Beginners guide to small solar systems (for garage)

[Petejc21]

Hi,
I'm in the process of converting a garage into a workshop and require some power in there, for lighting (using this kit probably.. Solar Power 12v Lighting kit) and for running an air compressor for tools off an inverter (230v AC, in the UK).

I am fairly new to solar systems and electrics in general so was looking for an easy guide on what I need and how to set the system up.

I have a rough idea from the research I've done. I need:

Solar panel (looking at this 60w kit, or is this overkill?)
Charge controller/regulator (above kit comes with 7a regulator)
12v Lead acid battery (looking at this 12v 24Ah one)
Fuse box for protection??
Inverter (will this 600w and 1500w surge be sufficient?)

have no idea on the type of wiring and fuses I will need, although some of the kit comes with wiring already.

Some advice and directions to some good solar guides would be appreciated, thankyou.

The garage won't be used that often, maybe 2-3 times and week, using the lights 2-3 hours in the evenings and the compressor every now and again.

Pete

[Sunking]

Start Here and here to determine if you really want to do this or not

[Petejc21]

Start Here and here to determine if you really want to do this or not

Thanks will take a look. Deciding if I want to do it or not isn't really an option. The garage is too far from the house to run mains power to it and its next to neighbouring houses so I don't want to use a noisy generator. I think solar is the only option. I just need to know what I'm doing as frizzy hair doesn't suit me! :/

[inetdog]

The garage is too far from the house to run mains power to it and its next to neighbouring houses so I don't want to use a noisy generator. I think solar is the only option. I just need to know what I'm doing as frizzy hair doesn't suit me! :/

Once you look at the cost of a battery based system, you may rethink what is "too far"! Even if you have to dig a trench and put in conduit, it will probably cost less and give you better power.
(Looking at the cost of a battery-based system might give you white hair rather than frizzy hair.)

[Petejc21]

Once you look at the cost of a battery based system, you may rethink what is "too far"! Even if you have to dig a trench and put in conduit, it will probably cost less and give you better power.
(Looking at the cost of a battery-based system might give you white hair rather than frizzy hair.)

I think I may have posted this in the wrong section. Im not talking about a full solar system to power an entire house, I just need a small system to put some lighting in a car garage and to feed an inverter for an air compressor. For the bulk of the parts (panel, battery, inverter etc) I'm looking at around £250-£300 ($350-$450 if you're in the US). This is a small scale system I need, not a full scale system that you may be talking about.

[inetdog]

I think I may have posted this in the wrong section. Im not talking about a full solar system to power an entire house, I just need a small system to put some lighting in a car garage and to feed an inverter for an air compressor. For the bulk of the parts (panel, battery, inverter etc) I'm looking at around £250-£300 ($350-$450 if you're in the US). This is a small scale system I need, not a full scale system that you may be talking about.

We are talking about the same thing. The lights are no problem. A garage door opener would not be a problem. But once you add in the compressor (unless you are talking about a 12 volt tire filling compressor) the startup surge to the motor will require an inverter and battery combination which puts it out of the price range you are estimating on. And then you will have to add enough panels to maintain that large battery.

You cannot avoid the cost of an inverter which can handle your compressor. You can minimize the battery and panel cost by using more expensive AGM batteries which can deliver a higher short term current for their size than deep cycle FLA batteries. But AGM batteries cost much more than FLA batteries.
(Note: don't even consider using GEL batteries.)

You will get the same answers regardless of the section you post in. But you are less likely to involve others who are interested in the same area if you get the section wrong. I think this is as good a section for your issue as any, although you may find some other threads useful to you by looking at portable applications. They tend to be aimed at lower power and smaller battery banks.

[Sunking]

I think I may have posted this in the wrong section. Im not talking about a full solar system to power an entire house, I just need a small system to put some lighting in a car garage and to feed an inverter for an air compressor. For the bulk of the parts (panel, battery, inverter etc) I'm looking at around £250-£300 ($350-$450 if you're in the US). This is a small scale system I need, not a full scale system that you may be talking about.

Oh yes we are talking about a full system. That compressor is a big item.

[Petejc21]

Oh okay, I didn't realise compressors were so juicy. Will have to have a re-think, maybe go ahead with the solar system, but just for the lighting and inverter for low powered stuff like power tool battery chargers etc.

She won't be using the compressor that often, so maybe a long extension cable run from the house mains as & when she needs it will do for that (garage is about 35 metres from the house).

[mcnakamura]

Re: Beginners guide to small solar systems (for garage)

If you really have any idea you should hire an electrician to take that for your guidance and also for the proper installation.

mod note - forget the links

[Petejc21]

If you really have any idea you should hire an electrician to take that for your guidance and also for the proper installation.

mod note - forget the links

Thanks for the link to the emergency electricians in Sydney, I doubt they will come all the way out to the South-East of England though, it's about 10,500 miles, not even in an emergency!

[Naptown]

Oh okay, I didn't realise compressors were so juicy. Will have to have a re-think, maybe go ahead with the solar system, but just for the lighting and inverter for low powered stuff like power tool battery chargers etc.

She won't be using the compressor that often, so maybe a long extension cable run from the house mains as & when she needs it will do for that (garage is about 35 metres from the house).

At 35 meters this is considered short. It will be far cheaper and give you much more power to run a line in a trench and connect it to the mains in the house.
The only concern might be voltage drop but one size wire larger in this case would probably cover it and allow you to use whatever you want in the garage.

[bonaire]

I saw a quote on the desk of my solar guy for a system similar to the one you are describing and it was $5,300 (US dollars).