Faith Farm

off-grid inverters

{ 11:13, Thursday, December 6, 2007 } { Posted in Solar updates } { 0 comments } { Link }

Choosing the right inverter for your off-grid system can be one of the most difficult decisions to make. there are several ways to go-from the most simple and cheap to highly sophisticated and very expensive. How do they differ? Primarily on how they produce wave forms, in what they can do, and power transformation. There are sine-wave and modified sine-wave. In generic terms it has to do with the waves-there are many things you can do with with modified sine waves ie. run lights, coffee makers, and some power tools. Problems come when you try to run other things such as sewing machines, variable speed drills, and some battery chargers. Computers often wont run well on modified sine waves. First step in deciding on an inverter is determining what you want to do. Often times you will want an inverter to do more than you want to pay for it. Remember an inverter doesn't have to run everything you want it to do at once, it just has to be large enough to run those things that are likely to be running at the same time. Keep in mind that if you are using it to pump water from a well that the start up surge of the well pump will be two to three time as much power as when it is running. My suggestion is to do alot of research first. You don't want to waste money on one if it doesn't do what you want it to. I hope this helps. Blessing to you!

Batteries-Solar Info

{ 07:41, Wednesday, December 5, 2007 } { Posted in Solar updates } { 0 comments } { Link }

Good Morning Everyone! I found a really good article in the Countryside magazine Volume 91 Number 6 Nov/Dec,2007 issue. (Good Magazine if anyone is interested) The title is 'Battery options for your off-grid home'...you can find the article online at http://www.countrysidemag.com/issues/91/91-6/Rex_A_Ewing.html. Now there is alot of options when it comes to batteries for your system..keep in mind that it needs to be a deep-cycle battery and a general rule of thumb is the more it weighs the better the battery. Never let your battery go below 50% and you will increase your batteries life. Now your batteries are going to be an expensive part of your system, so be prepared to pay for what you get. Find the battery you want then shop around. There is some price differences between makers.

Here is a graph that was included in their article:

Have a blessed day!

Solar info

{ 07:32, Sunday, December 2, 2007 } { Posted in Solar updates } { 5 comments } { Link }

Here is a bit of useful info for those who have asked me about Solar info. There is an article in the current issue of Home Power, issue #121, 2007 Solar Panel Buyers Guide,Oct./Nov. issue. that gives definitions and Importance information about just about everything photovoltic. This magazine is usually a bit Techy for me, but this is very useful information that even a beginner can understand. I believe it is still on the shelf, but if not you can go to www.homepower.com and look it up. It helped alot with finding the right panel for us. As we purchase and install our system I will share our story so maybe it might help you in yours. ALWAYS keep in mind we don't know what we are doing! But perhaps our finds and mistakes will help you in choosing the right one for you. I feel like, for alot of people, solar is complicated and seems such a big deal (and it can be), but the way I look at it--if I don't start somewhere,even if it is a small start--I won't ever reach my end goal. Like I have always told everyone when it comes to anything with our homestead--Build it--then make it better. I'm living proof-you don't have to know what your doing to have a homestead, you just have to have the will and determination and ALOT OF PRAYER. Have a blessed day!

Faith Farm

off-grid inverters

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