DIY SOLAR PRODUCTS
After over a decade of trial and error, for several years now, we have been building and using our own robust, quick to assemble solar generators which put out a resilliant mains like power.
Because we get asked which equipment we have come to trust and how to DIY build a solar generator, we have decided to share our experiences and know-how in a booklet called:
"DIY Off-Grid Solar Made Easy"
So, before you buy anything solar, to make sure that you plan correctly and get the most robust equipment available at the best possible prices, we recommend that you first read the booklet. It is also full of tips and explanations of why we set things up so differently to the main stream way of thinking.
For a free copy, emai us here: Serge(at)SolarLaserProductions.com.au
Simply put DIYSLP in the subject line and we'll send you a ~40 page copy as aPDF.
KIT PART PRICES:
ORDERING:
Below, are the latest solar kit element prices with discounts ranging from 5-30% of the retail prices.
Once you have decided on the right parts for yourself, let us know by phone or email and we'll go over things carefully with you, to make sure that you are getting exactly what you need.
Once all is clear, we will send you an official Quote/TAX invoice with all applied discounts. The quote will be valid for 1 month and to activate the order, simply pay the amount into our provided business account and delivery will generally happen within 10-15 working days.
You will get easy to follow instructions and unlimited email and phone support. If you don't like the idea of connecting cables, you can order wired kits on trollies for a surcharge.
KIT PARTS:
AUSSIE CARBON GEL BATTERIES w. 16-20Y DESIGN LIFE
30% off the recommended retail price.
12V 2V
After years of research, we believe the 12V Aussie SunGel Carbon GEL technology to be one of,.. if not the most durable and economic battery in the world today. Here's why:
Unbeatable $ to working life ratio
Solid 5Y + 5Y pro-rata Aussie Warranty
Robust industrial grade build, using purest long life materials
Made for heavy mine, rail, shipping, telco & solar industries
Design life 16Y for 12V and 20Y for 2V batteries
16Y life span at a huge 50% depth of cycle per day
Has a dry resistant GEL
oisture trapping catalyst caps
Virtual zero gassing = Ultra safe
Huge -20°C to 55°C operating temperature range
Continous discharge power of 4500W (380A)
Factories in Australia & abroad providing supply security
It's 100% recyclable!
Amidst so many other modern technologies, it may seem strange to choose 160 year old lead acid chemistry, but being the most researched of all, it is the most robust platform to build upon and with years of continued development, SunGel Carbon have now solved all historic lead acid weaknesses such as loss of moisture due to gassing, terminal corrosion, heat generation, capacity loss due to sulfation, reduced life span due to deep cycling, instability in hot and cold climates, expense, recycling, short warranties etc.
Further evidence that these batteries are the best global choice for the immediate future, is that when compared against all kinds of other battery technologies, wealthy countries (who can afford the best of the anything), are choosing Aussie SunGel's and buying them in huge quantities.
As an example of the raw power of a single 166Ah 12V battery, if drained 50% per night, it can supply around 1kWh per night for a good 16 years. It can also provide around 2kWh emergency energy for rainy periods.
That's enough power for several LED lights, a standard fridge/freezer a water pump, plus a few hours laptop or TV time each night and ~24hrs power through rain. Not bad for a single 58kg battery of around $900.
As an example, just 8 batteries could power a house with electric kitchen and provide ~4 days of emergency power through heavy rain before the back-up genny would be required.
12V 109Ah(C10) 135Ah(C120) RRP $998.80 - 30% =
$699 + transport.
5Y + 5Y pro-rata warranty. 16Y Design Life.
12V 166Ah(C10) 205Ah(C120) RRP $1315.60 - 30% =
$920 + transport.
5Y + 5Y pro-rata warranty. 16Y Design Life.
2V 175Ah (C10) 262Ah(C120) RRP $517 - 30% = $360 + transport.
6Y + 6Y pro-rata warranty. 20Y Design Life.
