back to my portable solar grid

panels:


I started out with a handful of USB solar wallets and mini panels, as well as a pair of 100w flexible panels,
which worked okay but weren't able to accomplish much in the way of actual Field Day power support. It did
help get my feet wet though, and I decided to invest further into solar power.

My first major investment was in a set of four 100w flexible panels and a modest size home solar controller,
although I immediately bought another set of four panels before I'd even used the first four at an event.
This proved to be very useful in keeping batteries charged and was put to good use during several events that
followed.

More recently I've purchased another set of 8 panels plus a slightly improved controller. Although more power
would be better, the initial goal of having more panels was intended more to be able to provide solid power
even during overcast or other non-ideal conditions. And although my initial plans were to set up a single
power grid, we've also been experimenting with satelite stations recently, so having two sets of solar power
at separate locations may be a useful option.

I rebuilt the solar combiners into a waterproof design, and am testing some new lightweight solar panel frames
that can be used to adjust panel angle throughout the day, to increase daily solar production.

Another update: I couldn't turn down a really good deal on 8 panels that looked just like my Dokio, but these
turned out to be panels that had a durable plastic over the top, which doubles their weight and makes them less
flexible, but much more durable. They significantly weigh down the 4-panel frames and I've had to split the 8
panels up into two totes to prevent the totes from ripping apart.

After that I purchased another set of 8 Dokio panels ("2024 model") that have fewer cells and are smaller, but are
supposedly the same power output with some new cell chemistry. (I need to test that) They don't fit well into
my solar frames though, and I need to add a couple crossbars to two of the frames to accomodate the new panels.


inventory of 100w panels

2016.06.25 (club solar trailer and a military panel)	2018.06.27 (my first solar panel wired directly to a battery)	2020.06.27 (my first 100w panels and a usb charging wallet)	2021.06.26 (jumped to 8 panels)	2022.01.29 (first Winter Field Day tried to bury my panels)	2022.06.25 (solar panels blooming in the sun)
2022.08.05.1 (conducting tests on the new 16 panel array)	2022.08.05.2 (panels in their transport bags)	2022.09.05 (testing lithium charging in heavy overcast)	2023.01.28 (testing a rushed solar frame)	2023.06.24 frames (mark 2 solar frames bundled for transport)	2023.06.24 (revision 2 solar frames angled for more power)
2024.01.28 (four single solar frames in the overcast)

highest resolution images
last updated 05/20/2025 at 15:51:09 by make_www_index.command version 2025.05.20.B