Heath Robinson

[andykim]

Has anyone set up a small solar rig just to power the tv and fridge freezer at home, as we are very light users of any type of fuels, we put on a jumper if it gets cold and don't run the heating un nessaseraly unless it's bitter. We could probably get 3 to four panels on our garage roof as the bungalow roof is facing the wrong way .
Just a thought??

 

[Figaro]

I think you'd need some batteries and a 12v tv, but to run a fridge freezer you'd need an inverter.
That starts to add up to a capital investment, it may be worthwhile but needs calculating.
I've thought about it too but with an electric oven and kettle in the house the outlay to power them from solar is considerable I imagine.

 

[Bertilak]

I once saw a youtube thing about a US backwoodsman who ran fridge on solar... but what he did was use a chest freezer which gave him additional insulation with top opening, and he then used the thermostat from a normal fridge. Seemed to work.

 

[MisterB]

It can be done simply enough, but it wouldn't be cost effective. If you wanted to DIY it, you would prob have to remove the electrical items from being connected to the grid, then you could add solar, inverter and batteries to feed that circuit and wouldn't need to gain permission off your network supplier (not the company you pay your electricity bill to). You could buy pre used panels, inverter and even batteries but it would still not be cost effective and you may be be able to supply enough power when there is a lack of enough light being produced by the sun. You might have to supplement the panels by a wind turbine but even then couldn't guarantee 24/7/365.

Re the panels, it's not the number of panels, it's their output that you need to consider older panels provide around 250w, newer ones of similar size can provide up to 400w and are improving in efficiency all the time.

 

[chaser]

I think you'd need some batteries and a 12v tv, but to run a fridge freezer you'd need an inverter.
That starts to add up to a capital investment, it may be worthwhile but needs calculating.
I've thought about it too but with an electric oven and kettle in the house the outlay to power them from solar is considerable I imagine.

Our compressor fridge in the van is near enough full size and runs on 12 volt , no need for an inverter.

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[Figaro]

Our compressor fridge in the van is near enough full size and runs on 12 volt , no need for an inverter.

Would it run a freezer long term though ?

 

[chaser]

Would it run a freezer long term though ?

Don't see why not , it's got a small freezer in it that keeps stuff solid in any heat we have been in but obviously going to struggle in a UK winter but that's going to happen whatever he is running.

 

[EuroTrotters]

It’s simple to do in an off grid installation. Not so easy to add to your existing setup

 

[MisterB]

Don't see why not , it's got a small freezer in it that keeps stuff solid in any heat we have been in but obviously going to struggle in a UK winter but that's going to happen whatever he is running.

So that's another additional cost, which makes it a good concept but still not cost effective, especially as the intent was to reduce expenditure!


It’s simple to do in an off grid installation. Not so easy to add to your existing setup

And not cost effective to save the cost of just running a TV and fridge/freezer !

To the OP - if you're serious about looking how to reduce electricity consumption and reduce bills, then solar panels, a large battery bank, a 5kw + inverter and a cheap night rate tariff, along with a Smart Export Guarantee could reduce your bills significantly and even earn you money in the summer but it comes at a cost! For a DIY system you're looking at @£10k though you could cut those costs down by picking up second hand panels with 20years left on them, an inverter that someone might be swapping out for a bigger one and build your own battery using cells (or a kit) from companies such as Fogstar or going direct to China for the cells or kits?

 

[chaser]

So that's another additional cost, which makes it a good concept but still not cost effective, especially as the intent was to reduce expenditure!

I would think if you have a good solar setup on your van you would only need to connect to that for a TV and fridge, as they work fine in the van why not in the house and at no cost.

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[andykim]

Our compressor fridge in the van is near enough full size and runs on 12 volt , no need for an inverter.

I haven't tried ours on 12v while static, I just put it on gas.

 

[chaser]

I haven't tried ours on 12v while static, I just put it on gas.

That doesn't sound like a compressor fridge, not useually a gas option.

 

[MisterB]

I would think if you have a good solar setup on your van you would only need to connect to that for a TV and fridge, as they work fine in the van why not in the house and at no cost.

But they would still need to buy a compressor fridge .... How many years would it take to cover the cost with fuel savings.
The simple option, in line with your thinking is to move into the van for the whole of summer, which is what we all want to do lol

 

[tonka]

My laymans view..
The issue here is that the two items you mention are not really big power consumers.
Lets take the TV.. Example a 32" LED.. Maybe about 50watts x 10 hours a day (just a guess figure) = 500w
500w x 365 days = 182,500 watts or 182.5 kw
182.5 kw at todays rate of around 30p per kw = £54.75
A small fridge freezer will take more but not massive maybe about 200w but that will turn on and off with a thermostat.
A very very rough calculation of say £200 a year for both items..

