From: muratlanne@gmail.com   
      
   "Bob F"  wrote in message news:sodr9b$v5o$1@dont-email.me...   
      
   On 12/3/2021 10:55 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:   
   > "Bob F"  wrote in message news:sobi1v$1g2$1@dont-email.me...   
   >   
   > Solar alternatives are not cheap or easy.   
   >   
   > -----------------------------   
   > Solar is getting cheaper.   
   > https://hqsolarpower.com/100-watt-12-volt-monocrystalline-sola   
   -panel-kit-w-30a-pwm-charge-controller/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnaeNBhCUAR   
   sABEee8XIIJYAmm3nb252reEibE91XrewQyptgs_ryQYJftgkFa12ENtiZCAaAj6NEALw_wcB   
   >   
   > I paid about the same $120 a few years ago for a 100W panel and a 20A   
   > controller, minus the cables. You still need a battery and probably an   
   > inverter to have 120V AC that will run some but not all equipment. A   
   > laptop with an auto/air power supply can run directly from the battery. I   
   > bought a Bestek 300W true sine inverter for $50 that removes the difficult   
   > question of if the crude output of a modified sine inverter will damage   
   > something, though 300W isn't a lot of power. That makes a small practical   
   > system for around $170 in hardware plus the price of the battery. Without   
   > the inverter it's marginally enough to run my Alpicool C20 as a freezer   
   > all day and maybe all night, with two 12V 18Ah AGM batteries, and it looks   
   > like it could handle the 3x larger T60 fridge + freezer.   
   >   
   > Adding a second $100, 100W solar panel gives a comfortable margin for a   
   > laptop and other small loads. A laptop running Win7 can be set up as a   
   > television so you'd be well equipped for comfortable dry camping. If you   
   > have a larger AC-powered refrigerator you need a true sine inverter that   
   > can deliver its starting surge, perhaps 1000 - 1500W briefly though my two   
   > small fridges each draw less than 100W after the surge.   
   >   
   > A larger system quickly raises the difficulty of making your own heavy   
   > electrical cables. The wire and accessories sold for high power car audio   
   > are somewhat helpful. Otherwise you need heavy duty crimpers for battery   
   > and inverter terminals and the MC4 connectors on solar panels. Don't waste   
   > your time with too-thin wire and its excessive voltage drops.   
   > jsw   
      
      
   And you think this is a solution for an apartment dweller?   
      
   Not that I have any objection about solar. I would do it myself except   
   for all the poplars in the yard south of mine, and the limited southern   
   exposure of my roof.   
   -------------------------   
      
   That's for the reader to decide, based on their individual circumstances. A   
   south facing balcony or patio might make it physically possible if not   
   economically wise. It's quite practical if you have no other source of   
   electricity, i.e. 'dry' camping or a grid outage.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)