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- Solar
- Solar PanelsSolar panels/modules essentially work like a car battery charger, except instead of plugging it into the wall, you put it out directly in the sun. How do solar modules work, and why should you consider an off grid-power system? Solar Panels for Your Home – Converting Sunlight to Electricity Photo-Voltaic or solar cells convert sunlight directly to electricity within wafer thin cells. Light “particles” called photons actually bounce electrons across a barrier, creating an electrical current. This allows you to produce solar power for home use. Read More Cells are sealed within a tough resin between a tempered glass front and plastic or foil backing, and then framed in aluminum rail. There are many sizes and brands of solar modules for off grid solar power systems, at similar prices, specifications, and claims. New brands come each year, many as good as, but none better than, the proven reliable brands listed in the next pages. Considering cost and length of solar module lifetime and warranty, we stock the longest tested and most respected brands. Sunshine Direct Sunshine with no shadows is absolutely necessary for full power when using solar to power your home. Partial power is produced on overcast days, but…
- Mounts & Racks
- Ground Mounts
- Post Mounts by General SpecialtiesAbsolutely the strongest mounts available for our full-size modules! Built to last a lifetime Includes easy to follow instructions Made by General Specialties, the Universal Post Mount incorporates welded and galvanized steel framework with 6061 aluminum rails. Grade 5 and 8 stainless steel hardware is included for mounting PV modules. Adjusts easily to seasonal sun angle. Designed for 100+ mph wind load (35+ lbs/sq.ft.). Vertical steel base pipe is not supplied but is available at most hardware/lumber supply stores. Read More Module Mount Size Heliene 370W POLY – 77″ x 39″ x 1.57″ D Heliene 310W MONO 60C- 65.5″ x 39.4″ x 1.57″ C Genpro 190W – 62.25″ x 31.73″ x 1.38″ B Vikram Solar Eldora 100W – 45.3″ x 26.2″ x 1.34″ A Vikram Solar Eldora 60W – 27.6″ x 26.2″ x 1.34″ A To find the proper pole mount, first determine the mount “size” using the chart above. Then, in the table below, follow the ‘Size” column down to find the number of panels you will be mounting on each post mount. Click to go to the product page for that mount. Item Code & Post Size Info Size “A” Smaller 12V & 24V 26.5″ x 59.5″ (10.94 sqft…
- Post Mounts by Tamarack SolarTamarack Solar Pole Mounts are designed to install quickly and provide a secure mounting structure for PV modules. The intuitive design is easy to learn and provides for a fast and easy installation. Using heavy-duty corrosion-resistant 5052-H32 aluminum components, these top-of-pole -mounts are built to last. In addition, seasonal adjustability for maximizing energy production is provided by several tilt-angle settings. Read More Tamarack Solar’s Top-of-Pole mounts for smaller arrays are a heavy duty mounting system ideal for single pole, multi-panel arrays. Mounted atop either 4″ or 6″ poles, this system supports panels from most manufacturers with ease. These mounts are manufactured using powder-coated steel and heavy-duty corrosion-resistant aluminum. Schedule 40 pipe not included. Tamarack’s Large Top-of-Pole mounts (LTP & STP) can easily hold any larger 60-cell or 72-cell module with dimensions less than 79.5” x 39.5”. Using a single 4” or 6”, Sch 40 steel pipe, modules less than 79.5” x 39.5” can be mounted without complex sizing calculations. For a fast and easy way to determine which Tamarack Solar pole mount product is best suited for a particular application, please give us a call. Module Mount Size Canadian Solar 325W POLY – 77.2″ x 39.1″ x 1.57″ D REC…
- Roof & Wall Mounts
- RV Mounts
- Side of Pole
- Solar WiringWiring Individual Solar Modules Once the panels are mounted, wire must be connected from each solar module to receive the power generated. Sunlight resisitant flexible 10 or 12 gauge wires connect from each solar modules junction box to a combiner box. You will find bulk wire, as well as pre-cut wires with terminal ends or MC cables and weather tight box seals in the following listings. Diagrams for wiring for various voltages are in our Learning Center. Read More Grounding the Array The aluminum frames of solar modules need to be grounded, either by using UL rated grounding clips, WEEBs or with a grounding lay-in-lug attached to each module and a copper wire run between the lay-in-lugs. Copper wire is most cost effectively sourced locally at your hardware or electrical store. Wire Size & Distance Much larger wire for positive, negative, (and sometimes the ground rod) run from the combiner box/s to the battery room. These run in conduit from the box to underground, and often also in conduit the full distance underground. The wires are larger, and are limited in permissible length because any voltage drop would reduce the solar charging. Arrays for 24 and especially 48 volts are allowed much…
