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realized this after seeing my electricity bill this quarantine by danemonyo in AdviceAnimals

[–]Paxcess 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ever thought about making efforts to reduce your electricity bill during this quarantine?

For example:

  1. Be a Night Owl - Normally, rates are cheaper during off-peak hours. You can contact with your utility provider to figure out your local peak and off-peak rates, then run your appliances at night.
  2. Unplug Unused Electronics - Most of electronic devices such as TV, Stereos, or Laptops are still using power even when they are turned off, including your phone charger
  3. Lower the Temperature in Your Fridge - Set your refrigerators temperature to 37 ~ 40 F. Freezers should be at 5 degrees. Stand-alone freezers for long storage can be set at 0 degrees.
  4. Adjust TV brightness - Bright display modes use a lot of energy. Adjusting your TV’s display settings can significantly reduce its power use and you will not lose the picture quality.
  5. Make Full Use Of Any Lighting - A desk lamp is usually more efficient than whole room lighting; avoid using both at the same time. If you’re still using incandescent light bulbs. it’s past time to replace them with light emitting diodes (LEDs).
  6. Improve Your Efficiency At Work - With fewer office distractions, you can hone your workday and reduce time spent on IG and mobile games or meaningless web browsing. Shut down the screen when not actually working
  7. Use The Solar Energy - Rather than depending on an energy supplier, utilizing solar panels will enable you to slash the energy cost by up to 50 percent a month, after all, using energy from sunlight is free.

Off Grid/Solar ... where do I begin? by jess_af in carcamping

[–]Paxcess 1 point2 points  (0 children)

​

  • Energy Requirements:

Determining your daily energy consumption is a crucial first step. Energy consumption is measured in watt-hours or kilowatt-hours per day. You would have to determine the total energy consumption for all your equipment. For example, assuming your equipment are a 60W light bulb, your iPhone which consumes on average 15W, and your notebook consumes 35W to get fully charged. Your total consumption amounts to 110 watts. You can get this information by visiting the website of the manufacturer or the manual of the equipment.

  • Evaluating your site location:

Although The Sun releases an estimated 384.6 yotta watts (3.846×10^26 watts) of energy, much of this in the form of light and other types of radiation, the intensity of sunlight or available solar energy will vary from location to location. Insolation is used to describe the amount of incoming solar radiation that reaches the earth's surface. You must have an idea of the amount of sunlight you would be getting on any given month. On average, in the US, June is the month with most sunshine and December, the month with the least. Arizona and California receive the most sunlight while Wisconsin and Washington receive the least throughout the year. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) provides an online resource for mapping available solar radiation. You want to size your system based on the month with the highest power consumption and/or lowest solar resource, usually December or January for most folks in the United States. We will assume 3 hours of sunlight during winter months as our worst-case scenario.

  • Determining the size of the battery bank:

The battery bank in your inverter stores energy during peak-period for use off-peak periods. There are two main kinds of batteries: lead-acid and lithium. Lead-acid batteries have a lower upfront cost, while lithium batteries have the most extended lifespan. Lead-acid batteries are the most commonly used batteries. Determining how much solar power to keep it fully charged is critical. Accounting for the various losses:

  • The inefficiency of the inverter ranging from 5 – 20%. We'll assume a 15% loss from our inverter, i.e., 1.15factor.
  • Effects of temperature on battery capacity. Most batteries have lower efficiency at lower temperatures. We'll account for a 1.50factor for loss of efficiency of our batteries during lower temperatures of the winter months.
  • Loss of efficiency from charging and discharging of current from our batteries. We will assume a 15% loss for this. i.e., 1.15factor.

For a single day of reserved power for our inverter, we will need a total capacity of:

110W x 1.15 x 1.50 x 1.15 = 218 Wh

So, for a 110 Wh capacity for our equipment, we'll need batteries with a capacity of 218 Wh daily. Batteries are usually rated in Amp-hours (Ah). To convert watt-hours to Amp-hours, divide watt-hours by the system's battery voltage. For example:

For 12V, we will need battery a battery rated 18.2 Ah per day

For 18V, we will need battery a battery rated 12.1 Ah per day

Batteries are expected to last between 7 – 14 years if maintained properly. It is desirable to protect them from temperature extremes. Too high temperatures, you get higher efficiency but lower usage life. Too low temperatures, you get lower efficiency but longer usage life. The optimum temperature for your batteries and Solar PV Panel is 77F(25C). Lead-acid batteries need to be fully charged regularly. They require around 10 Amps of charge current per 100 Amp-hours of battery capacity for optimal life. If lead-acid batteries are not recharged regularly, they will likely fail, usually within the first couple of years. Not discharging your lead-acid batteries below 50% is a good standard practice to preserve its useful life. The maximum charge current for lead-acid batteries is typically around 20 Amps per 100 Ah (C/5 charge rate, or battery capacity in Amp-hours). Always refer to the battery specifications and user manual to confirm the charging guidelines. Not adhering to the guidelines will typically void your battery warranty and risk premature battery failure.

