Re: Solar power battery system for WRT54GS

Jeff Liebermann wrote:

http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/rf-calc/solar-repeater-206.xls
Unfortunately, to recharge a 30 A-hr gel cell in one day or less
requires a 400watt solar array (non-tracking). The WRT54G will burn
94 watt-hrs/day. The solar array would need to equal that in order to
prevent the battery from running down. At 25 watt solar array would
do the job.

Yes, if it was actually generating 25 watts during the day. The 25W ratings is based on the panel being in direct sunlight. You really want a 50W panel to be safe. These cost about $250.

-50 watt panel
-55AH battery (fully charged when put into operation)
-5A controller

Depending on the time of year (longer, sunnier days, versus shorter cloudier days), even this may not be enough.

It makes you really appreciate being on the grid, when you look at how much it costs just to provide a continuous 5 watts of power!

I wonder what they're doing with all the solar powered call boxes that are being removed from the roads (at least in California they are increasing the distance between the call boxes due to the significant reduction in usage as a result of most people having cell phones).
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