- WindOur wind power options are best suited for maximizing power production in the winter months, night time power production, and ideally suited for hybrid applications with Solar PV. We have several tools and books available as well for assessing your site for wind power. Read More At a good site, a wind turbine can generate more power for its cost than solar modules. Both together can give steadier input since a wind turbine charges the batteries in storms when there is no sun, and at night. But beware of erecting a wind turbine where the wind is not strong and steady. An area’s wind-speed, as well as the immediate terrain, will determine how well the wind turbine performs. If in doubt, we suggest starting with solar modules, and checking the wind for a year. This will show whether to add a wind turbine or more solar modules. Twelve to fifteen mph average year-round winds are necessary for an optimal installation, and these sites are not common. Wind turbines must mount at least 30 feet above trees and obstructions for 300 feet around. They need non-turbulent air where a weather vane holds a steady direction. Charge controls for wind turbines are…
- Micro-HydroMicro-Hydro for Off-Grid Power Systems accessories. Browse our large selection of micro-hydro systems, hydro generators, turbines, and micro-hydro equipment. We also carry books and DVDs to help you set up and benefit from micro hydro power. Micro-Hydro Advantages & Performance Water turbines steadily charge 12, 24, or 48 volt batteries, working 24 hours a day every day. Compare this with solar modules in sunshine for at best, 6 full-power hours a day, and that’s just on sunny days. A hydro generator producing 10 amperes around the clock matches the usable power generated by over 40 amps of solar modules. So cost is a lot lower with hydro. The power system itself is the same as solar, except only diversion type charge controls can be used with hydro. Pelton wheel generators use a small volume of water raised to high pressure by running downhill in a penstock (pipeline). Pressurized water shoots from nozzles to strike and spin a cupped wheel on an alternator. Other types of wheels and propellers handle water sites with less pressure (head) and more flow volume. Related Products & Information Sizing a Micro-Hydro System Scott & Tracey’s Micro-Hydro Story Cold Weather Micro-Hydro Lessons Learned Performance depends on…
- Charge ControllersCHOOSING A CHARGE CONTROLLER Charge controllers regulate the output of solar modules, wind generators and hydroelectric generators to prevent overcharging of the battery. For off grid solar power systems, when battery voltage rises to a preset maximum, where the battery is completely charged, the control automatically reduces or stops the solar charge. Some charge controllers are that simple, but most include some other features like volt & amp meters, voltage conversion, low battery load disconnect or night light timer. Read More VOLT AND AMPERE RATING OF THE CONTROL Select a control able to handle a little more than the amperes your solar modules are rated to generate. Though solar modules don’t usually produce more than their rated amperes, they can momentarily produce 15% more on cold bright days. The electric code recommends leaving a 25% margin, that is, for a 47 amp solar array use a 60 amp control rather than a 50 amp control. And if you plan future expansion of your solar array, allow a lot more headroom to accommodate the added solar panels. Be sure the model you choose is designed for your battery voltage: 12, 24 or 48 volts. A given control will handle twice as…
- MPPT Charge ControllersMPPT Charge Controllers for Off Grid Living MPPT charge controllers employ DC to DC conversion, which allows the solar array voltage to be higher that the voltage required to charge the batteries. Many years ago solar modules were designed to charge 12 volt batteries. These solar modules were built with 36 cells in series to have a peak power voltage of 16- 18 volts. Two of these modules could be wired in series to charge a 24 volt battery and four could be wired in series for a 48 volt battery. Modules with 72 cells were also available for 24 volt charging. When all modules were made this way, the simple PWM charge controllers described previously worked fine. As connected off grid solar power systems became the prominent use for solar modules, cost became the most important factor in module design and off the grid homes. This lead to larger 60 cell modules, manufactured in a convenient size that could be carried by one person. These modules have a voltage too high for 12 volt battery charging and too low for 24 volt battery charging and are usually wired in series to get approximately 400 volts DC which is easy…
- PWM Charge ControllersSERIES CHARGE CONTROLLERS – Connected between the charging source and the battery. Pulse width modulation (PWM), used in all modern charge controllers uses 3-stages of operation to give the most charging possible for the day. BULK charge is the first stage, where the maximum power available from the charging source is fed to the battery until it reaches a preset voltage. ABSORPTION is the second stage charge where the maximum battery voltage is held by reducing the charge current just enough to never exceed the target voltage. Reduced current is done by high speed on and off pulsing, where the controlling “on” time versus the “off” time of each pulse determines the average charge current. During this stage of charging there will be some bubbling, or gassing of the battery electrolyte. This is necessary to maintain the health of flooded batteries. FLOAT is a third stage where battery voltage is reduced after charge is complete. This avoids excessive evaporating of battery water and benefits battery life. When sealed, maintenance-free, AGM or gel type batteries are used, voltage set-points are lower to prevent gassing of the battery.
