Solar Power for your Ham Station AD #52

Can you power your station from the sun? Absolutely! This video explains solar power from the panels and batteries to charge controllers and sizing. Subscribe: / davidcasler . Ask Dave Playlist: goo.gl/inaQeB. Tip Jar: ke0og.net/tip-jar
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[@mywwwow]

WooooW, dear OM, thank you so much for this very good video. ❤ I’m an old man, radio amateur for 50 years and now I like to start my new life travel around the earth, with portable activities like SOTA IOTA POTA ILLW WWFF, etc. So, also with solar power. 😊 73, 55 de Willi, DL9WR ☀️

[@russpeck1320]

Just dipping a toe into the world of solar, David. This video has answered more questions than hours of Internet searching, and your presentation style and video quality are A+ 73, Russ, KG6CLA

[@davecasler]

Thanks!

[@Barracuda48082]

I get queried often on the most economical solar hookup for off grid living quarters but most of those asking have no idea how to ..so with that point, I will share this very informative video to those who need it most. Thanks Dave, you have started a new wave of living . 73, Gary Kb8qlz.

[@Barracuda48082]

I have been looking into solar for two reasons: 1) quiet home emergency backup lights, medical and gas heat fan, and battery charging station. 2) Radio shack communication backup or standby with minimal led cfl type lighting. Centralized wall mounted led sconces @ 3500k brightness will illuminate more rooms and save energy. Kevin, Kb9rlw has been powering his needs with 200 watt set up and, so far, so good, but in the desert. This episode has given me more light to my set up. Thanks for your expertise.. Happy holidays to yours from mine in Mi. 73, Kb8qlz Gary

[@mdouble100]

Excellent video, nicely done and comprehensive. I have 16 solar panels on my roof 8 460 Amp Hour deep cycle lead acid batteries in a bank connected via two charge controllers and an inverter. I power some of my house but not everything. All the points you've made are critically important for those considering using solar to power a HAM shack or anything else. My advice is to take care and buy tested and true quality components for the system. Spend the extra time to research every product carefully before putting it in your system. When it comes to solar systems quality really does matter. Clean power from a pure sine wave inverter is especially important. Be always aware of the negative impact of both heat can cold on your overall system. In summer heat can play havoc with roof mounted solar panels causing incoming voltages to drop. In winter cold panels will produce much more power and may create an overcharge situation unless the charge controllers are up to the job of controlling the power. The time and effort you put into designing and installing your system will pay back many times over, especially if you are dependent on solar. PS: A back up generator is a really good idea for winter months.

[@vetham100]

Thank you for your comment, i don't have a solar panel yet but i do want to get something for my ham gear for portable ops. 73 from VE3QJ

[@barndweller4573]

I have been running solar for a few years now out here in my barn. I started witht he few 12 volt panels then went with the 250 wall 36 volt panels. For the charging side if you run the panels (the same panels) in series and get the voltage up there is less need for the more expensive heaver wire. My batteries are about 50 feet from my man cave / shack and even with 2 runs of #6 wire on each side I needed to get on the the MFJ power boosters you spoke of. My Flex 6300 did not like the voltage dipping under 12 volts on transmit. My bank is 4 sets of 2 each 120 Amp Hour 6 volt golf cart batteries, I run the rigs (1 HF and 3 vhf) usually until 2 am every day and have never had a time when I run down to 12 volts at rest. I will never take mine under 12 volts the batteries are the most expensive part of my setup! Another nice video, THANKS

[@neubert500]

I realize that this is an older video BUT it is still excellent in explaining solar! When will you look at doing an update?

[@buckeye5704]

When you mentioned the voltage booster (for 13.8 VDC) my AHA light came on. My new (to me) KW TS 440S/AT will be happy now. I will be at least partially OTG after the house is livable and fully OTG in a camper for most of the summer. I've been mulling ideas to get a temp shack going and now I know how to make it work. Thanks Dave!

[@WR3ND]

I have a 200W (rated) panel set and a 1024WH LiFePO4 power station (Anker 555). It works pretty well for me, and is portable when needed. 👍

[@crazybikerfromtx]

Thank you for all this information. I am beginning to construct a solar system to power my shack and this video gave me a lot of insight as to what this endeavor will entail. I'm a new ham and have gleaned much from your videos. Thanks again!

