![](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf4.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/5a13437c-74f2-40b2-a1c5-a4e1132dde99_rw_1920.jpg?h=3fffb696b14250dc4e0b38843c6efcc0)
I'm not an electrician any more than I'm a carpenter. Putting together a solar power kit seems simple in theory, but when you start trying to figure the proper capacities for all of the components involved, things quickly become complicated for a novice. I won't bother going in too much detail here on how I've arrived at the final setup, and instead will share just a high level summary below.
The power rack/housing was constructed from leftover 2"x4"'s and a 2'x4' plywood sheet. I had it sanded and painted. I then laid out all of the components and attached them with screws and then drilled holes to run all the wires so I can hide them behind the panel. Batteries are stored in the lower section of the rack and have plenty of access and ventilation.
![Framed and ready](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/18180b95-6ce7-4a0c-8e86-26497761aa9e_rw_3840.jpg?h=edaa0e8e5e08d93a739547a66d9234d1)
Framed and ready
![Another view](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/b6608ef2-3dee-4572-b9d5-5c4c5ffdcbea_rw_3840.jpg?h=23491ef4e4d54fd548b50eaa37c181c2)
Another view
![Another view](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf4.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/5e2c3f6d-5a3a-4ca5-a7e9-8a866ee13550_rw_3840.jpg?h=50a79cc24e92ffb452bf9a3bf0830126)
Another view
![Rear view](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf1.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/cd91cf67-209f-490f-bc5b-09d99c248315_rw_3840.jpg?h=fb57ac8041a04920cd7a361720b7dfe8)
Rear view
ELECTRICAL PANEL ...
Main kit that will power ALL of the astro equipment as well as a 12" GoldenRod dehumidifier and 4 LED shop lights in the dome area if/when I need a lot of light to service any of the equipment:
- 100W x 4 solar panels from Grape Solar
- 40amp solar MPPT charge controller - a very efficient unit from Epever with external monitor
- Breakers at each connection on top of fuses at each solar panel
- 450W power inverter from Xantrex - the unit works, but it's loud and I suspect not very efficient... candidate for future upgrade
- 100ah x 2 sealed lead-acid batteries, wired in parallel for a total of 200ah power bank
Secondary kit that will power both fans, entry LED light, LED strip lights around the perimeter of the observatory:
- 100W x 2 solar panels from Nature Power
- 40amp solar MPPT charge controller - a very efficient unit from Epever with external monitor
- Breakers at each connection on top of fuses at each solar panel
- 350W power inverter from Nature Power - the unit is tiny and looks cheap but seems to work fine
- 50ah x 2 lead-acid batteries, wired in parallel for a total of 100ah power bank
Both kits have battery bank health and actual 2-way meters installed at the batteries with shunts that can provide charge/discharge state and actual capacity readings. Both kits have extension outlets to accommodate a variety of equipment power adapters. I've done extensive testings of all power consumption and so far I'm barely using half of the minimum I need to generate during the short and cloudy winter days. Some equipment (fans, dehumidifier) have been running non-stop for a few weeks, and I never dropped below 80% on either bank capacity. In short - I'm satisfied with the results :)
![Adult supervision...](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf1.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/9c76a0e3-4a8c-4861-ad61-de1db608092f_rw_3840.jpg?h=d87914c75fb1690bd8b78dc9fdadef31)
Adult supervision...
![Ready to roll](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf5.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/6aaad028-9a3a-4d70-83ae-316cdf5bb895_rw_3840.jpg?h=1789c6d6b5df12fa720094aef54d69a6)
Ready to roll
![Closeup](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/824a26bc-dc46-4b75-8c5f-b27d9c8a6538_rw_1920.jpg?h=05adbbff02f2bd7e5ab2ee3415f0aa02)
Closeup
![Closeup](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf1.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/9412e7c5-47ee-4f6c-8804-31a1079d371e_rw_1920.jpg?h=b410024f678293504aacc92e2809cf77)
Closeup
![Breaker box](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/179ccaea-5a89-4beb-a444-08b0c6fff827_rw_1920.jpg?h=e111452f15bb61ef3fa84b9b7fb88c28)
Breaker box
![Breaker box](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf2.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/3ed6f70a-20d3-4c52-bf48-7f5c42fce16c_rw_1920.jpg?h=53cc0d334dc8cadac2f8ed5e3cc4a4de)
Breaker box
![Closeup](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf2.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/d6e7196d-bcfa-4438-a34f-d6a1ca3bd444_rw_3840.jpg?h=e9775212f665328eefa8f201536be285)
Closeup
![Closeup](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf1.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/288d4200-851b-48cd-8955-ef0de159f9d8_rw_3840.jpg?h=3a956ede65e174d132570dd709dd8752)