Here is the plan for this winter break: A system powered by my 12v or 24v battery(not sure which one), to melt the damn snow that will cover my walkway.
I have several questions about logistics before I start designing anything. I plan on making two solar panels, both being 36 cell 12v (actually 18v) 3-3.5amp panels. These will in turn charge the 12v battery. So Question 1: Do I buy a 24v battery? Do I put the panels in parallel and buy a 12v battery? Do I put two 12v batteries in series? What the blankety blank do I do? I suppose the answer might depend on the next question.
I initially was thinking of heating water and pumping it through PEX tubing to heat the walkway, but if I can somehow make use of the 12-24v DC that I have and create a heater that is essentially just wire, i will overcome gravity, my greatest enemy! Several problems with this are: 1) Is it possible to make a heater like what I have in mind? (please tell how if it is!), 2) My solar panels are in the back of my house, my walkway is in the front. How does wiring work for long distances. 3) How can I hook up a heater to both the battery and the solar panels? If the battery is full and the panels are still making energy, why use the battery? Or if the battery is getting close to a too low voltage, how do I switch to the Panels?
SO many questions...AH! Help please?
I have done some googling and found something called heating or resistance wire. I am guess the wires resistance is causing it to heat up. So how can I safely make a system of resistance wire, and how much must I have per sqft?
I have several questions about logistics before I start designing anything. I plan on making two solar panels, both being 36 cell 12v (actually 18v) 3-3.5amp panels. These will in turn charge the 12v battery. So Question 1: Do I buy a 24v battery? Do I put the panels in parallel and buy a 12v battery? Do I put two 12v batteries in series? What the blankety blank do I do? I suppose the answer might depend on the next question.
I initially was thinking of heating water and pumping it through PEX tubing to heat the walkway, but if I can somehow make use of the 12-24v DC that I have and create a heater that is essentially just wire, i will overcome gravity, my greatest enemy! Several problems with this are: 1) Is it possible to make a heater like what I have in mind? (please tell how if it is!), 2) My solar panels are in the back of my house, my walkway is in the front. How does wiring work for long distances. 3) How can I hook up a heater to both the battery and the solar panels? If the battery is full and the panels are still making energy, why use the battery? Or if the battery is getting close to a too low voltage, how do I switch to the Panels?
SO many questions...AH! Help please?
I have done some googling and found something called heating or resistance wire. I am guess the wires resistance is causing it to heat up. So how can I safely make a system of resistance wire, and how much must I have per sqft?
Last edited: