Michael Oshman's posts

ok just got off the phone with a consultation guy.  He said for what I need and the size pool pump i would use in summer I can get a system for about 400.00.  Now he said if I was to use a fridge, then double that.  If we do all the install ourselves, just leaving electric connections for him he would knock off 100.00.  So sunday I am going to his house to see a few models in action, then he wants fridge info and pool filter info, hes not concerned about the lights since we only use 4 at 1/8 watt.  I will let ya's know how it went and what i have decided to go with.

consultationsh more research and 5 phone books later. I have found 2 companies semi-local that will come out and give me consulations.  You right, the kit i need would be sized for a RV.  I don't think I made myself clear on the size of the area that I need to light..ect..I have also looked into propane fridge and other RV related stuff that more suits my needs.  But I will post the results as soon as I have everything on paper and then you guys can guide me from there.  I think at the most this will cost me around 900.00, which I don't mind since they just took off the freeze of the electric companies here.  I am now on a budget plan here at home at 266 a month and they plan to increase that to 50%.  So as it stands now there is no power at all at the farm so any improvement involving solar would be beneficial.  and it would pay for it self in 3 months time.  But I will keep ya's posted.

I will be ordering that cabin start kit in two weeks.  I will not use the fridge for now and basically run .8 watt light bulbs and add loads as I go to see exactly what I can run.  After i have everything set up and I can get everyting running I will add probally 1 more panel and 2-3 batteries.  At that time I will run a small cube fridge and either a small electric grill.  I'm not worried aboutthe lights at all now as I did a experiment yesterday morning and wired 4 (. watt light bulbs into a power pack that i have now and it only used about 1/4 of the power in the pack.  The lights ran 24 hours.  So now I know I can easily run more lights in various rooms as I go and its only a 2 room house anyway.  Cabin like I would call it.    In the other small rooms I have huge 3 wick candles going so I;'m not worried about those.  I just need enough light to know the difference between a caned beer and caned coke   Also do keep in mind that these panels will be in sun, sun up to sun down.  ok here is my question. lets say I get that cabin kit, lets say I drain the battery down to 50%, how long does it take to take the battery to full capacity.  Week nights I would only use lights and thats for about 3 hours. weekends I would use the lights twice that time.  hope this helps ??

ok kool..I belive I found a great site that will help me further I think.  My thinking is to now find a small cube fridge and that alone will reduce the amount by alot.  I found this link: http://www.solarkits.com/gettingstartedcabins.htm

and I now see a better understanding of what I want, need and really need.  I believe this type of kit:, the first one is what I need:  http://www.solarkits.com/product3.htm

of course I would like to go cheaper so anymore advice is more then welcome

Hey All..Ok please don't bash me as i have read and re-read millions of articles on this stuff and its making me nuts/dizzy.  I have so much information now that I am totally confused.  This is what I am wanting to do.  I have a old farm house that i wish to convert to solar, completely off grid and its basically just a hang out for a few hours a night and 1/2 days on weekends.  Ok the roof area that I wish to install a solar panel is in full sun all day.  from sun up to sun down.  I also just bought point eight( . watt LED light bulbs.  I have 2 as of now but plan to get like 4 more.  The only major appliance I run there is a standard refrigerator.  I don't have the exact specs. on it now but will provide.  All I wish to do is: is to use these lights at night only and run the fridge on low setting ( just enough to keep beer and soda cold )  Now I have tried many different calculators in trying to figure out what exactly I need and not to over spend.  I don't mind paying like 200.00 for a solar panel and like 50-60 per battery.  I have right now a 12volt converter and I know I need sometype of charge switch.  I also know that I can but a converter thing to perhaps run a clothes dryer - but so not needed.  I would also like to run a small pool pump in the summer time and maybe a small electric grill.  Now I do understand the wattage thing, however at this point I'm not sure what I need.  I would appreciate any suggestions.  Also I live in South Illinois and I understand the battery is the heaviest to be shipped so i would assume buying a deep cycle battery close to home would be more cost effective.  Also the prices I have listed are just guide lines and I would go up to about 500.00 if needed.  Thanx for all your time.  Also if anyone is online and can talk to me directly my yahoo ID is michael_oshman  and my email is michael_oshman @ yahoo.com