Green garages
- Thread starter ffjosh
- Start date
HOTFR8
Banned
Solar power should be part of that discussion. I have a UPS system separate from the mains and bigger solar system.
HOTFR8
Banned
What ! You can buy a solar panel very cheap and even some of the Chinese panels are good quality.
I keep eyeballing a diy hybrid air/water solar heater - but can't say as I've gotten anywhere with it - other than accumulating parts for the one day project...
Part of the issue is getting it past the building inspector...
Part of the issue is getting it past the building inspector...
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
"Green" starts with excellent insulation. Build with SIPs. Insulate under the floor even if you don't have radiant heat.
CodyY
Well-known member
Spray foam
Solar panels
Geothermal climate control
LED lighting
All on the plan for my place.
Green? yes.
Preparations for the impending zombie apocalypse? You bet your azz
Solar panels
Geothermal climate control
LED lighting
All on the plan for my place.
Green? yes.
Preparations for the impending zombie apocalypse? You bet your azz
Falcon67
Well-known member
Just bought a book on solar - thinking along those lines. The shop is fed directly off the house meter so I'll be studing the grid tie requirements.
Not much really, just 4600W of PV in the garage on a pallet, in addition to the 4.4kW of PV on the second floor roof.
NEC Article 690. Use whatever edition your AHJ is using, or is planning on changing to if they are considering updating soon.
HOTFR8
Banned
Why not make it stand alone and not tie it to the grid. My smaller system is good if the mains fails even though the bigger system shuts off from the grid in a power failure situation.
bazzateer
Well-known member
I'm thinking about a solar/battery set up in my small garden shed just to provide 12v LED lighting in there.
Cheap solar panel like the ones you put on dash and plug into ciggy lighter socket to trickle charge the car battery. Connect this to a small 12v car/motorbike battery. Connect some 12v LED lights via a switch to the battery.
The garage itself will have mains electric.
Cheap solar panel like the ones you put on dash and plug into ciggy lighter socket to trickle charge the car battery. Connect this to a small 12v car/motorbike battery. Connect some 12v LED lights via a switch to the battery.
The garage itself will have mains electric.
HOTFR8
Banned
You would be better off with a decent panel than one of those small supposedly car charger types. Also a battery tender from the mains would make the battery last much longer. How about a small inverter and then a 240 volt light ?
Playwme
Well-known member
I agree. You'll at least want a decent camping or caravan panel. Especially in Britain. Those small dash top ones will only keep a battery topped up. They'll take forever to actually charge a decent sized battery.
The wife just bought an all in one unit that does what you want for about $40. Has an LED floodlight with motion sensor, built in battery and a solar panel. We got it to put in the chook yard to scare off foxes at night.
The wife just bought an all in one unit that does what you want for about $40. Has an LED floodlight with motion sensor, built in battery and a solar panel. We got it to put in the chook yard to scare off foxes at night.
Or... Just grab a solar led light for 10$ and not have to jerry rig
We've got one of the solar NiMH LED floodlights on our rv - works great... Switch broke - comes on every night at dusk, runs about 14 hours... Still going strong 2years later...
We've got one of the solar NiMH LED floodlights on our rv - works great... Switch broke - comes on every night at dusk, runs about 14 hours... Still going strong 2years later...
bazzateer
Well-known member
Points taken guys but I already have the solar panel, and the led lights. I'm sure I can use a spare light switch I have kicking around, even got plenty of cable. The shed is only 6x4 and is for the garden tools. I hate gardening so I won't go in there often, and when I do I'll only need the light for a couple of minutes while I look for something.
Pointless running mains electric to it. All I'll need to buy is a battery (assuming my biker mate doesn't have one surplus! The couple of minutes of use won't drain the battery much and the several days/weeks inbetween needing it should be enough to keep the battery going.
Pointless running mains electric to it. All I'll need to buy is a battery (assuming my biker mate doesn't have one surplus! The couple of minutes of use won't drain the battery much and the several days/weeks inbetween needing it should be enough to keep the battery going.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
DIY projects like this can be fun, but if you just want to "get'er done" check this web site Mr. Beams.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Geothermal is great but awful expensive to install.
If you decide not go that way, seriously consider a min-split heat pump. There are several different option for the inside half, including ones that heat water for in floor radiant and provide forced air at the same time (different zones).
Nowater
Well-known member
A few points to consider:
1. The power company gives some 60 hertz regulated power that you want to match to make your TV and computer work.
2. If you tie into your house wiring you need a transfer switch to prevent power feeding back into the power company lines when their power goes out. You can kill someone without it.
3. I have not yet seen a case where batteries pay for themselves in the case of houses on the power line grid, but maybe someone can school me on this one.
1. The power company gives some 60 hertz regulated power that you want to match to make your TV and computer work.
2. If you tie into your house wiring you need a transfer switch to prevent power feeding back into the power company lines when their power goes out. You can kill someone without it.
3. I have not yet seen a case where batteries pay for themselves in the case of houses on the power line grid, but maybe someone can school me on this one.
bazzateer
Well-known member
Why would I pay out for those when all I need to buy now is a small 12v battery? I'm cheap, so if it can be done cheap, it will be done cheap!
(Except the gaarge itself of course!)
CodyY
Well-known member
Yup. Lets just say Im getting the "hookup". Its good to know people.
I know a lotta people.