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In article <e531b439-d967-439a-93c4-cd29a2604ee3
@n33g2000pri.googlegroups.com>, says...
> I have a device 12v @.33A that I want to run 24x7. I have a 12v, 6amp/
> hr
> battery (seal lead acid) what sort of rated solar panel do you reckon
> will be needed to keep the unit operational. Do you think I need a
> float
> regulator or just diaode back feed protection?
>
> I see it as being 95W hrs a day drain. Solarization at my location I
> figure at about 35-45%.
>
> I am thinking I might have to look for a device that draws less
> current.
>
> What am I upto well its for what we call a FARS, "Fan Asisted
> Radiation
> Sheild for weather instruments.
>
> http://tokoroa.dyndns.org
>

I think I'd look at maybe one 20W-40W panel which should be ample, you
may get away with a lesser one, check out what Pel and Gallagher offer
for electric fence units! They're likely to be rugged as well.

On the other hand, I'd definitely forget that 6Ah battery, and put in a
40Ah or 60Ah deep cycle battery - that will take care of keeping things
ticking over for a period of several-days-of-thick-cloud.

I've ruined a 4Ah gel battery by leaving it completely discharged for 3
days .... wouldn't take more than an 10-15% charge ever after. Deep
cycle jobbies can cope with that without a problem.

I can have a word with a friend up the valley who runs his computer off
a solar-panel cum deep cycle battery cum inverter setup (along with the
12V lighting in his house), if you're [still] interested.

-Peter

Somewhere on teh intarwebs "EMB" typed:
> Collector€NZ wrote:
>> Valuable hints there thanks.
>
> http://www.piezo.com/prodfan3lv02.html

Interesting device. That's pushing the definition a bit far, calling it "a
solid state device" though.

Cheers,
--
Shaun.

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