Purpose
Supply power to the radio room for use during power outages.
Power
Power is supplied from four 12-volt panels connected in series to a charge controller. The potential 96-volt power is converted to 24-volt power to charge two 12-volt 100 Ampâ‹…hour marine batteries in series.
Plan
Two 15-meter sections of an extension cord connect the solar system to the home. The three 1.3 mm conductors (live, neutral, and ground) are connected on each end and bonded to an Anderson Power Pole Connector. Bonding the three 1.3 mm conductors creates a single 3.9 mm conductor that can carry 24 volts without decreasing voltage. The power cord connects the load on the charge controller to a waterproof Anderson Power Pole Connector (28.53 mm diameter) in the radio room Lexan window. The power is connected to a distribution block. The 24-volt power is split into separate leads:
- Enginstar Battery
- Rovsun 12/24-volt Refrigerator
- Radio Equipment
- Computer Equipment
Enginstar Battery
Twenty-four volts will supply the charge input to the Enginstar Battery. This battery will supply the following:
- 5-volt USB and wireless charge power
- 12-volt power
- 24-volt power
- 120-volt Power
Rovesun 12/24-volt Refrigerator
The Rovesun 12/24-volt refrigerator receives 24-volt power directly from the distribution block.
Radio Equipment
24 volts will be converted to 13.8 volts for use in the following:
- Yaesu FT-897 all-mode amateur transceiver (10 Watts at idle)
- Yaesu VX-8 VHF / UHF amateur transceiver (8 Watts at idle / charge)
- SCS DR-7400 Pactor Modem (4 Watts)
- Midland MXT400 GMRS transceiver (4 Watts at idle)
- 12/24-volt LED lamp (7 Watts)
Twenty-four volt to 13.8-volt conversion will be carried out by a 24-volt to 13.8-volt DC to DC converter. The DC-to-DC converter is connected to a distribution block. The distribution block supplies power to the above devices.
Computer Equipment
Twenty-four volts will be down-converted for use in the following:
- Compact PC (10 Watts)
- Samsung C27F390 Monitor # 1 (11 Watts)
- Samsung C27F390 Monitor # 2 (11 Watts)
The Terryza compact PC requires 12 volts to operate. 13.8 volts will work as well, but 12 volts is preferred. Twenty-four volt to 12-volt conversion will be carried out by a 24-volt to 12-volt DC to DC converter. The DC-to-DC converter is connected to a distribution block. The compact PC uses a standard 5.5 x 2.1 mm male power connector. The compact PC consumes 5-20 Watts.
The Samsung C27F390 monitors require 14 volts to operate. 13.8 volts works well for the monitors. Twenty-four volt to 13.8-volt conversion will be carried out by an 8-40-volt to 13.8-volt DC to DC converter. The DC-to-DC converter is connected to a distribution block. The monitors use a less common 6.0 x 4.4 mm male power connector. The monitors consume 11 Watts each.
The overall power consumption for the compact PC and the two monitors is 38 Watts.