Solar system for winter

[Exmasonite]

Hello. New to the forum and decided to post a new thread after reviewing a lot of previous threads on this topic.

So looking at solar options for winter time in Michigan. My only priority is going to be to keep a heated waterer (3gal Farm innovators, thermostatic controlled) that's rated at 100w. I would love a low voltage LED light to help with laying but not essential.

There would be an option to run a cord about 120 yards but risk of cord being driven on repeatedly and forgetting about it when plowing down to the barn.

For all the research I have done, battery capacity is probably the biggest issue/cost. From previous threads, I would be looking at 200-300aH.

I have done enough research to be mildly knowledgable but still a LOT of gaps. Kinda looking for an "all in one" option to make it a little easier but would be opening to doing some cobbling together and figuring it out.

So I found a couple of systems on amazon, looking for some feedback/advice... both have "everything" but maybe need a bigger battery (100 Ah systems)

This one has a PWM controller (the second one below has a MPPT which i have seen is recommended and maybe worth the cost?)
($379 for PWM and 100W solar, don't need Bluetooth option)
https://www.amazon.com/ECO-WORTHY-C...f96-8c15-75f5a8d8037a&pd_rd_i=B0BN5X6DR5&th=1


($728, MPPT, 400W solar.... **There is a 200 Ah system for $1000 but has larger inverter, etc, seems overkill?)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH2DG9X...=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

Questions:
1) Thoughts on these choices? I was hoping to be in the $600-800 range. Not sure I want to go much above this.

2) Is is possible to daisy chain/add a second battery or do I need to look for a 200 Ah battery system?

3) One option is to run the cord and charge/top it off every few days but not keep connected all the time. My main worry is on the rare occasion we get 6-12" of snow in lower michigan, I need to find and pull the cord before plowing.

Thanks in advanced.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi, and welcome to BYC!

We love solar and camp off-grid a lot.

We too had looked at going solar for our coops, but there were too many downfalls, lack of sun in the winter being the biggest. We're next to you in Wisconsin.

Could you just wire the coop? It probably would be a wash with the cost, and so much more convenient.

 

[Exmasonite]

That is an option but some challenges with where propane line is running, granted electrical doesn't need to be nearly that deep. the coop is mobile and i was debating moving it a round a little.

If there is an effective option for <$750, I would be game to explore that.

 

[Exmasonite]

Some of the other threads mention submersible pool heaters that run 15-50w. That might make it a whole lot easier and lessen battery requirement. May have to go smaller on waterer (1gal) and use a thermo switch but that may be a good option.

 

[Redbrush]

You have to remember you're in Michigan. LiFePo4 batteries can only discharge to 4°F usually and can only be charged above 32°F. If you can't heat the battery or buy a heated one, I wouldn't recommend a solar system for your application.

I would suggest going ti diysolarforum.com and spend some time reading.

 

[Zanja]

Couple ideas. A standalone power station like a Bluetti (there are others) that you can take in and out of the coop, maybe even daily, and charge it in bad weather situations. Could you elevate your extension cord on a pole high enough to get out of the path of plowing? Worse case, and I have done this, is take warm water out a couple times a day.

 

[Debbie292d]

Some of the other threads mention submersible pool heaters that run 15-50w. That might make it a whole lot easier and lessen battery requirement. May have to go smaller on waterer (1gal) and use a thermo switch but that may be a good option.

We tested this one in an ice cream bucket plugged into a thermo cube. It worked fine. This bucket is in a growout pen and sits outside.

The other pens have the plug-in heated nipple buckets, and the two coops are heated to 45F all winter so they have 5-gallon nipple buckets.

 

[Exmasonite]

You have to remember you're in Michigan. LiFePo4 batteries can only discharge to 4°F usually and can only be charged above 32°F. If you can't heat the battery or buy a heated one, I wouldn't recommend a solar system for your application.

I would suggest going ti diysolarforum.com and spend some time reading.

Redbrush,

Thanks for the info. I guess I was hoping that some sort of insulated enclosure might help counter the cold.

Thoughts on going with an AGM battery instead?

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Self-...8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Thanks.