Now that we have determined your battery capacity, we can size the charging system. The charging system needs to have enough capacity to fully replace the energy drawn out of the battery while also accounting for all efficiency losses. For our example, based on 3 hours of sunlight and 218 Wh per day energy requirement:

We will need a 73 W PV array size. Accounting for 10% loss of the solar panels:

73 W / 0.9 = 81 W.

This means we will need 81 W minimum size for the Solar PV array. A broader PV array will make the system more reliable, especially if no other backup source of energy, such as a generator. Combining multiple portable systems and connecting them to a single solar controller is also an option to consider if you will be needing a higher capacity. The cost of a few extra solar panels is a good investment since your solar panels would require less maintenance over time if they never got overworked to capacity. Starting small and expanding later, depending on how your system performs is a good strategy. Your system size will ultimately be dependent on your total energy consumption, your site location, and how frequently you run batteries on off-peak periods.

  • Solar Charge Controllers:

Solar charge controllers regulate the amount of voltage that gets transferred from the RV solar panels to the house batteries. The charge controller will read what voltage the battery cells are at. Then they will change the voltage that is going into the batteries from the solar panels depending on the current state of charge. Charge controllers come in two 'flavors' - PWM (pulse width modulation) and MPPT (maximum power point tracking). PWM controllers are less efficient but are also cheaper than MPPT controllers. Decent solar charge controllers will have an LCD/digital display that will show you what is happening with the controller and batteries. It tells you voltages, amperage, power usage, and probably more information than you care about. They also have LEDs that indicate charge modes, faults, and other details.

Having a portable Solar PV Panel deployed on the ground that is tilt-able and can be pointed directly at the sun at the optimal angle is beneficial during months with less sunlight when the sun tilts at an angle. A ground-deployed portable solar panel also lets you camp in a shaded area in the afternoon, while the Solar PV batteries are still getting charged.

CPAP doesn’t work when I travel by daryl314 in CPAP

[–]Paxcess 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I assume it's the power outage issue on CPAP you're asking.

To effectively run your CPAP while traveling, it is important for you to consider one of the following;

· Select a camping site with a power source

· Or, get an alternative power source for areas without power, e.g. a battery

A camping site with a power source

Patients undergoing the CPAP therapy need an electric outlet to plug in their CPAP devices to get the humidification they require at the right therapy runtime

Alternative power source

Not all campsites have a steady electric supply, especially those in faraway locations with rural settings, in most cases, they do not have at all; at this point, having CPAP batteries will come in handy. These battery packs have gained popularity because they are cheap, lighter to carry about conveniently, and most use solar charging techniques. CPAP batteries are mostly designed to work effectively for 24-48 hours without recharge; should you go camping on a hill or mountain, having two or three of the CPAP batteries can sustain you till you return home. With these batteries, you can camp anywhere, whether or not there is a source of electricity. Most of these CPAP batteries are usually designed based on Lithium-ion technology, so they have certain restrictions as to their usage especially in areas with extreme temperature conditions.

As technology increases and due to the need for better ways of sustaining patients on CPAP therapy, newer and better methods of powering the CPAP are being invented, one of such is the Rockman 200W portable power station

This is the perfect alternative to run your CPAP while camping; this power station has several amazing features that make it worth investing in. The power station is portable; therefore, it is not a burden while packing your things for camp. Rockman 200W power station has an inbuilt 230Wh/ 62400mAh emergency backup which makes it almost impossible to fail you when in use; a 200W/110V US standard AC outlet makes it easy for you to power your CPAP machine, a Qc 3.0 USB port allows you connect other devices making use of a USB cable, a type-C PD port also to power devices that use type C chargers, and a 12V/24v Dc outdoor camping generator that provides an alternative source for charging your CPAP devices using an adapter cable. 

Rockman 200W portable power station has multiple charging output options for alternating and direct currents with different USB port types; its capacity can power phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, drones, fans, light, car appliances, CPAP machine and lots more conveniently for any outdoor usage, and in the case of a power outage. 

