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DIY solar
Topic Started: Feb 24 2012, 09:42 AM (111 Views)
Raven
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http://coloradowindpower.com/page.php?26

A friend sent me this. I thought that it was an interesting idea and easy to do. You couldn't power the farm but you could use it for smaller out of the way stuff.
The truth is not for all men, but only for those that seek it. Ayn Rand
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Mommacat
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That is pretty cool - or warm, as is the intent!! It looks like it would be easy and fairly inexpensive to build. I wasn't quite sure about that fan from the computer though - did he leave it on or take it off? Anyway, it always amazes me with the do-it-yourself stuff people come up with!
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Grizzly
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A new DIY solar idea I thought I'd share for a simple winter project. Some one bought 12 little solar powered sidewalk lights, you know the little plastic things you stick in the ground and put out just enough light to see your walk way. This person cut off the little solar panel on the top of these light units. Then for simplicity he took a muffin pan, one dozen, and cut out the bottom of each cup and siliconed the solar panels in each hole. This made a simple self contained panel. Then soldered the wires together, there is a + and - wire coming off each little solar panel. When these were all connected he claims he was getting 12 volts on a full sunny day. Enough to charge a car battery and only had about $40 invested. There was no more info given but I would add a charge controller cause overcharging is hard on a battery. They might be about $40 for a decent one but if you were in a bind, this would get you by and I would think that this time of year those solar lights would be on sale. They also work for charging a single AA rechargeable battery cause that's what makes the light work at night. Just some low budget energy ideas.
Our ancestors left Europe to get away from this crap...as seen on a bumpersticker fns
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Mommacat
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That's an interesting idea, Grizzly. I have a set of those that I've never taken out of the box - I got them in the fall for real cheap and, at the time I got them, wasn't sure what I would do with them. However, now I think that if the lights go out, I would use them indoors at night for light. You'd be surprised at how much light they throw off when its contained indoors and, in a dire situation, even dim light is better than no light.
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Grizzly
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Yes, I have also heard of some using them indoors for an emergency flashlight. We have 2 or 3 put away some where but maybe I'll look around for more. I don't know if it's just me or have others noticed that lately there don't seem to be any sales on out of season items, at least like they used to. I've been watching some grilling supplies since early last fall and have not seen any sales at all or very small, limited items only.
Our ancestors left Europe to get away from this crap...as seen on a bumpersticker fns
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Mommacat
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No, it isn't just you. Used to be stores would try to move their extra stuff by slashing the price. Now the big stores sell it all as a "lot" to discount chains and foreign buyers, who turn around and sell it at a bit lower prices, but very often we don't even see it. True, the stores will try to move it by putting it on sale, but not nearly for the price cuts they used to - if they sell it as a lot, they get a fixed price and don't have to mess with it - they win, we lose...same as always...
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