|
| Author |
Message |
bldginsp
Member
|
# Posted: 1 Feb 2017 10:19pm
Reply
Ok, so maybe it was a stupid idea, but I tried it anyway.
Having a little 21 watt solar charger that I use in summer, and since I was going to be using the propane lanterns anyway, I thought I'd see if the lantern would charge the storage battery (which would then charge up the phone and tablet). But, alas, the best laid plans of mice and men, it failed miserably and didn't charge the battery one bit. Rats.
|
|
bobrok
Member
|
# Posted: 1 Feb 2017 10:27pm
Reply
That's because you used propane generated light.
Everybody knows you have to use light generated by hydrogen and helium.
|
|
Just
Member
|
# Posted: 1 Feb 2017 10:29pm
Reply
That should work WE ran with a 15 watt panal fo 5 years lights only
must be somthing wrong
|
|
toyota_mdt_tech
Member
|
# Posted: 1 Feb 2017 11:49pm
Reply
bldg_insp, you would of never known if you didnt try.
Hey, how about a perpetual machine, a solar panel, running a light to shine on the same solar panel, a light indefinitely??? 
|
|
DaveBell
Moderator
|
# Posted: 2 Feb 2017 12:07am
Reply
Solar panels use both spectrum (380-750 nm wavelength) and power in order to knock the panel electrons around to generate current. The sun's solar energy on a sunny day provides about 1,000 watts per square meter on the Earth’s surface. A light bulb produces between 40 and 100 watts. Compare the propane light to a light bulb to the sun. You probably won't get a sunburn from the propane light.
|
|
bldginsp
Member
|
# Posted: 2 Feb 2017 08:47am
Reply
DaveBell- I'm sure you're right. The solar panel has a light that comes on when the panels are exposed to sunlight, showing that the panels are producing. This light came on with the propane lantern, but the battery showed no increase in charge after several hours. It may have been getting a trickle, but not enough to make a difference. Or there may not have been even enough current to overcome the resistance in the wiring and electronics in the panels and battery. For a time I put two lanterns at the panel, same result. Oh well.
Toyota- how about a squirrel in a squirrel cage running a small generator that operates a light that hits a solar panel that produces current in wires attached to the squirrel's butt which motivates the squirrel to keep running....
Just- I agree. Something is quite wrong. You could say that what's wrong is in the system that was set up, or you could say that something was wrong with the person who set it up.
bobrok- why didn't I think of that? I'll get started on my small scale hydrogen cold fusion machine (small cabin scale) right away, and keep you posted on the results.
Quoting: DaveBell You probably won't get a sunburn from the propane light.
No, but I burned my fingers once.
|
|
ColdFlame
Member
|
# Posted: 2 Feb 2017 11:14am
Reply
lol @ bldginsp - That last post was hilarious. 
|
|
groingo
Member
|
# Posted: 2 Feb 2017 11:24am
Reply
Since you are using propane why not just get a Biolite and convert the burner to propane, you get light, heat and power all in one.
|
|
|
paulz
Member
|
# Posted: 2 Feb 2017 11:27am
Reply
I wonder if a Peltier plate above the light would put out enough voltage.
|
|
SE Ohio
Member
|
# Posted: 2 Feb 2017 04:37pm
Reply
Do you have a DMM or other meter that measures current? You could measure current produced by the light and then calculate how many hours of light needed to replenish the amp-hour rating of the battery(ies). You should measure some current if panel is working (voltage too).
That being said, you'll do better with the panel by a window. I'm assuming it isn't weatherproof? I manage to recharge a pair of 4 amp-Hour batteries between cabin visits using a measly 1.5 watt /12 volt panel sitting indoors up against a southern exposure window.
SE Ohio
|
|
rachelsdad
Member
|
# Posted: 4 Mar 2017 05:15am
Reply
thanks for the chuckle
|
|
|