Available in other sizes and voltages. Please inquire.
To extend the life-span of the battery even further, we recommend putting a quality Super capacitor in parallel.
See Super Capacitors below...
LOWER COST MAXON 6V 166Ah CARBON-GERMAN GEL BATTERY. 12Y DESIGN LIFE
5% off the recommended retail price.
RRP $330 - 5% = $313 + transport. 2Y warranty
Rated at 6V 204Ah (C10), we find that in reality, when built into a solar set-up, two of these batteries reliably produce around 166Ah at 12V, which when going by weight, is much the same as the 12 166Ah SunGel batteries. Maxons have a smaller 12Y design life and can only last around 12Y when the depth of discharge (DOD) is under 10% on average.
As such, they are only recommendable if a user doesn't have a high nightly energy demand, or if only used sporadically when camping or at weekender cabins etc. and we don't recommend using them in a standard house solar system.
Generally, a set of 8 batteries seems a good bedrock size for most Eco-House dwellings. 8 would provide a reserve of around 8kWh and at 10% nightly drain, around 800Wh of power. This would be enough for LED lights, a pump and fridge with an hour or two LCD TV or laptop time.
Maxons are made at one of the worlds most reputable battery factories in China and built to heavy duty Australian requirements. Experience has shown these batteries to be the “best choice” of the budget battery range as over the past decade, there has been almost zero warranty returns.
They have thick lead carbon plates and a dry-out resistant German GEL which makes them more resillient than standard Gel batteries and they can work tirelessly for many years in snow to desert temperatures. In a lab test, after a full drain every day for 1 year, they showd no sign of capacity loss.
To extend the lifespan of the battery bank, we recommend putting the following industrial grade Super Capacitor in parallel...
SUPER CAPACITOR battery life extender
5% off the recommended retail price.
To potentially extend the life span of a battery 1.5 - 4 times, we recommended using a 48V USA Maxwell super capacitor in parallel. This size capacitor works well with 12-36V battery banks. Capable of over 1,000,000 full cycles, it can far outlast batteries.
Where a battery takes hundreds of milliseconds to react to a sudden surge, capacitors deliver thousands of amps instantaneously, which then effectively blocks the hundreds of daily surges form etching away at the lead plates.
Super Capacitors can also extend the life-span of the inverter by taking over the heavy voltage smoothing work of the inverters electrolytic capacitors. Like batteries, electrolytic capacitors have a finite life and even high quality capacitors can fail after 10-20 years of hard work. When using a super capacitor, your inverter capacitors can go into relax mode and least many years longer than normal.
Super capacitors can also block huge surges caused by nearby lightening strikes and spikes caused by things like heavy duty pumps starting up etc, and give an additional layer of protection to all solar elements. They also enable the smoothing of the current through cloud and sun oscillation.
As such, a super capacitor is the best insurance policy one could get and in our opinion, well worth the small extra investment.
We recommend only using the long proven USA Maxwell capacitors however, as other capacitors may come with long term problems like degrading internals resulting in heat and pressure build up, leading to a possible rupturing of the capacitor. Also, many cheaper capacitors don't have the huge surge capacity or life span of the Maxwell.
Super capacitors are mainly used in electric accelerators on trains, buses, mining trucks, cars etc. and are generally to expensive to use in solar systems. Hence their rarity.
To save the around $3000 expense of a new capacitor, we provide the select best pick of pre-used cleaned and tested units with a 2Y warranty for $690 - 5% discount = $655 + postage.
CABLES to link Batteries.
10% off the recommended retail price
These are Australian made and flat crimped for higher surface area contact Then they are soldered for even better contact and sealed with glue filled heavy shrink tube for moisture protection. The cables are made of 4 individual 70A cables which provide for a better cooling when compared to a singular thicker cable.
