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Solar Power Deer Blind #6928900 10/22/17 06:24 PM
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TBirdFF4 Offline OP
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Been looking into rigging a solar panel with a 12v battery, charge station and AC inverter to run small fan/heater and phone charger while in the deer blind. Has anyone done this? I've looked online and found several different setups. Wondering what the best option is.

Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: TBirdFF4] #6929272 10/23/17 12:38 AM
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Battery tender about 16" cant remember the part # and a med sized tractor battery powers led lights, fan and cell charger for a long time. Had a deep cycle marine but batter tender couldn't charge enough.

Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: TBirdFF4] #6929300 10/23/17 12:52 AM
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For a heater, it will get high dollar in a hurry. One of our guys had a 45 watt from Harbor Freight, he ran lights, fan, radio headset and charged his cell phone. They no longer make that one.


Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back.
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Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: dogcatcher] #6929324 10/23/17 01:03 AM
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Originally Posted By: dogcatcher
For a heater, it will get high dollar in a hurry. One of our guys had a 45 watt from Harbor Freight, he ran lights, fan, radio headset and charged his cell phone. They no longer make that one.


Consider a heater buddy. Anything with a heating element will drain a battery pronto.


Searching the world over for the perfect Chile Relleno.
Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: TBirdFF4] #6929326 10/23/17 01:05 AM
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Buddy heater for sure.


Originally Posted by Chunky Monkey
Never been to a camping world. I prefer Dick's to be honest.
Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: TBirdFF4] #6929359 10/23/17 01:29 AM
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Here is the ultimate set up. If you think the quoted part is good, read the rest of the link, there are actually some good informative posts.
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/764173.html

Quote:
I have a 8'x8' 12' hihg cedar deerstand and have solar power to it. I was unhappy with the function of it last year and need to know exactly what size of charger/inverter/another solar panel?/battery size/ etc to run my stand 24/7. I will start by telling what I have currently, and what I will be using. I have a BP 120 watt solar pannel. A small charger, a 400 watt pricy inverter. In the deer stand I have a 30 inch flat screen tv/dvd combo, two 100 watt lights, used only after dark to help get out of the stand, a AC/Heater under the stand with 4" inlet and 4" return air, 750 watt microwave, small ice box, 1.2 amps, cycles off and on, off more than on in winter, dish network reciever & Sat. system, less than 10 watts???? The tv uses around 100 watts, in AC mode uses just under 6 amps, heat strip 8 amps. this system designed for dog house comfort. I live in Northern Louisiana, and use the AC during the first of the
season, and heat latter in the season. Last year I was running behind started with a 20 watt solar panel, 3 cranking/deep cycle optma blue top batteries, ordered deepcycle, they sent the cranking/deep cycle compo. I hooked then in series, for a total output of 12 volts. I saw real soon the 20 watt panel was too small, as the bat. ran down after only a couple of hours. That is when I bought the 120 watt panel, could not get it on top of the stand last year, and used small ga wire to run from the ground to the charger 12 feet up, but the wire was over 20' long. I now have the 120 watt panel on top of the stand, and the largest ga. wire that would fit. I think this will help. I only hunt 3 days in a row. Fri.Sat.Sun. for about 4 hours at a time. I want to leave the icebox on 24/7. The heat/AC, TV, occasional use of the microwave for not more than 5 minutes a hunt, the AC/heat will only beused around 2 hours max for the 3 days I hunt, Tv will be in use for about 3 hours a hunt x 3 hunts a week. I know that by leaving the inverter on 24/7 it will have a neg draw, around .5 to .6 amps I would guess.

My question is what do I need to add, upgrade, to do the above. What kind of battery, charger, and inverter do I need to accomplash this?
Do I need a bigger solar panel? or will the 120 watt be big enough? What ever you think I need to get to accomplish this I need to know. I know it sound crazy, but I love to hunt in style, but last year only the tv, and icebox could be ran for about 3 hours, and the batteries would be discharged. If you need more information, just let me know. I am serious about getting the system right, so I can leave the icebox on, and not have my food spoil. Is this doable?


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Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: TBirdFF4] #6929383 10/23/17 01:35 AM
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It rarely gets below 40 degrees,,, bring a down jacket.

Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: nate33] #6929432 10/23/17 01:52 AM
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Originally Posted By: nate33
It rarely gets below 40 degrees,,, bring a down jacket.


Carharts. up


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Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: TBirdFF4] #6929480 10/23/17 02:19 AM
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The heater was just an "if" lol
I'm more focused on the fan and phone charger. Thanks for the info, guys!

Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: TBirdFF4] #6929511 10/23/17 02:40 AM
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Originally Posted By: TBirdFF4
The heater was just an "if" lol
I'm more focused on the fan and phone charger. Thanks for the info, guys!


No if on the heater for me. Last year during doe/spike season it was -6 one morning. December 15 last year the high was 23 and the north wind was howling... I'll take a buddy heater for the win.


Originally Posted by Chunky Monkey
Never been to a camping world. I prefer Dick's to be honest.
Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: TEXASLEFTY] #6929516 10/23/17 02:45 AM
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I can handle the cold. Several mornings in tree stands with sleet pelting you in the face and duck hunting on a frozen lake with no wind break will do that. lol
My gf on the other hand tends to get cold VERY easily.

Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: TBirdFF4] #6929719 10/23/17 12:06 PM
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Suggestion...Ryobi sells a an 18 volt fan and a blue tooth radio with a USB. On the small battery the fan will run 7 hours on low speed, 3 on high speed. Get the bigger batteries. You investment will be about same as a solar set up without the maintenance of solar.

Heater. Electric heat is an energy hog. A coffermaker will suck down a big trolling motor battery with one cycle.


If the 2nd amendment was written just to include guns for hunting, why is there not an amendment to protect fishing poles?
Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: TBirdFF4] #6929865 10/23/17 02:08 PM
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A $300 300-watt solar panel will generate approx 1000 btu per hour in full sunlight (ZERO when it's dark).
By comparison, a $2 bottle (1#) of propane = 20,000 btus !! (w/ a $20 heater)
$15 of propane (20# bbq bottle) = 400,000 btus ( equivalent to $120,000 worth of 'solar panels' nuts )

Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: TBirdFF4] #6930342 10/23/17 08:59 PM
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I use the Mr Heater Little Buddy and bring one of the portable phone charger battery banks. Just charge it before you leave the house or trailer. You can buy a 2 pack and will give you between 6 -8 hours if you are constantly on your phone.


Freedom is a fragile thing ...Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again.
-- Ronald Reagan


Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: oldoak2000] #6930905 10/24/17 03:17 AM
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Originally Posted By: oldoak2000
A $300 300-watt solar panel will generate approx 1000 btu per hour in full sunlight (ZERO when it's dark).
By comparison, a $2 bottle (1#) of propane = 20,000 btus !! (w/ a $20 heater)
$15 of propane (20# bbq bottle) = 400,000 btus ( equivalent to $120,000 worth of 'solar panels' nuts )



Nice calculating. up


Searching the world over for the perfect Chile Relleno.
Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: oldoak2000] #6947561 11/06/17 01:56 AM
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Originally Posted By: oldoak2000
A $300 300-watt solar panel will generate approx 1000 btu per hour in full sunlight (ZERO when it's dark).
By comparison, a $2 bottle (1#) of propane = 20,000 btus !! (w/ a $20 heater)
$15 of propane (20# bbq bottle) = 400,000 btus ( equivalent to $120,000 worth of 'solar panels' nuts )



I believe you’re off in your calculation.

1 pound of propane is 90,000 btus. Therefore a 20# bottle is 1,800,000btus.


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Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: TBirdFF4] #6947632 11/06/17 02:57 AM
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Actually, a LP bottle can only be filled to 80% capacity. So the 1.8 million is corrected to 1.4 million.

Just as an FYI. The 12 volt solar panel on boats and RVs are no comparison to solar arrays used on buildings. The ones I was exposed to were 300 volt DC arrays. Then the 300VDC was ran through a controlled pure sine wave inverter for direct consumption.

If you wanted to solar heat, you need a heat collection and storage system.

It is just not practical to store enough 12 volt power to produce usable heat for climate control.


If the 2nd amendment was written just to include guns for hunting, why is there not an amendment to protect fishing poles?
Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: Halfadozen] #6947838 11/06/17 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted By: Halfadozen
I use the Mr Heater Little Buddy and bring one of the portable phone charger battery banks. Just charge it before you leave the house or trailer. You can buy a 2 pack and will give you between 6 -8 hours if you are constantly on your phone.



I bought 2 20,000 mah chargers on amazon for my night vision scopes, can charge a phone a few times on one. this one shows unavailable but it will link you to others



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OHZVN5U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Last edited by hopalong; 11/06/17 12:15 PM.


lake fork FISHERMANS COVE MARINA - 903 474 7479 reservations

Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: TBirdFF4] #6947842 11/06/17 12:19 PM
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lake fork FISHERMANS COVE MARINA - 903 474 7479 reservations

Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: BigPig] #6947968 11/06/17 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted By: BigPig
Originally Posted By: oldoak2000
A $300 300-watt solar panel will generate approx 1000 btu per hour in full sunlight (ZERO when it's dark).
By comparison, a $2 bottle (1#) of propane = 20,000 btus !! (w/ a $20 heater)
$15 of propane (20# bbq bottle) = 400,000 btus ( equivalent to $120,000 worth of 'solar panels' nuts )



I believe you’re off in your calculation.

