My Solar Shed

Though I am now retired, I still like solving technical challenges. One such challenge, in recent times was setting up a small-scale independent (off-grid) 12-volt solar powered system. This solar system only had one panel and one leisure battery, and it wasn’t much use for power intensive applications, but it was useful for LED lighting, powering a radio or a sound system, charging items like my phone, iPad and laptop computer. I also set up a 12-volt water pump that was used in conjunction with a water tank where we kept two shubunkins (pet fishes). There was also a mains 240-volt inverter that was handy for short bursts with mains power tools, etc.
I like the idea of being off grid. And apart from the setup costs, the sunshine generated electricity is free. I like free. If you fancy doing something similar, there’s a great book called “Do It Yourself 12 Volt Solar Power” by Michel Daniek. Also, it’s worth mentioning that since the systems are 12 Volt, a lot of the required parts can be sourced from auto parts traders; for things like fuses, etc.

11 responses to “My Solar Shed”

  1. Papa surely likes to learn this thing. He likes to do involving electric wires, too. He wasn’t just able to properly study. Beautiful project, Little. And I just saw what shubunkin look like today.🤭

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    1. It’s not hard to learn. The main thing is to send everything through a fuse box, thus minimising the risk of fire should there be a short circuit.
      Little Shubunkin was a childhood hypocorism. My dad had a funny sense of humour. 😊

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      1. Oh, thanks. I got a new word: hypocorism. Virgo name has lots of hypocorism. 🤭

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      2. Is Virgo your star sign?

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      3. No. My star sign is Taurus. Born May 13. I’ve read the tagalog, and I agree.🤗

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      4. Ah! I didn’t want you to think I was being a clever dick. I’m Aries… 27th of March. ☺️

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      5. Almost your birthday. Nah… no worries. Can speak Tagalog?

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      6. Alas, no. I speak English, pidgin French and Yorkshire dialect. I’m open to learn about other languages and cultures, though. Siguro puwede akong sumali sa paggamit ng Tagalog paminsan-minsan? I noticed the word ‘akong’ because it was the name of the head lama at Samye Ling monastery in Scotland.

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      7. And I speak Bisaya. I rarely speak tagalog because I live in the southern part of the Philippines. We speak Bisaya here. Pero makakapagsalita din ako nang Tagalog paminsan-minsan🤭 Nakakaintindi rin. Maraming salamat for this lovely conversation, Little

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      8. Is Bisaya same as Cebuano?

        Liked by 1 person

      9. Yes, Little

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