Solar Power setup for my shed, Harbor freight solar panels and inverter

This is my solar power setup for my Shed. It is the Harbor freight solar power kit with charge converter. I bought the Chigaco electric 2000/4000 watt inverter also at harbor freight. Its hooked up to 2 Interstate SRM 27B 12 volt deep cycle batteries. I used 2 guage cables I got at autozone and spliced some of them with new terminals. It typically powers 4 45watt light bulbs, but it can power much more. Powers my porter cable 150PSI compressor and all my power tools. Does the trick for what I need. I know the panels are not in the best place possible, but they get many hours of sunlight during the best day light hours.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Solar
• Harbor Freight
• Inverter
• chicago electric
• deep cycle battery

[simplistiksoftware]

Very nice setup. Just an FYI, the panels are too vertical for long term. For winter, your fine but come spring you'll wanna make a mount for them that's parallel with the roof. And one last thing to note the 2k/4k inverter's dead draw (nothing plugged in just ON) is 47 watts. I had that one years ago. Didn't need 2k watts so I went to the smaller 750... Same thing though, Shed solar power.

Very nice. The latest coupon code for $149 is : 31930357 good til 11/27/2011 if you want more online.

[twozeroone201]

@simplistiksoftware: Thanks for the comment! I was wondering about how the panels were mounted. So far that is my only complaint with this system. I would like to have seen the panels come with an adjustable mount, or at least a flat mount system. I had a feeling that the 2000/4000 fan was not going to let me keep it on all the time. Not a problem for what I need it for as I keep it off usually. Someday I will get a 2nd smaller one to power some out door night lights. Does yours have a fan?

[metalmoto]

I have the same inverter. You can open it up and disconnect the fans easily enough, they are connected to the circuit board with tiny plugs. But I woulden't recommend it, if you plan on using it continuously, like with the air compressor. Otherwise it's a good inverter, just turn it off when your not using it.

[Aeronauticalexplorer]

This is a good battery back up system if your power goes out. Hook up a TV and fridge in the shed. lol

[Aeronauticalexplorer]

@dshmechanic You can probably modify it with a thermal switch.

[dshmechanic]

That particular model HF inverter you're using is no good in my book because there is no provision for shutting off those 3 power robbing fans, which run needlessly all the time. Why didn't HF, in their infinite wisdom (or lack thereof), wire them into a thermal switch, so they only kick on when needed? Shame on you HF!

[CoppThomas]

@twozeroone201 Very nice, I have the 750 watt inverter and it does have a fan but it only runs when you have a big load on it otherwise you can't notice it's on

[ispray4u]

like it

[chalkhill714]

Your off to a good start you will find all you need to know on roof mounts here on you tube try the HF 45 watt solar forum lot of good stuff there also good luck

[simplistiksoftware]

@twozeroone201 I have a bunch of inverters. The PowerBright units are thermally controlled fans and the newer Harbor Freight inverters (the red units) are also thermally controlled. I got a couple of passive 100-300w units along with a couple 300w pure sine rosewill (great inverter) - the pure sine is fan but the fan barely turns on with a constant 180w load. I should do a video showing and testing them...

[randacnam7321]

The capacity of a battery bank is measured in ampere hours, not cold cranking amperes. Battery cold cranking current is how much current a battery can supply to a load at low temperatures, and only applies to starting/lighting/ignition batteries.