1 pound of propane is 90,000 btus. Therefore a 20# bottle is 1,800,000btus.


a GALLON of propane = 90k btus; a gallon is about 4.5 pounds . . .

(like my physics prof always said, check your UNITS!; the 'numbers' are worthless if the units are wrong!)

Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: oldoak2000] #6948275 11/06/17 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted By: oldoak2000
Originally Posted By: BigPig
Originally Posted By: oldoak2000
A $300 300-watt solar panel will generate approx 1000 btu per hour in full sunlight (ZERO when it's dark).
By comparison, a $2 bottle (1#) of propane = 20,000 btus !! (w/ a $20 heater)
$15 of propane (20# bbq bottle) = 400,000 btus ( equivalent to $120,000 worth of 'solar panels' nuts )



I believe you’re off in your calculation.

1 pound of propane is 90,000 btus. Therefore a 20# bottle is 1,800,000btus.


a GALLON of propane = 90k btus; a gallon is about 4.5 pounds . . .

(like my physics prof always said, check your UNITS!; the 'numbers' are worthless if the units are wrong!)


Well that’s not good. We just had our house built and the propane guy did his calculations and decided that for 3300sq ft with spray foam insulation, gas tankless water heater, 2 gas furnaces, and 2 gas start fireplaces that all we needed was a 250lb tank. In all his calculations he listed 1lb = 90,000btu


Wade Dews, REALTOR ®
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Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: BigPig] #6948301 11/06/17 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted By: BigPig
Originally Posted By: oldoak2000
Originally Posted By: BigPig
Originally Posted By: oldoak2000
A $300 300-watt solar panel will generate approx 1000 btu per hour in full sunlight (ZERO when it's dark).
By comparison, a $2 bottle (1#) of propane = 20,000 btus !! (w/ a $20 heater)
$15 of propane (20# bbq bottle) = 400,000 btus ( equivalent to $120,000 worth of 'solar panels' nuts )



I believe you’re off in your calculation.

1 pound of propane is 90,000 btus. Therefore a 20# bottle is 1,800,000btus.


a GALLON of propane = 90k btus; a gallon is about 4.5 pounds . . .

(like my physics prof always said, check your UNITS!; the 'numbers' are worthless if the units are wrong!)


Well that’s not good. We just had our house built and the propane guy did his calculations and decided that for 3300sq ft with spray foam insulation, gas tankless water heater, 2 gas furnaces, and 2 gas start fireplaces that all we needed was a 250lb tank. In all his calculations he listed 1lb = 90,000btu



should be about right, this place is 7,000sf and was set up with 15 bedrooms, 6 furnaces, 2 tankless wh, 6 burner commercial cooktop and we have 2 500 gal. due to the expected volume of people when built. before it went private I would cook for an avg. of 15 during duck season, 3-4 days a week and had at least 3-4 during the week, lots of gas used.



lake fork FISHERMANS COVE MARINA - 903 474 7479 reservations

Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: TBirdFF4] #6950569 11/07/17 10:53 PM
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Propane is the most expensive energy source for a house frown
I've pulled out my furnace and replaced with 16 seer heat-pump,
and pulled out propane WHeater and replaced with electric HeatPump WH.
bills are less than HALF what the propane was costing.

Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: oldoak2000] #6950579 11/07/17 11:00 PM
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Originally Posted By: oldoak2000
Propane is the most expensive energy source for a house frown
I've pulled out my furnace and replaced with 16 seer heat-pump,
and pulled out propane WHeater and replaced with electric HeatPump WH.
bills are less than HALF what the propane was costing.


up
When we bought our place in Ruidoso we were stuck with propane, when we saw Zia Gas putting in natural gas pipelines we signed up. On an annual basis our gas bills dropped to about a 1/3 of the propane bills.


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_____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________

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Re: Solar Power Deer Blind [Re: TBirdFF4] #6951807 11/08/17 08:25 PM
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I’d love to have NG, but that’s not an option, and I wasn’t willing to go all electric, ecspscially for heat and water heater. We have spray foam insulation, the house has been very warm on the coldest of days so far without any power running to it


Wade Dews, REALTOR ®
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Frontline Real Estate Team
www.RendonRealty.com
WadeDews@gmail.com
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