- InvertersPOWER INVERTERS convert DC from your battery to 120 or 120/240 volts AC for lights, outlets and most appliances, without starting a generator. Read More If you’re looking for the best selection of grid tie inverters, transformers, charge boosters, Sinewave inverters, inverter cables and move, look no further than BackwoodsSolar.com. When it comes to off grid power systems and accessories, we’re confident that Backwoods Solar in the perfect choice. Continue reading to learn more about off grid inverters today. DC OR AC APPLIANCES: Folks with the smallest solar power systems and few; simple appliances may have no inverter, and use low voltage DC for all lights, radio, TV, and water pump. People using the largest solar power systems sometimes use AC power from an off grid inverter for everything. Usually it is most practical to use both inverter AC and some direct battery DC. AC is most practical for regular household outlets and lights, because most AC appliances are better quality, easier to find, locally available and lower priced than 12 volt DC versions. But a few special DC appliances can save a great deal of energy. Items that drain a small amount of power over long hours can use…
- Power CentersTHE HEART OF THE SYSTEM LIES IN THE POWER ROOM Electricity flows from solar and/or wind through a charge controller and into the battery (hydro goes through a fuse or breaker directly to the battery and is regulated independently). From the battery, power goes out to any DC house circuits, and the inverter/charger producing 120/240 volts AC. The hub of the system is often a DC rated circuit panel (or a set of fuses) housing charge controller, inverter, and AC circuit breakers. Meters show power produced, power used, and battery condition. This equipment mounts on the wall near the battery bank. The installer wires everything together into a functioning power system one of three ways: Read More INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS Smaller power systems for cabins and recreational vehicles like examples #1 and #2 at the front of this catalog, use a few components custom assembled by the installer. These components are shown in this catalog. POWER PANEL/POWER CENTER A single box contains all DC (and often AC as well) circuit breakers, shunts, and easy connection points for the cables from the solar modules, hydro and/or windmill, DC loads, remote meters, batteries, and inverter. The charge controller and inverter often attach to…
- BatteriesWhether looking for a 12v solar battery, 48v solar battery or the finest battery accessories and chargers, make BackwoodsSolar.com your first choice when it comes to finding solar batteries. Learn more about solar batteries and battery care below. Read More Battery care is your main responsibility with homemade electricity for off grid power systems. This is the one part of your power system likely to be harmed by neglect or misuse. Lead-acid batteries, the standard in home energy, should not discharge more than 50%. Ideally, they should be recharged to 100% promptly. They can be damaged by undercharging, continued overcharging, or contamination. Do not store batteries without periodic recharging. Continual self-discharge when not in use can ruin even a brand new set of batteries. Sizing of 1000 to 2000 amp-hour 12 volt (or 1/2 that in 24 volt; 1/4 that in 48 volt) battery bank is desirable because a larger bank can accept faster charging by generator and give high power discharge for inverter surge without strain. In northern areas short on winter sunshine, more reserve before running down to the 50% level is also a benefit. Use our catalog’s 6 introductory examples as a guide to battery size, or…
- AGM, Gel & Flooded BatteriesWhether looking for a 12v solar battery, 48v solar battery or the finest battery accessories and chargers, make BackwoodsSolar.com your first choice when it comes to finding solar batteries. Learn more about solar batteries and battery care below. Read More Battery care is your main responsibility with homemade electricity for off grid power systems. This is the one part of your power system likely to be harmed by neglect or misuse. Lead-acid batteries, the standard in home energy, should not discharge more than 50%. Ideally, they should be recharged to 100% promptly. They can be damaged by undercharging, continued overcharging, or contamination. Do not store batteries without periodic recharging. Continual self-discharge when not in use can ruin even a brand new set of batteries. Sizing of 1000 to 2000 amp-hour 12 volt (or 1/2 that in 24 volt; 1/4 that in 48 volt) battery bank is desirable because a larger bank can accept faster charging by generator and give high power discharge for inverter surge without strain. In northern areas short on winter sunshine, more reserve before running down to the 50% level is also a benefit. Use our catalog’s 6 introductory examples as a guide to battery size, or…
- Lithium Batteries
- Meters & Battery MonitorsWhen it comes to off grid power systems, specifically any power system that uses a battery, it’s important to monitor how much energy is being used. At BackwoodsSolar.com, we carry a great selection of energy meters that measure the energy of your battery system. Read More If you’re looking for a solar battery meter to be used for your off grid power system, you’re in the right place. We carry analog and digital energy meters that will work great with any deep cycle batter system. We carry the extremely popular Kill-A-Watt AC power monitor, as well as Bogart Engineering Trimetric battery meter kits. Whether looking for battery monitor systems, meters, shunts, and other battery accessories, BackwoodsSolar.com has you covered. A solar battery meter is an essential part of any battery-based system, as ignored batteries can become weak. Protect the lifespan and performance of our batteries by easily monitoring their power with the best selection of energy meters at BackwoodsSolar.com. Off grid energy meters should be placed in a location where they are easily accessible. We suggest mounting your solar battery meter in a visible and convenient location, for ease of use and optimal performance.
- Battery Chargers & Accessories
- Electrical
- Breakers, Fuses & BoxesCombiner Boxes The combiner box mounts on the post of a pole mount, under the solar array on roof mounts, or near the power center of your system. Wires from the solar modules connect togethe rin the combiner box. NEC code requires each panel or each series string of panels to be wired to its own circuit breaker or fuse if there are more than two strings in parallel. AC/DC Breaker Boxes These boxes can be utilized for small inverter disconnects, PV disconnects or AC or DC distribution.