[@larrynix8592]

Thanks for the excellent information Dave. I have wanted to set up solar for a while. I've moved to the rainy west coast but as all I want is a back up system solar should be just fine. I don't expect snow to be much of a problem (past winter excluded) but algae will be something to keep on top of. This video certainly answered a lot of questions. 73 Larry VE7VJ

[@joeframo3347]

Hello Uncle Dave love your presentation did you such a great job on KZbin I fine so many things that you talk about interesting and educational iLearn a good bit from you through the two years I've been watching you thanks again your best friend in Atlanta Georgia

[@hunkychunky27]

Dave!!! Thank you for your videos! You and Michael Burnette of "The fast track series" are my go to guys. This video could not have come at a better time as I'm setting up a solar powered "go box". I've only had my ticket for about two months and I am having a blast? Thank you Dave.

[@txrick4879]

Glad I found your vid . I am in the process of hooking up a solar powered radio station . 3 panels into 2 deep cycle batteries and was worried about voltage . Good info I can use . Thanks .

[@donaldsmith3048]

Wow how things have changed! New Lifepo4 batteries are lighter and last longer than lead acid battery and can give more power for size. Must have change controller! They can't take a joke! Over charge or over discharge can damage them, but this is true for all batteries. Just that the charge and discharge curve is different. They still give 12 volts when down to 15%, but start dropping fast after this. So you can get more out of them but need to be sure you don't take them to low. Keep in there large sweet zone they can last for 10 - 20 years some have 10 year warranty!

[@jagardina]

Good video. Very comprehensive. I'm embarking on a solar project soon but will use lithium ion instead of the lead-acid tech. I've seen comparisons and in the long run the lithiums last much longer and over time end up being much cheaper than AGM.

[@markvylonis]

My head is spinning ! Dave must be an electrical engineer. I do like his info though, very thorough.

[@bobowzki]

Great video!! High quality content, clear and not dumbed down or full of dogma.

[@lenperkins5724]

Len AD8FK Thank you for another great helpful presentation

[@robstegura3134]

KE8GBZ here thanks for the great info on solar. I have been thinking about doing this, now I have some good basic info. thanks again Dave 73

[@francismcclaughry3794]

I have several cheap inverters. I was under the assumption that they were not good for radio''s I thought they were square wave. I even have one that is three thousands watts. I would love to have a pure sign wave converter for my radios.

[@CroakerOutdoors]

This was an outstanding overview of solar of which I am getting into myself. Thank you and happy holidays!

[@k5wxp22]

Thanks for the video, Dave! You and answered a lot of questions that aren't normally covered.

[@rickscott5725]

One thumbs up isn't enough. Excellent overview!

[@francismcclaughry3794]

dave I had a two 12 volt deep cycle batteries . I had a forty five volt Marine inverter . it worked just fine for awhile ,but like you sasi. Iet the voltage in the battery below fifty percent.

[@oxfd611]

I have an idea for a topic. types of systems someone can use and set up when they live in a small rental apartment.

[@davecasler]

Thanks for the idea. I'll add it to the list. 73, Dave

[@raycodes7393]

I need this. I want to raise antenna from my balcony but the roof extends 3 feet past the balcony and I'm wondering if I should make a pipe platform would do.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Dave, This August will be one year that I had Solar City install a 4Kw (15 panels) system on my roof. I just returned to the hobby and did not have a station up and running before the install was started. I had read articles about RFI from solar panels, but had no way to know if I was going to have that problem. Now that my station is operational, I do have periods of interference mostly on 20m. Need to get a portable receiver to go scout out where the interference may lie. 73 WB3BJU

[@davecasler]

The issue with the panels, or more accurately, the associated switching power inverters and whatnot, is the harmonics from the square-wave switching transistors. This would probably manifest itself as buzzing at multiples of the switching frequency, usually about 50 kHz or so (at least in the past), and would tend to die down as the frequency went up. If you can correlate your interference with the activity of the panels, then ferrite chokes on the cables will help. Hope that helps! 73, Dave

[@axisnetworkinc2577]

Thanks Dave, I know a lot more today than I did yesterday.

[@mikebavoso26]

Thank you, I am a little late viewing your video, but you did a wonderful job.

[@francismcclaughry3794]

I have a forty watt set of harbor frieght and a hundred wttr pannel from there, now i have to figure out a set up a pannell

[@RedNeckSurgeyTech]

Now about 75 cents a watt. I have a small 200 amp hour set up that runs everything in my shack (computers lights radios) unless I use my amp.

[@richlovin2173]

Great presentation. Since it has been 4 years, how about an update?

[@worksmartpaul]

Excellent description Dave!

[@garrysekelli6776]

Is an inverter like the opposite of a mercury arc rectifier?

