Environmentally friendly obs

[Lee]

Now I have some spare time again, need to get the obs operational again - first step - solar charge the alarm battery. We have both become sick of the 240V cable running across the grass to keep the SLA trickle charged.

Equip - Powertech 10W panel from Jaycar, solar regulator, scrap Al angle.

I still will need to plug the obs in when using it, but now the battery will stay charged without unsightly cables and mucking about......

[h0ughy (David)]

looking green Lee - well grey actually LOL

looks like a worthwhile project

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Good stuff Lee. Did you stick in on the side there for any particular reason? If you were to somehow point it north and upwards at around 45 deg to the ground it'd be far more efficient for you.

Have you thought about running a small muffin fan near the roofline as a 24/7 heat extractor and air circulator? You've got free power to do it...

[AlexN]

if only it were 2m x 2m, could probably make a fully self sufficient obs... mind you the costs would be silly...


Looks good.

[Lee]

It is facing north now - I am going to angle her up a bit - just going to work out the lowest midday altitude of the sun in mid winter, and make the panel perpendicular to that - just haven't got to that yet - new PDA to play with!
I think it is a bit overkill for the battery anyway, so should be fine like it is - I guess if the battery starts slowly discharging I know I need more efficiency....

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Good stuff Lee. Did you stick in on the side there for any particular reason? If you were to somehow point it north and upwards at around 45 deg to the ground it'd be far more efficient for you.

Have you thought about running a small muffin fan near the roofline as a 24/7 heat extractor and air circulator? You've got free power to do it...

[Lee]

I thought of that too! A couple of deep cycle batts and a big panel....
Would be very cool.....

Originally Posted by AlexN

if only it were 2m x 2m, could probably make a fully self sufficient obs... mind you the costs would be silly...


Looks good.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

well, dunno about green, electric solar panels produce more greenhouse gass than coal power stations/watt (in thier manufacture, payback is over 15yrs), convienent tho.

BTW, thats a soap box of mine, the gov subsidises electric cars, solar panels and ethanol, yet they produce FAR more greenhouse gass, go figure........

[Paddy (Patrick)]

My understanding is that the embedded carbon emissions in solar panels and associated batteries are recouped in three years and the panels produce power for 25-30 years.

[bluescope]

Hey Lee .... show us what's inside .... it looks good from the outside !