- Electrical Parts & Wiring
- DC Timers
- Diversion LoadsConnected between a battery and dump load. Diversion Charge Controllers are typically used when the charging source cannot be disconnected from the battery, such as wind generators or hydroelectric chargers for off the grid electricity. Diversion controllers do not cut off current from the charging source at all. When the battery charges to the maximum set voltage, the diversion controller connects a “dump load”such as ceramic air heating resistors or water heating elements to the battery to dissipate the energy coming from the charging source. The controller adjusts its consumption rate to offset the excess charging exactly, and keep the battery voltage at, and never exceeding, the preset maximum voltage. If you use a windmill for off grid living that does not have its own charge control, or use hydroelectric generating, a diversion control must be used, since those generators can be damaged if their charge is not absorbed in the batteries at all times. One diversion control handles a combination of solar, hydro and wind, so long as the total amps charge from all of them taken together is within its amp capacity.
- Lightning Arresters
- Power Converters & Battery Balancers
- Relays
- Splice Barrels
- Transfer Relays
- Wire Junction Devices
- Water PumpsWater Pumps for Off-Grid Homes Submersible Pumps, Gravity Flow Tanks & More The benefits of off-grid power systems both economically and environmentally are undeniable. At BackwoodsSolar.com, we take pride in offering the best products and services in off-grid power systems and accessories. From solar water pumps to solar modules, we have everything you need to implement an off-grid power system for your home. Learn more about solar powered water pumping, submersible water pumps, the benefits of a gravity flow tank, and more below! When it comes to solar water pumps, hot water circulating pumps, booster pumps, submersible well pumps, and more, choose BackwoodsSolar.com. Read More Gravity Flow Tanks A gravity flow tank, where possible, is the best domestic water supply. Water is pumped to, and flows back from, a large tank uphill from the house. The tank should be at least 22 feet higher than the point of use, to get 10 pounds or more water pressure (2.3 feet elevation per pound of pressure). It should be buried to keep cool and avoid freezing. There was no hill above us to site a tank so we put four 100 gallon tanks at the highest heated level (4th floor) of our…
- Home Goods
- AppliancesThere are important factors to consider when selecting appliances for solar power electric off the grid homes.The best appliances help reduce your solar panel system needs. It also helps to not have any major electric heating or cooling appliances. Read More Electric heat, electric hot water, electric cook stove, electric heated clothes dryer, and air conditioners account for 80 percent of typical monthly utility bills. It is absolutely not practical to operate these major appliances with electricity. They use from 20 to 100 times the power your TV uses. Other fuels produce heat at much lower cost. Use wood or propane fueled furnaces, propane cook stoves and water heaters; use gas fired clothes dryers (or just a rope in the sun). Backwoods Solar Can Help If you need assistance determining your solar power electric off the grid appliance needs, what would work best for your system, or want some insight to what other solar homeowners use, see our Learning Center, which is full of information and shared knowledge. Backwoods Solar can help.
- LightingLighting for Off the Grid Homes LIGHT WITH LESS POWER Photovoltaics solar panels convert just 10% of sunlight’s energy into electricity. Ordinary light bulbs convert only 10% of that electricity back into light (the rest becomes heat in the bulb). Because lighting is a major part of power used in solar homes, special high efficiency bulbs that save 75% of the power are well justified. Read More COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULBS Compact fluorescent bulbs make far less heat and more light. Using one fourth the power of ordinary bulbs, a 15 watt CF has the brightness of a 60 watt incandescent. It runs 4 times as long on the same power. They give the same soft white light and should last as long as 6 ordinary bulbs. The cost of these lamps is much less than adding extra solar modules to run low cost incandescent bulbs. Backwoods sells compact fluorescents that have electronic ballasts which are silent, have no flicker, and no PCB oil in contrast to heavier low cost magnetic ballast sold in stores. Only electronic ballasts will start a Trace inverter that is idling in search mode. Dimmer switches work only with fluorescents specified for dimming, and usually need…
- Off Grid Home GoodsThere are quite a few options available for using both non-electric appliances and/or DC appliances in your home to further reduce your energy needs without giving up conveniences. Read More Our inverter section explains that often AC power is more practical than DC when you are using lower cost quality appliances and conventional wiring. There are important exceptions where special DC powered appliances can save lots of energy, money and/or avoid technical problems. Special DC designs of evaporative coolers, refrigerators, water pumps, fans, bed-warmers, plus re-chargers for shavers, flashlights, and cordless tools all use much less power. AC electric blankets use 200 watts; DC bed warmers use under 60 watts and avoid questionable AC magnetic field exposure. DC fans and evaporative coolers use less power than AC fans and don’t hum. DC powered pumps use less than 25% power per gallon, pumping slowly with low wattage, and do not monopolize your inverter at unpredictable times. Advantages and disadvantages of AC and DC pumps are explained in the pump introduction pages. Some devices must be on duty 24 hours a day. Motion sensing lights, telephone message machines and cordless phones, timers, intercoms, cell phones, and smoke alarms all need a trickle…
