MacBook Solar Powered Laptop System

100% eco-friendly, zero-emissions computing! This is a tour of the solar power system I engineered for charging and powering my Apple MacBook laptop as well as other devices. (Nokia N800 internet tablet, cell phones, lights, etc)

I have employed 12 solar panels wired in parallel developing around 39 watts in the sunshine. The panels are managed by a solar charge controller wired to a 655CCA 12V car battery.

The battery charges all day, then is brought in at night to power & charge my devices. It is capable of charging a completely dead MacBook battery as well as operating the machine under heavy load. A 400 watt DC-AC inverter is used to provide 120VAC. (household current) The inverter is capable of delivering 800 watts for short periods.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• solar
• power
• DIY
• macbook
• sun
• inverter
• 12
• volt
• project
• green
• energy
• zero
• emissions
• gadget
• electronics
• off
• grid
• free
• volkswagen
• vw
• battery
• computer
• kill
• watt
• charge
• controller

[hgallegos915]

Hey im thinking of doing this, but wouldnt it be easier to use a dc charger? or am I wrong? Im new at this.

[zeleftikam]

Yes, a DC charger would be far more efficient. I can't afford one, though. Good luck.

[hellokitty2007]

The inverters are wasting a LOT of power.

[zeleftikam]

I know. This has been discussed before.

[ultima3210]

I use battry mon on my computer and my laptop uses 12 watts at 8 volts. Which translates to 1.5 amps of current. If I use a 100Ah car battery, it would give me roughly 60 hours of emergency laptop time.

[zeleftikam]

Thanks for this important information.

[7501234]

Wait till your outlet has no power...lol

[johnarnetsr]

LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF WASTED MONEY FOR SOLAR PANELS

[grand4theft4auto]

@moguls914 lead acid battery is 98% recyclable

[grand4theft4auto]

@ZX9RinHollywood And you would need a powerful inverter. 12v to 110v and 1000 watts above

[grand4theft4auto]

@ZX9RinHollywood I believe the ac would not last that long... Maybe 1 hour or less ?

[Niandralades1991]

Hi, im working on a college project with Logitech, My project is a Solar powered Remote dock, involving the charging of a logitech harmony remote and incorporating automatic tv on and off functions. What type and size panel would i need to generate the requirements for a remote (they currently are powered on AA Bateries) Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

[ZX9RinHollywood]

Could I power a portable Ait conditioner with this? Uses 900w and 115v. If not what kind of set up would I need?

[eraldorh]

heh, you know the ammount of enegery used in producing that battery far out weighs the ammount your saving.

[gaypotter]

DC to AC then back to DC?? FUCK THAT, buy a seperate charger, smash it up, rip out the bridge rectifier and transformer with your teeth and hook it up directly!!

[queglay]

@ultima3210 a car battery shouldn't be discharged completely. the less its discharged, the longer it will last before it is destroyed. 25-50% discharge is a good rule to run with.

[KyleReidzilla]

Lies, there are still emmisions! The average Macbook user emits 8.6 tonnes of smugness into the atmosphere every year!