks with not enough solar output to keep them charged; another consideration is some inverters use more watts just idling than solar coming in.

I'm fixing to set up a simple 12v DC system; panels > charge controller > agm batts.
Will no longer use LiFePo batteries. They're awesome, but their internal BMS (battery maintenance system) can fail. Ours did on the Oupes solar gen. Time to get back to simple basics. Which includes ditching an inverter too LOL

Well, I'll have the panels. One is cracked and setup wired 48V. Most likely going to 12v or 24V and not to worry about the cracked panel going bad. Will need to sort out controller/batteries first.

Right now I'd like a few batteries in the bank with capability to charge electrical stuff, some can be charged on 12V some may need an inverter, slow is OK.

Also will look into some basic 12V lighting to have if power goes down.

[BucketBack]

I still haven't hooked up my "FREE" solar panels. I need batteries still. I've been busy fixing floors, fixing the well , sinks and drinking beer

[MountainGirl]

Truth told, the more I dive back into this, researching what I no longer remember, the more inclined I am to take a completely different path...

Sigh... I'm over it.
Time to hang up my sparkly shoes.
You'll need a different go-to, PO. I'm out.

[Prepared One]

Well, I'll have the panels. One is cracked and setup wired 48V. Most likely going to 12v or 24V and not to worry about the cracked panel going bad. Will need to sort out controller/batteries first.

Right now I'd like a few batteries in the bank with capability to charge electrical stuff, some can be charged on 12V some may need an inverter, slow is OK.

Also will look into some basic 12V lighting to have if power goes down.


We have the solar lights. I bought one 1 for they woodshed building that lights up that whole half of the yard. It's like a street light and will stay on all night. I have one out by the gate, the pump house and will add one the new shed. When the power went out during the hurricane that came through here this past summer we had light. Good security.

[Inor]

We have the solar lights. I bought one 1 for they woodshed building that lights up that whole half of the yard. It's like a street light and will stay on all night. I have one out by the gate, the pump house and will add one the new shed. When the power went out during the hurricane that came through here this past summer we had light. Good security.

Mrs Inor buys bunches of those solar motion lights whenever they are on sale at Amazon. She usually gets them for less than $2 each when they are on a Lightning Deal. So when they quit working we just throw it away and take out another.

https://www.amazon.com/Peasur-Outdoor-Waterproof-Ultra-Bright-Security/dp/B0BNVG42WZ/ref=sr_1_16?crid=2PPW4X6L6ACMR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8AWjxsEzWuAQ-zjmE8krkCBMlSirKvH5ZnT3bCRziHKk75FHNATiPXNnYeBCSvr tF-cz7oWEu5S67gCnsHBp5vBEEEIzqX47t5BPFApV1PPfg295Y0qN 4VZv6L29bNMS6ZJenop78Xp1xPyOBAbHnM1JZ9d7AfIkHnnLsP NLBZcp3HtYGeMoTFy3L6ZBbQoMYD1r_iRknGuBb6fJGupUkNgp qFoo7bKso2L8e2GZmlva6W_Y8rNIq0fM7x6KdXkmmsGQ60QDKH BBxvQR8ELhHlU3Bfd4xeXFfR0_v8aKhRs.LHHB_SK9ykjgSIoQ ludWTTrlOojxb9yF91Su4yFk_sw&dib_tag=se&keywords=solar%2Bmotion%2Blights%2Boutdoor&qid=1727629568&sprefix=solar%2Bmotion%2B%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-16&th=1

They are a pretty sweet setup. I do not even mount them permanently; usually just wire them to a fence post with mechanics wire. They go on with any motion. So they keep a lot of the wildlife and wetbacks away at night. They give off a surprising amount of light for something so cheap. (I wouldn't want to read by them, but for what we use them for, they are perfect). Highly recommend.