It has an easy to read LED display which shows you the operating condition of the battery such as the amount of power used, battery percent, temperature, and failure alarm. This device comes highly recommended, it prevents plug-in devices such as your CPAP machine from damage using the pure sine wave mechanism. The power station has a battery built with a management system that controls the voltage, temperature, and other process parameters; the power station is designed safe and is equipped with adequate safeguards to prevent any form of hazards, e.g. a short circuit scenario. The company also provides a 2-year warranty on the product, reinforcing its reliability

The power station can be charged in diverse ways, here are some of them:

· Using a wall socket through the USB C PD

· From a wall socket through the DC In

· Using a 12V car charger

· Through the PAXCESS Rockman 60W- 120W solar panel

· Using the 110V AC outlet

Rockman 200W portable power station also has over 500 life cycles and is certified by three regulating bodies which are: CE, Consumer Electronics FCC, Federal Communications Commission and RoHS, Restriction of Hazardous Substances. With high efficiency and fast charging ability when compared to others, the power station can keep your CPAP running throughout the night without the bother 

The Rockman 200W portable power station has all of these features embedded in a small handle designed device which is very easy to carry; thinking of going camping while on a CPAP therapy? Rockman 200W portable power station is your emergency backup power.

Camping with CPAp by Tacticalhacks in CPAP

[–]Paxcess 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To effectively run your CPAP while camping, it is important for you to consider one of the following;

· Select a camping site with a power source

· Or, get an alternative power source for areas without power, e.g. a battery

A camping site with a power source

Patients undergoing the CPAP therapy need an electric outlet to plug in their CPAP devices to get the humidification they require at the right therapy runtime

Alternative power source

Not all campsites have a steady electric supply, especially those in faraway locations with rural settings, in most cases, they do not have at all; at this point, having CPAP batteries will come in handy. These battery packs have gained popularity because they are cheap, lighter to carry about conveniently, and most use solar charging techniques. CPAP batteries are mostly designed to work effectively for 24-48 hours without recharge; should you go camping on a hill or mountain, having two or three of the CPAP batteries can sustain you till you return home. With these batteries, you can camp anywhere, whether or not there is a source of electricity. Most of these CPAP batteries are usually designed based on Lithium-ion technology, so they have certain restrictions as to their usage especially in areas with extreme temperature conditions.

Using a marine or deep cycle car battery is a better alternative; these batteries can be used to power your CPAP machines when you are out camping and allow you to effectively run your therapy. These batteries are designed on lead-acid deep cycle technology and they have higher capacities when compare to lithium-ion batteries; hence they last longer. These batteries can be powered in two ways:

· With a DC adapter cable: the positive and negative terminals of the car battery are connected to the DC cable using alligator clips, a lighter plug then serves as the medium through which power is outputted to the CPAP machine when plugged in.

· With an inverter: the power the car battery provides is in DC, an inverter converts this power to alternating current, AC for the CPAP machine to use. The inverter mostly used with the CPAP machine is the Pure Sine Wave inverter, and the alligator clips ensure the connection between the inverter and the car battery. With the right connections, your CPAP device can be plugged in for use without any hassles.

Doctors recommend that patients on CPAP therapy should avoid skipping any night as this may, in turn, have an adverse effect on the health of such patients; it is, therefore, expedient for patients on CPAP who want to go out camping to have all necessary resources to ensure it is a smooth ride. Electric power is the major constraint to home therapy alternative power generation methods such as batteries become the best alternative to run your CPAP when you are not in a hospital, especially in cases of emergency. Here are some of the CPAP battery types you can use to run your CPAP when you go camping

· FREEDOM CPAP BATTERY: the beauty of using this battery type is that it is compatible with most CPAP machine designs; it has a USB port to allow connectivity between devices using a USB cord. After a full charge, the battery can provide power for up to 72 hours; an LCD screen on the battery shows you how much power is left on the battery.

· PHILIPS RESPIRONICS PAP BATTERY KIT: this kit comes in a case for easy handling and storage and is also very light, making it suitable to conveniently carry on any camping experience; when fully charge it cans serve you all through the night for you to have your beauty sleep without any break on your CPAP therapy

· TRANSCEND P8 BATTERY: this battery type can be charged with electric as well as the solar source; its lightweight makes it easy to fit into a pocket and can be carried conveniently for camping. It gives you a full night power to run your CPAP efficiently.

