BUILD AN OFF-GRID, SOLAR-POWERED BIODIESEL PUMP
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Here’s a look at the components that went into our off-grid strawbale dispensing location in Pittsboro, NC.
| Solar Panel: Used from Ebay. We bought a 20 watt BP/Solarex panels for $90 with mounting brackets. A new 20 watt panel will run about $180 without a mounting bracket. A 10 watt panel is about $90, so it is important to know how much you will be pumping to size appropriately.
Mounting Bracket approximately $40 new. |
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| Charge controller Sunsaver 20L Morningstar available from EV Solar Cost $73.00 |
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| Battery: We have used two types of batteries for our pumps. a. NAPA auto parts #8270 (by Exide) trolling motor / RV 105 amp-hour / 160 minute reserve capacity battery b. AGM (absorbed glass mat), 139.5 Amp-Hour, deep-cycle battery from a local supplier. |
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| Battery box: a. Small: Dick’s Sporting Goods or Battery Mart b. Larger: Modified Cooler for the AGM battery |
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| DC Breakers or Fuses : 20 amp rating DC Disconnect Box from local electrical supply |
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| Scully Tank Gauge for 500 gallon tank- 2in Male NPT opening http://www.scully.com/ss_pproduct.html http://www.oil-equip-mfg.com/products_kingalarms_gauges.htm http://www.oecfh.com/tank_level_indic.htm |
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| Locking vacuum/pressure relief fill cap http://www.cim-tek.com/prevent.asp 2″ Cim-Tek from OEC FLUID HANDLING, INC. Subsidiary of Oilmen’s Equipment Corporation (800-500-9311 or 864-573-9200) |
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| Emergency Vent Also available from OEC Fluid Handling/Oilmen’s Equipment Corporation (800-500-9311 or 864-573-9200) |
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| 12 volt DC Pump, Meter, and Filter setup www.northerntool.com(1) 12 VDC Fill-Rite pump (1) 3/4″ Fill-Rite meter (1) 3/4″ Goldenrod fuel filter (1) 3/4″ x 20′ pump hose (1) Auto shutoff nozzle |
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| Fuel Storage Tank An aboveground, horizontal, double-wall type I, steel storage 500 gallon tank in conformance with the Underwriters Laboratories’ UL-142 specifications |
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| Optional Accessories Diesel Tank Breather- Desiccant Filter http://store.avlube.com/d102breather.html |