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- Solar
- Solar PanelsSolar panels/modules essentially work like a car battery charger, except instead of plugging it into the wall, you put it out directly in the sun. How do solar modules work, and why should you consider an off grid-power system? Solar Panels for Your Home – Converting Sunlight to Electricity Photo-Voltaic or solar cells convert sunlight directly to electricity within wafer thin cells. Light “particles” called photons actually bounce electrons across a barrier, creating an electrical current. This allows you to produce solar power for home use. Read More Cells are sealed within a tough resin between a tempered glass front and plastic or foil backing, and then framed in aluminum rail. There are many sizes and brands of solar modules for off grid solar power systems, at similar prices, specifications, and claims. New brands come each year, many as good as, but none better than, the proven reliable brands listed in the next pages. Considering cost and length of solar module lifetime and warranty, we stock the longest tested and most respected brands. Sunshine Direct Sunshine with no shadows is absolutely necessary for full power when using solar to power your home. Partial power is produced on overcast days, but…
- Mounts & Racks
- Ground Mounts
- Post Mounts by General SpecialtiesAbsolutely the strongest mounts available for our full-size modules! Built to last a lifetime Includes easy to follow instructions Made by General Specialties, the Universal Post Mount incorporates welded and galvanized steel framework with 6061 aluminum rails. Grade 5 and 8 stainless steel hardware is included for mounting PV modules. Adjusts easily to seasonal sun angle. Designed for 100+ mph wind load (35+ lbs/sq.ft.). Vertical steel base pipe is not supplied but is available at most hardware/lumber supply stores. Read More Module Mount Size Heliene 370W POLY – 77″ x 39″ x 1.57″ D Heliene 310W MONO 60C- 65.5″ x 39.4″ x 1.57″ C Genpro 190W – 62.25″ x 31.73″ x 1.38″ B Vikram Solar Eldora 100W – 45.3″ x 26.2″ x 1.34″ A Vikram Solar Eldora 60W – 27.6″ x 26.2″ x 1.34″ A To find the proper pole mount, first determine the mount “size” using the chart above. Then, in the table below, follow the ‘Size” column down to find the number of panels you will be mounting on each post mount. Click to go to the product page for that mount. Item Code & Post Size Info Size “A” Smaller 12V & 24V 26.5″ x 59.5″ (10.94 sqft…
- Post Mounts by Tamarack SolarTamarack Solar Pole Mounts are designed to install quickly and provide a secure mounting structure for PV modules. The intuitive design is easy to learn and provides for a fast and easy installation. Using heavy-duty corrosion-resistant 5052-H32 aluminum components, these top-of-pole -mounts are built to last. In addition, seasonal adjustability for maximizing energy production is provided by several tilt-angle settings. Read More Tamarack Solar’s Top-of-Pole mounts for smaller arrays are a heavy duty mounting system ideal for single pole, multi-panel arrays. Mounted atop either 4″ or 6″ poles, this system supports panels from most manufacturers with ease. These mounts are manufactured using powder-coated steel and heavy-duty corrosion-resistant aluminum. Schedule 40 pipe not included. Tamarack’s Large Top-of-Pole mounts (LTP & STP) can easily hold any larger 60-cell or 72-cell module with dimensions less than 79.5” x 39.5”. Using a single 4” or 6”, Sch 40 steel pipe, modules less than 79.5” x 39.5” can be mounted without complex sizing calculations. For a fast and easy way to determine which Tamarack Solar pole mount product is best suited for a particular application, please give us a call. Module Mount Size Canadian Solar 325W POLY – 77.2″ x 39.1″ x 1.57″ D REC…
- Roof & Wall Mounts
- RV Mounts
- Side of Pole
- Solar WiringWiring Individual Solar Modules Once the panels are mounted, wire must be connected from each solar module to receive the power generated. Sunlight resisitant flexible 10 or 12 gauge wires connect from each solar modules junction box to a combiner box. You will find bulk wire, as well as pre-cut wires with terminal ends or MC cables and weather tight box seals in the following listings. Diagrams for wiring for various voltages are in our Learning Center. Read More Grounding the Array The aluminum frames of solar modules need to be grounded, either by using UL rated grounding clips, WEEBs or with a grounding lay-in-lug attached to each module and a copper wire run between the lay-in-lugs. Copper wire is most cost effectively sourced locally at your hardware or electrical store. Wire Size & Distance Much larger wire for positive, negative, (and sometimes the ground rod) run from the combiner box/s to the battery room. These run in conduit from the box to underground, and often also in conduit the full distance underground. The wires are larger, and are limited in permissible length because any voltage drop would reduce the solar charging. Arrays for 24 and especially 48 volts are allowed much…