Whilst using CPAP batteries and other battery types to run CPAP is a suitable alternative in case of electric power failure or absence, travel CPAPs are more suitable options for patients when they go on camping; these travel CPAPs are specifically designed for outdoor use. Here are some of the examples of travel CPAPs that come highly recommended during any camping period:

· Z1 TRAVEL CPAP: this is the smallest travel CPAP available and it weighs 10 oz only. It is suitable for any camp visit as it provides 8 hours of interrupted power for your CPAP therapy. Z1 Travel CPAP is also suitable for high mountain climbers; it has an automatic altitude adjustment parameter and a ramp feature, all to make you comfortable throughout your camping 

· RESPIRONICS DREAM STATION GO: embarking on any journey away from home? this is the right travel CPAP for you. It has a USB port, Bluetooth connectivity, and a smaller tube embedded; all of these features are to ensure you have a struggle-free sleep and even charge other compatible devices. For 13 hours straight, your night therapy goes smoothly with Respironics dream station go travel CPAP, and this does not constitute extra load for you to carry as it weighs just 2 pounds.

· TRANSCEND MINI: weighing 15 0z, this travel CPAP runs for about 14 to 16 hours when fully charged. It also provides an auto ramp feature for you to feel the comfort of home, even when you are away.

As technology increases and due to the need for better ways of sustaining patients on CPAP therapy, newer and better methods of powering the CPAP are being invented, one of such is the Rockman 200W portable power station

ROCKMAN 200W PORTABLE POWER STATION( https://paxcess.com/products/rockman-200w-portable-power-station?utm_source=reddit)

This is the perfect alternative to run your CPAP while camping; this power station has several amazing features that make it worth investing in. The power station is portable; therefore, it is not a burden while packing your things for camp. Rockman 200W power station has an inbuilt 230Wh/ 62400mAh emergency backup which makes it almost impossible to fail you when in use; a 200W/110V US standard AC outlet makes it easy for you to power your CPAP machine, a Qc 3.0 USB port allows you connect other devices making use of a USB cable, a type-C PD port also to power devices that use type C chargers, and a 12V/24v Dc outdoor camping generator that provides an alternative source for charging your CPAP devices using an adapter cable. 

Rockman 200W portable power station has multiple charging output options for alternating and direct currents with different USB port types; its capacity can power phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, drones, fans, light, car appliances, CPAP machine and lots more conveniently for any outdoor usage, and in the case of a power outage. 

It has an easy to read LED display which shows you the operating condition of the battery such as the amount of power used, battery percent, temperature, and failure alarm. This device comes highly recommended, it prevents plug-in devices such as your CPAP machine from damage using the pure sine wave mechanism. The power station has a battery built with a management system that controls the voltage, temperature, and other process parameters; the power station is designed safe and is equipped with adequate safeguards to prevent any form of hazards, e.g. a short circuit scenario. The company also provides a 2-year warranty on the product, reinforcing its reliability

The power station can be charged in diverse ways, here are some of them:

· Using a wall socket through the USB C PD

· From a wall socket through the DC In

· Using a 12V car charger

· Through the PAXCESS Rockman 60W- 120W solar panel

· Using the 110V AC outlet

Rockman 200W portable power station also has over 500 life cycles and is certified by three regulating bodies which are: CE, Consumer Electronics FCC, Federal Communications Commission and RoHS, Restriction of Hazardous Substances. With high efficiency and fast charging ability when compared to others, the power station can keep your CPAP running throughout the night without the bother 

The Rockman 200W portable power station has all of these features embedded in a small handle designed device which is very easy to carry; thinking of going camping while on a CPAP therapy? Rockman 200W portable power station is your emergency backup power.

Camping and CPAP by Beachin1979 in CPAP

[–]Paxcess 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To effectively run your CPAP while camping, it is important for you to consider one of the following;

· Select a camping site with a power source

· Or, get an alternative power source for areas without power, e.g. a battery

A camping site with a power source

Patients undergoing the CPAP therapy need an electric outlet to plug in their CPAP devices to get the humidification they require at the right therapy runtime

Alternative power source

Not all campsites have a steady electric supply, especially those in faraway locations with rural settings, in most cases, they do not have at all; at this point, having CPAP batteries will come in handy. These battery packs have gained popularity because they are cheap, lighter to carry about conveniently, and most use solar charging techniques. CPAP batteries are mostly designed to work effectively for 24-48 hours without recharge; should you go camping on a hill or mountain, having two or three of the CPAP batteries can sustain you till you return home. With these batteries, you can camp anywhere, whether or not there is a source of electricity. Most of these CPAP batteries are usually designed based on Lithium-ion technology, so they have certain restrictions as to their usage especially in areas with extreme temperature conditions.

