This is for the power system only. The other items for Haystack have already been purchased, so there's no spending request there, and no vote needed. We are expanding an existing power system. They have an existing battery bank and full solar system. We're mostly adding some panels. I'm not sure what the 24->12 converter is for. I don't have a schematic of their electrical wiring. I suspect the AC->24 converter is so we can interface power from a gasoline generator they have on-site. It's remotely controlled, and can be engaged when the battery bank gets too weak. I'm not sure what the MPPT controller story is. I already asked about this. Thanks for finding the AC->24 converter cheaper. Are any other items here available cheaper? Can you provide bottom-price URLs? I'll work with them to understand the solar system better, make sure we're gonna be running @ 24VDC and that we're doing things sanely. From what I've seen of their engineering + setup, they're competent folks. It would certainly be nice to get a better understanding of the power design these parts will embody. --Bart On 5/3/2014 3:11 PM, Tom Hayward wrote:
To get this straight, this vote is for power systems at Haystack only. HamWAN modems, antennas, mounting hardware, cable, etc., will need another vote. Is this right?
I have moderate experience with solar systems, and some of the line items don't make sense to me.
- What is the Meanwell 24V->12V converter for? The modems run on 24V. What do we need 12V for? - What is the IOTA AC->24V converter for? I thought we didn't have AC at the site. Also, it's available from a seller on Amazon for $150 less than quoted. - Why is there no MPPT charge controller? Or batteries?
Tom KD7LXL
On Sat, May 3, 2014 at 11:43 AM, Bart Kus <me@bartk.us <mailto:me@bartk.us>> wrote:
Hello,
I'd like to propose we allow spending of up to $2k to cover the costs of installing a photovoltaic (solar) power system @ Haystack. The site owner has allowed us to host a site up there as long as it doesn't impact their power budget. The site is not wired to any utility power, and transporting propane to it is expensive. This is a 1-time cost, and the hardware will remain property of the site owner. In exchange they'll be giving us new mounting points for 2 dishes and 2 sectors, which will have a huge impact on coverage and extending the network. Our recurring cost for the site will be $0/mo, which is an ideal long-term arrangement.
Here is a list of the hardware required:
Costs converting 12VDC to 24VDC Item Desc Link Quantity Cost Total 1 24->12VDC MeanwellSD-50B-12 http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Mean-Well/SD-50B-12/?qs=jVZN1Oke4Bx6867a... 1 $51 $51 2 SolarWorld 275 Watt Mono Module http://www.backwoodssolar.com/solarworld-270-watt-mono-module-1359 2 $347 $694 3 30' Cable with Locking MC4 Plugs http://www.backwoodssolar.com/30-cable-w-locking-mc4-plugs 2 $30 $60 4 Midnite AC Din Rail Mount Breaker - 15A & 20A (15A is needed) http://www.backwoodssolar.com/outback-60a-ac-breaker 2 $19 $38 5 Fuse Holder and TWO 60A Class R Fuses http://www.backwoodssolar.com/holder-for-100-amp-fuse 1 $28 $28 6 PV Module Ground Lug/screw/nut http://www.backwoodssolar.com/pv-module-ground-lug-screw-nut 2 $4 $8 7 Battery Interconnect Cable - 24" - 4/0 http://www.backwoodssolar.com/products/batteries-accessories/battery-cables/... 10 $26 $260 7a Battery Interconnect Cable - 24" - 2/0 Local -> Pacific Power Battery (+$5/end to crimp) 10 $10 $100 8 IOTA Battery Charger - 24V 40A - DLS27-40 http://www.backwoodssolar.com/iota-40a-24v-battery-charger 1 $395 $395 9 Tax (.086) Sultan Mailing Address http://dor.wa.gov/docs/forms/excstx/locsalusetx/localslsuseflyer_quarterly.p... 1 $78 $78.24 10 5% for cables/time/mounting etc http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yJZJIOW6lys/Twvf9ylPUGI/AAAAAAAACdk/YEUZm-ZR-QU/s1... 1 $45 $45.49 Grand Total $1,757
In the $2k request, I'm also allowing ~$250 for shipping costs. Solar panels are large. Anything not spent will be returned to the HamWAN budget.
We already have all the other hardware required to deploy the site in-stock. Some of it is already deployed (Haystack-S3), and some is sitting on-site (modems, 1 dish, other sector).
Our present balance is $1,291.04, so we'd be going into debt for this deal.
The other cost of this deal is recognizing the site owner's sponsorship of HamWAN by including their logo in presentations, and offering some man-hours for site maintenance. The big project this summer (aside from this solar system install and the full HamWAN site install) will be helping with installing a grounding system there.
My vote on this deal is: YAY.
--Bart
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