- WindOur wind power options are best suited for maximizing power production in the winter months, night time power production, and ideally suited for hybrid applications with Solar PV. We have several tools and books available as well for assessing your site for wind power. Read More At a good site, a wind turbine can generate more power for its cost than solar modules. Both together can give steadier input since a wind turbine charges the batteries in storms when there is no sun, and at night. But beware of erecting a wind turbine where the wind is not strong and steady. An area’s wind-speed, as well as the immediate terrain, will determine how well the wind turbine performs. If in doubt, we suggest starting with solar modules, and checking the wind for a year. This will show whether to add a wind turbine or more solar modules. Twelve to fifteen mph average year-round winds are necessary for an optimal installation, and these sites are not common. Wind turbines must mount at least 30 feet above trees and obstructions for 300 feet around. They need non-turbulent air where a weather vane holds a steady direction. Charge controls for wind turbines are…
- Micro-HydroMicro-Hydro for Off-Grid Power Systems accessories. Browse our large selection of micro-hydro systems, hydro generators, turbines, and micro-hydro equipment. We also carry books and DVDs to help you set up and benefit from micro hydro power. Micro-Hydro Advantages & Performance Water turbines steadily charge 12, 24, or 48 volt batteries, working 24 hours a day every day. Compare this with solar modules in sunshine for at best, 6 full-power hours a day, and that’s just on sunny days. A hydro generator producing 10 amperes around the clock matches the usable power generated by over 40 amps of solar modules. So cost is a lot lower with hydro. The power system itself is the same as solar, except only diversion type charge controls can be used with hydro. Pelton wheel generators use a small volume of water raised to high pressure by running downhill in a penstock (pipeline). Pressurized water shoots from nozzles to strike and spin a cupped wheel on an alternator. Other types of wheels and propellers handle water sites with less pressure (head) and more flow volume. Related Products & Information Sizing a Micro-Hydro System Scott & Tracey’s Micro-Hydro Story Cold Weather Micro-Hydro Lessons Learned Performance depends on…
- Charge ControllersCHOOSING A CHARGE CONTROLLER Charge controllers regulate the output of solar modules, wind generators and hydroelectric generators to prevent overcharging of the battery. For off grid solar power systems, when battery voltage rises to a preset maximum, where the battery is completely charged, the control automatically reduces or stops the solar charge. Some charge controllers are that simple, but most include some other features like volt & amp meters, voltage conversion, low battery load disconnect or night light timer. Read More VOLT AND AMPERE RATING OF THE CONTROL Select a control able to handle a little more than the amperes your solar modules are rated to generate. Though solar modules don’t usually produce more than their rated amperes, they can momentarily produce 15% more on cold bright days. The electric code recommends leaving a 25% margin, that is, for a 47 amp solar array use a 60 amp control rather than a 50 amp control. And if you plan future expansion of your solar array, allow a lot more headroom to accommodate the added solar panels. Be sure the model you choose is designed for your battery voltage: 12, 24 or 48 volts. A given control will handle twice as…
- MPPT Charge ControllersMPPT Charge Controllers for Off Grid Living MPPT charge controllers employ DC to DC conversion, which allows the solar array voltage to be higher that the voltage required to charge the batteries. Many years ago solar modules were designed to charge 12 volt batteries. These solar modules were built with 36 cells in series to have a peak power voltage of 16- 18 volts. Two of these modules could be wired in series to charge a 24 volt battery and four could be wired in series for a 48 volt battery. Modules with 72 cells were also available for 24 volt charging. When all modules were made this way, the simple PWM charge controllers described previously worked fine. As connected off grid solar power systems became the prominent use for solar modules, cost became the most important factor in module design and off the grid homes. This lead to larger 60 cell modules, manufactured in a convenient size that could be carried by one person. These modules have a voltage too high for 12 volt battery charging and too low for 24 volt battery charging and are usually wired in series to get approximately 400 volts DC which is easy…
- PWM Charge ControllersSERIES CHARGE CONTROLLERS – Connected between the charging source and the battery. Pulse width modulation (PWM), used in all modern charge controllers uses 3-stages of operation to give the most charging possible for the day. BULK charge is the first stage, where the maximum power available from the charging source is fed to the battery until it reaches a preset voltage. ABSORPTION is the second stage charge where the maximum battery voltage is held by reducing the charge current just enough to never exceed the target voltage. Reduced current is done by high speed on and off pulsing, where the controlling “on” time versus the “off” time of each pulse determines the average charge current. During this stage of charging there will be some bubbling, or gassing of the battery electrolyte. This is necessary to maintain the health of flooded batteries. FLOAT is a third stage where battery voltage is reduced after charge is complete. This avoids excessive evaporating of battery water and benefits battery life. When sealed, maintenance-free, AGM or gel type batteries are used, voltage set-points are lower to prevent gassing of the battery.