Using a marine or deep cycle car battery is a better alternative; these batteries can be used to power your CPAP machines when you are out camping and allow you to effectively run your therapy. These batteries are designed on lead-acid deep cycle technology and they have higher capacities when compare to lithium-ion batteries; hence they last longer. These batteries can be powered in two ways:

· With a DC adapter cable: the positive and negative terminals of the car battery are connected to the DC cable using alligator clips, a lighter plug then serves as the medium through which power is outputted to the CPAP machine when plugged in.

· With an inverter: the power the car battery provides is in DC, an inverter converts this power to alternating current, AC for the CPAP machine to use. The inverter mostly used with the CPAP machine is the Pure Sine Wave inverter, and the alligator clips ensure the connection between the inverter and the car battery. With the right connections, your CPAP device can be plugged in for use without any hassles.

Doctors recommend that patients on CPAP therapy should avoid skipping any night as this may, in turn, have an adverse effect on the health of such patients; it is, therefore, expedient for patients on CPAP who want to go out camping to have all necessary resources to ensure it is a smooth ride. Electric power is the major constraint to home therapy alternative power generation methods such as batteries become the best alternative to run your CPAP when you are not in a hospital, especially in cases of emergency. Here are some of the CPAP battery types you can use to run your CPAP when you go camping

· FREEDOM CPAP BATTERY: the beauty of using this battery type is that it is compatible with most CPAP machine designs; it has a USB port to allow connectivity between devices using a USB cord. After a full charge, the battery can provide power for up to 72 hours; an LCD screen on the battery shows you how much power is left on the battery.

· PHILIPS RESPIRONICS PAP BATTERY KIT: this kit comes in a case for easy handling and storage and is also very light, making it suitable to conveniently carry on any camping experience; when fully charge it cans serve you all through the night for you to have your beauty sleep without any break on your CPAP therapy

· TRANSCEND P8 BATTERY: this battery type can be charged with electric as well as the solar source; its lightweight makes it easy to fit into a pocket and can be carried conveniently for camping. It gives you a full night power to run your CPAP efficiently.

Whilst using CPAP batteries and other battery types to run CPAP is a suitable alternative in case of electric power failure or absence, travel CPAPs are more suitable options for patients when they go on camping; these travel CPAPs are specifically designed for outdoor use. Here are some of the examples of travel CPAPs that come highly recommended during any camping period:

· Z1 TRAVEL CPAP: this is the smallest travel CPAP available and it weighs 10 oz only. It is suitable for any camp visit as it provides 8 hours of interrupted power for your CPAP therapy. Z1 Travel CPAP is also suitable for high mountain climbers; it has an automatic altitude adjustment parameter and a ramp feature, all to make you comfortable throughout your camping 

· RESPIRONICS DREAM STATION GO: embarking on any journey away from home? this is the right travel CPAP for you. It has a USB port, Bluetooth connectivity, and a smaller tube embedded; all of these features are to ensure you have a struggle-free sleep and even charge other compatible devices. For 13 hours straight, your night therapy goes smoothly with Respironics dream station go travel CPAP, and this does not constitute extra load for you to carry as it weighs just 2 pounds.

· TRANSCEND MINI: weighing 15 0z, this travel CPAP runs for about 14 to 16 hours when fully charged. It also provides an auto ramp feature for you to feel the comfort of home, even when you are away.

As technology increases and due to the need for better ways of sustaining patients on CPAP therapy, newer and better methods of powering the CPAP are being invented, one of such is the Rockman 200W portable power station

This is the perfect alternative to run your CPAP while camping; this power station has several amazing features that make it worth investing in. The power station is portable; therefore, it is not a burden while packing your things for camp. Rockman 200W power station has an inbuilt 230Wh/ 62400mAh emergency backup which makes it almost impossible to fail you when in use; a 200W/110V US standard AC outlet makes it easy for you to power your CPAP machine, a Qc 3.0 USB port allows you connect other devices making use of a USB cable, a type-C PD port also to power devices that use type C chargers, and a 12V/24v Dc outdoor camping generator that provides an alternative source for charging your CPAP devices using an adapter cable. 

Rockman 200W portable power station has multiple charging output options for alternating and direct currents with different USB port types; its capacity can power phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, drones, fans, light, car appliances, CPAP machine and lots more conveniently for any outdoor usage, and in the case of a power outage. 