[Mad Trapper]

Mrs Inor buys bunches of those solar motion lights whenever they are on sale at Amazon. She usually gets them for less than $2 each when they are on a Lightning Deal. So when they quit working we just throw it away and take out another.

https://www.amazon.com/Peasur-Outdoor-Waterproof-Ultra-Bright-Security/dp/B0BNVG42WZ/ref=sr_1_16?crid=2PPW4X6L6ACMR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8AWjxsEzWuAQ-zjmE8krkCBMlSirKvH5ZnT3bCRziHKk75FHNATiPXNnYeBCSvr tF-cz7oWEu5S67gCnsHBp5vBEEEIzqX47t5BPFApV1PPfg295Y0qN 4VZv6L29bNMS6ZJenop78Xp1xPyOBAbHnM1JZ9d7AfIkHnnLsP NLBZcp3HtYGeMoTFy3L6ZBbQoMYD1r_iRknGuBb6fJGupUkNgp qFoo7bKso2L8e2GZmlva6W_Y8rNIq0fM7x6KdXkmmsGQ60QDKH BBxvQR8ELhHlU3Bfd4xeXFfR0_v8aKhRs.LHHB_SK9ykjgSIoQ ludWTTrlOojxb9yF91Su4yFk_sw&dib_tag=se&keywords=solar%2Bmotion%2Blights%2Boutdoor&qid=1727629568&sprefix=solar%2Bmotion%2B%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-16&th=1

They are a pretty sweet setup. I do not even mount them permanently; usually just wire them to a fence post with mechanics wire. They go on with any motion. So they keep a lot of the wildlife and wetbacks away at night. They give off a surprising amount of light for something so cheap. (I wouldn't want to read by them, but for what we use them for, they are perfect). Highly recommend.

In the past, those come in handy. Some are > 10 years old still work/recharge.

[Chiefster23]

Those small solar panels make great trickle chargers to maintain batteries over winter. Just buy an inexpensive 12 volt charge controller and you are good to go. I keep my tractor battery and diesel generator battery maintained this way.

[Chiefster23]

Usually when those solar yard lights fail, it’s the el-cheapo Chinese battery inside. Buy a decent quality rechargeable battery and you are usually good for another year or two.

[1skrewsloose]

Those small solar panels make great trickle chargers to maintain batteries over winter. Just buy an inexpensive 12 volt charge controller and you are good to go. I keep my tractor battery and diesel generator battery maintained this way.

I think you got the right idea, I bought a solar powered battery maintainer, (Battery Tender brand) for my truck, it couldn't suck enough! They rate ouput at 100% sunshine, when the hell do you get that in Wisconsin winters? I ended up using a a/c powered unit.

There is a difference between small and tiny. Bigger is better most of the time.

[StratBastard]

Mrs Inor buys bunches of those solar motion lights whenever they are on sale at Amazon. She usually gets them for less than $2 each when they are on a Lightning Deal. So when they quit working we just throw it away and take out another.

https://www.amazon.com/Peasur-Outdoor-Waterproof-Ultra-Bright-Security/dp/B0BNVG42WZ/ref=sr_1_16?crid=2PPW4X6L6ACMR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8AWjxsEzWuAQ-zjmE8krkCBMlSirKvH5ZnT3bCRziHKk75FHNATiPXNnYeBCSvr tF-cz7oWEu5S67gCnsHBp5vBEEEIzqX47t5BPFApV1PPfg295Y0qN 4VZv6L29bNMS6ZJenop78Xp1xPyOBAbHnM1JZ9d7AfIkHnnLsP NLBZcp3HtYGeMoTFy3L6ZBbQoMYD1r_iRknGuBb6fJGupUkNgp qFoo7bKso2L8e2GZmlva6W_Y8rNIq0fM7x6KdXkmmsGQ60QDKH BBxvQR8ELhHlU3Bfd4xeXFfR0_v8aKhRs.LHHB_SK9ykjgSIoQ ludWTTrlOojxb9yF91Su4yFk_sw&dib_tag=se&keywords=solar%2Bmotion%2Blights%2Boutdoor&qid=1727629568&sprefix=solar%2Bmotion%2B%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-16&th=1

They are a pretty sweet setup. I do not even mount them permanently; usually just wire them to a fence post with mechanics wire. They go on with any motion. So they keep a lot of the wildlife and wetbacks away at night. They give off a surprising amount of light for something so cheap. (I wouldn't want to read by them, but for what we use them for, they are perfect). Highly recommend.

I have those things on both the front and side porches. Light up the steps at night, and full bore flood the porch with light when someone arrives. They work pretty damned good, and are cheap as dirt. No wiring or electricity required, just screw 'em in where you want 'em.