[@user-ij9xi5ey9j]

can a 12v car battery be used if configured in some way I understand its design for a higher discharge for short period of time its that I have 5 car batteries just laying around can you slow down the discharge to extend the life I can repair the car batteries if they wont last as long I just see buying a deep cycle battery as an extra cost but im sure it would be easy to go that route I don't mind doing more work

[@dave_dennis]

Very comprehensive. Thanks Dave From N5BOC

[@vetham100]

Thank you for your in depth presentation. I have learned a lot!

[@ClickinChicken]

Boy, you know a lot of stuff Mr. Casler.

[@aaronfultz6653]

Hi Dave, im confused about something. I have a 300w solar charge controller. My 150 w solar panel puts out 18 volts. My controller says it needs 20-50 volts input to work. Do I have the wrong controller?

[@amudlifecrisis]

Another great video Dave. Thanks

[@Jason-jd1jv]

I'd like to see a video about D-Star, System Fusion and other proprietary digital modes. Do you ever use any of them and if so, do you have radios specifically for them or was it an afterthought after purchasing a radio with one of these capabilities? I'm also curious if one is better than another or, more to the point, does one have more limitations than another? This may be a subject that is too broad in scope for a video and then again, it may be much simpler than I thought. I'm thinking of upgrading radios and I'm just wondering if any of this is something I might base a decision on or simply not worry about it.

[@davecasler]

Jason, there are proprietary systems competing with each other. We have no digital voice repeaters here on Colorado's western slope, so I don't have much wisdom to offer. I suggest asking your local club members, as they may have a favorite that's most common in your area. Good luck! 73, Dave, KEØOG

[@sammas7440]

I just installed two 100 watt panels (full sun in SoCal all day at a 34deg angle to the South), 40 amp MPPT charge controller, and 200ah LiFePo4 battery and a 3k sine wave inverter. I connected my IC706 to the Load Output of the charge controller (mfg said the output is rated for 40 amps). Is this ok, or should I connect the radio to the battery terms? What is the best practice to ground this setup. Currently, I have a 8' copper rod (a couple feet from my shack) into the ground, with a AWG2 to a good commercial quality buss bar in my shack. Along with my tuner and radio, do I ground the neg term of battery to the buss bar? Do I ground anything else in the to the common buss bar? Do I ground my Hustler 5-BTV to the ground rod?

[@tanmaysamajder3358]

Is it possible to start a CB radio with 12V AGM motorbike battery?

[@stephenwilliams5201]

The inverter is a waste full middle man. So better control is given with the "bum" in the middle gone. However charging a drill or or portable equipment I have a 50 watters. But it's got filters on the power lines. Emergency power fed to a converter or direct via car, windmill, or coper/aluminum. Power cells. Can help. Oh try" double sun" that is to say finding a junk mirror, Or buying a cheep one at Walmart to shine on solar cell helps. Tks for your show De kv4li

[@leos9865]

Mr Dave. I see that your batteries are 6 volt not 12 volt. Is there a reason for that?.

[@TheOpenAirGarage]

Awesome video. Quite a bit of usable information to digest!! Thank you and 73

[@A54729]

You are amazing! Thank you so much for making this!

[@A54729]

@@davidjames1684 get bent

[@John-uj9zy]

I needed to get a deep cycle for a boat. Why fork out the money for a power supply when I can use the same marine deep cycle for my base radio?

[@paulplack490]

If you don't mind carrying it back and forth, this is a great idea. It also solves the issue of keeping the battery happy during winter storage.

[@Larry-vk8yk]

Another informative video Thanks, Dave

[@ths3900]

Some time I would like to see you do a Field day Training video for First Timers. Target FM users that are new to SSB.

[@Jimwill01]

A question that is bit late - but I guess better late than never! I have a 12 volt 45 watt system that consists of 3 panels (15 watts each) that I have run through an MPPT charge controller. Recently I was given two 24 volt panels with higher wattage. Can I connect two of the 12 volt panels in series and parallel them with the 24 volt panels? I have read else where that the panels should be "matched" so that is why I'm wondering. Oh, and I have always ran all my ham gear (Icom IC718 and Alinco 2 meter)from solar, only problem was when the "deep cycle" battery developed an internal short.

[@davecasler]

If the two 12v panels are the same size, then yes, connect them in series and then in parallel to your 24v batteries. I'm assuming the panels are relatively new, like in the past 10 years or so.

[@graplingurty]

Good Video

[@stevepatterson2290]

So what is the difference between solar and a normal power supply ? I understand if you have a 12v cabin out somewhere , but wouldn’t it be easier just to use a power supply ?