So if you have to buy the kit, solar panels, batteries ( as you need power when dark ), Inverter its going to take some time to recoup.

 

[chaser]

My laymans view..
The issue here is that the two items you mention are not really big power consumers.
Lets take the TV.. Example a 32" LED.. Maybe about 50watts x 10 hours a day (just a guess figure) = 500w
500w x 365 days = 182,500 watts or 182.5 kw
182.5 kw at todays rate of around 30p per kw = £54.75
A small fridge freezer will take more but not massive maybe about 200w but that will turn on and off with a thermostat.
A very very rough calculation of say £200 a year for both items..

So if you have to buy the kit, solar panels, batteries ( as you need power when dark ), Inverter its going to take some time to recoup.

That's why I suggested, if wanting to keep costs down, connecting to his van where he has all he needs already, working all day producing electric that is just going to waste.

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[andykim]

My laymans view..
The issue here is that the two items you mention are not really big power consumers.
Lets take the TV.. Example a 32" LED.. Maybe about 50watts x 10 hours a day (just a guess figure) = 500w
500w x 365 days = 182,500 watts or 182.5 kw
182.5 kw at todays rate of around 30p per kw = £54.75
A small fridge freezer will take more but not massive maybe about 200w but that will turn on and off with a thermostat.
A very very rough calculation of say £200 a year for both items..

So if you have to buy the kit, solar panels, batteries ( as you need power when dark ), Inverter its going to take some time to recoup.

I guess that sums it up really, it was just a thought. Cost seems to outweigh the savings.

 

[Figaro]

I guess that sums it up really, it was just a thought. Cost seems to outweigh the savings.

On the face of it, it's appealing but when you look into it, things become more complicated.
My OH runs the TV in the kitchen all day every day whether she's watching it or not (grrr)
I've often thought about a solar / battery to run that. But the cost i think outweighs the savings for a low use item like that. Much more effective would be to turn the bl##dy thing off when not being watched but that argument has been had too many times

 

[SpeedyDux]

On a smaller scale you might use a portable lithium power station, plus folding solar panels that either can be used indoors if you have a large window that gets the sun, or outdoors in the back garden. The payback period could still be quite long.

I have managed to reduce my average 4KWh daily electricity consumption to 3.6KWh by switching stuff off and not using the oven. You don't need a smart meter to save money on energy bills, just common sense.

There was an interesting prog on C4 yesterday about the relative efficiency and running costs of ovens, air fryers, and microwave ovens for cooking. The microwave came out top followed by the air fryer. Ovens are terribly inefficient.

 

[andykim]

On a smaller scale you might use a portable lithium power station, plus folding solar panels that either can be used indoors if you have a large window that gets the sun, or outdoors in the back garden. The payback period could still be quite long.

I have managed to reduce my average 4KWh daily electricity consumption to 3.6KWh by switching stuff off and not using the oven. You don't need a smart meter to save money on energy bills, just common sense.

There was an interesting prog on C4 yesterday about the relative efficiency and running costs of ovens, air fryers, and microwave ovens for cooking. The microwave came out top followed by the air fryer. Ovens are terribly inefficient.

Yes we watched it, we already had a ninja and now we've got a double ninja we haven't used the oven since last Christmas.

 

[chaser]

Really the only way to save a real lot of money on heating and cooking is get yourself an old wood burning Rayburn/aga, in the winter as we have our own wood the cost is nil.
These can be bought for less than £100 on eBay , ours was actually free for the fetching.
Nothing to go wrong apart from a few new bricks occasionally.
Certainly notice a difference in electric in the summer when it's not burning.

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[MisterB]

There was also a TV programme on channel 5 last week looking at solar, batteries etc. Quite informative if you don't understand it all, very much for those who haven't dipped their toe in the water but are considering it.

My soon to be system will be 28.6kw of storage battery (2 at 14.3kw @ £2600 each), a Sunsynk 5kw hybrid inverter @£1000. I already have 4kw of solar under the fit scheme and I am on a dual rate tariff, so I can charge my batteries at a low cost and use the power when electric is dearer.
Very early days yet but on my temp setup of 3kw inverter and 14.3kw of battery, I'm paying peanuts for power and earning from the grid, so it's very much an 'in profit' system. Others on here get much better returns than I do!!

