Hi guys, I had a quick look, but not really sure what to search for, so sorry if there are already threads on this.
I'm looking to make a small Solar/Battery system to power things during blackouts/camping etc. I've seen a few off the shelf system, but they are either lack something I want, or are over the top expensive, or don't have distributors in New Zealand.
I want to be able to to charge phones, maybe have a couple small lights, and most importantly, charge camera batteries. All of those can be done off 12v, saving the cost and in-efficiency's of converting DC to AC, then back to DC again via an inverter.
My idea is to have an 12V SLA battery, 50-100W solar panel, solar charger, then have either a couple car lighter sockets, and use car lighter socket USB adapters, or just have 1/2 sockets, and make my own 12v-5V step down to USB sockets. Then add some kind of 12V DC powered LED lights on decent length cords, and build it all inside a plastic container of some kind.
First, am I being stupid?
Second, has anyone done something like this and can share there experience?
Lastly, some component questions:
-Any suggestion on the size battery I will need, and is it ok to run the same type SLA's in parralell
-Any recommendations on low power Solar charge controller, I've seen several on trademe/Jaycar etc.
-What sort of terminals should I use to hook all these things up?
-Is there such a thing as cheap 12V LED lights?