[@davecasler]

Solar is fun to tinker with on its own. One nice advantage is if the power goes out, I stay on the air.

[@stevepatterson2290]

@@davecasler if the power goes out then i will hook up my 12 amHr battery that i use for portable use

[@greglawrencemusic]

​@@stevepatterson2290 And when your portable power supply drains, Dave will get more energy from the sun and you will be left holding an AC plug.

[@CraigMullins1]

How do you determine what inverters are the cheapie sine wavs ones vs ones that can handle motors and what not?

[@davecasler]

I did quite a bit of digging at one point, and the most interesting page was this: www.samlexamerica.com/products/SubCategory.aspx?cid=S7. Note especially the SA series toward the bottom, designed specifically to handle reactive power. The next time I need an inverter, I'll get one of those. 73, Dave

[@raykiii]

Great Info, Dave.

[@calvinhart6793]

Any problems with the antenna interference on the solar panels? My idea is a mobile mechanics rig with a solar power system on the roof. Can I also mount my antenna up there with about 2500-3500 watts? Or is this idea gunna fry something.

[@davecasler]

I've not seen damage to solar panels from ham radio. Of course our maximum allowed power is 1500 watts PEP.

[@calvinhart6793]

@@davecasler Thanks buddy, I'm new at radio's cbs sound easy, and what I know as skip sounds fun. Any info you care to share would be welcome. It'll be installed on a 16' uhaul truck, with the grandma's attic. It'll be attached to a 1200ah/12v system which will be the power supply for a mechanic shop in the back. I'm hoping to have a radio in the cab for on the road, and another in the back for skip. I like the look of dual whips, so 2 antennas are not a problem. Just looking for knowledge, so I don't fry anything or break any laws. Care to educate a pup?

[@paula5482]

Nice video! Do you keep your batteries outside or in the house? I am in Phoenix, and concerned about leaving the batteries outside in very hot temperatures. But also concerned about keeping the batteries indoors as well?

[@davecasler]

+Pow Avo Mine are in the house. They're sealed AGM lead-acid units. I have an additional "repeater" flooded lead acid battery in my shack, also indoors.

[@VanishingNomad]

I have a UPS for a computer. It throws out a surprisingly large amount of HF interference. It sounds like a pulsating "Buzz" sound. I don't know if this is the inverter, or the charge controller. When I start moving into solar, how do I know which Charge Controllers and Inverters are going to not cause this kind of interference on my station?

[@davecasler]

This is an ongoing issue, as noted in a recent QST article. So far as I know, there's no "safe" list. As I mentioned, I did have to take one inverter out of service because it created RF noise. I wish the ARRL tested inverters and charge controllers! 73, Dave

[@paulrichards2365]

I used to teach this stuff years ago and can't remember a thing about it :(

[@stephenwilliams5201]

You bet. My house has been on solar from 2005.. lights, fans, tv, and ham equipment. Got to admit the shack home look's like the iss. panels every where.. kv4li

[@matthewmiller6068]

For your batteries, do you fuse the batteries separately (in case one malfunctions - I had a cell go bad in my car battery and assume it could on a standalone system) or just fuse the bank of batteries from the main feed? Also, how do you tell the real MPPT controllers and real Pure Sine inverters from fakes? I have had a couple of the inverters that said "sine wave" but when I got hold of a scope it was a series of square steps.

[@davecasler]

I fuse the battery bank. That's the way I've always seen it done. Because of the safety issue here, I'll caveat this that you should do what a solar-qualified electrician says. Regarding the MPPT trackers, I think there are no guarantees if buying on eBay or Amazon from abroad. I'd suggest sticking with vendors such as Samlex that already have an established reputation. That said, my inexpensive little charge controller for my 24v battery works beautifully! 73, Dave, KEØOG

[@MadDawg91108]

Great video....very informative.

[@bobbader4789]

Can I run a mobile CB Radio with just a solar panel and a battery?

[@davecasler]

yes

[@bobbader4789]

@@davecasler would I want to have anything connected to the battery to show battery strength?

[@davecasler]

@@bobbader4789 A voltmeter. Don't let the battery discharge below 12 volts, assuming lead acid. This is an old video, and so it doesn't describe lithium batteries--a whole 'nother subject!

[@cfjruth]

I've heard that operating solar systems can present challenges for grounding, especially in upper-level apartments. Can someone living in such a place still use a solar system?

[@davecasler]

I would think so, with some experimentation.

[@cfjruth]

David Casler Okay, thanks. I'd love to set something like that up.

[@howardlee259]

Thanks David, you have given me some food for thought. solar powered man cave.

[@bradleymorgan8223]

Has anybody tried using 2 batteries in series with a regulator to hold 13.8v even as the batteries discharge?

[@bobn6rlg689]

Another great video, Dave. Wish I had half your brains. Might you tell me the title of the book that shows the charts you are pointing to at about the 8:50 mark of the video. I’d love to get my hands on a copy. Thanks!

[@davecasler]

It's from an article I wrote in the April 1996 QST.

[@bobn6rlg689]

Thank you, Dave. Found it.

[@geraldgraff257]

well done!

[@clems6989]

AL7EM have a youtube channel ?

[@conradscheepers9218]

good day David Thanks for your good help with all you wonderful videos especially for new Ham's like me if i may make a video request i really want to know how a counterpoise work Thanks ZS6CSV South Africa

[@davecasler]

Thanks for the suggested topic. I've added it to the list. 73, Dave

[@davegeorge7094]

Insert a schottky diode inside each panels elec. junc. box so parallel panel don't fight each other. Yes that sounds funny but it increased my power to the MPPT buck converter/charger. Don't use regular common deep cycle batteries. Lowest cost good battery is 2, 6volt Trojan T-105RE for aprox 300

[@davecasler]

The Trojans sound like golf cart batteries--these are good batteries for a solar-powered system. BTW, most panels these days are set up to prevent current backflow.

[@lyfandeth]

Here's a funny thing, Dave. You actually should not charge your batteries with DC. It forms microbubbles on the plates and slows down the charging while cooking the electrolyte. Instead, you can gain 10-15% more efficiency, and reduce boiling, by using pulse width modulated DC. (PWM controller.) Or, better yet, use an MPPT controller, which will give you 10-15% gains and beat what a plain PWM controller will do. Using raw panels, without an MPPT controller, is just using brute force, wasting power, and shortening battery life.

[@davecasler]

The bubbling in lead-acid batteries comes if you charge with too high a sustained voltage. My charge controller is MPPT. Don't connect a solar panel directly to a battery without a charge controller of some sort in place.

[@MichaelLloyd]

Outstanding! One day I'll make my own MPPT controller (and by then something better will be available :) ) 73 NE5U Mike

[@davecasler]

Thanks. Your solar charge controller is rapidly rising to the top of my to do list! 73

[@bobbartholomew1435]

All my Radios operate on 12VDC I have a power supply that goes from 120 VAC to 12 VDC, why can I not use the 12 VDC off my batteries and nor need an inverter ? and skip my power supply. An inverter is not an efferent Method to get 120 VAC I can run LED lighting also

[@davecasler]

A 12v battery that has "rested," meaning hasn't been charged or discharged in several hours will put out 12.7 volts when full, and 12.0 volts when half empty. Unfortunately, that latter voltage is too low for many of today's HF rigs that are used to 13.8 vdc. MFJ and TGelectronics both make battery boosters to get the voltage up to 13.8. I have the TGelectronics one in my station, which runs off batteries.

[@eddy2561]

As always, great stuff Dave!! Have you or are you going to talk about end-fed antennas? Thanks.....ed ~ k6sdw

[@Coffeebreak6329]

Solar is only 14% efficient, and most radios just sip power, why not save all that trouble and just plug it in the wall. No panels, no inverters, no lead acid batteries laying around. No worries about snow covering the panels all the time and trying to shovel them too. We got enough to shovel around here in the winter to keep getting on the roof. Ive done the math and it's WAY cheeper and better, and easier to just plug the radio in and run it.

[@davecasler]

I don't think expense has anything to do with it, though panels are now widely available for around $1/watt. I've explored solar for over 20 years now and find it a cool hobby in its own right. That said, my system is disconnected at the moment.

[@Barkeaters99live]

Upstate, NY... hey that's me 73 - KD2KAK

[@davecasler]

:-) My paternal grandfather was born in Syracuse, and there are still quite a few Caslers there and around Herkimer. In mentioning upstate NY, I was thinking of Poughkeepsie, which I recognize is not upstate NY, but I used to work for IBM and met many IBMers who had worked there. They told me the town only gets about 30 days of sunshine a year. So I probably missed the truly upstate NY climate by a country mile! 73, Dave

[@shannanschisler9577]

I bought instruction from Avasva and I build it very very cheap.

[@originalgrantbob]

I was kind of waiting for Dave to break into song... kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3zOYYKDh818ptU

[@christophercobb5349]

Talking to much show us physically

[@akiddoo8113]

Can you talk without your hands? Too distracting to watch.