My calculations work out to give a payback time of under 4 years and after that it's money in my pocket , well the wife's really .... but remember I already have the solar panels, so if you need them then it will add to payback time.
Fyi octopus are removing the requirements for solar panels to be fitted by MCiS qualified people, so DIY is now a real option, BUT it MUST be signed off and connected to the grid by a qualified electrician!!

This is mine this morning for info only ... The solar is charging my battery and feeding the house ALL FREE (after the initial cost if course)

Ps I get paid for producing, not for how much I feed in, so I'm getting a payment for production and a payment for 50% of that production as a 'deemed export' whether I export or not, so at the moment they're paying me for not giving them anything!!

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Really the only way to save a real lot of money on heating and cooking is get yourself an old wood burning Rayburn/aga, in the winter as we have our own wood the cost is nil.
These can be bought for less than £100 on eBay , ours was actually free for the fetching.
Nothing to go wrong apart from a few new bricks occasionally.
Certainly notice a difference in electric in the summer when it's not burning.

How big IS your van Mr.chaser to get an Aga in?
Sorry.........I'll get me coat!

 

[andykim]

So that's another additional cost, which makes it a good concept but still not cost effective, especially as the intent was to reduce expenditure!


It’s simple to do in an off grid installation. Not so easy to add to your existing setup

And not cost effective to save the cost of just running a TV and fridge/freezer !

To the OP - if you're serious about looking how to reduce electricity consumption and reduce bills, then solar panels, a large battery bank, a 5kw + inverter and a cheap night rate tariff, along with a Smart Export Guarantee could reduce your bills significantly and even earn you money in the summer but it comes at a cost! For a DIY system you're looking at @£10k though you could cut those costs down by picking up second hand panels with 20years left on them, an inverter that someone might be swapping out for a bigger one and build your own battery using cells (or a kit) from companies such as Fogstar or going direct to China for the cells or kits?

We had full solar at our previous house but didn't really benefit from it as we were out all day but did put the washing machine on timer etc. But we didn't like the house so we moved into a 60s bungalow. I think batteries is definitely the best option.

 

[MisterB]

And further to my previous post, I hate it when this happens

So that's another reason I need to get an additional battery, though it would take me around 400 days like this before I recoup the cost so I reckon 3 years or so ...but after that or if energy prices rise ££££££££

PS the diagram shows I am feeding 2.6kw per hour but only receiving payment for 1.3kw per hour!

 

[Gromett]

Don't see why not , it's got a small freezer in it that keeps stuff solid in any heat we have been in but obviously going to struggle in a UK winter but that's going to happen whatever he is running.

If you have the freezer outside in the garage then if it is really cold the freezer doesn't have to work that hard

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[chaser]

If you have the freezer outside in the garage then if it is really cold the freezer doesn't have to work that hard

You could also have a timer on it so that it didn't run through most of the night, wouldn't be opened so wouldn't take any harm.

 

[chaser]

I think the idea would work for most people who can join a couple of wires together.
I am surprised it isn't more common.
It really bugs me paying for electric when we have loads just going to waste in the vans, although I must admit I hadn't thought of it in this way, I have always tried to think of how you could use it in the van not exporting it to the house.
Got me going now, I shall have to investigate further.

 

[MisterB]

I think the idea would work for most people who can join a couple of wires together.
I am surprised it isn't more common.
It really bugs me paying for electric when we have loads just going to waste in the vans, although I must admit I hadn't thought of it in this way, I have always tried to think of how you could use it in the van not exporting it to the house.
Got me going now, I shall have to investigate further.

The reality is that solar at home is no different to solar on the van in principle. You could easily just pick up a couple of pre used panels @250 w giving 0.5kw per hour of free electricity during the hours of good generation, or get a couple more and there's a KW of power to play with, add a battery of any sort and youve got your own little power station. Just need to convert to DC, plenty of small inverters around .... Just dint connect in any way, shape or form to the grid of course.
Even though it might not work 365 you could possibly get 150+ days out of it ...?

So worth considering....if you can keep start up cost to a minimum..

 

[chaser]

The reality is that solar at home is no different to solar on the van in principle. You could easily just pick up a couple of pre used panels @250 w giving 0.5kw per hour of free electricity during the hours of good generation get a couple more and there's a KW of power to play with, add a battery of any sort and you e got your own little power station. Just need to convert to DC, plenty of small inverters around ....
Even though it might not work 365 you could possibly get 150+ days out of it ...?

So worth considering....if you can keep start up cost to a minimum..

Cost could be almost nothing if you use all the solar stuff you already have.

 

[MisterB]

To AC from DC !!! Wouldn't let me edit

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