My Solar Powered Coop

[rootes]

I moved the solar lights and heat today. It was a seamless move and much more simple than I had anticipated. I do not like working with AC. It is far too dangerous for my tastes. But, dealing with the DC from the solar is much more in my comfort zone. I know if I make a mistake, I won't be hurt and neither will the chickens.

The lights and heater are working just fine. The exterior lighting arrives in a few days and I'll add that to the mix.

All is right in the chicken universe!

Take care,

Tim

 

[DownRiver]

Nicely done Tim.

Thanks for sharing all the parts and associated costs - that's a big help.

Any chance you could share your sources for parts?

Thanks!

 

[rootes]

Sure!
I'll make a list and post in a day or so.
Glad to do it.

Take care.

Tim

 

[finnfur]

Sure!
I'll make a list and post in a day or so.
Glad to do it.

Take care.

Tim

On the amp draw a electrician if you know one can meter the draw on the heater - most good test equipment can.

Another thought I had was solar night only motion detector light with two bulb receptacles - one with a light comes on and the other sets off a piezo alarm/siren or some thing loud - between the light and sound it should deter predators - just a thought and haven't figured how to perfect it yet just in the thinking stages.

 

[rootes]

Quote:

I purchased this motion detector 10w DC lamp. It is on it's way.



I think I might try this alarm and wire it into the back of the light so when the motion sensor kicks the light on, it will also kick on the alarm. It might be simple. It is also 12v DC. It's sold as a car alarm.



The motion sensor lamp was only $12 and the alarm is $9

Should be an easy wiring connection.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Take Care,

Tim

 

[bradieseggco]

A simple equation can tell you the amperage of each heating pad. The equation is I=P/V

So in your situation the amps are as follows

25w heater pad
I=P/V
I =25/12
I=2.08a

3 watt heater pad
I=P/V
I=3/12
I=0.25a

I hope this helps. I also didn't mean to offend you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rootes]

Awesome!

No offense at all. I'm glad you let me know.

The older I get, the more I realize just how much more there is to learn. It's much easier, and MUCH more fun, to learn from one another.

Thank you!!

Tim

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Quite intriguing - have been tossing the idea of using solar for our setup (have a solar charger for our horse fencing already and have been quite happy with it for several years now). Seeing your breakdown has helped address the main concerns/questions that I had keeping me from doing much other than think about it - the cost and the difficulty/ease of it.

 

[Ila88]

Thanks for the info! I'm going to look into a solar panel.

 

[Ila88]

This is a great idea!