I am looking for a way to keep electric lawn equipment and other intermittent use items topped off without sucking off of the grid. I do not want a massive system, just one to do the above.

Quote from: Eyesabide on September 28, 2013, 06:35:12 AM
I am looking for a way to keep electric lawn equipment and other intermittent use items topped off without sucking off of the grid. I do not want a massive system, just one to do the above.

Really, do you not read my posts? j/k

Like a 12v DC trickle charge, or an AC output for plug in?

Quote from: Solar on September 28, 2013, 06:40:28 AM
Really, do you not read my posts? j/k

Like a 12v DC trickle charge, or an AC output for plug in?

I think Eyes is looking for something for off the grid.  Not something that will plug into 110 outlet.

Quote from: walkstall on September 28, 2013, 06:50:32 AM
I think Eyes is looking for something for off the grid.  Not something that will plug into 110 outlet.

The cost is about the same with cheap over the counter stuff.
Solar panel, car battery, and a cheap inverter from walmart will give you ac.
That's why I asked whether he wanted AC, or DC.

Many of my lawn tools are AC with DC application, and to charge the battery takes modifications that ruin the warranty, so it's easier to just go AC.

Quote from: Solar on September 28, 2013, 06:56:47 AM
The cost is about the same with cheap over the counter stuff.
Solar panel, car battery, and a cheap inverter from walmart will give you ac.
That's why I asked whether he wanted AC, or DC.

Many of my lawn tools are AC with DC application, and to charge the battery takes modifications that ruin the warranty, so it's easier to just go AC.

Ok I understand now,  I have three inverter in my truck for when I am out in the fields.  For my computer and charging my hand tools if needed.

Solar, I do read your posts! I was just cracking myself up.

I might be buying a residence in southern Florida, but still work on the road so I am not going to be there every night. The house is all electric, and I am not wanting to store even small amounts of fuel there. The yard is about a quarter acre, no vegetable garden yet, so about 8,000 square feet of grass. Small enough for an electric mower. To keep the battery charged and to run a timed security light system, I was thinking a small solar power panel might be mounted to the roof. A neighboring house has a large solar array, but I have not talked to him, or plan to unless I get the house. The House has a shallow slope to its roof, one slope due west, the other due south. Due south is completely clear, 2/3ds of the west view gets no shade for a very large part of the day. Less often I would like to power electric hand tools with it.

Quote from: Eyesabide on September 28, 2013, 02:48:34 PM
Solar, I do read your posts! I was just cracking myself up.

I might be buying a residence in southern Florida, but still work on the road so I am not going to be there every night. The house is all electric, and I am not wanting to store even small amounts of fuel there. The yard is about a quarter acre, no vegetable garden yet, so about 8,000 square feet of grass. Small enough for an electric mower. To keep the battery charged and to run a timed security light system, I was thinking a small solar power panel might be mounted to the roof. A neighboring house has a large solar array, but I have not talked to him, or plan to unless I get the house. The House has a shallow slope to its roof, one slope due west, the other due south. Due south is completely clear, 2/3ds of the west view gets no shade for a very large part of the day. Less often I would like to power electric hand tools with it.

Sounds like a lot of work, but fun work ahead.
Total up your power needs and I'll tell you what you need.
A couple of 100+ watt panels and a small inverter and a cheap charge controller sounds like it might suffice along with a couple of deep cycle batteries, real deep cycle, not simple trolling batteries, but T-105 golf cart style batteries at 6 volt each at $100+ .each, or a comparable battery from Interstate for much less.

The lights will probably draw the most, so go with high output LED light, some even have a built in camera, still pic and video, I got mine at Northern tool for $69.

You can skimp on batteries if you have a couple of car batteries sitting around, but they won't last but a couple years most likely.

So will the two 6 volt batteries when they are set up make it one big 12 volt battery.  Like I did on my 5th wheel?

Quote from: walkstall on September 28, 2013, 03:58:10 PM
So will the two 6 volt batteries when they are set up make it one big 12 volt battery.  Like I did on my 5th wheel?

Yes. He could get one 12 volt, but two 6V will give more amp hr storage.

Quote from: Solar on September 28, 2013, 04:05:21 PM
Yes. He could get one 12 volt, but two 6V will give more amp hr storage.

That is why I change over to two 6 volt on my 5er. 

Quote from: walkstall on September 28, 2013, 04:26:28 PM
That is why I change over to two 6 volt on my 5er.

If you have the clearance, switch to two L-16, Trojan makes the best, but pricey, United has a less expensive version, Trojan will give you 10 years of good storage, two L16 will triple your amp hr rating over the smaller T-105s.

Hers one.