How To Build A Solar Panel - Part 10

[buccofan01]

i taped mine cause the top of the box with the stars might have fallen

[recepturgut02]

I have a really important question. Will this system of yours be enough for a household electricity at full charge? or maybe two of these?

[jasminsanty]

Hi do you have a video that explains how much batteries /inverters you need for a certain wattage?

[max93ct]

sono ottimi questo video..ma una curiosità...come mai si mette il diodo alla fine del collegamento??

[ferestcar]

Excellent video series, thanks a lot!

[ollegunas]

fully detailed step by step.nice vid:-) i like it:-)

[pdjacques]

Awesome video! Just curious, how much more cost effective is this DIY method compared to simply buying a similar solar panel off the internet, or retail? What is the cost savings?

Thanks for making the videos very interesting!

[RobertSmith3]

@pdjacques In my honest opinion, after building a solar panel from scratch and then comparing it to some professional panels, in the long run, the professional panel will be more cost effective. However, if you have all the correct tools, machines, and materials (aluminum for example) to make the panel yourself, you'll save money from what I've seen others do. Ex. Building it completely out of wood like I did will not last as long as if you used aluminum.

[honkydudeman]

DONT USE WOOD ON A SOLAR PANEL?????USE OLD UPVC WINDOWS AS FRAME ?

[DJControllerC]

Another Question: if I am powering one 60 watt light bulb with this set up u have using an 80 watt inverter- would it drain the battery slower than using a 700watt inverter to power just that same 60watt buld an nothing else? In other words in a camping sitiuation is it wise to have a couple inverters of lower and higher watt ratings to suit your needs at the time, example: Use 700watt inverter in daytime powering AC-switch to 80watt inverter at night if just running a 60watt bulb & nothing else

[RobertSmith3]

@DJControllerC The amount of watts that an inverter can handle has nothing to do with how fast your battery will drain. The inverter rated at 700W could just handle more devices plugged into it at once, or can handle a device that needs 700W of power in order to run. You buy the inverter based on how many watts you believe your devices need to run. Doesn't matter if you have a 100W inverter or a 500W inverter, they should have the same effect on the battery..

[DJControllerC]

@RobertSmith3 ok- so the watt rating of the inverter does not determine how fast the battery drains- but does what you plug into the inverter effect the drain? Im assuming it does- in which case a 500watt ac will drain a battery faster than a lightbulb if they were each hooked up to an 800watt inverter seperately. But im also assuming that a 60watt panel in peak sunlight will slow down how fast the bettery drains as it powers a 500watt hm depot AC right?

[RobertSmith3]

@DJControllerC No & Yes. Think of an inverter like a house. You have 1 big house (inverter), or 1 little house (inverter). The big house can fit more ppl into it than the small house can, and if u fill both houses up with ppl, the big house will use more power right? However, let's say we put 1 person in both houses. Both houses will use the same amount of power even though 1 house is bigger than than the other. The big house just offers more power if u need it...

[drockjones1]

hey whats up rob i would like to know what city you in

[Thetrutv]

How many watts is this makeing?

[rgaff357]

Again, Great job young man,Thank you and may God Bless you always

[bearboneskentuck]

A bead of silacon under the plexaglass. As the screws suck down the wood the silacon will seal under the plexaglass

[Razer2k80]

Copy error

[Razer2k80]

Robert you must live close to walmart and lowes LOL

[Razer2k80]

Robert you must live very close to walmart and lowes LOL

[mickcarmel]

great vid will have to make one mick

[mickcarmel]

hi robert great vid thanks will have a go soon at making own

[rasoros]

can you cook a turkey with this machine?

[Iseekoutthetruth]

just some advise robert, you need to switch to led light bulbs they draw very little wattage and have a 10 year life span, you can pick them up at ace hardware, loews or home depot, also you can get them on ebay.

[scmull]

For the most part this series has been awesome, there was one thing that bothered me and that was when you attached the thin slats of wood that made the actual frame it wasn't clear if you used silicone between the plywood and the thin slats

[Martintfre]

I am planning on making my first panel soon and fortunately or unfortunately I will never know how many mistakes you saved me from making ;)

[CTOL1]

Very worthwhile series

[maltikburi2]

Hi Robert

Excellent videos. i just have a little question...When i bought the paint the salesman told me i should repaint the marine plywood in 3 to 4 years time.How am i going to acces the panel without breaking the cells?Is it neccesary?Will the panel get ruined?

PSThis is our first solar project . We are 14yr olds from Malta and have lots of sun:)

Thanks

[RobertSmith3]

Hey maltikburi2,

Thanks for the comment, anyway to your question, different paints have different quality and the length of time that it will last before you need to add a new coat to it will vary.

The sun plays a factor into paint fading off materials in time. Just think of a car. Cars will eventually need a new paint job, but to help make the paint job last longer it's recommended you keep your car waxed.

[TheAksumite]

Hey Mr Smith,I watched all your videos and This one to me seems hard to follow.What exactly was the probelm and why did you add another side frames?And wouldnt they have shadows that block sunlight from the solar panel?

[RobertSmith3]

Hi,

The problem was that, there was not enough pressure around the outter edge of the plexiglass, so I decided it would be easier to just put another layer of side frames which work out fine.

If you have a lot of gaps on your frames like I had at first, the sun/heat will start to open up those gaps allowing air/rain/etc. inside which you do not want. The outside frames was not that high to really block any sunlight that I could be using as well.

[TheAksumite]

Hey, Oh ok I understand. Would you recommend putting the plexiglass between the first woods ?If I dont put the wire mold on it? Can I just nail the plexiglass straight with the plywood ?

[RobertSmith3]

Do you mean somewhat of a sandwich type build where the plexiglass is underneath the first layer of side frames (directly on top of the solar cells) and the side frames on top of the plexiglass?

Or are you saying to get reed of the side frames all together and just have the Plywood(2x4 )>underneath> Solar Cells>underneath> Plexiglass and drill the plexiglass down?

[TheAksumite]

No have the plexiglass underneath the first layer of the side frames. What that be ok ?Also can you do it be possible to just remove the side frames all together and do ass you suggested?

[RobertSmith3]

I'll get back with you on the forum as I believe you opened a thread there about this. I'll create a few designs to see which method you are referring to.

If you want, you can do the same (draw it up in Paint, and upload the image).

[tonymac96]

Again...excellent videos...and surprise me that a young guy like you goes though all this. Wish you the best...maybe you will be the next Donald Trump !!!