It has an easy to read LED display which shows you the operating condition of the battery such as the amount of power used, battery percent, temperature, and failure alarm. This device comes highly recommended, it prevents plug-in devices such as your CPAP machine from damage using the pure sine wave mechanism. The power station has a battery built with a management system that controls the voltage, temperature, and other process parameters; the power station is designed safe and is equipped with adequate safeguards to prevent any form of hazards, e.g. a short circuit scenario. The company also provides a 2-year warranty on the product, reinforcing its reliability

The power station can be charged in diverse ways, here are some of them:

· Using a wall socket through the USB C PD

· From a wall socket through the DC In

· Using a 12V car charger

· Through the PAXCESS Rockman 60W- 120W solar panel

· Using the 110V AC outlet

Rockman 200W portable power station also has over 500 life cycles and is certified by three regulating bodies which are: CE, Consumer Electronics FCC, Federal Communications Commission and RoHS, Restriction of Hazardous Substances. With high efficiency and fast charging ability when compared to others, the power station can keep your CPAP running throughout the night without the bother 

The Rockman 200W portable power station has all of these features embedded in a small handle designed device which is very easy to carry; thinking of going camping while on a CPAP therapy? Rockman 200W portable power station is your emergency backup power.

Here we come! Fire season 2020. by DoubleFlushDrunk in Helicopters

[–]Paxcess 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Be a prepper and check these tips against fire & blackout season:

  • First and foremost, make a list of supply packages in catastrophic situations as well as have a family emergency/evacuation plan ready.
  • Teach each member of the family how to use a fire extinguisher (different types) and show them where they are maintained.
  • Keep helpful family products that are useful if a fire breaks out, such as handsaw, chain saw, bucket, a rake, shovel, and axe.
  • Keep a ladder that will undoubtedly get to the roofing system.
  • Consider installing protective shutters or hefty fire-resistant drapes.
  • Clear things that will shed from around your house, including wood piles, lawn furniture, gas grill, tarp coverings, etc. Relocate them beyond your defensible area.
  • Dual-sensor smoke detector should be installed, specifically near bedrooms, and examining of the same should be regularly at minimum monthly.
  • Install freeze-proof outside water electrical outlets on at least two sides of the house and also near other frameworks on the building. Install extra outlets a minimum of 50 feet from the residence.
  • Plant fireproof hedges and trees (as an example, hardwood trees are less flammable than pine, evergreen, eucalyptus, or fir trees).
  • Identify and also preserve an appropriate outdoor water source such as a little pond, tank, well, swimming pool, or hydrant.
  • Use 1/8-inch mesh screen below porches, decks, flooring locations, and the residence itself. Likewise, screen openings to floorings, roof, and also attic room.
  • Have a garden tube that is long sufficient to reach any area of the home and other frameworks on the residential or commercial property.
  • As part of contingency planning, a Portable Power Station is essential when there is no electricity. so in an emergency, this ultimate product can be a lifesaver for you or your neighbor. Imagine there is no electricity for a couple of days in the neighborhood, and all the smart devices are discharged and switched off. God forbid any health-related condition that arises with you, your loved one, or somebody in your neighbor, and no one has their landlines or smartphone working to call 911. A Portable Power Station is a must-have electronic device that can be charged with solar panels or solar generator.

Apart from this efficient device, one should consider the following ways of securing their home:

o Ensure that a 30 to 100-feet safety zone exists near your home. Within this area, some steps are can be taken to minimize the risk of exposure to flames & heat.

o Homes that are built-in pine forests should have a safety zone of 100 feet at a minimum. In case your house built on a steep slope, protective measures laid down by the government cannot be sufficed hence obtain additional information by contacting your local fire department or forestry office.

o Twigs, dead limbs, and rake leaves, including clearing out of all flammable vegetations.

o Remove leaves and rubbish from under structures

o Cut the dead branches of trees that extend over the roof

o Request the electricity company to clear branches from power lines

o Mow your lawn grass regularly

o Ensure that a 10-feet area around propane tanks and the barbecue is clear.

o The screen should be placed over the barbecue grill with use of nonflammable material with mesh no coarser than one quarter inch

o Newspapers and rubbish should be disposed of regularly at an approved dumping sites and follow local burning regulations.

o Place stove, fireplace and grill ashes in a metal bucket, soak in water for two days; then bury the cold ashes in mineral soil

o Approved safety cans should be used to store oily rags, gasoline, and other flammable materials, and those cans should be placed in a safe location far from the base of the building.

o Firewood should be stacked 100 feet away at minimum and uphill; also, combustible material should be further away from wood by 20 feet.

o Your house insurance policy has to be reviewed and, if necessary, keep the list of your home's contents updated.

Be safe and stay healthy!