- InvertersPOWER INVERTERS convert DC from your battery to 120 or 120/240 volts AC for lights, outlets and most appliances, without starting a generator. Read More If you’re looking for the best selection of grid tie inverters, transformers, charge boosters, Sinewave inverters, inverter cables and move, look no further than BackwoodsSolar.com. When it comes to off grid power systems and accessories, we’re confident that Backwoods Solar in the perfect choice. Continue reading to learn more about off grid inverters today. DC OR AC APPLIANCES: Folks with the smallest solar power systems and few; simple appliances may have no inverter, and use low voltage DC for all lights, radio, TV, and water pump. People using the largest solar power systems sometimes use AC power from an off grid inverter for everything. Usually it is most practical to use both inverter AC and some direct battery DC. AC is most practical for regular household outlets and lights, because most AC appliances are better quality, easier to find, locally available and lower priced than 12 volt DC versions. But a few special DC appliances can save a great deal of energy. Items that drain a small amount of power over long hours can use…
- Power CentersTHE HEART OF THE SYSTEM LIES IN THE POWER ROOM Electricity flows from solar and/or wind through a charge controller and into the battery (hydro goes through a fuse or breaker directly to the battery and is regulated independently). From the battery, power goes out to any DC house circuits, and the inverter/charger producing 120/240 volts AC. The hub of the system is often a DC rated circuit panel (or a set of fuses) housing charge controller, inverter, and AC circuit breakers. Meters show power produced, power used, and battery condition. This equipment mounts on the wall near the battery bank. The installer wires everything together into a functioning power system one of three ways: Read More INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS Smaller power systems for cabins and recreational vehicles like examples #1 and #2 at the front of this catalog, use a few components custom assembled by the installer. These components are shown in this catalog. POWER PANEL/POWER CENTER A single box contains all DC (and often AC as well) circuit breakers, shunts, and easy connection points for the cables from the solar modules, hydro and/or windmill, DC loads, remote meters, batteries, and inverter. The charge controller and inverter often attach to…
- BatteriesWhether looking for a 12v solar battery, 48v solar battery or the finest battery accessories and chargers, make BackwoodsSolar.com your first choice when it comes to finding solar batteries. Learn more about solar batteries and battery care below. Read More Battery care is your main responsibility with homemade electricity for off grid power systems. This is the one part of your power system likely to be harmed by neglect or misuse. Lead-acid batteries, the standard in home energy, should not discharge more than 50%. Ideally, they should be recharged to 100% promptly. They can be damaged by undercharging, continued overcharging, or contamination. Do not store batteries without periodic recharging. Continual self-discharge when not in use can ruin even a brand new set of batteries. Sizing of 1000 to 2000 amp-hour 12 volt (or 1/2 that in 24 volt; 1/4 that in 48 volt) battery bank is desirable because a larger bank can accept faster charging by generator and give high power discharge for inverter surge without strain. In northern areas short on winter sunshine, more reserve before running down to the 50% level is also a benefit. Use our catalog’s 6 introductory examples as a guide to battery size, or…
- AGM, Gel & Flooded BatteriesWhether looking for a 12v solar battery, 48v solar battery or the finest battery accessories and chargers, make BackwoodsSolar.com your first choice when it comes to finding solar batteries. Learn more about solar batteries and battery care below. Read More Battery care is your main responsibility with homemade electricity for off grid power systems. This is the one part of your power system likely to be harmed by neglect or misuse. Lead-acid batteries, the standard in home energy, should not discharge more than 50%. Ideally, they should be recharged to 100% promptly. They can be damaged by undercharging, continued overcharging, or contamination. Do not store batteries without periodic recharging. Continual self-discharge when not in use can ruin even a brand new set of batteries. Sizing of 1000 to 2000 amp-hour 12 volt (or 1/2 that in 24 volt; 1/4 that in 48 volt) battery bank is desirable because a larger bank can accept faster charging by generator and give high power discharge for inverter surge without strain. In northern areas short on winter sunshine, more reserve before running down to the 50% level is also a benefit. Use our catalog’s 6 introductory examples as a guide to battery size, or…
- Lithium Batteries
- Meters & Battery MonitorsWhen it comes to off grid power systems, specifically any power system that uses a battery, it’s important to monitor how much energy is being used. At BackwoodsSolar.com, we carry a great selection of energy meters that measure the energy of your battery system. Read More If you’re looking for a solar battery meter to be used for your off grid power system, you’re in the right place. We carry analog and digital energy meters that will work great with any deep cycle batter system. We carry the extremely popular Kill-A-Watt AC power monitor, as well as Bogart Engineering Trimetric battery meter kits. Whether looking for battery monitor systems, meters, shunts, and other battery accessories, BackwoodsSolar.com has you covered. A solar battery meter is an essential part of any battery-based system, as ignored batteries can become weak. Protect the lifespan and performance of our batteries by easily monitoring their power with the best selection of energy meters at BackwoodsSolar.com. Off grid energy meters should be placed in a location where they are easily accessible. We suggest mounting your solar battery meter in a visible and convenient location, for ease of use and optimal performance.
- Battery Chargers & Accessories
- Electrical
- Breakers, Fuses & BoxesCombiner Boxes The combiner box mounts on the post of a pole mount, under the solar array on roof mounts, or near the power center of your system. Wires from the solar modules connect togethe rin the combiner box. NEC code requires each panel or each series string of panels to be wired to its own circuit breaker or fuse if there are more than two strings in parallel. AC/DC Breaker Boxes These boxes can be utilized for small inverter disconnects, PV disconnects or AC or DC distribution.
- Electrical Parts & Wiring
- DC Timers
- Diversion LoadsConnected between a battery and dump load. Diversion Charge Controllers are typically used when the charging source cannot be disconnected from the battery, such as wind generators or hydroelectric chargers for off the grid electricity. Diversion controllers do not cut off current from the charging source at all. When the battery charges to the maximum set voltage, the diversion controller connects a “dump load”such as ceramic air heating resistors or water heating elements to the battery to dissipate the energy coming from the charging source. The controller adjusts its consumption rate to offset the excess charging exactly, and keep the battery voltage at, and never exceeding, the preset maximum voltage. If you use a windmill for off grid living that does not have its own charge control, or use hydroelectric generating, a diversion control must be used, since those generators can be damaged if their charge is not absorbed in the batteries at all times. One diversion control handles a combination of solar, hydro and wind, so long as the total amps charge from all of them taken together is within its amp capacity.
- Lightning Arresters
- Power Converters & Battery Balancers
- Relays
- Splice Barrels
- Transfer Relays
- Wire Junction Devices
- Water PumpsWater Pumps for Off-Grid Homes Submersible Pumps, Gravity Flow Tanks & More The benefits of off-grid power systems both economically and environmentally are undeniable. At BackwoodsSolar.com, we take pride in offering the best products and services in off-grid power systems and accessories. From solar water pumps to solar modules, we have everything you need to implement an off-grid power system for your home. Learn more about solar powered water pumping, submersible water pumps, the benefits of a gravity flow tank, and more below! When it comes to solar water pumps, hot water circulating pumps, booster pumps, submersible well pumps, and more, choose BackwoodsSolar.com. Read More Gravity Flow Tanks A gravity flow tank, where possible, is the best domestic water supply. Water is pumped to, and flows back from, a large tank uphill from the house. The tank should be at least 22 feet higher than the point of use, to get 10 pounds or more water pressure (2.3 feet elevation per pound of pressure). It should be buried to keep cool and avoid freezing. There was no hill above us to site a tank so we put four 100 gallon tanks at the highest heated level (4th floor) of our…
- Home Goods
- AppliancesThere are important factors to consider when selecting appliances for solar power electric off the grid homes.The best appliances help reduce your solar panel system needs. It also helps to not have any major electric heating or cooling appliances. Read More Electric heat, electric hot water, electric cook stove, electric heated clothes dryer, and air conditioners account for 80 percent of typical monthly utility bills. It is absolutely not practical to operate these major appliances with electricity. They use from 20 to 100 times the power your TV uses. Other fuels produce heat at much lower cost. Use wood or propane fueled furnaces, propane cook stoves and water heaters; use gas fired clothes dryers (or just a rope in the sun). Backwoods Solar Can Help If you need assistance determining your solar power electric off the grid appliance needs, what would work best for your system, or want some insight to what other solar homeowners use, see our Learning Center, which is full of information and shared knowledge. Backwoods Solar can help.
- LightingLighting for Off the Grid Homes LIGHT WITH LESS POWER Photovoltaics solar panels convert just 10% of sunlight’s energy into electricity. Ordinary light bulbs convert only 10% of that electricity back into light (the rest becomes heat in the bulb). Because lighting is a major part of power used in solar homes, special high efficiency bulbs that save 75% of the power are well justified. Read More COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULBS Compact fluorescent bulbs make far less heat and more light. Using one fourth the power of ordinary bulbs, a 15 watt CF has the brightness of a 60 watt incandescent. It runs 4 times as long on the same power. They give the same soft white light and should last as long as 6 ordinary bulbs. The cost of these lamps is much less than adding extra solar modules to run low cost incandescent bulbs. Backwoods sells compact fluorescents that have electronic ballasts which are silent, have no flicker, and no PCB oil in contrast to heavier low cost magnetic ballast sold in stores. Only electronic ballasts will start a Trace inverter that is idling in search mode. Dimmer switches work only with fluorescents specified for dimming, and usually need…
- Off Grid Home GoodsThere are quite a few options available for using both non-electric appliances and/or DC appliances in your home to further reduce your energy needs without giving up conveniences. Read More Our inverter section explains that often AC power is more practical than DC when you are using lower cost quality appliances and conventional wiring. There are important exceptions where special DC powered appliances can save lots of energy, money and/or avoid technical problems. Special DC designs of evaporative coolers, refrigerators, water pumps, fans, bed-warmers, plus re-chargers for shavers, flashlights, and cordless tools all use much less power. AC electric blankets use 200 watts; DC bed warmers use under 60 watts and avoid questionable AC magnetic field exposure. DC fans and evaporative coolers use less power than AC fans and don’t hum. DC powered pumps use less than 25% power per gallon, pumping slowly with low wattage, and do not monopolize your inverter at unpredictable times. Advantages and disadvantages of AC and DC pumps are explained in the pump introduction pages. Some devices must be on duty 24 hours a day. Motion sensing lights, telephone message machines and cordless phones, timers, intercoms, cell phones, and smoke alarms all need a trickle…
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BACKWOODS SOLAR – 2020 EDITION – A MUST-HAVE PRODUCT INFORMATION & REFERENCE GUIDE
The Backwoods Solar Planning Guide & Catalog is not only a comprehensive guide to our products and services, it’s a handy reference tool and an incredible resource for anyone interested in off-grid home solar, micro-hydro, and wind power systems. You’ll find detailed product information, as well as design, technical planning, educational and reference information for all your questions about renewable off-grid power systems and solar energy. If you have questions, we’ve gathered the answers under one cover. You can always contact us directly, too.
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1589 Rapid Lightning Road
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
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