Shopping

So after ordering various parts online and making trips to some local shops we got all the necessary parts to begin building and testing. We were fortunate enough to get lab space at in the Duke engineering buildings so we have plenty of power supplies, multimeters and electrical components. The list below outlines everything that we bought and relevant details.

• DCM0035 Deep Cycle 12 V battery from Interstate Battery. Interestingly, these are the types of batteries used in wheel chairs. Not a bad sign because it means they are built for constant charge and discharge. Cost from a local dealer was $120.57.
• Renogy 100 W monocrystalline PV solar panel from Amazon for $179.99.

                                                 

• CMP12 Solar Autoswitch Panel charge controller, 10 A, 12/24 V from Amazon for $15.

• PWM5 Solar Charge Controller from http://www.256.co.uk for 35.98 GBP. (2 controllers)

 

• MR11-xHP6-DI: 6 High Power LED MR11 Bulb MR11-WWHP6-DI: Warm White from Super Bright LEDs for $14.95.
   
• MR16-xW4W-x: 4 Watt MR16 LED bulb MR16-WW4W-45: Warm White 45 degree from Super Bright LEDs for $14.95.
• Optek LED STRIP, 3 LED, WHITE, 16LM from Element 14 for $3.31.
• DS24 Bridgelux ES RECTANGULAR ARRAY, WARM WHITE, 1200LM from Element 14 for $8.37.
• CREE - LED, PLCC4, WARM WHITE, 304MW, 8.6LM from Element 14 for $2.73. (10 pack)

Two types of solar charge controller were bought to test different aspects of reliability, easy-of-use and efficiency. Also 5 different types of LED lights were bought to test energy use, brightness and again easy-of-use/installation. Blog post to come will discuss the features of each of these items.