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I'm using solar to power my aquaponics

 
Posts: 206
Location: Eastern Washington, 8 acres, h. zone 5b
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I've had a few people ask me about off-grid aquaponics and others ask about cheaply powered/cheaply designed aquaponics. I went with a solar rig that I feel meets both requirements.

Here's a post with pics... my solar aquaponics
 
Posts: 33
Location: Costa Rica
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Cool setup you have going here. AP on solar is silly easy and very simple to link up to the other systems on the property that also need power.

J

 
Jeremey Weeks
Posts: 206
Location: Eastern Washington, 8 acres, h. zone 5b
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I agree! I'm building an electric cart right now. I plan on using the AP solar as a charging station for it as well.
 
Jacob Freepons
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Location: Costa Rica
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As a friend of mine would love to point out... Stacking functions...

Have you thought of putting panels on the roof of the cart? I've seen this done with great success on a golf cart.

 
Jeremey Weeks
Posts: 206
Location: Eastern Washington, 8 acres, h. zone 5b
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I've seen it done as well.

My issue is then the solar panel is only used for the cart, as well as the charge controller.

I have two spots on my property where electrical is useful. These are also the places where we park. I'd rather build my infrastructure to support all my devices.

Also, I don't expect the cart to go more than half a mile. I'd consider the panel mount if I was going farther.

I don't see anything wrong with the idea of a panel on the cart. I just look at the planned functions for the cart and don't think it's worth it.
 
Jacob Freepons
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Location: Costa Rica
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You have a great plan. Good luck and thanks for sharing.

 
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Maybe someone can explain where I am going wrong on my solar setup...I've got a 60watt panel, a 750watt inverter and two new deep cell batteries tied in parallel.
I can't even get a light bulb going without the inverter sounding a power failure....not sure what I am doing wrong. Any help would be appreciated.
 
pollinator
Posts: 4096
Location: Kansas Zone 6a
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If they are golf cart batteries, they need to be in series.

If they are 12v marine deep cycles, then I don't know.
 
terry howard
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Actually, I meant they're hooked in series....

now another mystery....I went in to feed my fish this morning and bam..the whole bag of food had just vanished....I had problems with mice getting into my feed bag so I set it up where they couldn't reach it. I am wondering now if a raccoon got in there last night. I live out on an acreage in the middle of nowhere.... Weird.
 
R Scott
pollinator
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Location: Kansas Zone 6a
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A raccoon or possum can both eat more than you think is physically possible. Watch out, they like fish!

We had a problem with them eating the dog food--a single coon can eat more than two 140 lb guard dogs (who were not very good guards against coons).
 
terry howard
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Must've been a coon. I trapped one last year in my yard but I've heard they don't have a keen sense of smell so I am puzzled how or why it would've climbed across and over a water filled system for a sealed bag of fish food...oh well...I'll set up a trap and see if I can catch the thief next time, ha.
 
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