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Hey guys need some help and figured you all may be the best to ask. Solar panels. Trying to run lights in a shipping container that is completely off the grid. Going to be running 2-4 16.5ft led strips off of a battery. Need a solar panel that will trickle charge the battery.

Was thinking of using a Coleman solar panel. Any things to consider when purchasing? Looking for something that will last but not be crazy expensive.

Thanks for any help.

 

All perfect points that I had not considered.

More details is that there are two containers, each with 2, 5 metre strip lights drawing a total of 60wats, 5 amps each (total 10amps, 120watts if remember correctly from previous lighting projects. The containers are going to be used for storage of tractors, atvs, so run time would be an hour tops of one container at a time most likely a couple times a month. This is in Canada, and although they will not be used frequently throughout the winter months it should still be able to work.

The lights will be DC (12v).
Max draw will be 120watts
Run time will be no longer than an hour a couple times a month.

If you need any more detail let me know. Very new to all this and I'm not sure what too look for when buying a panel.

Also panel doesn't have to be portable as it will be fixed to the container. We will be fixing it up higher to ensure maximum sun exposure.

 

Thanks for the link, I'll take a look. I'm going to try and grab what ever panel through Amazon.ca or princes auto because of the exchange rate and shipping. May try and find a comparable.

Also should have mentioned is the battery wil most likely be a Marin grade battery which will help with holding a charge and what not.

 

Yeah you are right. The lights are 4.8watts per metre. 5 metres per strip is 24 watts. Have 4 rolls, that gives me 120 watts ( messed up my math earlier)

That's 120/12v=10amps (messed that up last time too)

Think I have it right now. Too many numbers for the holiday

 

Sunforce 50022 5 Watt Solar Battery Trickle Charger

$46 Sunforce 50022 5-Watt Solar Battery Trickle Charger , Black

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0006JO0TC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_ivBHwbHNEYTKE

Was thinking of this. Don't think it's enough though, However as a trickle charger it may work for what I'll be using it for. If we were using t everyday it wouldn't work I believe.

 

Although that's a simple solution, the containers are pretty deep. Trying to make it so anyone can go to the property to use the equipment and not have to worry about lighting. Also if your by yourself and have to work on something it makes it a little nicer.

 

Absolutely I do agree, and the one time you forget it or what not it's a bit of an inconvenience . I'm trying to find one that's like a trickle charger for a car. Because we are not using it every day and it's so little draw it should suffice. Just want to cross reference this idea with everyone.

 

I have the Makita version of that light. The thing is seriously badass. It will light up a whole room and is great for camping.

Considering the price of a solar setup these days I'd skip anything thats labeled as a "trickle charger" and just get the real deal.

I have this 30W panel off Amazon.ca that I use with my truck, a cheap solar regulator, and a 105AH deep cycle marine battery. Keeps everything topped up quite nicely. I use it for LED lighting while camping, 12V Fan, charging my devices, and running an inverter. Your load demand will probably be less than mine. You could get away with a smaller battery and panel, but the price difference of going bigger really isn't going to be that much. My system cost me around $250-300 Canadian for everything.

 

Thanks a bunch guys, really appreciated it. Really like the multiple switch idea for keeping the draw low.

Trying to keep everything on the cheap but still keep it reliable. Usually the two don't go together but trying. All of this information will help a bunch.

 

The battery is going to be the most expensive component. You can get a small solar panel and charge controller for less than $100 CAN.

 

Yeah that's what I have found based on my search on Amazon.

 

a couple of 12V 20Amp Hour Gel cells will work for you, but getting a marine battery is just as expensive and will have way more capacity than you will need. You can put the battery into a Styrofoam lined plywood box, for shielding from cold temps. The charging action will mildly warm the battery up, and the insulated box will retain some of that heat. That's what is done with the big wet cells for a radio repeater site on a mountain top. Expect only 30-50% output from the solar cell rating, given cloudy days, and of course the # of daylight hours. I'd use at least a 15W solar cell. Yes, you can get away without a solar charge controller, if your panel is 10Watts or less.

 

Thanks a bunch, lots of great info. Although the marine batteries are expensive we have some laying around at our farm so we will just repurpose them. If they are too old and not working very well I will look into those hour gell cells as an other alternative.

I was aware of the efficiency drop on cloudy days but wasn't of aware of how much. I will look into atleast a 15w panel. Thanks for that.

Awesome idea on the styrofoam box, will define rely be using that. We are also putting the battery on a shelf as well. Wiring will be as short as possible to keep everything as efficient as possible.

 

All of that ^^ is why I love this place.

 

May also want to think about a trickle charger for the items that are in the containers. It would suck for one of the items in the back to get a weak or dead battery .

 

I know right

Absolutely. Don't think we would have enough charge from the panels to go about it. May have to just bump start or boost with another vehicle. Atleast with the lights you can see what you're doing.

Got 3 15w panels with charge controllers. Ordered two blue sea fuse panels and more led strip lights. We decided to do the hunting cabin as well. So in total 2 40ft shipping containers and a cabin will be lighted with solar power and Leds. This project is growing....

 

Just came across this thread. I'm in.

 

Our first trip of the year last weekend

 

Might want to look at this one I can be expanded and be able to recoupe used wattage.

Renogy 100 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Bundle Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B8L6EFA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_GPfJwb41CGAN2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B8L6EFA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_GPfJwb41CGAN2

 

Those are a good bang for the buck. Wish I would have scene them prior to receiving my panels. Even on the Amazon.ca they are very well priced. Close to $300CDN for the same thing, which is still cheaper $/watt than what I bought, three 15watt panels with there own 7amp charge controllers $220 taxes and shipped. hopefully it works.