Even though, batteries can come with free link bars, we tend to use flexible cables because of the stress an ever expending and contracting ridged link bar can exert on the terminals. Years of movement could lead to cracks in the resin around a terminal allowing moisture to slowly evaporate and dry the battery out. Mechanical movement could also stress the internal mechanics of the lead plate contacts, potentially resulting in them becoming loose.
280A 25cm with lugs RRP $29 -10% = $26 + transport 3Y warranty
280A 75cm with lugs RRP $39 -10% = $35 + transport 3Y warranty
TROLLEY BOXES
10% off the RRP price:
Protective, "Plug-n-Play" trolley boxes with a set of wired 24V batteries and fuses make it easy to move and connect your solar kit. The boxes can be stood upright or laid in a horizontal position (eg: for under the house).
A 4kWh battery / inverter trolley box can be expanded in capacity by connecting additional trolley boxes containing 24V 4kWh battery sets. the inverter trolley box weighs around 180kg and additional battery trolley boxes weigh around 140kg.
PRICE for each trolley box incl, vents, battery holders, fuse switches, connectors and assembly: RRP $698 - 10% = $628
240VAC BATTERY CHARGERS
Reliable flexible digital charger in carry case.
10% off the recommended retail price:
2 x 12V 60A chargers made up of 6 x 20A chargers in total. Charge at 20, 40 or 60A per 12V output.
Included are: 1 x carry case, 2 x multi power board, 6 x 20A chargers, 2 x 12V 60A outputs with opposing adapter cables and lugs for 2 x 12V battery banks, 1 x 12V adapter cable with clamps wired for 20A charging for a single battery. 1Y warranty. $808 - 10% = $727 + Transport.
INVERTERS. Factory direct
10% off the recommended retail price:
Australian made Latronics inverters are a perfect match for the long life carbon batteries.
These inverters are built like tanks, rarely fail and can work 24/7 for decades through extreme Aussie conditions with many today, still working after 20 years service.
They are our undisputed favourite.
We sell our "X" series version of inverter with and eXtended voltage window which goes lower so that batteries can provide everything they can, in an emergency. "X" series can only be used with Carbon batteries as they are more forgiving to the occasional total drain. The "X" versions also work with higher voltages and can handle up to 30V batteries (5 x 6V) which max out at 36V when fully charged. All up a 24V inverter can be ordered to work from as low as 20V all the way up to 36V. This makes it possible to run an inverter directly from panels via a Super-capacitor without the need for batteries. As such, a cheaper battery-less system can be set up if no night or rain power is required.
24V MODELS:
LS624: 24VDC to 230VAC
600W cont, /750W 30min, 2000W 5 sec surge.
Has a built in AC socket. 2Y warranty.
Runs washing machines, fridges, freezers, pumps and some hand tools.
You can choose between a power socket or a hard wire terminal. This inverter also makes for a great emergency back up inverter to keep the fridge, pump lights and washing machine going should the main house unit ever need a repair.
RRP $1045 - 10% = $940 + transport.
LS1224: 24VDC to 230VAC
1200W cont, 1600W 30 min, 3600W 5 sec surge.
Has built in AC socket.
2Y warranty.
Runs most household and shed appliances
You can choose between a power socket or a hard wire terminal.
RRP $1661 - 10% = $1490 + transport.
LS1824: 24VDC to 230VAC
1800W cont, 2200W 30 min, 5400W 5 sec surge.
Most popular. Mains like power. Good $/W ratio
Runs any single phase equipment. 2Y warranty.
You can choose between a power socket or a hard wire terminal.
RRP $2189 - 10% = $1970 + transport.
LS4024: 24VDC to 230VAC
4000W cont, 4500W 30 min, 12000W 5 sec surge.
3Y warranty.
Hard wire connection only. Good for 15A electric oven or 2 single 10A appliances running at the same time.
RRP $4719 - 10% = $4240 + transport.
OTHER AVAILABLE INVERTERS...
12V, 48V, 96V up to 8000W continuous / 9600W 30mins are also available. Email us for the latest complete price list.
