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12v Solar Panel for LED outdoor

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Whiskeymike

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Looking to run a set of LED strip lights from a solar panel for dusk to dawn(or at least 6-7 hours after dusk.

Anyone have panels or a brand they would recommend? Prefer an all in one unit assuming it exists with panel, controller, battery, dusk to dawn options. Want something solid/dependable.
 
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cybrdyke

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I've been using Renogy from Amazon. I know it's entry level, but so am I. I just wanted to put my toe into the water to see if it would work out well. About a year into it, all is well.
CD
 
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99LeCouch

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I don't think all in one solutions like that exist.

Figure out how many amp-hours of energy those string lights will need, and size the system based on that. Your battery size is based off that. Figure out any adverse site characteristics like shading from trees or any other objects will determine the size solar panel needed to charge it. Then upsize the panel if having it run in the winter is important. Much less light energy in the winter than the summer, on the order of 1/2 to 1/3 of what it is during summer.

Not trying to be Buzz Killington here, but there's a bit more necessary than tossing a panel onto the ground and expecting it to reliably charge a battery no matter what.
 
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Whiskeymike

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cybrdyke said:
I've been using Renogy from Amazon. I know it's entry level, but so am I. I just wanted to put my toe into the water to see if it would work out well. About a year into it, all is well.
CD
Click to expand...

Great suggestion, seems like the 50 watt set might work well. It doesn’t seem to have dusk to dawn, so will need to see if I can add that.
 
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Whiskeymike

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99LeCouch said:
I don't think all in one solutions like that exist.

Figure out how many amp-hours of energy those string lights will need, and size the system based on that. Your battery size is based off that. Figure out any adverse site characteristics like shading from trees or any other objects will determine the size solar panel needed to charge it. Then upsize the panel if having it run in the winter is important. Much less light energy in the winter than the summer, on the order of 1/2 to 1/3 of what it is during summer.

Not trying to be Buzz Killington here, but there's a bit more necessary than tossing a panel onto the ground and expecting it to reliably charge a battery no matter what.
Click to expand...

Yea, the strip I’m going to use is about 400ma, so 4000 mah will be plenty and leave a buffer so the battery isn’t completely drained. I believe a 25 watt system would do it. I think the 50 watt above will be more than enough. Just seems like there is likely a unit already out there made for lighting outdoor spaces.
 
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Whiskeymike

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