[Prepared One]

Mrs Inor buys bunches of those solar motion lights whenever they are on sale at Amazon. She usually gets them for less than $2 each when they are on a Lightning Deal. So when they quit working we just throw it away and take out another.

https://www.amazon.com/Peasur-Outdoor-Waterproof-Ultra-Bright-Security/dp/B0BNVG42WZ/ref=sr_1_16?crid=2PPW4X6L6ACMR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8AWjxsEzWuAQ-zjmE8krkCBMlSirKvH5ZnT3bCRziHKk75FHNATiPXNnYeBCSvr tF-cz7oWEu5S67gCnsHBp5vBEEEIzqX47t5BPFApV1PPfg295Y0qN 4VZv6L29bNMS6ZJenop78Xp1xPyOBAbHnM1JZ9d7AfIkHnnLsP NLBZcp3HtYGeMoTFy3L6ZBbQoMYD1r_iRknGuBb6fJGupUkNgp qFoo7bKso2L8e2GZmlva6W_Y8rNIq0fM7x6KdXkmmsGQ60QDKH BBxvQR8ELhHlU3Bfd4xeXFfR0_v8aKhRs.LHHB_SK9ykjgSIoQ ludWTTrlOojxb9yF91Su4yFk_sw&dib_tag=se&keywords=solar%2Bmotion%2Blights%2Boutdoor&qid=1727629568&sprefix=solar%2Bmotion%2B%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-16&th=1

They are a pretty sweet setup. I do not even mount them permanently; usually just wire them to a fence post with mechanics wire. They go on with any motion. So they keep a lot of the wildlife and wetbacks away at night. They give off a surprising amount of light for something so cheap. (I wouldn't want to read by them, but for what we use them for, they are perfect). Highly recommend.

Yes, I have those as well. This is the one out by my wood shed. Very bright dusk to dawn and gets brighter when motion is detected. I have had it up for 2 years now and it still comes on every night.

https://www.amazon.com/OKPRO-Outdoor-Waterproof-Commercial-Playground/dp/B0CQ7S499Y/ref=sr_1_11_sspa?crid=E874YAN8P7SV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3yXFBctPw2ih4rSe2nlVxLo-SJuZ0UxBVKvCTVjTTDzNA3r3Acq0VaOjanutq0fUGziGPgHzNE wuoKes3-A1bdaB_qd2LeXmkWdtc9RREQF26Fql416J2S6f51W8rmIARO9d wS3mqm22E1oH2ixGwikZhqzTfI9BHBcKTub5s6FfDN_c5HAF65 vXd1gqBvkgu2ag-HUN_5DVYMFvoDt8QdzrLInkcBNNF2ham8PYfumA0jurlipzqJ1 mUn1tvfUhSDw0mn5NBS8NWj0Ic2lRcFY_6H-fnyrujDejc0Y3sCU.6R9py4mUvFgNNGks2B7ckLYb7Px5s_LXF qUY3RrVSqU&dib_tag=se&keywords=solar%2Blights%2Boutdoor%2Bwaterproof&qid=1727791423&sprefix=sola%2Caps%2C396&sr=8-11-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

[Inor]

Yes, I have those as well. This is the one out by my wood shed. Very bright dusk to dawn and gets brighter when motion is detected. I have had it up for 2 years now and it still comes on every night.

https://www.amazon.com/OKPRO-Outdoor-Waterproof-Commercial-Playground/dp/B0CQ7S499Y/ref=sr_1_11_sspa?crid=E874YAN8P7SV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3yXFBctPw2ih4rSe2nlVxLo-SJuZ0UxBVKvCTVjTTDzNA3r3Acq0VaOjanutq0fUGziGPgHzNE wuoKes3-A1bdaB_qd2LeXmkWdtc9RREQF26Fql416J2S6f51W8rmIARO9d wS3mqm22E1oH2ixGwikZhqzTfI9BHBcKTub5s6FfDN_c5HAF65 vXd1gqBvkgu2ag-HUN_5DVYMFvoDt8QdzrLInkcBNNF2ham8PYfumA0jurlipzqJ1 mUn1tvfUhSDw0mn5NBS8NWj0Ic2lRcFY_6H-fnyrujDejc0Y3sCU.6R9py4mUvFgNNGks2B7ckLYb7Px5s_LXF qUY3RrVSqU&dib_tag=se&keywords=solar%2Blights%2Boutdoor%2Bwaterproof&qid=1727791423&sprefix=sola%2Caps%2C396&sr=8-11-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

That's some high-class-uptown shit right there, boy howdy!!!

[Prepared One]

That's some high-class-uptown shit right there, boy howdy!!!

When the power goes out. Its' on. If I need it off. I have a remote control. It works.

[1skrewsloose]

I only have one now, for the garage, 25 years old, works good at night, wants to stays on all during the day, I put a switch on it.