Systems
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Lithium vs Alkaline Batteries for Solar: A Detailed Comparison
Lithium and alkaline batteries store and provide power for solar lights, gardens, outdoor solar lighting, and off-grid solar systems. However, they have very different compositions and characteristics, making each better suited for certain uses. In this article, we will compare alkaline and lithium batteries in-depth, looking at aspects like construction, voltage, capacity, performance, cost, and…
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Why Is My Inverter Beeping
The beeping is a way for the inverter to alert you to a problem that needs attention, whether a pure sine wave or a modified sine wave inverter. It can be due to a low battery, an overload condition, a loose connection, or other issues. This guide will discuss the six most common triggers of…
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What Will 100 Watt Solar Panel Run
A 100 watt solar panel can provide power for various small electronic devices and appliances to run but is limited in capacity for larger loads. In this article, we will provide an overview of the power output and capabilities of a standard 100-watt solar panel, including how much energy it can produce per day, what…
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How to Ground an Inverter in an RV
You can ground an RV inverter using the appropriate gauge wire by securely attaching it to the RV chassis. This connection to the RV frame acts as a protective measure against stray currents, ensuring safety and optimal electrical performance. In this article, we will guide you through the details of this process, ensuring your inverter…
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Solar Charge Controller Settings 101: All You Need to Know
To optimize the performance of your solar power system and safeguard the battery bank, it’s crucial to configure the charge controller with the correct settings. While the specific steps vary across different controllers, understanding the fundamental parameters is the key to optimizing any solar charge controller. This article reviews the core concepts you need to…
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What Size Breaker for a Refrigerator
You can easily calculate the circuit breaker size needed for a standard refrigerator by reading the rated current value from the nameplate of your refrigerator and doing some basic calculations to arrive at the size of the breaker. In this guide, we’ll show how you can easily select the correct circuit breaker size for refrigerators…
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How to Test a Solar Panel Without a Multimeter
You can easily test the performance of a solar panel even without a multimeter. It requires a certain level of technical understanding, and the process must be approached carefully to avoid accidental damage or personal injury. But, with the right guide, you will find that it’s not as daunting as it initially appears. In this…
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How to Wire Inverter To RV Breaker Box
Knowing how to wire an inverter to an RV breaker box allows for efficient electrical power utilization when camping or traveling in an RV. Wiring a power inverter to your RV’s breaker box involves creating a connection between your battery bank, inverter, and RV’s breaker panel, often using changeover switches. These switches enable seamless transition…
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How to Reset Renogy Charge Controller?
Resetting your Renogy charge controller can involve either a soft or hard reset. While a soft reset is good enough for minor operational issues, more significant problems require a complete hard or factory reset. In this article, we’ll provide step-by-step guides on performing both resets to keep your solar system operating at peak performance. We…
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Solar Panel Specifications Explained
Solar panels specifications can seem like they are written in another language, but they aren’t that complicated. Not only are the terms easy to understand, but many solar panel specifications allow you to make better decisions for your needs and your home. It is important to understand solar panel specifications for maximizing your return on…
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The 9 Best Solar Charge Controllers in 2023
To compile our list of solar charge controllers, we measured maximum output voltage, maximum input voltage, maximum charge current, and maximum input wattage. But peak conversion efficiency and manageability ultimately separate the best from the rest. A good solar charge controller is typified by high peak conversion efficiency. This is one of the reasons MPPTs…
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MPPT vs PWM – The Difference Explained (With Diagrams)
MPPT charge controllers can harness optimal performance from any solar array under a wide range of conditions, while PWM controllers are limited in their scope of application. Put, against the backdrop of modern solar technology, MPPT charge controllers can do it all while PWM controllers can’t. Check out the difference between MPPT vs. PWM charge…
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10 Best Pure Sine Wave Inverters in 2023
The best pure sine wave inverters are the ones that can keep multiple sensitive electronics charged while protecting them from harm. Other important characteristics of the ideal pure sine inverter are solid warranties. If something goes wrong with the device, size, and weight, that won’t be too cumbersome for the intended use and comes with…
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8 Best Wire Strippers in 2023
A lightweight, versatile wire stripper with a sharp cutting edge and a solid grip is great. However, the best wire strippers stand out largely because of their broad wire gauge range. A versatile wire stripper does more than just wire stripping. Some brands design wire strippers and add extra features such as crimping and cutting.…
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Pure Sine Wave Inverter vs. Modified Sine Wave Models
The main difference between pure sine wave inverter vs. modified sine models is that the pure sine wave inverter outputs closely resemble AC mains power and are suitable for all applications. Whereas, a modified sine wave model is choppy and less stable, and only suitable for more robust devices. The power from any 120 volt…
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Why Do Solar Panels Have a Peak Power?
A peak power rating allows users to estimate optimum performance from Photovoltaic (PV) systems. Still, as we find out below, industry experts tend to take this number with a grain of salt. Peak power for solar panels, rated in kilowatts per hour (kWp), is the maximum energy output that a panel can produce. Datasheet contains…
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5 Best Solar Power Meter in 2023
The best solar power meters measure broad ranges of solar radiant flux, have low measurement resolution, are highly accurate, are cosine corrected, and are easy to carry around in just one hand. Therefore, when you buy a new solar power meter, look out for its measuring range, resolution, range of accuracy, cosine correction, and portability.…
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Solar Combiner Box Wiring Diagram: Essential Installation Roadmaps
If you have a solar combiner box with a confusing or missing wiring diagram, you’ll have to find a better example, seek advice on deciphering it, or even draw one up yourself. We can help you do this by describing the different types of diagrams you may encounter and how to find, read, and understand…
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Solar Panels Series or Parallel: The Evergreen Solar Dilemma
Solar panels series offer good expansion potential and lower cost, parallel connections are less prone to shading issues, while hybrid options combine the best of both worlds. Series connected arrays produce higher voltages and low amperage, allowing for growth and low installation costs. In contrast, parallel wiring models produce low voltages and high amperage and…
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How to Size MPPT Solar Charge Controller Units
So, you think sizing an MPPT charge controller is hard? A job reserved for guys in horn-rimmed glasses and lab coats. Well, think again. Sizing a charge controller actually nowhere near as difficult as you imagine. And we are going to show you how to size MPPT solar charge controller units the easy way! Granted,…
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How to Install a Power Inverter in a Camper
Being able to power a 110v coffee machine in the morning without starting a noisy generator is a great comfort. However, you’ll need an inverter to convert electricity from a 12-volt battery system to 110-volt to enjoy this amenity. Inverter installation is a simple DIY task, but you shouldn’t take anything involving electricity lightly. That’s…
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How to Test Solar Panels – Tools, Terms, and Instructions
Testing solar panels is a fairly straightforward process, requiring few tools and little to no expertise. But one single false step or wrong connection can turn this ostensibly simple task into a stressful ordeal. You can end up damaging your panels, testing devices, or even getting shocked. Therefore, you’ll want to know how to test…
