-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Joshua Zeidner wrote: > I wonder if its possible to bypass the PC power supply? By using an > inverter you are essentially converting from DC to AC and back to DC > again (bound to be inefficient). This hold true only if your system > is specifically for the PC. > > -jmz > > On Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 4:25 PM, James > Finstrom wrote: >> 3 Steps to this >> >> 1. Use the correct hardware, something atom based and low power. >> >> 2. Determine requirements for 12V at about 5A solar panel cells/regulator >> >> 3. Add a battery in to the mix matching the same above stats 12V 5A >> >> The hardware would run off the battery and the solar panels would charge the >> batteries. This will help for low light ang in general power conditioning. >> Straight solar would be too dirty and would cause hardware failure pretty >> rapidly. >> >> Note this is just for the PC requirements for a monitor etc would increase >> needs. >> >> With all of this in mind go wwith a netbook that has insane battery life >> anyway and one of these: >> >> http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/7-portable-solar-laptop-chargers-worth-considering.php >> >> >> On Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 3:50 PM, Trent Shipley wrote: > Joshua Zeidner wrote: >>>>> Im interested in this topic as well. If you manage to build this, >>>>> please let us know how it goes. >>>>> >>>>> -jmz >>>>> >>>>> On Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 3:35 PM, Josef Lowder wrote: >>>>>> Have any of you made a solar power setup for your computer system? >>>>>> >>>>>> I've recently begun researching this and it seems very feasible. >>>>>> >>>>>> At one website, a writer claims one can make a solar power generator >>>>>> for less >>>>>> than $300 -- www.rain.org/~philfear/how2solar.html -- in summary he >>>>>> says: >>>>>> >>>>>> 1. Run a line out the window to an 8" x 24" panel on the roof. >>>>>> Solar panels cost about $100 rated 12 volts or better at RV store or >>>>>> at Greenbatteries.com. Powerfilm R15-300 Rollable Solar Panel is >>>>>> $98.47. >>>>>> A 300 mah (approx 5 watt) solar panel comes with cable to connect to a >>>>>> battery. Internal batteries of wireless electronics can be charged by >>>>>> connecting a PowerFilm Rollable Solar Panel to a device's 12V adapter. >>>>>> >>>>>> 2. Get a deep cycle battery from Greenbatteries or Batteries.com for >>>>>> about $50. >>>>>> Or a Xantrex XPower 1500 W/60 AH battery from GoGreenSolar.com >>>>>> >>>>>> 3. Buy a 12 volt DC meter. Radio Shack has them for about $25. >>>>>> >>>>>> 4. Buy a DC input - a triple inlet model, enough to power many DC >>>>>> appliances >>>>>> like fans, lights, laptops, etc. costs about $10. With the right cable >>>>>> will >>>>>> run straight off the box. >>>>>> >>>>>> 5. To run AC appliances, get an inverter to convert stored DC power in >>>>>> the >>>>>> battery to AC power for most household appliances. A 115 volt 140 watt >>>>>> inverter by Power-to-Go at Pep Boys is $50. >>>>>> >>>>>> 6. Attach the meter and DC input to the top of the box. >>>>>> >>>>>> 7. Attach the meter to terminals on the battery. >>>>>> Connect the solar panel to the battery. >>>>>> >>>>>> 8. Put solar panel in the sun. It takes 5-8 hours to charge a dead >>>>>> battery, >>>>>> 1-3 hours to top off a weak one. This will run many appliances for 5 >>>>>> hours >>>>>> continuous use at 115 volt AC. Add larger panels, inverters, batteries >>>>>> for more. >>>>>> >>>>>> Options: A pop-up circuit breaker between the positive terminal and >>>>>> volt meter. >>>>>> May add an ampmeter also. Some panels have built-in bypass diodes, or >>>>>> use a >>>>>> charge controller for panels without diodes. Another option is a >>>>>> voltage regulator. >>>>>> --------------------------------------------------- >>>>>> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >>>>>> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >>>>>> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >>>>>> >>>>> --------------------------------------------------- >>>>> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >>>>> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >>>>> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> > Will the power be clean enough? I'd expect a typical inverter to be > noisy. - --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >> >> --------------------------------------------------- >> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >> > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss Can we modify the computer to run on ONLY DC or does it have to run on AC and wall power? Does it need to function internationally? -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iEYEARECAAYFAkpuPFgACgkQ61EDkX3myXpBNACfcp8riScSjefnRE3Zr9ov4nvy Z3kAnj4NwdcIO/4C/6eFV8IEANZm+7RY =uhOY -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss