Can anyone advise me?

[oldgeezR]

I came across this site, (perhaps in this forum, ??? can't remember,I'm old! :-/ ) http://www.mysolarbackup.com/
Can anyone advise me as to the authenticity of this product?

Thank You

[idris]

It looks good: why not ask BHM directly thru Home Energy Info on side bar? As advertised, there may be better deals and more suited to your requirements offers, but it looks just fine.

[12vman]

I posted about this system before and I'll be dipped if I can find it.. *:P

*Here it is.. http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/yabb/forum.pl?board=ene-solar;action=display;num=1238019505

It's a box with a battery, small charge controller, and an inverter. I'll figure the inverter to be around 600/800 watts with a total "Surge" capability of 1800 watts..

A 75 watt panel with 50' of connecting wire. The panel can produce 6.25 amps during Perfect Conditions. Judging by the size of the box, I'll figure around 75-100 aHr. of battery, probably using several small SLA (sealed lead acid) batteries. (And figuring 25-33% DOD.. Depth of Discharge)

It'll keep you in lights but I wouldn't plan on it to operate a fridge of any size.. (see pic) *LOL..

http://www.mysolarbackup.com/images/refrigerator.jpg

[kawalekm]

It's a nice "small system" but you'd get better value for your money elsewhere. *Their asking price is 1497$! *Ouch! *A similar system at Costco (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11298162&search=solar&Mo=24&cm _re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=m ode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogNa me:BC&Ne=4000000&D=solar&Ntt=solar&No=10&Ntx=mode+ matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1 ) is only 269$ (without the battery).

Add a single deep cycle battery (about 100$) and you would more or less match this system for only about 400$, less than 1/4 their cost. *With that extra 1200$ you could buy more batteries, more panels, more anything else to beef up your own system. *This system is good for people that have no clue of what they're doing and just want to plug it in and walk away. *With just a little more thought, you could walk away with a much more capable system for much less money.
Michael

[oldgeezR]

Thanks to all of you for your extensive input...something seemed "hinkey" about this system, and I don't know enough about Solar Systems as I should, to evaluate it properly...I will steer clear of this company.
Again, Thank You Very Much...you're good people. ;D

[12vman]

If you ever wonder what a system can operate, look at the amount of panel it has. (in watts)

In this case, 75 watts will produce 6.75 amps with good conditions and angled properly. Multiply by 4. (Peak sun time.. 10am 'till 2pm) This will give you 25 aHr. to the battery. The normal losses of the battery (25%) will be gathered before 10am and after 2pm.

The conversion with an inverter to produce 120 v.a.c. from 12 v.d.c. is 10 to 1. For every 120 watts @ 120 v.a.c. (one amp) from a 12 volt battery through an inverter will draw 10 amps from the battery. (A tad more if you figure in inverter losses)

The issue is that you only have 25 aHr. to play with in a 24 hr. period. (Assuming all things perfect.. Yea, right..) You can't forget those cloudy days..

To be safe, I'd figure this system at around 15 aHr. to assure that the battery can at least achieve full charge most every day. That's not much to play with.. :P (Assuming constant usage over a period of time)

The above is a nice little system to keep you with a couple low wattage lamps and a small radio but there ain't no way it's gonna run your standard sized fridge all night or make you coffee in the morning! Buyer Beware.. 8)

IMO.. Don't even mess with any kind of substantial back-up system with any less than 200 watts. If ya do, It'll most likely fail you and this will give you a bad taste of solar power. The facts are the facts.. ;)

[oldgeezR]

12vman...yer a pretty smart feller! :o Why don't I just hire you to do all my solar work for me, and I will sit back and watch. ;)
And thanx for the partial Greek lesson...but my mind only comprehended 1 sixth of what you said at the beginning...thats why we have people like you around, dont you know! ;D I can barley read baby's formula. LOL
Your a cool guy,,,I like ya already. For what I did understand, Thanks so much. Peace Brother.

