"Ray is certainly right about Tucson living. When that summer heat hits, you're going to turn on whatever you have to to keep from cooking during the day, especially in an older house like ours that isn't insulated very well. Our electric…"
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Denise McCracken
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Denise McCracken's Discussions
Building with a solar awning
Started this discussion. Last reply by Denise McCracken Apr 25. 8 Replies 0 Likes
My hubby had a really incredible idea for putting up some 230w panels. In Aug-Sept, the sun beats down on the south wall of the house, which is aluminum siding and a large window, and we have to…Continue
Grid tie inverter to sine inverter?
Started this discussion. Last reply by Bill K Apr 15. 20 Replies 0 Likes
I was just trying to think about what to do if the power goes out this August-Sept. If I were to start up a full sine wave inverter, would a grid tie be able to pick up the beat and dance with…Continue
To invert, or not to invert.
Started this discussion. Last reply by Denise McCracken Mar 15. 3 Replies 0 Likes
Lately I have been thinking about the implications of using a straight DC system vs. AC on an inverter. While doing away with AC adapters for 12v devices saves energy, it seems like the cost of…Continue
Latest Solar Power Upgrades
Started this discussion. Last reply by Robert Mar 7. 3 Replies 1 Like
I got my 6 gauge wire all in for the batteries, combiner box for the panels, and circuit breaker box for the service side. I've already used three circuits, one for my timer lights, one for an outlet…Continue
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Bill K replied to Denise McCracken's discussion Building with a solar awning"Basically, any blockage of direct sun on the aluminum siding will reduce heat in the building....I use solar screens on the south windows when the summer heat arrives, the screens are basically 1/2" foam sheathing with a high reflective surface…"
Raymond Dias replied to Denise McCracken's discussion Building with a solar awning"Also if you design the angle right it will allow the thermal heat of winter to help offset heating costs. I believe the Home Power magazine has a few articles regarding the passive house design. There is also a wiki page on passive solar design that…"
Renewable Ray replied to Denise McCracken's discussion Building with a solar awning"Denise lives here in Tucson same as we do. No matter what it cost or what we have to do....we will be running our window units if not our whole house units in July, August and September. It's not a matter of much it cost or saves but if we want…"
Denise McCracken replied to Denise McCracken's discussion Building with a solar awning"
Maybe I should clarify this a little. I'm doing a grid tie system with the solar awning. There are four panels up so far, for 920 watts, and there is room for two more. If I'm not mistaken, the wall A/C draws…"
Dale Marshall replied to Denise McCracken's discussion Building with a solar awning"Apparently I understood what was going on. He said Window Unit. And if this Window unit is a 5000 to 6000 BTU unit. This would work. Yes Air conditioners Draw a-lot of power. But I do believe he said, an extra Window Unit and not Whole house unit. I…"
Raymond Dias replied to Denise McCracken's discussion Building with a solar awning"Best bet would be to do a grid Tie system with the Solar panel Awning. Depending on where you are it might work out better and you can include the cost of the awning material in the 30% tax rebate from the feds."
Tim Mitchell replied to Denise McCracken's discussion Building with a solar awning"Running an air conditioner takes a huge solar power system. A couple of 230 watt panels will not run an air conditioner more than an hour a day. Air conditioner compressors pull a very large surge current when they start, so the inverter needs to be…"
Denise McCracken posted a discussionBuilding with a solar awning
My hubby had a really incredible idea for putting up some 230w panels. In Aug-Sept, the sun beats down on the south wall of the house, which is aluminum siding and a large window, and we have to run an extra window unit just to get rid of that heat. His idea was to extend the roof out by the length of a solar panel, about 4', and just use panels to cover it. It's essentially an awning, made out of solar panels and 2x4 frame. Not only will it get the heat off of that wall, but it will put…See More
Denise McCracken replied to Tim Mitchell's discussion I'm New here, But I Have 9 Panels, Here is My System"
I love the wind generator. Don't know why you can't weld, though. I can weld, and I'm just a stupid girl. :)
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Denise McCracken replied to E E Yebrevo's discussion Charging my lawnmower battery."
Only 4 hours a day? My 20-amp panels are putting out 15 amps by 9am, here in AZ. It's a golden palace of sunlight...and rocks...and sand...
I'm not sure if I agree with these numbers, because, what…"
Bill K replied to Denise McCracken's discussion Grid tie inverter to sine inverter?"Yes, I have a tendency to jump at an idea, doubting my own configuration, and inevidably making more work for myself....the way the frig, TV and sat box are set up for running on battery/solar works like a charm and I love to see those…"
Hillbilly Gene replied to Denise McCracken's discussion Grid tie inverter to sine inverter?"Hi Bill K.,
I believe your best bet is to continue to do what you have been doing for at least three reasons:
1.) Your Power Bright PW1100-12 is a MSW Inverter, and it may produce the instable, flickering lights, GTI dance as…"
Bill K replied to Denise McCracken's discussion Grid tie inverter to sine inverter?"OK, this is getting interesting, but as the debate goes on, I sit here wondering if it would be more efficient to continue to run the refrigerator, solely on batteries (which is really a wrong statement as the batteries really are just a buffer, the…"
Denise McCracken replied to Denise McCracken's discussion Grid tie inverter to sine inverter?"
It sounds like I may just have to try this sometime. Let me straighten out the numbers, though. I have 440 watts that I plan to put in sets of 24v panels. Currently I have four 115 amp-hour batteries, so two…"
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