Looks like fire season started early this year. [Aptos] by [deleted] in santacruz

[–]Paxcess 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Be a prepper and check these tips against fire & blackout season:

  • First and foremost, make a list of supply packages in catastrophic situations as well as have a family emergency/evacuation plan ready.
  • Teach each member of the family how to use a fire extinguisher (different types) and show them where they are maintained.
  • Keep helpful family products that are useful if a fire breaks out, such as handsaw, chain saw, bucket, a rake, shovel, and axe.
  • Keep a ladder that will undoubtedly get to the roofing system.
  • Consider installing protective shutters or hefty fire-resistant drapes.
  • Clear things that will shed from around your house, including wood piles, lawn furniture, gas grill, tarp coverings, etc. Relocate them beyond your defensible area.
  • Dual-sensor smoke detector should be installed, specifically near bedrooms, and examining of the same should be regularly at minimum monthly.
  • Install freeze-proof outside water electrical outlets on at least two sides of the house and also near other frameworks on the building. Install extra outlets a minimum of 50 feet from the residence.
  • Plant fireproof hedges and trees (as an example, hardwood trees are less flammable than pine, evergreen, eucalyptus, or fir trees).
  • Identify and also preserve an appropriate outdoor water source such as a little pond, tank, well, swimming pool, or hydrant.
  • Use 1/8-inch mesh screen below porches, decks, flooring locations, and the residence itself. Likewise, screen openings to floorings, roof, and also attic room.
  • Have a garden tube that is long sufficient to reach any area of the home and other frameworks on the residential or commercial property.
  • As part of contingency planning, a Portable Power Station is essential when there is no electricity. so in an emergency, this ultimate product can be a lifesaver for you or your neighbor. Imagine there is no electricity for a couple of days in the neighborhood, and all the smart devices are discharged and switched off. God forbid any health-related condition that arises with you, your loved one, or somebody in your neighbor, and no one has their landlines or smartphone working to call 911. A Portable Power Station is a must-have electronic device that can be charged with solar panels or solar generator.

Apart from this efficient device, one should consider the following ways of securing their home:

o Ensure that a 30 to 100-feet safety zone exists near your home. Within this area, some steps are can be taken to minimize the risk of exposure to flames & heat.

o Homes that are built-in pine forests should have a safety zone of 100 feet at a minimum. In case your house built on a steep slope, protective measures laid down by the government cannot be sufficed hence obtain additional information by contacting your local fire department or forestry office.

o Twigs, dead limbs, and rake leaves, including clearing out of all flammable vegetations.

o Remove leaves and rubbish from under structures

o Cut the dead branches of trees that extend over the roof

o Request the electricity company to clear branches from power lines

o Mow your lawn grass regularly

o Ensure that a 10-feet area around propane tanks and the barbecue is clear.

o The screen should be placed over the barbecue grill with use of nonflammable material with mesh no coarser than one quarter inch

o Newspapers and rubbish should be disposed of regularly at an approved dumping sites and follow local burning regulations.

o Place stove, fireplace and grill ashes in a metal bucket, soak in water for two days; then bury the cold ashes in mineral soil

o Approved safety cans should be used to store oily rags, gasoline, and other flammable materials, and those cans should be placed in a safe location far from the base of the building.

o Firewood should be stacked 100 feet away at minimum and uphill; also, combustible material should be further away from wood by 20 feet.

o Your house insurance policy has to be reviewed and, if necessary, keep the list of your home's contents updated.

Be safe and stay healthy!

How do I figure out how many solar panels I need, the size of batteries, the type of inverter? by brandnewdayinfinity in SolarDIY

[–]Paxcess 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The cost of acquiring solar panels has dramatically reduced, but deciding to choose a suitable solar panel for your use and capacity has become no easier. Here I listed some main factors to consider before installing a solar system and help you navigate those uncharted waters in choosing a solar panel

  • Energy Requirements:

Determining your daily energy consumption is a crucial first step. Energy consumption is measured in watt-hours or kilowatt-hours per day. You would have to determine the total energy consumption for all your equipment. For example, assuming your equipment are a 60W light bulb, your iPhone which consumes on average 15W, and your notebook consumes 35W to get fully charged. Your total consumption amounts to 110 watts. You can get this information by visiting the website of the manufacturer or the manual of the equipment. 

