In addition to the panels themselves, solar accessories include chargers, batteries, and racking mounts. You can find these accessories in many different places, including Goal Zero. Here are some tips for shopping for solar accessories. Read on to learn more! Listed below are some of the most popular solar accessories:
Portable power
If you are planning to go on a camping trip or other outdoor activities, portable power with solar accessories can help you out. Solar panels are an excellent way to generate power and keep your gear charged. You can also buy solar power boxes from Harbor Freight, which have an incredibly rugged design. You can use these to charge your electronic devices while camping. These devices are made to last for a long time, and they are very quiet.
Many portable power stations feature multiple charging ports and can power a variety of electronic devices. They also store energy efficiently and deliver power safely. Many portable power stations come with built-in digital displays and apps that allow you to manage your energy remotely. Some are even waterproof, making them suitable for a variety of outdoor situations. Regardless of the purpose of your portable power station, make sure you find one that meets your needs. Here are some things to consider when purchasing a portable power station.
Charge controllers
The best way to avoid overcharging your batteries with solar energy is to use a charge controller for solar accessories. The charge controller has a built-in current limit that will prevent overcharging and overheating. An overloaded solar panel is also dangerous because it could catch fire. If you have a solar panel with an overloaded current limit, you should consider purchasing a backup controller instead. You can also install one that has built-in overload protection. Then, you won’t have to worry about overcharging your batteries.
Some charge controllers have a pair of “sense” terminals. These terminals carry very low current, about a tenth of a milliamp or so. When the battery voltage drops below the controller’s set point, the device will stop charging. To avoid overcharging, most charge controllers have inbuilt memory to save various events. If you have a battery with overcharging problems, it’s important to check your controller’s settings to make sure it’s the right one.
Batteries
Using regular batteries for solar accessories will void the warranty of your system, and it can even damage your lighting. A solar light requires a special type of rechargeable battery, such as a NiCd or NiMH. These two types of batteries are designed to operate in a specific way and will deliver a consistent voltage regardless of the rate of discharge. If you choose a regular battery, you can expect the light to flicker or shut off abruptly.
There are a variety of solar batteries available. Lithium iron batteries are the most expensive. However, they are the most efficient, have long life cycles, and require little maintenance. They can also handle higher amperage than lead acid batteries. And since they can recharge more quickly, they are often recommended for residential applications. And although they can be expensive, they are well worth the investment. If you’re looking for solar batteries for your home or business, you’ll be able to find a wide variety of styles and chemistries.
Racking mounts
If you want to mount your solar panels or other accessories, you can choose among many types of racking mounts. Some are designed for flat roofs while others are suitable for ground-mounted installations. IronRidge, a leading manufacturer of solar racking mounts, is one of the best brands to go with. Its XR100 rail system has an 8-foot spanning capacity and is easy to assemble.
It is made of heavy-duty aluminum, and requires no drilling or extra cutting. Some racks come with cap strips that act as clamps. Cap strips help the array to look sleeker. When ordering racks, be sure to specify the thickness of your solar panels. Racking mounts ship via UPS. You can purchase additional rails and clamps for future expansion. They are ideal for use in multi-module mounting applications.
Inverters
Inverters are essential solar accessories, but there are some things you need to know before purchasing one. First, you need to know the size of the cable you’ll need for your inverter. Most of them come with crocodile clips, but larger ones need to be hard-wired to the battery bank. The cable size you need depends on the length of the cable, so use the thickest wire possible in the shortest length. Secondly, you’ll need to install overcurrent protection devices on the cable connection.
Inverters can be either pure or modified sine wave. The former will have the lowest possible harmonic distortion and will produce clean, utility-quality electricity. The latter will prevent glitches and crashes in computer monitors and LED lights. You can even use modified sine wave inverters to power electrical appliances such as laser printers and photocopiers. You’ll need an inverter of the same nominal voltage as your battery bank to ensure that the devices you need to charge run smoothly.
Keyboards
A great way to extend the life of your computer is to buy a keyboard. While some keyboards use batteries to function, many solar keyboards use solar cells to power the keys. The light-powered version features a 600-mAH battery and a wireless connection to your computer. Some solar keyboards have 21 Apple shortcut keys and feature an ergonomic design that prevents wrist sprains. Other solar keyboards feature a built-in microphone and dongles, but are made for Mac users, ensuring that they won’t experience buggy software.
One of the best solar keyboards has a built-in solar panel that allows you to charge it with sunlight or lamplight. Once fully charged, it can function for up to three months without any external power source. These keyboards also have a battery-operated eject key and music controls. These solar keyboards work out of the box, so you don’t need to install any software or drivers. Most solar keyboards are compatible with Windows PC and Mac devices.