[12vman]

I try, geezr.. It's the math that scares many away.. :-/

[Southerngirl]

12vman...yer a pretty smart feller! :o Why don't I just hire you to do all my solar work for me, and I will sit back and watch. *;)
And thanx for the partial Greek lesson...but my mind only comprehended 1 sixth of what you said at the beginning...thats why we have people like you around, dont you know! *;D *I can barley read *baby's formula. LOL
Your a cool guy,,,I like ya already. For what I did understand, Thanks so much. Peace Brother.


I have to agree, I enjoyed all the info that 12vman shared with us, but I don't have a CLUE what it meant!!!!! Are you for hire????? :)
This was my question as well about this unit and I was thankful 12vman that you sent me a PM and let me know you were talking about it here. I too thought it was a little costly for as little as it was, thought you could spent that money towards several panels and a bigger system. Just wanted to know what others opinions were on it. Thanks for helping us out! Guess I better do some homework on solar and try to figure it out, my brain is a'smokin' ;)
Southerngirl

[12vman]

When dealing with a solar system, You must change your train of thought..

The power companys don't care what you add (as loads) to your home. They have a great supply and they'll just charge you..

It's kinda the opposite with solar. You are building your own power plant and you must consider any load that you plan to operate. The more loads you have, the more it costs. That's the only thing the two have in common. (But the initial investment is pricey with solar)

With solar, you must plan from the things that you desire to operate and design from there to supply them. With the power company, keep adding them, baby. We'll just keep charging you more each month.. ;D

[Anon001]

Southerngirl,

When 12vman refers to "loads".... a load is basically anything that draws power. A TV is a load. A microwave is a load. An answering machine is a load. A computer is a load... etc.

didn't know if you knew that or not

[STORM_SHADOW]

I can see something like this if you need to work out in the field and want portable power... using drills etc.. but like Paul said in another topic on this, you can build it cheaper. Correct me if I'm wrong.. the specifications on this said it uses the 'modified' sine wave inverter..that's an issue ..yes?

[Naughty_Pines]

I've tried to get 12v to come out here to California to help me set up my solar, I even tried to bribe him with a pizza shop just 4 blocks away. I'm still waiting tho'.

12v is the smartest man I have never met face to face. I would like to set down and do a little brain drain with him. With all of his knowledge it would take a few years to do it.

Jerry

[Anon001]

Correct me if I'm wrong.. the specifications on this said it uses the 'modified' sine wave inverter..that's an issue ..yes?
It used to be an issue, but I don't consider it an issue. I use modified sine wave... they are much cheaper. I run my laptop, tv (rarelywatch), DVD, charge cell phone, printer, answering machine, DSL modem, etc... from a modified sine wave. I think the only time you'll really have a problem is with laser printers.

[12vman]

Things with transformers in them run a little hotter with modified sine waves. Switching power supplies sometimes have issues with them. You're right, Paul.. Not all laser printers like them either..

http://www.solarray.com/TechGuides/Inverters_T.php

Quote..
Potential Problems with Modified-Sine Wave:

radio hum
lines on television screens,

buzzing of fluorescent lights, dimmer switches, and ceiling fans,

malfunctioning of electronic controls,

increased heating of transformers and electric motors,

lowered performance and efficiency and shortened life span of electric motors, etc.

[Anon001]

12vman,
Do you think the brand of modified inverter can also have a bearing. My first inverter caused the lines in the TV. But, I replaced it after it fried in a thunderstorm. The lightning came in through the antenna wire and fed back to the inverter. Anyway, when I replaced that inverter with another modified sine wave, my TV didn't get the white lines. I also don't get any radio hum..... Is it because of the brand or the quality of the radio or is it because the radio is across the room from the inverter? I sure seem to be ignorant even after being on solar for 11 years! lol

[12vman]

Some of the early inverters used a total square wave. The newer ones use the "Modified" square wave..

http://www.solarray.com/Images/ImagesTGuides/Modwave.gif

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/images/eps-gif/SquareWave_700.gif

http://www.genwi.com/play/1110894

[STORM_SHADOW]

After I checked out the product I started researching all the parts... oh heck.. it will still be expensive but almost 1/2 the cost and you can build it better, portable, watertight in Pelican cases. Glad Paul brought that up cause I started making notes at all the websites for future project.