REGULATORS assembled with fuses and cables
10% off the recommended retail price:
Select Australian, USA or German made regulators are true quality and can work tirelessly for decades. They are available as 30A, 60A, or higher if put in parallel with individual solar strings feeding them.
They are optimised life for GEL batteries. Here a picture of a 2 x 60A = 120A regulator chargers with a DC breaker for each.
30A 12-48V MPPT DCDC Regulator + 2m 140A battery lead with lugs reset fuse + 0.5m fused input leads with 4 plugs for up to 2 sets of 4 A-Frames. From RRP $980 - 10% = $882 + transport with 2-5Y warranty depending on brand
60A 12-48V MPPT DCDC Regulator + 2m 140A battery lead with lugs reset fuse + 0.5m fused input leads with 4 plugs for up to 2 sets of 4 A-Frames. From RRP $1080 - 10% = $972 + transport with 2-5Y warranty depending on brand
CABLE link for 6 x 250-330W Solar panels as 3 x A-Frames
10% off the recommended retail price:
Heavy duty UV proof, low loss 100% Copper, Oxygen free, 6mm 70A twin cable with high quality MC4 plugs.
3 x A-Frames with 10m extension
RRP $279 - 10% = $251 + transport. 3Y warranty
3 x A-Frames with 15m extension
RRP $310 - 10% = $279 + transport. 3Y warranty
3 x A-Frames with 20m extension
RRP $341 - 10% = $306 + transport. 3Y warranty
3 x A-Frames with 30m extension
RRP $404 - 10% = $363+ transport. 3Y warranty
3 x A-Frames with 40m extension
RRP $341 - 10% = $306 + transport. 3Y warranty
EXTENSION CABLE from end of A-Frame cable to Regulator
10% off the recommended retail price:
Extensions are if you miscalculated your distance from your A-Frames and need to extend the cable somewhat. You simply click the extension in between your existing cable and the regulator. Low loss 100% Copper, Oxygen free 6mm 70A twin cable with crimped and soldered genuine 42 amp MC4 plugs are used only.
5m with 4 plugs RRP $45 - 10% = $40 + transport. 3Y warranty
10m with 4 plugs RRP $65 - 10% = $58 + transport. 3Y warranty
15m with 4 plugs RRP $80 - 10% = $72 + transport. 3Y warranty
SOLAR A-Frames made from 2 x back to back hinged panels
Buy more than 4 and get 10% off the total price
Just 10 minutes to set up on the ground
Used A-Grade panels: Cleaned, refurbished, tested, like new output, no bleached or cracked cells or backings. May have minor glass scratches and marks on the frame.
2 panels are screwed back to back using 2 heavy duty steel gal hinges and sprayed with zinc paint. 4 aluminium legs are attached to the bottom of the panel pair and have holes for heavy duty gal steel 40cm ground pegs. The legs lift the panels around 20cm off the ground to reduce mud splash and to enable brush cutting under them.
2Y SLP warranty
Hinged pair of panels with legs:
Used 190W RRP $300 - 10% = $270 + transport
DIY A-frame parts:
Want to make the A-Frames yourself?
Then get the A-frame sets.
Buy 4 sets and get 10% off.
1 x A-Frame set consists of:
2 x heavy stainless butt hinges
16 x self drilling screws
4 x 40x40x500mm pre drilled aluminium legs
52 self drilling screws
4 x gal steel ground pegs
RRP $104.44 - 10% = $94 + transport
4 x 40x40x500mm "L" aluminium legs with 6 screw holes and a peg hole per leg. A set of 4 legs comes with 24 x 30mm self drilling screws and 4 x 40cm long galvanised anchor pegs. RRP $99 - 10% = $89 / A-Frame + transport.
3Y warranty. Add $10 per A-Frame if you want them pre-mounted
Door to door DELIVERIES can be made to almost anywhere in Australia at very reasonable prices. Please inquire.
Thank you