IMHO FiT in tariff is one thing, are there any competent and certified installers.

Take a look this article, simple setup yet the systems don't work. Botched projects will cause confidence drop and hinder future adoption of solar systems.

Solar-powered lights at bus stops malfunction soon after being fixed

MORE than 80 solar-powered lights at bus stops in Kajang, Cheras and Semenyih malfunctioned within three months after being installed.
Kajang municipal councillor Eddie Ng said only eight out of the 96 lights were functioning and the rest were not in working condition.
Ng said the lights were installed at the end of 2010 and in less than three months many had malfunctioned.





Dua sen I could probably do a better job DIY the lights than those contractors

Sauce: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file...862&sec=central

My housing area have several solar powered street lights for the community park. Originally installed by the developer, most are functioning 5 years after they're originally installed. Others appear dead, no maintenance probably need to change the bulb or battery.

Has anyone tried to DIY their own solar projects? Share your experience, tips and equipment used.

This post has been edited by aaronpang: Jan 6 2012, 03:15 PM

Hello weikee do you know where to purchase good quality outdoor cables? I've been asking around but most electrical shops don't have what I'm looking for.

Managed to find a battery specialist shop called Volga at Bdr Puteri Puchong. Just picked up 100AH 12V GP brand battery today. Cost RM650

Hello waikee and ozak,

Thanks I'll check out RS and Jalan pasar.

Emailed solarpower-mart but they're out of stock for the 4mm solar cable. Just my luck.

Agreed I drive by the Q-CELL factory every... but cannot buy

In Malaysia 90watt panel already cost RM800+

Just to share here is my project, 2 solar power spotlights for garden. Lighting time from 7PM to 6AM, 11-12 hours.

Components:-

1) 12v SLA Battery 7ah x 3 units (wired in parallel to provide 21ah, to be replaced with 100ah battery)
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=1495775&hl=7ah


10 watt LED spotlight x 2 units (modded to work at 12vdc)


Solar Controller
http://www.mudah.my/SLD+T+Solar+Controller...or-11035638.htm


50watt Solar Panel from Solar Power Mart
http://solarpower-mart.com/yahoo_site_admi...ET.26875342.pdf


Misc Other Items
Outdoor wiring
Panel enclosure box
Crimping pliers and crimp head/lugs
Soldering iron
Shrink tubing/wiring tape
Testpen
------------- dan lain-lain!

I'll post picture of the actual setup later

This post has been edited by aaronpang: Jan 10 2012, 03:14 PM

The LED itself are DC, however spotlight from lighting shops work on 110 to 220vac.

When I open up the spotlight there is a a driver that converts mains AC to DC for the LED.

Replacement battery, single 100wh AGM battery from GP.

I picked it up over the weekend but it's not installed yet. Here is the shop I purchased the battery from:-

Volga Battery Specialist
46, Jalan Puteri 5/8, Bandar Puteri Puchong, Puchong, 47100, Puchong, Selangor
Tel 03-8060 5523
Fax 03-8060 5792
HP 016-927 6188

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Can you help me with this calculation 10wx2x1hr = 20whr.

20whr / 12v = 1.6AH is that correct?

Currently 21AH battery lasts approx 4 hours before lights out, I'm wondering why the battery doesn't last much longer

This post has been edited by aaronpang: Jan 10 2012, 05:35 PM

Thanks ozak for the confirmation, it's likely the controller cut-off preventing batteries from deep discharging.

I'll get a multimeter to verify if battery voltage drops too low.

Nice job re-purposing the solar tanglung lantern, originally what are the lights used for?

Just sharing pictures my installed system, pardon the crappy phone cam pictures.















I didn't know until I collected the battery, it's extremely heavy!


Hope the photos are useful and will motivate others to give solar power a try.

Small scale project like those pictured are easy to setup

This post has been edited by aaronpang: Jan 11 2012, 03:34 PM

Paid RM650 for the GP 100AH battery.

It's a good question, originally I wanted to use a car battery too.

Later I found out flooded lead acid batteries are not suitable for solar applications, same reasons per ozak's reply.

Also if stored in a sealed box, car batteries release flammable gas that can explode.

More info on AGM batteries http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VRLA_battery

In terms of lifespans AGM batteries, have longer lifespans.