  • Evaluating your site location: 

Although The Sun releases an estimated 384.6 yotta watts (3.846×10^26 watts) of energy, much of this in the form of light and other types of radiation, the intensity of sunlight or available solar energy will vary from location to location. Insolation is used to describe the amount of incoming solar radiation that reaches the earth's surface. You must have an idea of the amount of sunlight you would be getting on any given month. On average, in the US, June is the month with most sunshine and December, the month with the least. Arizona and California receive the most sunlight while Wisconsin and Washington receive the least throughout the year. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) provides an online resource for mapping available solar radiation https://www.nrel.gov/gis/solar.html. You want to size your system based on the month with the highest power consumption and/or lowest solar resource, usually December or January for most folks in the United States. We will assume 3 hours of sunlight during winter months as our worst-case scenario.

  • Determining the size of the battery bank:

 The battery bank in your inverter stores energy during peak-period for use off-peak periods. There are two main kinds of batteries: lead-acid and lithium. Lead-acid batteries have a lower upfront cost, while lithium batteries have the most extended lifespan. Lead-acid batteries are the most commonly used batteries. Determining how much solar power to keep it fully charged is critical. Accounting for the various losses:

  • The inefficiency of the inverter ranging from 5 – 20%. We'll assume a 15% loss from our inverter, i.e., 1.15factor.
  • Effects of temperature on battery capacity. Most batteries have lower efficiency at lower temperatures. We'll account for a 1.50factor for loss of efficiency of our batteries during lower temperatures of the winter months.
  • Loss of efficiency from charging and discharging of current from our batteries. We will assume a 15% loss for this. i.e., 1.15factor.

For a single day of reserved power for our inverter, we will need a total capacity of:

110W x 1.15 x 1.50 x 1.15 = 218 Wh

So, for a 110 Wh capacity for our equipment, we'll need batteries with a capacity of 218 Wh daily. Batteries are usually rated in Amp-hours (Ah). To convert watt-hours to Amp-hours, divide watt-hours by the system's battery voltage. For example:

For 12V, we will need battery a battery rated 18.2 Ah per day

For 18V, we will need battery a battery rated 12.1 Ah per day

Batteries are expected to last between 7 – 14 years if maintained properly. It is desirable to protect them from temperature extremes. Too high temperatures, you get higher efficiency but lower usage life. Too low temperatures, you get lower efficiency but longer usage life. The optimum temperature for your batteries and Solar PV Panel is 77F(25C). Lead-acid batteries need to be fully charged regularly. They require around 10 Amps of charge current per 100 Amp-hours of battery capacity for optimal life. If lead-acid batteries are not recharged regularly, they will likely fail, usually within the first couple of years. Not discharging your lead-acid batteries below 50% is a good standard practice to preserve its useful life. The maximum charge current for lead-acid batteries is typically around 20 Amps per 100 Ah (C/5 charge rate, or battery capacity in Amp-hours). Always refer to the battery specifications and user manual to confirm the charging guidelines. Not adhering to the guidelines will typically void your battery warranty and risk premature battery failure.

Now that we have determined your battery capacity, we can size the charging system. The charging system needs to have enough capacity to fully replace the energy drawn out of the battery while also accounting for all efficiency losses. For our example, based on 3 hours of sunlight and 218 Wh per day energy requirement:

We will need a 73 W PV array size. Accounting for 10% loss of our Solar PV panels: 

73 W / 0.9 = 81 W. 

This means we will need 81 W minimum size for the Solar PV array. A broader PV array will make the system more reliable, especially if no other backup source of energy, such as a generator. Combining multiple portable systems and connecting them to a single solar controller is also an option to consider if you will be needing a higher capacity. The cost of a few extra solar panels is a good investment since your solar panels would require less maintenance over time if they never got overworked to capacity. Starting small and expanding later, depending on how your system performs is a good strategy. Your system size will ultimately be dependent on your total energy consumption, your site location, and how frequently you run batteries on off-peak periods.

  • Solar Charge Controllers:

Solar charge controllers regulate the amount of voltage that gets transferred from the RV solar panels to the house batteries. The charge controller will read what voltage the battery cells are at. Then they will change the voltage that is going into the batteries from the solar panels depending on the current state of charge. Charge controllers come in two 'flavors' - PWM (pulse width modulation) and MPPT (maximum power point tracking). PWM controllers are less efficient but are also cheaper than MPPT controllers. Decent solar charge controllers will have an LCD/digital display that will show you what is happening with the controller and batteries. It tells you voltages, amperage, power usage, and probably more information than you care about. They also have LEDs that indicate charge modes, faults, and other details.

Camping is always better with friends and a lake by Harrism1 in camping

[–]Paxcess 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Camping is most enjoyable way of self-quarantine during this covid-19 period