6V powerpack

[pietka]

I saw a post regarding the inefficiencies of changes of voltages! This got me thinking I dont want to be wasting valuable energy that i have generated! so i started thinking about my electronics and keeping them going in times where theres blackouts, complete SHTF where a lil music on the Ipod could take you away from reality for a bit or just out and about!

Im using a 6V sealed lead acid battery in a simple circuit with a usb hub to charge my gadgets via thier leads! I have a 15W solar panel from maplins that has 12, 6 and 3 volt outputs on the charge module! It doesn't charge a 12V battery to well but works on 6V batteries quiet well!

To reduce the voltage from 6V to the 5V used on USB ports i found a Zener Diode on the maplin website. ive got to pick up a USB hub to massacre tomorrow and ill put it all together! Anyone got any ideas or know of any problems i might encounter?

[the-gnole]

How about getting some 6volt lead acid batteries and setting them up for power storage, could be the start of a small solar off grid system

[pietka]

I've got a small 12V system but looking for a more juicy panel or manual option! plus this can travel in the van with me as my 12v socket doesnt work! =)

[southernPrepper]

Zener is a bit primitive. Try a solid state solution with a 1A 5V voltage regulator, from Maplins it's £1.14.

Not sure if you'll be saving any money over just plugging it into to a laptop though.

[pietka]

it was rubbish so instrad its a 12v 7AH sealed lead acid battery with a 12v lighter socket on it! i'll upload a picture later just haven't got my camera!

[Big fat bill]

Is there any update on this topic please ??

This is something I certainly want to try but my version would be a 60 or 120 watt panel and a couple of 12v leisure batteries with a total amp/hr as high as possible.

I left my basic electronics back in my previous brain so can anyone point to a good basic electronics info site please? I remember series doubles volts / same amp and parallel double amps / same volts and the triangle I V R but then it all gets fuzzy... well it was 35 years ago...

Would a volt meter or ameter be a good adition to this set up and if the voltage was to be downgraded to say the 5 volts of a usb socket how do I use the I V R triangle to work out the correct voltage dropper thingy

A second question
I've just found an equation that says power ( watts) = IxE so if I had a 120 w panel and a 12 v battery would that give me 10 amphr ?

[pietka]

I can't do the maths! i'm a sparx but i can't think in 12V i've got 2 60w panel sets from maplins it charges through a 10AH controler and an individual 60W panel set can generate 14A a day! as it is I have one 88AH leisure battery and i run one fridge and all my gadgets off of it! like my power tools bench grinders and pillar drills! i keep meaning to run it down to see how many watt hours i can get! as i doubt it'll reack a kw/h

[Big fat bill]

Thanks Piekta,

Don't run the battery down to far, in fact run it down as little as possible or it will knack it up. Try not to discharge a battery more than 20% and certianly not more than 50%.

[pietka]

nah take it down to 12v which is as far as the inverter goes before screaming! i'm trying to get hold of 12V appliances but not having much luck!

[Big fat bill]

nah take it down to 12v which is as far as the inverter goes before screaming! i'm trying to get hold of 12V appliances but not having much luck!

Isn't it' the ampage that you need to watch? An example I think of os using a battery operated mobillity scooter. If you consitantly discharge the battery to it's max then charge it up fully you might get for arguments sake 100 full charges before the battery is nackered where as if you discharge the battery only to 20% of it's capacity the battery will last for say 1000 ful charges.