Checkout the BMW club forums, AGM batteries last up to 5 years

By comparison Kembara batteries need replacing every 1 to 1.5 years

Source:- http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/show...511-E60-Battery



=====================================

Found more info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead%E2%80%93acid_battery

Starting batteries
Main article: Car battery

Lead acid batteries designed for starting automotive engines are not designed for deep discharge. They have a large number of thin plates designed for maximum surface area, and therefore maximum current output, but which can easily be damaged by deep discharge. Repeated deep discharges will result in capacity loss and ultimately in premature failure, as the electrodes disintegrate due to mechanical stresses that arise from cycling. Starting batteries kept on continuous float charge will have corrosion in the electrodes and result in premature failure. Starting batteries should be kept open circuit but charged regularly (at least once every two weeks) to prevent sulfation.

Starting batteries are lighter weight than deep cycle batteries of the same battery dimensions, because the cell plates do not extend all the way to the bottom of the battery case. This allows loose disintegrated lead to fall off the plates and collect under the cells, to prolong the service life of the battery. If this loose debris rises high enough it can touch the plates and lead to failure of a cell, resulting in loss of battery voltage and capacity.

[edit] Deep cycle batteries
Main article: Deep cycle battery

Specially designed deep-cycle cells are much less susceptible to degradation due to cycling, and are required for applications where the batteries are regularly discharged, such as photovoltaic systems, electric vehicles (forklift, golf cart, electric cars and other) and uninterruptible power supplies. These batteries have thicker plates that can deliver less peak current, but can withstand frequent discharging.[9]

Some batteries are designed as a compromise between starter (high-current) and deep cycle batteries. They are able to be discharged to a greater degree than automotive batteries, but less so than deep cycle batteries. They may be referred to as "Marine/Motorhome" batteries, or "leisure batteries".


This post has been edited by aaronpang: Jan 11 2012, 06:10 PM

Panel is rated at 50watts, originally intended for the 21ah batteries.

I'm going to get a new 90watt or 50watt panel... to pair with the larger battery, haven't decided which yet.

Finally figured out how to use a multimeter this is my first time.

The batteries after a full days charge reads 13.4v at rest. When the batteries are on load its 12.7volts.

Amps pulled by the lights is 1.5amps.

I'll measure the battery voltage in the morning after its powered the lights and switched off.

Wind turbines are interesting, I've researched wind turbines and can honestly say its very challenging!

===========================================================

For all multimeter newbies (like me) the following video is very helpful



This post has been edited by aaronpang: Jan 12 2012, 10:10 PM

On a lighter note....

Human batteries, tried that in the Matrix. Didn't work so well

IMHO wave energy is still in the R&D or early stages of development, would probably be some time before its adopted commercially.

This post has been edited by aaronpang: Jan 12 2012, 10:26 PM

I'm wondering is it a good idea to mix and match solar panels from different manufacturers?

Brake failure happens, during high winds a wind turbines can spin itself to destruction.

Personally I like the look of non-traditional vertical axis wind turbines, they're are less visible and compact. Some are beautiful to look at







I've seen a large vertical axis wind turbine installed at Puchong (not sure of working demo unit) but the turbine is barrel shaped. Will take a picture when I pass by it again.

This post has been edited by aaronpang: Jan 17 2012, 10:44 AM

It's okay all are noob at some point.

Do check my earlier post, got parts from almost everywhere. Place like mudah, solar power mart and LYN have sellers that carry most of the things you need. I also shopped around in places like Jalan Pasar or around my neighborhood hardware store.

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2046166/+160#

Solar power mart is the easiest option because they have complete kits that are plug and play. For myself I decided to build from scratch and learn how to calculate the system size etc.

----------------------------------------------------------

The first step is to decide your system sizing, don't rush into buying anything.

This site is helpful to determine your system sizing:-

http://www.solarelectricityhandbook.com/solarcalculator.aspx

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Added on January 19, 2012, 11:21 amYou might be surprised to learn this, my system with just the main component, solar panels and battery comes up to RM1650.

That is not including the lights, cables, cable lugs, waterproof housing and so many others.

If calculate the cost of each component for 100W Professional Solar Power System Kit, RM1998 is not that expensive.

BTW I have a spare 10watt solar panel and 3 x 7ah batteries for sale. If you want those please message me.

This post has been edited by aaronpang: Jan 19 2012, 11:21 AM

Well it could be chaper if the system is build for sensor based spotlight... if that is what kuluuluk wants.

Since the spotlight's are only switched on for brief periods a smaller system would be cost effective, he probably doesnt need a 50watt system.

I'd reckon he can DIY one for around RM500...